Material UI vs shadcn/ui: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Material UI and shadcn/ui 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 7.2/10)
- • Comprehensive React UI component library for faster development.
- • Offers both free foundational components (Material UI) and advanced paid components (MUI X).
shadcn/ui
Beautifully designed, customizable UI components for your design system.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Provides customizable UI components as code, not a library.
- • Offers full control and flexibility for developers to extend components.
| At a Glance |  Material UI |  shadcn/ui |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | UI/UX Design | UI/UX Design |
Rating | 88/100 | 72/100 |
| Feature | Material UI | shadcn/ui |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 72 |
| 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 shadcn/ui Compare
Material UI
The React component library to build beautiful and powerful UIs faster.
Free tier available · 88/100 score
shadcn/ui
Beautifully designed, customizable UI components for your design system.
Free · 72/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
shadcn/ui is free. Material UI is freemium.
Go with: shadcn/ui
Want the highest-rated option?
Material UI: 88/100. shadcn/ui: 72/100.
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. shadcn/ui is free. Go with shadcn/ui 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 72/100.
Key Takeaways
Material UI
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 72
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
shadcn/ui
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Material UI (88/100) is our pick. That said, shadcn/ui is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Material UI or shadcn/ui better?
Material UI scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Material UI is freemium and shadcn/ui is free.
What are Material UI and shadcn/ui used for?
Material UI: The React component library to build beautiful and powerful UIs faster.. shadcn/ui: Beautifully designed, customizable UI components for your design system..
What does Material UI cost vs shadcn/ui?
Material UI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). shadcn/ui is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.