NativeBase vs React Native Elements
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
Accessible React Native and web UI component library; now in maintenance mode, succeeded by gluestack-ui.
Open source · MIT
A library of ready-made UI components for building React Native apps on iOS, Android and web.
The short answer
Choose NativeBase if you need…
- Teams maintaining an existing app already built on NativeBase
- Developers who need to keep an existing NativeBase v3 codebase running
- Developers who want a single component set across mobile and web, as described in the README
Choose React Native Elements if you need…
- React Native developers who want ready-made UI components
- Teams sharing one codebase across mobile and React web apps
- Developers prototyping a mobile interface quickly
- Developers who want to use the Expo demo app as a reference for component usage
Side-by-side
| NativeBase | React Native Elements | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 20.4k | 25.9k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | MDX |
| Last code update | 9 months ago | 6 months ago |
What each one is
NativeBase
NativeBase is a set of pre-built user interface components for React Native and React, intended to let developers build a consistent look across Android, iOS and web. The README says it includes roughly 40 components, accessibility support via React ARIA, and theming with utility style props. The README now carries a deprecation notice: NativeBase is entering maintenance mode and the maintainers recommend gluestack-ui for new projects.
React Native Elements
React Native Elements is a set of pre-built user interface components, such as buttons, that developers can drop into apps written with React Native. It is meant to help teams build iOS and Android apps with a consistent look without designing every control from scratch. The README also says the components can be used on the web through React Native for Web.
Best for
NativeBase
- Teams maintaining an existing app already built on NativeBase
- Developers who need to keep an existing NativeBase v3 codebase running
- Developers who want a single component set across mobile and web, as described in the README
React Native Elements
- React Native developers who want ready-made UI components
- Teams sharing one codebase across mobile and React web apps
- Developers prototyping a mobile interface quickly
- Developers who want to use the Expo demo app as a reference for component usage
Strengths
NativeBase
- The README describes built-in accessibility integration with React ARIA and React Native ARIA
- Components are described as consistent across Android, iOS and web
- MIT license, with a public kitchen sink demo app and documentation site
React Native Elements
- Maintained with a public docs site, Discord, and active release history (v5.0.0 listed as latest)
- Open source under the MIT license, which allows free commercial use
- Supports cross-platform use and web sharing as described in the README
Not ideal for
NativeBase
- New projects: the README recommends gluestack-ui instead because NativeBase is in maintenance mode
- Developers who need active new feature development, since the README signals the project is winding down in favor of gluestack-ui
React Native Elements
- People who do not write React or JavaScript code, since it is a developer library
- Projects that need a fully custom design system, because the README does not describe theming depth beyond the packages it names
- Developers needing web support without React Native for Web, since the README links that setup as a separate walkthrough
Trade-offs
NativeBase
- The README marks the project as deprecated and in maintenance mode, so new development is unlikely to continue here
- The README targets NativeBase 3.0 features and a compatibility table that stops at early React Native versions, so current compatibility is unclear
React Native Elements
- The README is truncated and gives few concrete details about the component list or theming options
- Requires knowledge of React Native, so it is not beginner-friendly for non-programmers
- Web support depends on an additional setup described outside the README
Getting started
React Native Elements
Install the core packages
npm install @rneui/themed @rneui/baseFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between NativeBase and React Native Elements?
NativeBase: Accessible React Native and web UI component library; now in maintenance mode, succeeded by gluestack-ui. React Native Elements: A library of ready-made UI components for building React Native apps on iOS, Android and web. NativeBase suits teams maintaining an existing app already built on nativebase, while React Native Elements suits react native developers who want ready-made ui components.
Are NativeBase and React Native Elements free?
NativeBase: Free and open source. React Native Elements: Free and open source.
Is NativeBase or React Native Elements more popular?
React Native Elements has more GitHub stars (25.9k) than NativeBase (20.4k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to NativeBase and React Native Elements?
Other options people compare them with include React Native Paper, Tamagui, SWR, react-native-calendars, React Native for Web.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.