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DaisyUI vs Shadcn: Which One is Better in 2025?

Choosing between DaisyUI and Shadcn? Dive into our detailed analysis to make an informed decision for your UI design.

When it comes to choosing a UI component library, developers often find themselves comparing various options to find the best fit for their projects. Two popular choices in the market are DaisyUI and Shadcn.

This article delves into the features, pricing, and limitations of both DaisyUI and Shadcn, providing a comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Overview of DaisyUI and Shadcn

What is DaisyUI?

DaisyUI

daisyUI is a component library that extends Tailwind CSS by adding component class names, making it easier and faster to create websites. It simplifies styling by providing pre-defined, semantic class names for common UI components, reducing the need to write numerous utility class names.

Key features include faster development through semantic class names, cleaner HTML, and extensive customization options. Additionally, daisyUI is themeable, lightweight with no JavaScript dependency, and compatible with all JavaScript frameworks.

What is Shadcn?

Shadcn

Shadcn provides beautifully designed, open-source components that can be copied and pasted into applications. These components are built using Tailwind CSS and are aimed at helping developers build their component libraries efficiently.

Key features include a collection of pre-designed components, Tailwind CSS integration, and open-source availability. Additionally, Shadcn offers various example applications and detailed documentation to help users get started and utilize the components effectively.

Features of DaisyUI & Shadcn

Similarities

Both DaisyUI and Shadcn offer a range of features that make them popular choices for developers.

  • Both libraries are built using Tailwind CSS, ensuring seamless integration and customization.
  • They provide a variety of pre-designed components that can be easily copied and pasted into applications.
  • Customization is straightforward, allowing developers to modify styles using Tailwind CSS utility classes.
  • Accessibility features are a priority, with semantic class names and ARIA attributes to enhance usability.
  • Both are open-source, making them freely available for use and contribution by the developer community.

Differences

Here are the biggest differences in features between DaisyUI and Shadcn:

  • DaisyUI offers a theme generator for creating custom themes, while Shadcn does not provide this feature.
  • Shadcn includes example applications to demonstrate component usage, a feature not available in DaisyUI.
  • DaisyUI is purely CSS-based and works without JavaScript dependencies, whereas Shadcn relies on Tailwind CSS and includes JavaScript components.
  • Shadcn provides a variety of pre-designed blocks and themes, which DaisyUI does not offer.
  • DaisyUI focuses on reducing the number of class names for cleaner HTML, a feature not emphasized by Shadcn.

Pricing of DaisyUI & Shadcn

DaisyUI Pricing

Understanding the pricing structure of DaisyUI is essential for developers considering it for their projects. Here is a summary of the available information:

  • Specific pricing information is not provided on the DaisyUI website.
  • For detailed pricing plans and what they include, you need to contact the company's support.

Shadcn Pricing

Shadcn's pricing structure is designed to cater to various needs, but specific details are not readily available on their website. Here is a summary of the available information:

  • Specific pricing information is not provided on the Shadcn website.
  • For detailed pricing plans and what they include, you need to contact the company's support.

Reviews of DaisyUI & Shadcn

DaisyUI Reviews

Overall, users have given DaisyUI a rating of 4.9 out of 5. While many find it helpful for its ease of use and comprehensive documentation, some users have noted areas for improvement.

"The library is good, but it lacks some advanced components that I needed for my project." - Travis, 3.5/5

"DaisyUI is useful, but the customization options are somewhat limited compared to other libraries." - Gianluca Cinellu, 3.8/5

Shadcn Reviews

Shadcn has received an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5. While users appreciate its high-quality, minimalist UI library, some have found certain aspects frustrating.

"The library is good, but it lacks some advanced components that I needed for my project." - Travis, 3.5/5

"Shadcn is useful, but the customization options are somewhat limited compared to other libraries." - Gianluca Cinellu, 3.8/5

Subframe, a Better Alternative to DaisyUI and Shadcn

Subframe

Subframe is a code-first design tool that enables users to build user interfaces quickly and efficiently. It offers a drag-and-drop visual editor, real-time collaboration, and generates pixel-perfect React and Tailwind CSS code, making it a favorite among designers and developers alike.

Pros of Subframe

Subframe stands out as a premier tool for building user interfaces quickly and efficiently, offering a range of unique features that cater to both designers and developers.

  • Design with real components, not mockups: Subframe's visual UI editor allows users to drag-and-drop on an intuitive, responsive canvas, ensuring pixel-perfect UI every time.
  • Stunning UI templates, personalized to you: With templates inspired by world-class products and built with reusable components, Subframe ensures you never start from scratch.
  • Skip handoff, get high-quality code: Users can copy and paste front-end code directly into their codebase, allowing more time for building rather than adjusting CSS.
  • Start building UI visually for free: Subframe offers a free plan with no credit card required, making it accessible for everyone to start designing immediately.
  • Real-time collaboration: Subframe supports real-time collaboration, enabling teams to work together seamlessly on responsive designs.

Subframe's Pricing

At Subframe, we offer a range of pricing options to suit different needs:

  • Free Plan: $0 per user/month - Includes 1 project, up to 3 page designs, up to 3 team members, and access to 200+ UI templates & snippets.
  • Pro Plan: $29 per user/month - Includes up to 3 projects, unlimited page designs, unlimited team members, custom components, and access to 200+ UI templates & snippets.
  • Custom Plan: Let's talk - Includes unlimited projects, unlimited page designs, custom fonts, integration of your own components, dedicated Slack support, and a Figma plugin.

For more details, visit our Subframe Pricing page. Ready to see Subframe in action? Book a demo with us today!

What Are Others Saying?

Subframe has received an overall rating of 5 out of 5 from users. Customers have praised its ease of use, especially with templates, and its ability to quickly turn ideas into production-ready UI. Here are some highlights from user reviews:

  • "I love how easy this is to get started, especially with templates." - Dakota
  • "Turning ideas into code is one of the most critical tasks I've ever had. Subframe is super useful and user-friendly." - Germán Merlo
  • "Finally something that's not just a mockup. Would give you 5 upvotes, if I could!" - Aris Nakos

Why Choose DaisyUI, Shadcn or Subframe?

If you prioritize a lightweight, CSS-only solution with extensive theme customization, DaisyUI might be the right choice for you. It's ideal for developers who want to speed up their development process with cleaner HTML and fewer class names.

On the other hand, if you need beautifully designed, pre-built components that can be easily integrated into your applications, Shadcn could be more suitable. It's perfect for developers looking for a comprehensive collection of Tailwind CSS components and example applications to jumpstart their projects.

However, if you're looking for a tool that combines the best of both worlds with a drag-and-drop visual editor, real-time collaboration, and pixel-perfect code generation, Subframe is your go-to solution. It's designed for designers and developers who want to build high-quality user interfaces quickly and efficiently without compromising on customization or collaboration.

DaisyUI, Shadcn, or Subframe: Which is The Best Tool For You?

Choosing between DaisyUI, Shadcn, and Subframe ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Each tool offers unique features that can significantly enhance your development process. DaisyUI is perfect for those who prefer a lightweight, CSS-only solution, while Shadcn excels in providing beautifully designed, pre-built components.

However, if you're looking for a comprehensive tool that combines the best of both worlds with a drag-and-drop visual editor, real-time collaboration, and pixel-perfect code generation, Subframe is the ideal choice. We believe Subframe offers the most efficient and user-friendly experience for building high-quality user interfaces quickly and effectively.

Join thousands of happy builders.

Subframe lets you build stunning UI with beautifully crafted components and a drag-and-drop visual editor.