A copy-paste component collection you own outright versus an installed component library with a runtime style system.
Pick shadcn/ui when you want full control over markup and Tailwind classes and you're comfortable owning the component code in your repo — no versioned dependency to upgrade. Pick Chakra UI when you want a more conventional installable library with accessible primitives, a built-in theme system, and a flatter learning curve for teams new to design systems.
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| Attribute | Chakra UI | shadcn/ui |
|---|---|---|
| Category | CSS / UI | CSS / UI |
| Pricing Model | open-source | open-source |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | — | — |
