NativeBase vs UI Kitten
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
React Native UI component library with a built-in light/dark theme system, for 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 UI Kitten if you need…
- React Native developers who want a complete set of standard UI controls
- Teams that need light and dark themes or custom brand colours
- Apps that must run on iOS, Android and the web from one codebase
- TypeScript projects that want typed component props and refs
Side-by-side
| NativeBase | UI Kitten | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 20.4k | 10.7k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 9 months ago | 31 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.
UI Kitten
UI Kitten is a set of more than 30 ready-made interface components (buttons, inputs, lists, tabs, modals and similar) for React Native apps. It follows the Eva Design System, so components share a consistent look that can be restyled with a theme. Developers use it to build iOS, Android and web apps without designing every control from scratch.
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
UI Kitten
- React Native developers who want a complete set of standard UI controls
- Teams that need light and dark themes or custom brand colours
- Apps that must run on iOS, Android and the web from one codebase
- TypeScript projects that want typed component props and refs
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
UI Kitten
- Covers more than 30 common components with consistent styling
- Supports runtime theme switching and custom themes
- Ships TypeScript definitions for components and props
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
UI Kitten
- Developers who need a non-React Native stack, since it is built specifically for React Native and React
- Teams that want a fully custom visual design without adopting the Eva look, because the default style is opinionated
- Projects on very old React Native versions, since the README lists minimum versions (react-native 0.72, Expo SDK 49) that you must meet
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
UI Kitten
- Requires several packages (components, eva, react-native-svg) and version alignment with your React Native setup
- The README says accessibility coverage is documented separately and may be partial, so check the guide before relying on it
- Major version 6 changed patterns such as the styled decorator, so older tutorials may not apply
Getting started
UI Kitten
Expo install
npx expo install @ui-kitten/components @ui-kitten/eva react-native-svgBare React Native install
npm install @ui-kitten/components @ui-kitten/eva react-native-svgFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between NativeBase and UI Kitten?
NativeBase: Accessible React Native and web UI component library; now in maintenance mode, succeeded by gluestack-ui. UI Kitten: React Native UI component library with a built-in light/dark theme system, for iOS, Android and web. NativeBase suits teams maintaining an existing app already built on nativebase, while UI Kitten suits react native developers who want a complete set of standard ui controls.
Are NativeBase and UI Kitten free?
NativeBase: Free and open source. UI Kitten: Free and open source.
Is NativeBase or UI Kitten more popular?
NativeBase has more GitHub stars (20.4k) than UI Kitten (10.7k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to NativeBase and UI Kitten?
Other options people compare them with include React Native Paper, Tamagui, React Native Elements, SWR, react-native-calendars.
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.