NativeBase vs react-native-calendars
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 calendar component for React Native apps on iOS and Android, written in JavaScript.
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-calendars if you need…
- React Native developers who need a calendar or date picker screen
- Apps that need to mark dates with dots, periods, or custom styling
- Teams building scheduling or booking screens that block certain dates
- Projects that use Expo, since the README says it works there without ejecting
Side-by-side
| NativeBase | react-native-calendars | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 20.4k | 10.3k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 9 months ago | 20 days 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-calendars
React Native Calendars is a library that gives React Native app developers ready-made calendar components, including a single-month calendar, a scrollable calendar list, and an agenda view. Developers use it to show dates, mark days with dots or highlighted periods, and let users select dates. Per the README, it is pure JavaScript, so it needs no native module linking.
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-calendars
- React Native developers who need a calendar or date picker screen
- Apps that need to mark dates with dots, periods, or custom styling
- Teams building scheduling or booking screens that block certain dates
- Projects that use Expo, since the README says it works there without ejecting
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-calendars
- The README says it is pure JavaScript with no native code, so installation is simple
- Supports several marking styles and customization of style, content, and dates
- Has documentation and examples, and the README links to an official docs site
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-calendars
- People who are not building a React Native app, since it is a component library for that framework
- Developers who need a native-looking calendar built directly on platform APIs, since the README describes it as a JavaScript implementation
- Projects that need the detailed API reference from the README alone, since the README points to an external documentation site for full details
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-calendars
- The README is a basic guide and sends detailed usage to an external documentation site
- The README does not describe its performance or behavior on very old React Native versions
- The README mentions an example module that links to a private-looking repository path, so the sample source may be harder to reach
Getting started
react-native-calendars
Install the package
yarn add react-native-calendarsFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between NativeBase and react-native-calendars?
NativeBase: Accessible React Native and web UI component library; now in maintenance mode, succeeded by gluestack-ui. react-native-calendars: A calendar component for React Native apps on iOS and Android, written in JavaScript. NativeBase suits teams maintaining an existing app already built on nativebase, while react-native-calendars suits react native developers who need a calendar or date picker screen.
Are NativeBase and react-native-calendars free?
NativeBase: Free and open source. react-native-calendars: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, NativeBase or react-native-calendars?
react-native-calendars is easier to get started with (rated beginner); NativeBase is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is NativeBase or react-native-calendars more popular?
NativeBase has more GitHub stars (20.4k) than react-native-calendars (10.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to NativeBase and react-native-calendars?
Other options people compare them with include React Native Paper, Tamagui, React Native Elements, SWR, 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.