You're building a React data table and evaluating options. Both ka-table and Simple Table are lightweight, MIT-licensed libraries with no runtime dependencies. But they take fundamentally different approaches to table state management and developer experience.
ka-table follows a "props-UI-action-reducer" pattern inspired by Redux and Flux. Every change dispatches an action, state updates flow through a reducer, and you maintain complete control. It's explicit, predictable, and gives you granular control over every state change. Think of it as the Redux of React tables.
Simple Table offers a batteries-included approach. You pass data and configuration, and the table handles state internally. Need custom behavior? Custom renderers and callbacks give you escape hatches without managing reducer logic. It's pragmatic, fast to implement, and stays out of your way.
This isn't about "which is better"—it's about which philosophy matches your project. This comparison breaks down bundle size, state management patterns, features, and real-world scenarios to help you decide.
Quick Comparison at a Glance
| Criteria | ka-table | Simple Table |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT (Free) | MIT (Free) |
| Bundle Size (min+gzip) | 60 kB | 42 kB |
| Dependencies | Zero | Zero |
| State Management | Controlled (Redux-style) | Internal + callbacks |
| Setup Complexity | Moderate (reducer pattern) | Simple (prop-based) |
| Learning Curve | Higher (reducer concepts) | Lower |
| TypeScript Support | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent |
| Best For | Explicit control, complex state | Quick setup, pragmatic apps |
Bundle Size: Both Lightweight, Simple Table Smaller
Both libraries are lightweight with zero runtime dependencies, making them excellent choices for bundle-conscious projects.
ka-table
Simple Table
Bundle Size Verdict
Simple Table is 30% smaller (42 kB vs 60 kB). Both are lightweight compared to enterprise grids like AG Grid (298KB). For most apps, this ~18KB difference won't matter—pick based on state management philosophy, not bundle size alone.
State Management: The Core Difference
This is where these libraries diverge significantly. Your preference here should drive your decision.
ka-table: Controlled Pattern
Props → UI → Action → Reducer → New Props
- Explicit control: Every change is a dispatched action
- Predictable: State updates flow through kaReducer
- Flexible: Intercept any action, add custom logic
- Redux integration: Works seamlessly with Redux stores
- More boilerplate: dispatch, reducer, action types
- Learning curve: Need to understand reducer pattern
Simple Table: Internal State
Props → Internal State → Callbacks
- Simple setup: Pass data and config, table handles state
- Minimal boilerplate: No reducers or actions needed
- Callbacks for control: onSort, onFilter, onPageChange
- Custom renderers: Full UI control without state management
- Less explicit: State changes happen internally
- No Redux pattern: Different paradigm than ka-table
Which Philosophy Fits Your Project?
Choose ka-table if: You love Redux patterns, need granular control over every state change, or want to integrate table state with a global store.
Choose Simple Table if: You want pragmatic, batteries-included functionality without managing reducers. Control via callbacks and custom renderers is enough.
Feature Comparison
Both libraries offer comprehensive feature sets. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | ka-table | Simple Table |
|---|---|---|
| Sorting | ✓ Multi-column | ✓ Multi-column |
| Filtering | ✓ Filter row + header filter | ✓ |
| Pagination | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Resizing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Reordering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Pinning | ✗ | ✓ |
| Row Selection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Row Grouping | ✓ With summaries | ✓ |
| Tree Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Virtualization | ✓ | ✓ Built-in |
| Cell Editing | ✓ With validation | ✓ |
| Nested Headers | ✓ Grouped columns | ✓ |
| Search | ✓ Global search | ✓ Coming soon |
| State Persistence | ✓ State storing | ✓ Via callbacks |
| Keyboard Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Renderers | ✓ ChildComponents | ✓ Extensive |
Feature parity: Both libraries offer comprehensive features. ka-table adds global search and detailed validation. Simple Table includes column pinning and built-in virtualization. The real difference is state management approach, not feature coverage.
Controlled vs Uncontrolled: Flexibility vs Simplicity
ka-table offers both controlled and uncontrolled modes, but it's designed for controlled usage. Simple Table focuses on simplicity with internal state management.
ka-table: Controlled Mode Emphasis
ka-table shines when you use its controlled mode with dispatch and kaReducer:
- ✓ Full control: Every state change flows through your code
- ✓ Redux integration: Dispatch actions to your Redux store
- ✓ Custom reducers: Add your own logic to kaReducer
- ✓ Time-travel debugging: Works with Redux DevTools
- △ More setup: useState, dispatch function, kaReducer
ka-table also offers uncontrolled mode via useTable(), but controlled mode is where it excels.
Simple Table: Internal State with Escape Hatches
Simple Table manages state internally, exposing callbacks for control:
- ✓ Minimal setup: Just pass data and config
- ✓ Callbacks: onSort, onFilter, onPageChange for side effects
- ✓ Custom renderers: Full UI control without managing state
- ✓ Fast iteration: No reducer boilerplate
- △ Less explicit: State changes happen inside the component
When to Choose Each: Decision Framework
Choose ka-table When:
- You love Redux patterns and reducer-based state management
- You need granular control over every state change
- You want to integrate table state with a global Redux store
- You need complex state synchronization across multiple components
- You want time-travel debugging with Redux DevTools
- Your team is experienced with reducer patterns
Choose Simple Table When:
- You want pragmatic, batteries-included functionality
- You prefer callbacks over reducers for custom behavior
- You need quick setup without boilerplate
- You want a smaller bundle (~18KB lighter)
- You prefer custom renderers over action-based UI customization
- Your team is new to React tables or prefers simpler APIs
Real-World Scenarios
🏢 Enterprise App with Redux Store
Building a data-heavy admin dashboard. Already using Redux for global state. Need table state to sync with Redux for undo/redo and state persistence.
✅ Recommendation: ka-table — Redux integration is seamless, controlled pattern matches your architecture
🚀 Startup MVP (Move Fast)
Building a SaaS MVP. Need feature-rich tables quickly. No time for reducer boilerplate. Just want it to work.
✅ Recommendation: Simple Table — Faster setup, less boilerplate, still fully featured
🎯 Complex State Requirements
Need to intercept every table action to add logging, analytics, and custom validation. Every state change needs approval flow.
✅ Recommendation: ka-table — Dispatch/reducer pattern perfect for intercepting actions
📊 Data Visualization Dashboard
Building a data dashboard with multiple charts and tables. Tables should just work with minimal setup. Focus is on data viz, not state management.
✅ Recommendation: Simple Table — Less mental overhead, more time for your core product
🧪 Learning Project / Junior Team
Team is new to React or doesn't have Redux experience. Want powerful tables without steep learning curve.
✅ Recommendation: Simple Table — Lower learning curve, familiar prop-based API
The Verdict: Choose Your State Management Philosophy
Both ka-table and Simple Table are excellent, MIT-licensed React table libraries with zero dependencies. The choice comes down to your state management philosophy:
The Core Question
Do you want explicit control via reducers or pragmatic simplicity?
- Redux mindset, complex state:ka-table's controlled pattern gives you granular control and Redux integration. Worth the learning curve if you need that control.
- Pragmatic, fast setup:Simple Table's batteries-included approach gets you productive faster. Callbacks and custom renderers handle most needs without reducer boilerplate.
Bundle Size Context
Simple Table is 30% smaller (42 kB vs 60 kB), but both are lightweight. For most apps, the ~18KB difference won't impact performance. Choose based on developer experience and state management needs, not bundle size alone.
For teams with Redux experience or complex state synchronization needs, ka-table's explicit control is valuable. For most React apps prioritizing fast iteration and minimal boilerplate, Simple Table's pragmatic approach wins. Both are production-ready, actively maintained, and MIT licensed. You can't go wrong with either—just pick the philosophy that matches your project. For more context on React table options, check out our guide to the best free React data grids.