What Are Component Libraries?
A component library, also known as a User Interface (UI) library, is a folder with a set of reusable components. It consists of designed UI elements of a website, such as buttons, charts, slides, and texts.
When executed correctly, a component can help developers as well as UI and UX designers to work consistently and efficiently. Instead of creating new functionalities, developers can choose elements from the library and put them all together.
Additionally, a component library also enables developers to create and customize new parts.
What Is the Benefit of a Component Library?
One of the benefits of a component library is that it helps the team collaborate effectively. Since HTML, styling, and logic are in one location, they can be easily shared with everyone involved in the project. This can help improve collaboration with UI and UX designers and front-end developers.
With a component library, you can expect consistency with your project's overall look and design. Having a single source of truth can help developers deal with necessary changes faster while maintaining quality assurance.
Here are the top 5 best UI libraries for 2023:
#1 Sencha EXT JS
Sencha, an Idera Inc. company, aims to empower organizations in designing, deploying, and testing mission-critical cross-platform web apps. The company claims to be the fastest JavaScript grid with 140+ high-performing UI components. With 20 years of industry experience, Sencha boasts more than 10,000 customers, including 60% of the Fortune 100.
Sencha EXT JS is a comprehensive JavaScript framework that enables users to create data-intensive HTML5 applications that can be used effectively on any modern device. It has a pre-built component library that includes Grid, Pivot Grid, Exporter, Layouts, Charts, and D3 Adapter, to name a few.
With pre-integrated tools like Sencha Architect, Stencils, and Themer, developers can easily and quickly improve the design process. Sencha Architect comes with drag-and-drop features that enable users to build EXT JS applications while spending only minimal time on manual coding. Stencils, on the other hand, help developers mockup, style, prototype, and evaluate interface designs easily.
Developers can get a 30-day free trial with full access to Sencha documentation, examples, tutorials, and resources. Sencha EXT JS allows users to choose whether to get a perpetual license or an annual subscription. This comprehensive JavaScript framework is also available in 3 different pricing options ranging up to $1,295.
#2 Kendo UI
Kendo UI is an excellent component library that consists of four JavaScript UI libraries designed specifically for jQuery, Angular, React, and Vue. This professional-grade component library is a part of the Telerik and Progress product portfolio. Progress is a trusted provider of excellent products that can help users as they develop, deploy, and manage high-impact applications.
Used by 275,000+ customers and more than 3.5 million designers, Kendo UI offers hundreds of advanced components that can match users' requirements. Its ready-to-use components, such as data grids, charts, schedulers, and calendars, can be easily added to an existing or new design using a few lines of code.
Kendo UI allows developers to switch frameworks and start new projects without needing a new license. With this UI library, everything is included and up-to-date. APIs are also consistent, making theming a lot easier.
With Kendo UI, developers can implement modern and accessible UI using the features of Material, Bootstrap, or Kendo Themes. What's more, users can also choose to implement it their way.
Developers can opt to get Kendo UI free trial or purchase its Pro version. The Kendo UI Pro version includes JavaScript components for jQuery, Angular, React, and Vue, as well as Kendo UI Kits for Figma.
Kendo UI offers flexible pricing options depending on your support needs. Prices range from $899 to $1,399.
#3 DHTMLX JS UI Libraries
DHTMLX is the top UI library software that offers a comprehensive set of easy-to-use JavaScript components. The company focuses on its mission of providing professionally-made tools for developers worldwide.
DHTMLX offers feature-rich web development solutions. These tools aim to help developers create complex web and mobile apps with minimum time and effort.
Over the years, DHTMLX has gained the trust of industry players. Many fortune 500 companies are already taking advantage of these powerful UI libraries. As of writing, 4000+ customers from over 70+ countries have already built faster and more sophisticated apps, thanks to DHTMLX's advanced web-based solutions.
DHTMLX takes pride in providing highly-customizable yet easy-to-use JavaScript UI components. These web UI libraries are designed specifically to help enterprises and developers create web applications in any domain of any complexity.
With DHTMLX, developers can save more time while increasing productivity. It has cutting-edge and full-featured JavaScript UI libraries that consist of ready-to-use solutions. This enables developers to create and maintain apps without building one from scratch.
With DHTMLX, developers can easily create web apps in just a matter of time. It comes with a simple integration and a short learning curve, allowing users to create a fully-functional app in minutes.
Furthermore, it has detailed technical documentation, 1500+ demos, and comprehensive examples. These tutorials will serve as a guide to help developers navigate the JavaScript/HTML 5 UI libraries.
DHTMLX JavaScript Gantt Chart Widget
One of the best features of DHTMLX JS UI libraries is its high-performing Gantt chart widget. Its customizable API allows users to adjust and configure every Gantt chart element. With this highly flexible Gantt chart, developers can customize the time scale, define grid structure, style task bars, fine-tune the editing form, and add custom HTML content.
In addition, DHTMLX Gantt chart has rich resource management features. These include resource calendars, load charts, histograms, and multiple resources view, to name a few.
For more than 10 years, the Gantt chart has been used for building comprehensive web apps for various fields, including but not limited to construction, logistics, healthcare, finance, and IT.
Alongside the Gantt chart, DHTMLX also has a ready-to-use DHTMLX JavaScript Kanban board. This workflow visualization solution allows users to gain control over their workload and manage tasks effectively.
DHTMLX Kanban allows users to create and edit tasks via the right panel. For starters, users can change tasks' names and descriptions. They can also define priority, mark cards with colors, change progress, set start and end dates, and assign tasks to responsible people.
DHTMLX JavaScript Diagram Widget
DHTMLX Diagram is a powerful component that offers an automatic layout for easy visualization of complex data in a hierarchical structure. This component allows users to easily make org charts, flowcharts, decision trees, block diagrams, mind maps, and others. With its automatic layout algorithm, users can also arrange chaotically placed shapes in a tiny manner. This only requires a click of a button and a few lines of code.
DHTMLX JavaScript Scheduler Widget
Another excellent component of DHTMLX JS UI libraries is the Scheduler. DHTMLX Scheduler comes with a set of powerful web accessibility features, including WAI-ARIA, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast themes. This accessibility support enables people with disabilities to access and interact with the DHTMLX Scheduler.
Like the Gantt chart, this comprehensive resource management tool has been in the market for more than 10 years now.
Expanding its portfolio of developer-helping tools, DHTMLX released a new Code Snippet tool. This handy tool lets developers view the JavaScript and HTML samples, make necessary modifications, and preview the result.
One of the outstanding features of DHTMLX JS UI libraries is the ability to export data from various components in different formats such as PDF, PNG, Excel, iCal, MS Project, and Primavera P6. As such, DHTMLX offers a more cost-effective alternative to expensive software such as the MS Project.
Pricing
Users can download a trial version of the DHTMLX JS UI libraries, providing a 30-day free trial with all the latest features from DHTMLX's PRO edition. They can also benefit from comprehensive guides and code snippets during the trial period and take advantage of the timely technical support from the DHTMLX team.
DHTMLX's license is valid for a lifetime and comes with a support plan. Unlike the license, a support plan expires in a year. DHTMLX also provides bundle offers with the most popular components at the most reasonable pricing.
For more information, you can check their official website.
#4 Webix UI
Webix is another powerful JavaScript UI library that offers a wide range of components, widgets, and tools for developing cross-platform web applications. The library is assisted by professional developers, technical support engineers, business analysts, and UX experts.
Webix aims to help developers all over the world. With this in mind, the team is continuously creating tools for web development, making them available to everyone for free. This includes Webix Standard version, free and open-sourced under the GNU GPLv3 license, and other resources: free templates, dashboards and admin panels. There is also Webix PRO version, that comes with extended features, 100 widgets, and controls, plus 300 locales, extra styling and customization and access to technical support.
Save more time while writing less code with the Webix UI library. This powerful framework features 100+ UI widgets and feature-rich CSS/HTML5 JavaScript controls. These include data, visualization, navigation, and layout widgets, as well as windows and popups. Some of the most popular controls are DataTable, SpreadSheet, Tree, and TreeTable.
Webix UI library uses a real-time saving approach. With ready-made widgets and UI controls, users can save at least 3000+ development hours and create web UI 30% faster. Webix UI features 100+ UI components that aim to speed up the web development process while reducing programmers' workload.
Webix UI library offers easy-to-understand code based on object-oriented programming concepts. With the touchscreen interface, users can make HTML5 web apps for various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Webix UI ensures that apps built on the framework will function effectively on all major browsers, thanks to its powerful browser support.
This UI library also has a micro framework, called Webix Jet for Webix UI-based single-page applications that work with big amounts of data. It allows combining and reusing diverse UI components with minimal code footprint.
Create rich user interfaces with Webix UI's easy-to-integrate framework. With this UI library, users can associate their projects with jQuery JavaScript library, MVC frameworks AngularJS, React, Vue.js, Backbone.js, and other third-party UI extensions.
Webix UI library also comes with simple server-side interactions. This allows all backend technologies to communicate with the Webix JavaScript UI framework.
Furthermore, users can also use various solutions such as Java, PHP, and .NET.
Webix UI library features 15 complex JavaScript UI widgets, including JavaScript SpreadSheet and JavaScript File Manager.
JavaScript SpreadSheet
Webix SpreadSheet is a powerful JavaScript UI widget that allows developers to create complex and customizable spreadsheets within their web applications. Using SpreadSheet allows performing calculations, automating data entry and processing, conveniently visualizing table data, creating pivot tables, and more.
Webix SpreadSheet supports a wide range of formulas and functions, including basic arithmetic operations, statistical, and financial functions. All elements can be adjusted through API, without the need to edit anything in source codes.
With Webix SpreadSheet, developers can build data-driven applications that require advanced spreadsheet functionality, such as financial applications, data analysis tools, and project management software.
JavaScript File Manager
Webix UI library also offers JavaScript File Manager that helps with seamless organization and access to all files, from documents to images. File Explorer can be used in various UX cases, as it contains all necessary elements for working with lists of objects: search, sorting, table, and tile views.
You can choose from a range of themes to match your website's design and style, or even create your own custom theme if you prefer. Webix JavaScript File Manager also offers customizable features such as drag-and-drop functionality and easy integration with other platforms.
Pricing
Like the DHTMLX SJ UI libraries, Webix UI offers a perpetual commercial license with one year of updates and support. Users can try this UI library for free. With the trial version, they can access the Webix Pro library, 15 complex widgets, and an extensive library of code templates. To get the most out of the framework, users can choose between 4 different pricing editions that range from $848 to $9499, depending on their budget and needs.
#5 Syncfusion JS 2
Syncfusion JS 2 is a pure JavaScript UI controls library that contains over 80 high-performance, lightweight, and responsive UI components in a single package. It is designed by Syncfusion, a solution services company that offers over 1,700+ components and frameworks for mobile, web, and desktop development. The company services various customers, from individual developers to Fortune 100 companies.
This comprehensive UI library for JavaScript prides itself on being touch-friendly and renders adaptively based on the device. This ensures optimal user experience on various devices, including phones, tablets, and desktops.
Syncfusion JS 2 also comes with pixel-perfect, built-in themes available in Material, Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS, and Fabric designs. Developers can also customize built-in themes using an accessible high-contrast theme and an online Theme Studio tool.
Stay current and receive up-to-date functionality and new components with at least four major Syncfusion JS 2 updates yearly. These updates come in addition to their monthly service packs and bug fixes.
Syncfusion JS 2 offers a 30-day free trial with access to 80+ JavaScript controls for developing web applications. This extensive UI library is also available in three different pricing options. The price starts at $995.
Key Takeaway
Given the popularity of high-impact web applications, UI has become an indispensable part of modern society. To meet the demands and requirements in developing these apps, developers should find a way to easily build powerful UIs.
Fortunately, great UI components are readily available in the market. A UI library, also known as a component library, allows developers to use different elements to develop an app without manual coding.
We highly recommend two UI libraries from the list above: DHTMLX JavaScript UI Library and Webix UI. These UI component libraries can help speed up the lengthy, time-consuming coding process while providing highly-customizable widgets and controls.
