Material UI vs Ant Design: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Material UI and Ant Design comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Material UI
The React component library to build beautiful and powerful UIs faster.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 7.0/10)
- • Comprehensive React UI component library for faster development.
- • Offers both free foundational components (Material UI) and advanced paid components (MUI X).
Ant Design
Enterprise UI design language
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Enterprise UI library
- • React components
| At a Glance |  Material UI |  Ant Design |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | UI/UX Design | UI/UX Design |
Rating | 88/100 | 70/100 |
| Feature | Material UI | Ant Design |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 70 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignDesign Systems | UI/UX DesignDesign Systems |
How Material UI and Ant Design Compare
Material UI
The React component library to build beautiful and powerful UIs faster.
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Ant Design
Enterprise UI design language
Free · 70/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Ant Design is free. Material UI is freemium.
Go with: Ant Design
Want the highest-rated option?
Material UI: 88/100. Ant Design: 70/100.
Go with: Material UI
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Material UI
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Material UI is freemium. Ant Design is free. Go with Ant Design if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ui/ux design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Material UI scores higher: 88/100 vs 70/100.
Key Takeaways
Material UI
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 70
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Ant Design
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Material UI (88/100) is our pick. That said, Ant Design is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Material UI or Ant Design better?
Material UI scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Material UI is freemium and Ant Design is free.
What are Material UI and Ant Design used for?
Material UI: The React component library to build beautiful and powerful UIs faster.. Ant Design: Enterprise UI design language.
What does Material UI cost vs Ant Design?
Material UI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Ant Design is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.