NextUI vs Radix UI
NextUI was a React component library built on Tailwind CSS and React Aria, and it was rebranded to HeroUI in 2024, so new work should use HeroUI rather than the NextUI name. Radix UI is a free library of unstyled, accessible React primitives that leaves all styling to you, and it remains actively maintained. Choose HeroUI (formerly NextUI) for styled components with a modern default look, and Radix UI for unstyled building blocks and a fully custom design.
Facts checked on against the official sources listed at the end. Usage numbers update daily.
Best for
Styled React components on Tailwind with a modern default look (now HeroUI)
Free plan.
Best for
Unstyled accessible primitives for a fully custom design system
Free plan.
NextUI vs Radix UI at a glance
| Compared on | NextUI | Radix UI |
|---|---|---|
| Current name | HeroUI; the NextUI name is no longer used for new development | Radix UI |
| Default styling | Styled with a modern default look | None; unstyled |
| Built on | Tailwind CSS and React Aria | Its own primitives with ARIA handling |
| Migration support | Automated codemod to move NextUI projects to HeroUI | Not applicable |
| Paid extras | HeroUI Pro (formerly NextUI Pro) for additional templates | None |
| Open source | Yes, MIT | Yes, MIT |
| Free plan | Yes, the core HeroUI (formerly NextUI) library remains free and open source | Yes, Radix UI is completely free |
| Paid plans from | Not listed | Not listed |
| Made by | HeroUI (formerly NextUI) | WorkOS (Radix UI open source project) |
What's the difference between NextUI and Radix UI?
NextUI is now HeroUI
The project rebranded in 2024 as its focus widened beyond Next.js. The same team maintains it, and existing NextUI projects can migrate with an automated codemod, so choosing NextUI today effectively means choosing HeroUI.
Styled vs unstyled
HeroUI components arrive styled with Tailwind CSS. Radix UI components arrive with behavior and accessibility only, so you write every style.
Speed vs flexibility
HeroUI gets you a good looking UI faster. Radix UI takes more work up front and suits teams with an existing design system.
Radix status
Radix's creators also built Base UI, which shadcn/ui adopted as default in July 2026, but Radix UI itself is not deprecated.
NextUI vs Radix UI pricing
Both libraries are free and open source under the MIT license. HeroUI also sells an optional paid Pro product.
NextUI
The core HeroUI library, formerly NextUI, is free and open source. HeroUI Pro, formerly NextUI Pro, is a separate paid product for additional templates.
Prices in USD from the official pricing pages on 5 October 2026. They change often, so confirm on heroui.com and radix-ui.com before you commit.
Usage and activity
NextUI has 59% more GitHub stars than Radix UI (30.9k against 19.4k). Weekly npm downloads: 771k for @heroui/react and 92M for @radix-ui/react-dialog.
| Measure | NextUI | Radix UI |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 30,877 | 19,365 |
| npm downloads a week | 771k (@heroui/react) | 92M (@radix-ui/react-dialog) |
| Latest release | v3.2.6, 2 weeks ago | None on GitHub |
| Releases in 90 days | 4 | 0 |
From the public GitHub and npm APIs, updated daily. Stars and downloads show developer interest, not product quality.
Should you choose NextUI or Radix UI?
Choose NextUI if
- You use Tailwind CSS and want styled components right away
- You like a polished default look you can theme
- You have an existing NextUI project to migrate with the codemod
- You want optional paid templates
Choose Radix UI if
- You need total control of visual design
- You are building or maintaining a custom design system
- You want only accessible behavior, not opinionated styling
- You are comfortable styling every component
Switching between NextUI and Radix UI
For existing NextUI users the supported path is the codemod to HeroUI, not a move to another library. Moving from HeroUI to Radix UI means replacing styled components with unstyled primitives and restyling each one, which is a larger rewrite.
NextUI vs Radix UI: common questions
Is NextUI still developed?
Not under that name. It was rebranded to HeroUI in 2024, and HeroUI is its direct successor from the same team.
How do I migrate from NextUI?
Existing projects can use the automated codemod provided to migrate to HeroUI.
Is Radix UI deprecated?
No. It remains maintained even though its creators also built Base UI.
Does Radix UI include styles?
No, it is completely unstyled.
Are both free?
Yes, the core libraries are MIT-licensed. HeroUI also has a separate paid Pro product.
Other options to consider
All ui libraries tools
Tailwind CSS
Utility-first CSS framework for building custom designs directly in markup, now owned by Shopify.
shadcn/ui
Copy-paste, customizable UI components built with Tailwind CSS, not installed as a package.
Material UI
React component library implementing Google's Material Design, with free core and paid MUI X components.
Ant Design
Enterprise-focused React component library and design system, maintained by Alibaba's Ant Group.
Sources
More sources for each tool are on the NextUI and Radix UI pages.
Related comparisons
Material UIvsRadix UI
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Radix UIvsChakra UI
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MantinevsRadix UI
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Radix UIvsshadcn/ui
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Headless UIvsRadix UI
Headless UI and Radix UI are both free, MIT-licensed libraries of unstyled, accessible interactive components that leave all visual styling to you.
Radix UIvsTailwind CSS
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NextUIvsshadcn/ui
NextUI was rebranded to HeroUI in 2024, so new projects should use HeroUI, a styled React library built on Tailwind CSS and React Aria that you install as a dependency.