Updated Feb 25, 2026 · 10 min read
Aceternity UI vs shadcn/ui
Which React component library is right for your project?
Summary
Choose Aceternity UI for landing pages and SaaS websites with beautiful Framer Motion animations. Choose shadcn/ui for custom design systems with maximum control. Both use Tailwind CSS and work great together.
At a glance
Animated components with Framer Motion for landing pages and marketing sites.
- 330+ components
- Framer Motion animations
- 30+ templates
- Dark mode built-in
Feature comparison
| Feature | Aceternity UI | shadcn/ui |
|---|---|---|
| Components | 330+ | 50+ |
| Animations | Excellent | Minimal |
| Templates | 30+ | None |
| Pricing | Free + $199 | Free |
| Customization | Good | Excellent |
| Accessibility | Good | Excellent |
| Dark Mode | Built-in | Manual |
When to use each
Use Aceternity UI for:
- SaaS landing pages
- Portfolio websites
- Marketing sites
- Quick prototypes
Use shadcn/ui for:
- Custom design systems
- Dashboard apps
- Admin panels
- Maximum control needed
Can you use both?
Yes. Many developers use shadcn/ui for app components (forms, dialogs, data tables) and Aceternity UI for marketing pages. Both use Tailwind CSS, making them fully compatible.
FAQ
What's the difference?
Aceternity UI: pre-built animated components for landing pages. shadcn/ui: unstyled Radix primitives for custom design systems.
Which is better?
Aceternity UI for animated landing pages and SaaS websites. shadcn/ui for full control and custom design systems.
Can I use both?
Yes! Use shadcn/ui for app components (forms, dialogs) and Aceternity UI for marketing pages. Both use Tailwind CSS.
Which has better animations?
Aceternity UI with Framer Motion. Includes spotlight effects, parallax, 3D cards, and animated backgrounds.
Which for SaaS landing page?
Aceternity UI. Includes hero sections, feature grids, pricing tables, and 30+ complete templates.
Which for dashboard?
shadcn/ui. Unstyled primitives give full control for complex data tables, forms, and admin interfaces.
Try Aceternity UI
200+ free animated components