React Frameworks, UI Libraries, and Development Tools

Last Updated : 14 Oct, 2026

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. Its ecosystem includes frameworks for web and mobile applications, UI component libraries, and tools for developing and testing components. These tools serve different purposes, so choose them based on your project requirements.

1. React Native

React Native is a framework for building native mobile applications for Android and iOS using React and JavaScript or TypeScript.

  • Native Components: Renders platform-specific user interface components rather than browser DOM elements.
  • Code Reuse: Allows developers to share much of their code across mobile platforms.
  • Fast Refresh: Updates the application during development to help developers test changes quickly.

For a new project, follow the recommended React Native setup. For a project using the Community CLI directly, run:

npx @react-native-community/cli@latest init MyApp

2. Next.js

Next.js is a React framework for building web applications with routing, server-side rendering, static generation, and other integrated features.

  • Routing: Provides file-based routing, pages, and layouts.
  • Rendering Options: Supports server rendering, static prerendering, and client-side rendering.
  • Optimization: Includes tools for managing images, fonts, and application code.
  • Server Capabilities: Supports server-side functionality alongside React components.

Create a project using:

npx create-next-app@latest my-app

3. Storybook

Storybook is a component-development and testing tool that allows developers to build, document, and test UI components separately from the main application.

  • Isolated Development: Develops components without running the entire application.
  • Component States: Displays components with different props and states.
  • Testing: Supports component and interaction testing.
  • Documentation: Helps teams review and document reusable UI components.

Install Storybook in an existing project using:

npm create storybook@latest

4. Material UI (MUI)

Material UI is a React component library based on Google's Material Design guidelines. It provides reusable components for building consistent user interfaces.

  • Prebuilt Components: Includes buttons, forms, dialogs, tables, and navigation components.
  • Theming: Supports customization of colors, typography, spacing, and other design settings.
  • Responsive Design: Provides tools for developing interfaces that adapt to different screen sizes.
  • Accessibility: Includes accessibility-oriented component behavior and features.

Install the core packages using:

npm install @mui/material @emotion/react @emotion/styled

5. Gatsby

Gatsby is a React framework for building websites, including content-focused sites, with support for static generation and server rendering.

  • Static Generation: Generates pages during the build process.
  • Data Integration: Supports data sources through its plugin ecosystem.
  • Performance Features: Supports code splitting, image optimization, and resource preloading.
  • React Components: Uses React to build interactive page interfaces.

Create a new project using the Gatsby CLI:

npx gatsby new my-site

6. Mantine

Mantine is an open-source React UI component library that provides customizable components and Hooks for building web applications.

  • Component Library: Includes inputs, buttons, modals, notifications, and other interface elements.
  • Customization: Supports theming and component-level styling.
  • Additional Packages: Provides separate packages for forms, dates, charts, and other features.
  • React Integration: Uses React components and Hooks to support application development.

Install the core packages using:

npm install @mantine/core @mantine/hooks

Follow the setup instructions for importing Mantine styles and configuring MantineProvider before using its components.

7. React Bootstrap

React Bootstrap provides Bootstrap-style UI components implemented for React. It combines Bootstrap's styling system with React components and does not depend on Bootstrap's JavaScript implementation.

  • Prebuilt Components: Includes buttons, navigation bars, forms, alerts, and modals.
  • Responsive Layouts: Supports Bootstrap's grid system and responsive styling.
  • React Integration: Uses React props and event handlers to control component behavior.
  • Customization: Supports Bootstrap styles and custom CSS.

Install both required packages using:

npm install react-bootstrap bootstrap

Import Bootstrap's stylesheet once in your application entry file:

import 'bootstrap/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css';

Choosing the Right Option

Each tool serves a different purpose, so select one based on the application you are developing.

  • Native mobile applications: Use React Native for Android and iOS applications.
  • Full-stack web applications: Consider Next.js for routing, rendering, and server-side features.
  • Content-focused websites: Consider Gatsby when its data and rendering features fit your requirements.
  • Component development and testing: Use Storybook to work on components in isolation.
  • Prebuilt UI components: Consider Material UI, Mantine, or React Bootstrap based on your preferred design system and customization needs.

These tools can complement one another. For example, a Next.js application can use Material UI for components and Storybook for component development and testing.

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