AG Grid is a powerful, mature library with an extensive feature set that can handle virtually any data grid use case. It's well-documented, actively maintained, and trusted by thousands of companies. However, advanced features like row grouping, aggregation, and Excel export require an Enterprise license starting at $999 per developer annually.
For projects with budget constraints or those that don't need the full enterprise feature set, you might be looking for alternatives. The good news? The React ecosystem offers several excellent options that are completely free and may better fit your specific needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore 7 production-ready AG Grid alternatives that won't cost you a dime. Whether you need a lightweight solution or a feature-packed powerhouse, there's an option here that will fit your needs perfectly.
Why Look Beyond AG Grid?
AG Grid is an excellent choice for many projects. However, developers often look for alternatives for these reasons:
Expensive Licensing
Enterprise features start at $999 per developer annually. For a team of 5, that's $5,000+ per year—forever.
Large Bundle Size
AG Grid Community is 298.2 kB. Many alternatives are significantly smaller and faster.
Configuration Complexity
AG Grid's comprehensive API can have a learning curve. While powerful, it may be more than needed for simpler use cases.
Vendor Lock-in
Once you've built your app around AG Grid's API, migrating away becomes increasingly difficult.
What to Look For in an AG Grid Alternative
When evaluating AG Grid alternatives, keep these key criteria in mind:
Top 7 AG Grid Alternatives for React
Simple Table
Simple Table is a great AG Grid alternative for teams who want a solid feature set without licensing costs. At 31 kB, it's one of the lightest full-featured React data grids available, offering the core features most applications need.
Why Choose Simple Table
- Small footprint: 31 kB — about 3x smaller than AG Grid Community
- Batteries included: Sorting, filtering, pagination, virtualization, cell editing, row selection—all built-in
- Straightforward API: Intuitive prop-based configuration makes getting started quick and easy
- Blazing performance: Handles 50K+ rows smoothly with built-in virtualization
- Style freedom: Fully customizable with CSS variables, custom renderers, and theme support
- TypeScript-first: Comprehensive type definitions for a superior DX
- 100% free: MIT licensed, no enterprise tier, no surprises
Perfect For
- Startups and teams with budget constraints
- Projects prioritizing bundle size and performance
- Teams wanting quick setup without complexity
- Apps needing advanced features without vendor lock-in
2. TanStack Table (React Table v8)
TanStack Table is the headless table library that gives you complete control. It provides the logic and state management while you handle the rendering. Perfect for custom implementations where you need pixel-perfect control over every aspect.
Strengths
- Headless architecture: Total control over markup and styling
- Framework agnostic: Works with React, Vue, Svelte, and more
- Powerful plugin system: Extensive ecosystem of plugins and extensions
- Excellent TypeScript: Rock-solid type inference
Considerations
- Steeper learning curve—you build everything from scratch
- No built-in UI means more development time upfront
- Requires additional libraries for virtualization
3. Material React Table
If you're already using Material-UI (MUI), Material React Table is a fantastic choice. It wraps TanStack Table with beautiful Material Design components, giving you the best of both worlds.
Strengths
- Material Design: Perfect integration with MUI projects
- Feature-rich: Pre-built UI for advanced features
- TanStack foundation: Powered by TanStack Table's robust core
Considerations
- Requires Material-UI as a peer dependency
- Larger bundle size due to MUI: 51.8 kB
- Not ideal if you're not using Material Design
4. React Data Grid (by Adazzle)
A lightweight, Excel-like data grid with excellent performance and keyboard navigation. It's particularly good for spreadsheet-style interfaces.
Strengths
- Excel-like editing experience with keyboard support
- Built-in virtualization for excellent performance
- Simple API with good defaults
Considerations
- More focused on editing than display
- Less flexible for custom layouts
5. React Virtualized
Not strictly a data grid, but React Virtualized provides the building blocks for creating performant tables with massive datasets. If you need to handle hundreds of thousands of rows, this is your tool.
Strengths
- Exceptional performance with infinite scroll
- Battle-tested and widely used
- Flexible primitives for custom implementations
Considerations
- No table features—you build everything
- Maintenance mode (consider react-window instead)
6. Ant Design Table
Part of the popular Ant Design system, this table component is feature-complete and production-ready with a clean, professional look.
Strengths
- Comprehensive feature set out of the box
- Professional, polished UI
- Excellent documentation and examples
Considerations
- Large bundle if you only need the table
- Styling customization can be challenging
7. React Bootstrap Table Next
If you're working with Bootstrap, this library provides a familiar, Bootstrap-styled table component with solid features.
Strengths
- Perfect for Bootstrap projects
- Good feature coverage
- Active community
Considerations
- Limited to Bootstrap styling
- Performance can lag with very large datasets
Quick Comparison: AG Grid vs Alternatives
| Library | Bundle Size | License | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Table | 31 kB | MIT | Quick setup, full features |
| TanStack Table | 15.2 kB | MIT | Custom UIs, full control |
| Material React Table | 51.8 kB | MIT | Material-UI projects |
| AG Grid Community | 298.2 kB | MIT | Basic features only |
| AG Grid Enterprise | ~200KB+ | $999+/dev/year | Complex enterprise needs |
Migrating from AG Grid to Simple Table
If you're currently using AG Grid and want to switch to Simple Table, the migration is straightforward:
1Install Simple Table
npm install simple-table-core2Replace AG Grid imports
Instead of:
import { AgGridReact } from 'ag-grid-react';Use:
import { Table } from 'simple-table-core';3Update your component
Simple Table uses a more intuitive prop-based API that's easier to understand than AG Grid's configuration object.
Need help migrating?
Check out our complete documentation with migration guides and examples.
Conclusion: Break Free from AG Grid's License Fees
AG Grid is an excellent, battle-tested library that serves many large organizations well. However, if its pricing doesn't fit your budget or you don't need its most advanced features, the alternatives we've covered are worth considering.
Each alternative has its strengths: TanStack Table for maximum customization, Simple Table for a balanced feature-to-size ratio, and Material React Table or Ant Design if you're already using those design systems.
For most projects, we recommend starting with Simple Table—it provides a good balance of features, performance, and ease of use. But evaluate based on your specific needs: if you need ultra-custom UI, choose TanStack Table; if you have complex enterprise requirements and budget, AG Grid remains a solid choice.
If you need absolute UI control, go with TanStack Table. If you're already invested in Material-UI or Ant Design, their respective table components will integrate seamlessly.
The React data grid ecosystem has matured significantly, offering quality free options alongside commercial ones. Evaluate your specific needs and choose the tool that best fits your project's requirements and constraints.