shadcn/ui vs Chakra UI: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between shadcn/ui and Chakra 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:
shadcn/ui
Beautifully designed, customizable UI components for your design system.
Best for you if:
- • Provides customizable UI components as code, not a library.
- • Offers full control and flexibility for developers to extend components.
Chakra UI
React component library
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.5/10 vs 7.2/10)
- • Free open-source React component library with Pro components starting at $149
- • Accessible, modular components with built-in dark mode and WAI-ARIA compliance
| At a Glance |  shadcn/ui |  Chakra UI |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | UI/UX Design | UI/UX Design |
Rating | 72/100 | 75/100 |
| Feature | shadcn/ui | Chakra UI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 72 | 75 |
| 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 shadcn/ui and Chakra UI Compare
shadcn/ui
Beautifully designed, customizable UI components for your design system.
Free · 72/100 score
Chakra UI
React component library
Free · 75/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: shadcn/ui
Want the highest-rated option?
shadcn/ui: 72/100. Chakra UI: 75/100.
Go with: Chakra UI
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Chakra UI
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are ui/ux design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Chakra UI scores higher: 75/100 vs 72/100.
Key Takeaways
Chakra UI
- Higher score: 75/100 vs 72
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
shadcn/ui
The Bottom Line
Chakra UI (75/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is shadcn/ui or Chakra UI better?
Chakra UI scores 75/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are shadcn/ui and Chakra UI used for?
shadcn/ui: Beautifully designed, customizable UI components for your design system.. Chakra UI: React component library.
What does shadcn/ui cost vs Chakra UI?
shadcn/ui is completely free. Chakra UI is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.