Shadcn UI vs. Open Props

What is Shadcn UI?

Shadcn UI is a beautiful and modern component library built on top of Radix UI, styled with Tailwind CSS, and intended for Next.js projects. It offers accessible, production-ready components with theming, variants, and built-in dark mode support.

You install components via CLI and get full control over the code.

Key Features of Shadcn UI

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• Built on Radix Primitives: Accessibility and flexibility included.
• Tailwind CSS Styling: Easy customisation with utility-first approach.
• CLI Installation: Add only the components you need.
• Dark Mode Support: Pre-configured light and dark theme switching.
• TypeScript Friendly: Built entirely with TypeScript.
• Optimised for Next.js: Uses App Router structure and conventions.

Advantages of Shadcn UI

• Pre-styled and fast to use, ideal for building modern apps quickly.
• Easily theme-able using Tailwind and variants.
• Components are accessible by default.
• Ideal for SaaS apps, dashboards, and websites.
• Each component is editable because you own the code.

Disadvantages of Shadcn UI

• Requires Tailwind CSS, less suitable if you're not using Tailwind.
• Not suitable for other frameworks like Vue or Angular.
• Depends on Radix primitives, understanding Radix helps.
• Bundle size can grow if you install too many components.
• You need to manage components in your codebase manually.

What is Open Props?

Open Props is a modern CSS framework built entirely around CSS custom properties (variables). Instead of sending prebuilt UI components or heavy utility classes, it provides a set of reusable design tokens that you can apply anywhere. Think of it as a toolbox of modern CSS features rather than a ready-made UI kit.

It’s not a traditional framework like Bootstrap or Tailwind. Instead, it’s closer to a design system foundation—a library of variables for colors, typography, shadows, gradients, animations, spacing, and sizes. Developers can use these variables in raw CSS, Sass, or even combine them with other frameworks.

Because it’s framework-agnostic, Open Props works well with plain HTML, React, Vue, Angular, or even with utility-first libraries like Tailwind.

Key Features of Open Props

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• Design Tokens Out-of-the-Box: Colors, gradients, fonts, shadows, borders, animations, spacing.
• Framework-Agnostic: Works with vanilla CSS, SCSS, PostCSS, Tailwind, or any frontend setup.
• Utility Classes (Optional): Comes with optional helpers like margin: var(--size-3).
• Theming Made Simple: Supports dark/light mode with just a few variable overrides.
• Modern CSS-Only: No JavaScript, only pure CSS properties.
• Lightweight by Design: Extremely small bundle size compared to component-heavy frameworks.
• CDN Ready: Drop in via a <link> or import with NPM.

Advantages of Open Props

• Flexible: Can be used standalone or alongside other CSS frameworks.
• Theming Support: Switch to dark mode or brand colors by redefining tokens.
• Beginner-Friendly: Easy for anyone who already knows CSS variables.
• Ultra Lightweight: Just variables, no unnecessary bloat.
• Encourages Best Practices: Pushes developers towards scalable, token-based design systems.
• Easy to Customize: Override props once to apply across your project.

Disadvantages of Open Props

• Small Community: Limited templates, examples, and resources compared to Bootstrap/Tailwind.
• Not Plug-and-Play: Great for design systems, but not ideal if you want instant UI.
• No Prebuilt Components: You’ll need to design buttons, modals, navbars yourself.
• Challenging Learning Curve for Beginners: Requires understanding of CSS variables and design tokens.