Top 10 Next.js UI Libraries for Modern Web Apps

Next.js has quickly become a go-to framework for developers building modern, high-performance web applications. With features like server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and seamless API integration, it’s no surprise that many businesses are looking to hire Next.js developers to power their digital transformation.

But a performant backend and framework is only one part of the puzzle—your UI needs to shine as well. That’s where powerful UI libraries for Next.js come into play, helping teams build sleek, accessible, and responsive user interfaces at speed.

Below are the top 10 Next.js UI libraries to consider in 2025:

1. Material UI (MUI)

Based on: Google’s Material Design principles.

• Key Features:

1. Comprehensive component set
2. Theming & responsive design support
3. Accessibility-first approach

Best For: Teams wanting a consistent Material Design aesthetic with robust community support.

2. Shadcn/UI

Based on: Radix UI + Tailwind CSS.

• Key Features:

1. Copy-and-paste components directly into your project
2. Accessible and customizable
3. Minimalist and modern look

Best For: Developers who want maximum control over styling and prefer building from scratch.

3. Chakra UI

Based on: React’s component-based design.

• Key Features:

1. Dark mode built-in
2. Modular, accessible, and responsive
3. Developer-friendly API

Best For: Rapid prototyping and apps where accessibility is a priority.

4. Ant Design

Based on: Enterprise-grade design system.

• Key Features:
• Extensive form controls & data handling
• Internationalization (i18n) support
• Customizable themes

Best For: Complex dashboards and admin panels in large-scale web apps.

5. Mantine

Based on: React ecosystem.

• Key Features:

1. Rich component library with hooks
2. SSR support and dark mode
3. High performance & customization

Best For: Data-heavy dashboards or apps with deep customization needs.

6. Headless UI

Based on: Unstyled React components.

• Key Features:

1. Accessible by default (ARIA, keyboard navigation)
2. Styling freedom with Tailwind or CSS-in-JS

Best For: Developers who need fine-grained control to create unique designs.

7. NextUI

Based on: Tailwind + React.

• Key Features:

1. Sleek, modern aesthetics
2. Animations and dark mode out-of-the-box
3. Optimized for Next.js integration

Best For: Modern web apps that value style and polish.

8. Radix UI

Based on: Low-level primitives.

• Key Features:

1. Unstyled components for total flexibility
2. Accessibility compliance baked in

Best For: Custom design systems with strict accessibility requirements.

1. Flowbite Based on: Tailwind CSS.

• Key Features:

1. Pre-styled components and themes
2. Interactive, responsive layouts

Best For: Teams already using Tailwind CSS and wanting fast development.

10. Tailwind CSS (Utility-first Framework)

Based on: Utility-first styling system.

• Key Features:

1. Highly customizable classes
2. Optimized performance
3. Dark mode support

Best For: Projects that need custom, lightweight designs without relying heavily on pre-built UI kits
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Next.js UI library depends on your project goals. For instance:

• Need a polished enterprise dashboard? → Ant Design or Mantine.
• Want creative freedom? → Headless UI or Radix UI.
• Looking for speed with elegance? → Chakra UI or NextUI.

Pairing Next.js with these UI libraries ensures you’re not just building high-performing apps but also delivering user-friendly, modern interfaces. Whether you’re working on eCommerce platforms, enterprise dashboards, or custom CMS development services, these libraries will accelerate your build process while maintaining quality.