shadcn/ui vs Radix UI vs Headless UI (2026)

Three approaches to accessible React components. shadcn/ui gives you styled, copy-paste components. Radix UI gives you unstyled primitives. Headless UI is Tailwind's lightweight option. Here's which to use.

Quick Verdict

shadcn/ui — Best for most projects. Styled with Tailwind. Copy-paste, own your code.
Radix UI — Best for custom design systems. Unstyled primitives. Most accessible.
Headless UI — Best for simple needs. Lightweight. From the Tailwind team.

What Each Actually Is

shadcn/ui is NOT a library. It's styled components built ON TOP of Radix UI + Tailwind CSS that you copy into your project. You own the code.

Radix UI is an npm library of unstyled, accessible component primitives. You add your own styling.

Headless UI is an npm library of unstyled components from the Tailwind CSS team. Simpler than Radix but fewer components.

The Relationship

Radix UI (unstyled primitives)
    ↓ (styled with Tailwind)
shadcn/ui (copy-paste styled components)

Headless UI (separate, simpler unstyled primitives)

Components Available

Component	shadcn/ui	Radix UI	Headless UI
Dialog/Modal	✅	✅	✅
Dropdown Menu	✅	✅	✅ (Menu)
Popover	✅	✅	✅
Tabs	✅	✅	✅
Tooltip	✅	✅	❌
Accordion	✅	✅	✅ (Disclosure)
Select	✅	✅	✅ (Listbox)
Checkbox	✅	✅	✅
Switch	✅	✅	✅
Slider	✅	✅	❌
Toast	✅	✅	❌
Context Menu	✅	✅	❌
Navigation Menu	✅	✅	❌
Data Table	✅	❌	❌
Form	✅	❌	❌
Calendar	✅	❌	❌
Total	~50	~28	~12

shadcn/ui has the most components (including data tables, forms, calendars). Headless UI has the fewest.

Styling

shadcn/ui — Pre-Styled

import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'

<Button variant="outline" size="lg">Click me</Button>

Ready to use. Customizable via Tailwind classes and CSS variables.

Radix UI — Unstyled (You Style)

import * as Dialog from '@radix-ui/react-dialog'

<Dialog.Root>
  <Dialog.Trigger className="bg-blue-500 px-4 py-2 rounded">
    Open
  </Dialog.Trigger>
  <Dialog.Content className="fixed inset-0 flex items-center justify-center">
    <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow-xl">
      Content
    </div>
  </Dialog.Content>
</Dialog.Root>

You write all the styling. Full control.

Headless UI — Unstyled (You Style)

import { Dialog } from '@headlessui/react'

<Dialog open={isOpen} onClose={setIsOpen}>
  <Dialog.Panel className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg">
    Content
  </Dialog.Panel>
</Dialog>

Similar to Radix but simpler API.

When to Use Each

Choose shadcn/ui When

Using Tailwind CSS (required)
Want beautiful components quickly
Building a dashboard or SaaS UI
Don't need a fully custom design system
Want to own and modify component code

Choose Radix UI When

Building a custom design system from scratch
Need the most accessible primitives
Using CSS-in-JS, CSS Modules, or non-Tailwind styling
Want the most control over behavior AND styling
Need components shadcn doesn't have

Choose Headless UI When

Simple project with basic component needs
Want the lightest dependency
Only need ~12 core components
Using Tailwind but don't want the shadcn/ui overhead
Vue support needed (Headless UI supports Vue)

FAQ

Can I use shadcn/ui AND Radix UI together?

shadcn/ui IS Radix UI underneath. Using shadcn/ui means you're already using Radix.

Does Headless UI support Vue?

Yes. Headless UI has both React and Vue versions. Radix and shadcn are React-only.

Which is most accessible?

Radix UI has the best accessibility out of the box. shadcn/ui inherits this. Headless UI is also excellent.

Bottom Line

shadcn/ui for 90% of React + Tailwind projects. It's Radix UI + Tailwind, pre-styled, copy-paste. Radix UI when building a custom design system or not using Tailwind. Headless UI for simple projects or Vue support. Start with shadcn/ui — you can always customize or replace individual components.