Tailwind vs shadcn/ui: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Tailwind 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:
Tailwind
Email marketing for SaaS
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 7.2/10)
- • Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework for rapid UI development
- • It provides low-level utility classes for building custom designs
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 |  Tailwind |  shadcn/ui |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | UI/UX Design | UI/UX Design |
Rating | 82/100 | 72/100 |
| Feature | Tailwind | shadcn/ui |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 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 Tailwind and shadcn/ui Compare
Tailwind
Email marketing for SaaS
Free tier available · 82/100 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. Tailwind is freemium.
Go with: shadcn/ui
Want the highest-rated option?
Tailwind: 82/100. shadcn/ui: 72/100.
Go with: Tailwind
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Tailwind
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Tailwind 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?
Tailwind scores higher: 82/100 vs 72/100.
Key Takeaways
Tailwind
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 72
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
shadcn/ui
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Tailwind (82/100) is our pick. That said, shadcn/ui is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tailwind or shadcn/ui better?
Tailwind scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Tailwind is freemium and shadcn/ui is free.
What are Tailwind and shadcn/ui used for?
Tailwind: Email marketing for SaaS. shadcn/ui: Beautifully designed, customizable UI components for your design system..
What does Tailwind cost vs shadcn/ui?
Tailwind is freemium (free tier + paid plans). shadcn/ui is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.