Shadcn/ui changed how developers think about component libraries. Instead of installing a package, you copy components into your project. You own them completely.
But free copy-paste components aren't always the answer. Here's when Shadcn is enough and when premium libraries deliver more value.
Understanding Shadcn's Philosophy
Shadcn isn't a dependency. It's a collection of re-usable components built on Radix UI primitives and styled with Tailwind.
When you "install" a Shadcn button, you're actually copying this code into your project:
npx shadcn-ui@latest add button
// Creates: components/ui/button.tsx
// Now it's YOUR code to modify freely
This has profound implications:
- No version lock-in — Update when you want, not when they ship
- Full customization — Change anything without fighting the library
- No node_modules bloat — Only what you use
- Learning opportunity — See exactly how components work
What Shadcn Does Well
Strengths
- Excellent accessibility (Radix foundations)
- Clean, minimal aesthetic
- Great for form components
- TypeScript-first
- Active development
Limitations
- ~40 components (not exhaustive)
- No page templates
- Single visual style
- React/Next.js only
- You build layouts from scratch
Where Premium Libraries Differ
Premium component libraries typically offer:
1. More Components
Shadcn has ~40 components. Premium libraries often have 200-500+. That includes complex components like:
- Data tables with sorting, filtering, pagination
- Calendar/date pickers with range selection
- Rich text editors
- Charts and data visualization
- File uploaders with preview
2. Page Templates
Shadcn gives you building blocks. Premium kits give you complete pages:
- Dashboard layouts
- Authentication flows
- Landing pages
- Settings pages
- E-commerce flows
3. Design Variety
Shadcn has one aesthetic (clean, minimal, neutral). Premium packs offer distinct visual styles:
- Glassmorphism
- Neon/cyberpunk
- Soft/organic
- Bold/brutalist
- Dashboard-optimized dark themes
4. Time Savings
Building a settings page from Shadcn components: 2-4 hours
Using a premium template: 15 minutes of customization
Cost Comparison
| Approach | Upfront Cost | Time Cost | Total (at $100/hr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadcn only | $0 | +20-40 hrs building | $2,000-4,000 |
| Premium kit | $50-299 | +2-5 hrs customizing | $250-799 |
| Shadcn + premium for gaps | $15-50 | +10-15 hrs | $1,015-1,550 |
The "free" option often costs more in time.
When Shadcn Is Enough
Use Shadcn alone when:
- You're building a small app with simple UI needs
- You want to learn by building
- The minimal aesthetic fits your brand perfectly
- You have time and limited budget
- You enjoy crafting UI from primitives
When Premium Makes Sense
Invest in premium when:
- You're building a SaaS dashboard
- Deadlines are tight
- You need components Shadcn doesn't have
- You want a visual style that stands out
- Your hourly rate makes the ROI obvious
- You're building for clients (time = money)
The Hybrid Approach
Most experienced developers use both:
- Start with Shadcn for form components, buttons, dialogs
- Add premium templates for page layouts
- Add premium packs for specific aesthetics or complex components
This gives you:
- Accessibility from Radix/Shadcn
- Speed from templates
- Uniqueness from style packs
Questions to Ask
Before deciding, ask yourself:
- Do I need page templates? (Shadcn doesn't have them)
- Does the minimal aesthetic work? (Or do I need something different)
- How many projects will I use this for? (Premium ROI improves with reuse)
- What's my time worth? (Be honest about opportunity cost)
- Do I enjoy building UI from scratch? (Some developers do, and that's valid)
Conclusion
Shadcn is excellent. It's one of the best things to happen to React UI development. Use it.
But don't let "free" blind you to the time cost of building everything from primitives. Sometimes paying $20-100 for a complete, polished solution saves you days of work.
The best developers use the right tool for each situation—not the cheapest one by default.