Radix UI vs Headless UI
Verified Sep 2026
Both are unstyled, accessible component primitives that handle focus, keyboard navigation, and ARIA while you bring the styles. Radix is React-only with a larger set of primitives; Headless UI comes from Tailwind Labs and supports React and Vue.
Radix UIOpen source
Headless accessible primitivesHeadless UIOpen source
Headless accessible componentsWhat actually differs
Radix UIHeadless UI
FrameworksRadix UI: ReactHeadless UI: React and Vue
MaintainerRadix UI: WorkOSHeadless UI: Tailwind Labs
BreadthRadix UI: A wide set of primitives (dialogs, menus, popovers, tooltips, sliders, and more)Headless UI: A smaller, focused set of common components
EcosystemRadix UI: The foundation shadcn/ui builds onHeadless UI: Designed alongside Tailwind UI
Pick Radix UI when
- React projects that need many primitive types
- You plan to use shadcn/ui, which is built on Radix
Pick Headless UI when
- Vue projects, or teams using both React and Vue
- You only need the common pieces and already use Tailwind
What a dev would do
In React with shadcn/ui, Radix is the default. In Vue, Headless UI is the natural pick.