Best UI Libraries (Components) for Vue 3

The Vue 3 ecosystem has not only matured, but has triggered a real explosion of modern UI component libraries, better designed and much more focused on the actual developer experience. After working with several interface frameworks on different projects —from complex dashboards to mobile-first PWAs— I have seen that today it is no longer about "which library has more components", but about which one fits best with your way of working and the real needs of the project.

This article continues a first installment where I reviewed nine UI frameworks for Vue 3. Here I focus on new component libraries that stand out for their customization, performance, DX, and modern approach, and I explain when to choose each one, not just what they offer.

What to look for today in a component library for Vue 3

Before diving into specific names, it is worth clarifying what differentiates a good UI library in 2025 from one that is simply "popular".

In my experience, the key criteria are:

• Real compatibility with Vue 3 (Composition API, Vite, Nuxt).
• Level of aesthetic opinion: does it impose a design or give you freedom?
• Advanced customization (CSS variables, unstyled mode, theming).
• Performance: tree-shaking, lazy loading, bundle size.
• DX and TypeScript: typing, documentation, initial setup.
• Clear use cases: mobile, dashboards, SSR, large applications.

Many libraries fail not because of a lack of components, but because they do not make it clear what type of project they are designed for.

Oruga UI — Functional components without design strings attached

Oruga UI has been betting since Vue 2 on a very clear philosophy: components focused on functionality, not style. That same idea is maintained —and refined— in Vue 3.

Something that quickly convinced me about Oruga is its completely unstyled approach. Even on its own website, you can toggle CSS on and off to see the "raw" components, something that makes it very clear what the library really contributes: reusable logic, not visual decisions.

When I have needed to build custom design systems or adapt a UI to very strict branding, Oruga has been an excellent base. Additionally, it offers a large number of CSS variables ready to be overwritten, which makes customizing styles fast and predictable.

I would choose Oruga UI if:

• I want total design control.
• I am working with a custom design system.
• I prefer to compose styles from scratch without fighting against the framework.

Vuestic UI — Attractive design with well-resolved accessibility

Vuestic has been known for a long time for its open-source admin panel, and its component library for Vue 3 inherits exactly that DNA: beautiful, well-thought-out components ready for production.

One of the points I value most about Vuestic is its focus on real accessibility, especially in keyboard navigation. It's not just marketing: components are designed from the start with that use in mind, something many libraries still treat as an extra.

Furthermore, the components are responsive by default and highly configurable. In projects where I have prioritized an attractive UI without giving up UX best practices, Vuestic has fit especially well.

I would choose Vuestic UI if:

• I am looking for a modern and visually polished UI.
• I need integrated accessibility without extra effort.
• I want components ready for dashboards or complex apps.

Naive UI — Performance, TypeScript, and extreme flexibility

Naive UI was one of the big surprises of the Vue 3 ecosystem. In a very short time, it established itself as one of the most complete and technically best-designed libraries.

It includes more than 70 components, all tree-shakeable, with native support for light and dark themes, SSR, and first-class TypeScript. Something I find especially right is its theming system: you can build a complete theme from the documentation, download it, and apply it directly to your project.

In applications where performance truly matters —for example, dashboards with data visualization— Naive UI has performed excellently, even using lazy loading on heavier components.

I would choose Naive UI if:

• I want maximum technical control without sacrificing design.
• I work intensively with TypeScript.
• I need performance and consistency in large apps.

Varlet UI — Material Design built for mobile-first

Varlet UI is a library clearly oriented toward mobile interfaces, inspired by Material Design. It can be seen as a lightweight alternative to Vuetify when the main focus is small devices.

It includes about 40 well-optimized components, with support for SSR, i18n, and TypeScript. In addition, it has configuration guides and IDE extensions that significantly improve productivity.

In projects where the priority has been to create a fluid mobile experience —especially PWAs— Varlet has proven to be a very solid option without the complexity of heavier frameworks.

I would choose Varlet UI if:

• The project is clearly mobile-first.
• I want Material Design without overhead.
• I am looking for simplicity and good performance on mobile.

Vant UI — Production-ready mobile components

Vant UI is another heavyweight of the mobile-first approach. It offers more than 65 components optimized for small screens and touch interaction patterns.

Its catalog includes elements that are not always present in other libraries: counters, pull-to-refresh, mobile notifications, advanced password fields… In PWAs or web applications that need to feel "native", Vant works especially well.

The documentation is extensive and very clear, with examples, complete APIs, and support for SSR, themes, and internationalization.

I would choose Vant UI if:

• I am developing mobile applications or PWAs.
• I need advanced mobile components.
• I want an experience very close to a native app.

Comparative table of the best UI libraries for Vue 3

Which Vue 3 library to choose according to your project

After testing several of these libraries in different contexts, my recommendation is clear: there is no universal "best", but rather a best one for each scenario.

• Maximum design freedom → Oruga UI
• Attractive and accessible UI → Vuestic UI
• Performance and advanced DX → Naive UI
• Mobile applications → Varlet UI or Vant UI

Choosing well from the beginning saves a lot of refactoring time later on.

Frequently asked questions about UI libraries for Vue 3

• Which is the best component library for Vue 3?
  • It depends on the project. Naive UI stands out in large applications, while Oruga is ideal for custom design.
• Which Vue 3 library is the lightest?
  • Oruga and Varlet usually offer smaller bundles if you only import what is necessary.
• Which Vue 3 libraries support TypeScript well?
  • Naive UI, Vuestic UI, and Varlet have excellent support.
• Is it worth using a UI library instead of creating my own components?
  • Yes, unless the project is very small. They save time, reduce errors, and improve consistency.

Conclusion

Vue 3 has created the perfect context for more mature, flexible, and powerful component libraries to emerge. Today it is possible to build complex interfaces without sacrificing performance, accessibility, or development experience.

If I have learned anything working with these libraries, it is that it is worth spending time evaluating how they fit with your actual project, not just how many components they offer. The Vue ecosystem continues to evolve very fast, and everything points to us seeing even more specialized and well-thought-out tools in the coming years.