Radix UI vs Headless UI

Sources verified 2026-09-28 · Sources (2)

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.

Verdict

In React with shadcn/ui, Radix is the default. In Vue, Headless UI is the natural pick.

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

Radix UIOpen source

Headless accessible primitives

Headless UIOpen source

Headless accessible components

What 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