Radix-ui vs Shadcn-ui

Side-by-side NPM package comparison

radix-ui

Very Popular

Version 1.4.3

79
Good

[![Radix Primitives Logo](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/radix-ui/primitives/main/primitives.png)](https://radix-ui.com/primitives)

Weekly Downloads
3.1M
↑110%
Bundle (gzip)
13.2 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
80
Popularity
100
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

shadcn-ui

Popular

Version 0.9.5

63
Good

Add components to your apps.

Weekly Downloads
146.6K
↑13%
Bundle (gzip)
2.3 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
40
Popularity
80
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

Choosing between Radix-ui and Shadcn-ui? Here's a data-driven comparison based on real npm data — downloads, bundle size, health scores, and more — to help you decide which package fits your project best.

Downloads & Popularity

Radix-ui leads with 3.1M weekly downloads — roughly 21.2x more. Shadcn-ui has 146.6K weekly downloads. Higher download counts generally indicate broader community adoption and a larger ecosystem of tutorials, plugins, and support.

Bundle Size

Shadcn-ui has the smallest gzipped bundle at 2.3 KB. Radix-ui comes in at 13.2 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.

Health Score Comparison

Radix-ui has an overall health score of 79/100 (very good), with strong maintenance, security, popularity scores. Shadcn-ui has an overall health score of 63/100 (good), with strong security, popularity scores. Health scores are calculated from maintenance activity, code quality, security posture, popularity, and stability metrics.

When to Choose Each

Choose Radix-ui if you value large community support, strong security track record. Choose Shadcn-ui if you value minimal bundle footprint, strong security track record.

Our Verdict

Both Radix-ui and Shadcn-ui are solid choices for JavaScript development. Radix-ui has the edge in overall health score (79/100), while each package brings unique strengths to the table. Evaluate them based on your project's priorities — whether that's community size, bundle efficiency, or maintenance activity — and choose the one that aligns best with your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is radix-ui better than shadcn-ui?
It depends on your needs. Radix-ui has a health score of 79/100 while Shadcn-ui scores 63/100. Radix-ui has more weekly downloads (3.1M), suggesting broader adoption. Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
Which has a smaller bundle size, radix-ui or shadcn-ui?
Shadcn-ui has the smaller gzipped bundle at 2.3 KB. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
How many developers use radix-ui vs shadcn-ui?
Based on npm download statistics, Radix-ui has approximately 3.1M weekly downloads and Shadcn-ui has approximately 146.6K weekly downloads. These numbers reflect package installations, not unique developers, but they indicate relative adoption levels.
Which is better maintained, radix-ui or shadcn-ui?
Radix-ui currently has the higher overall health score at 79/100. Radix-ui has a maintenance score of 80/100 and Shadcn-ui scores 40/100 on maintenance.

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