PrimeVue vs shadcn-vue
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
Vue UI component library, now in security-fix-only mode; development moved to PrimeUI.
Open source · MIT
A Vue port of shadcn-ui: copy-in UI components you can customize and build on.
The short answer
Choose PrimeVue if you need…
- Vue developers who already use PrimeVue and need security fixes for existing projects
- Teams maintaining an existing PrimeVue codebase who want to keep their current MIT release
- Developers evaluating a Vue component library who can check the PrimeUI successor first
Choose shadcn-vue if you need…
- Vue developers who want ready-made UI components they can edit directly
- Teams building their own internal component library
- Projects that want accessible, customizable components as a base
Side-by-side
| PrimeVue | shadcn-vue | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 14.4k | 10.8k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | See the README |
| Main language | Vue | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 43 days ago | 9 days ago |
What each one is
PrimeVue
PrimeVue is an open-source component library for building user interfaces with Vue.js, offering prebuilt UI pieces such as tables, date pickers, and tree views. The README says this repository is no longer under active development and receives only security fixes; new development continues as part of PrimeUI. Existing MIT-licensed releases remain available under that license.
shadcn-vue
shadcn-vue is a set of UI components for Vue, ported from the shadcn-ui project. The README describes them as designed components you can customize, extend, and build on, and it encourages using the code as a starting point for your own component library. The project is MIT licensed and has a documentation site at shadcn-vue.com.
Best for
PrimeVue
- Vue developers who already use PrimeVue and need security fixes for existing projects
- Teams maintaining an existing PrimeVue codebase who want to keep their current MIT release
- Developers evaluating a Vue component library who can check the PrimeUI successor first
shadcn-vue
- Vue developers who want ready-made UI components they can edit directly
- Teams building their own internal component library
- Projects that want accessible, customizable components as a base
Strengths
PrimeVue
- MIT license, and the README states existing MIT versions remain MIT
- Security fixes continue to be published for MIT-licensed releases
- Topics and description indicate coverage of components such as tables, date pickers, and tree tables
shadcn-vue
- MIT licensed, so it can be used and modified freely
- Open code: the README emphasizes that you can change the components themselves
- Documentation is available on a dedicated site
Not ideal for
PrimeVue
- Anyone wanting new features or bug fixes, since the README says issues here are read-only and development moved to PrimeUI
- New projects that should start on the actively developed successor rather than this archived repository
shadcn-vue
- People who want a finished visual theme with no code changes; the README frames it as a starting point to customize
- Non-developers, since it is a code-level component set
- Projects that need a framework other than Vue
Trade-offs
PrimeVue
- Not under active development; issues are read-only and no new features are expected here
- Successor work lives in a different project (PrimeUI), so users must migrate to get new development
shadcn-vue
- The README is short and does not list specific components or install steps, so details must be checked on the docs site
- Depends on the Vue ecosystem; you need to be comfortable with Vue and TypeScript
- Latest release is v2.9.0 with no binaries, so it is consumed as code rather than as an app
Getting started
shadcn-vue
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/unovue/shadcn-vueFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between PrimeVue and shadcn-vue?
PrimeVue: Vue UI component library, now in security-fix-only mode; development moved to PrimeUI. shadcn-vue: A Vue port of shadcn-ui: copy-in UI components you can customize and build on. PrimeVue suits vue developers who already use primevue and need security fixes for existing projects, while shadcn-vue suits vue developers who want ready-made ui components they can edit directly.
Are PrimeVue and shadcn-vue free?
PrimeVue: Free and open source. shadcn-vue: Free and open source.
Is PrimeVue or shadcn-vue more popular?
PrimeVue has more GitHub stars (14.4k) than shadcn-vue (10.8k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to PrimeVue and shadcn-vue?
Other options people compare them with include Element, Element Plus, VUX, Mint UI, VeeValidate.
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.