MUI adoption guide: Overview, examples, and alternatives

MUI, initially launched in 2014 as Material UI, is a prominent open-source React component library based on Google's Material Design principles, although it has since been rebranded to differentiate from Google. Widely used by companies like Auth0, Medium, and Shutterstock, MUI simplifies the development of visually attractive and accessible user interfaces by offering over 50 prebuilt components that enhance development speed and consistency. Despite its advantages, such as a large community, customization options, and cross-framework compatibility, MUI has challenges like a steep learning curve for newcomers and potential performance impacts due to its extensive bundle size. Alternatives like Chakra UI, Shadcn UI, Radix UI, and Ant Design present different strengths, but MUI’s established presence and extensive resources make it a compelling choice for many developers.