You're building a React app and need a data table. If you're already using Mantine UI, Mantine DataTable seems like the obvious choice—beautiful styling out of the box, dark theme support, perfect integration with your existing Mantine components. But is it always the right choice?
Mantine DataTable is a feature-rich table component built specifically for Mantine UI applications. It's lightweight within the Mantine ecosystem, dependency-free (except for Mantine itself), and brings desktop-grade features like Gmail-style batch row selection, context menus, and drag-and-drop support. Used by Microsoft, Namecheap, and thousands of developers worldwide.
Simple Table is a standalone React data grid with zero dependencies on any UI framework. It's framework-agnostic, lighter, and highly performant. You get all the features without committing to Mantine UI or any design system. If you're evaluating alternatives, check out our comparison of free React data grids.
This comparison helps you understand when Mantine UI integration is worth the dependency cost, and when a lightweight standalone alternative makes more sense.
Quick Comparison at a Glance
| Criteria | Mantine DataTable | Simple Table |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT (Free) | MIT (Free) |
| Bundle Size (min+gzip) | 95 kB* | 42 kB |
| Dependencies | Requires Mantine UI (core + hooks) | Zero dependencies |
| Styling | Mantine theme | CSS variables/custom |
| Dark Mode | ✓ Automatic via Mantine | ✓ Built-in themes |
| Setup Time | Fast (if using Mantine) | 15 minutes |
| Best For | Mantine UI apps | Any React app (no framework required) |
The Bundle Size Reality: What You Actually Ship
Bundle size matters for load time, especially on mobile. Let's break down what you're actually shipping:
Mantine DataTable: The Mantine UI Stack
Key point: If you're already using Mantine UI for buttons, forms, modals, etc., Mantine DataTable's cost is amortized. But if you're only adding Mantine UI for tables, you're paying a steep price.
Simple Table: Complete Package
No hidden costs: What you see is what you get. No peer dependencies, no UI framework requirements.
Real-World Impact
On a slow 3G connection: Mantine DataTable stack (~195KB for new Mantine apps) takes ~5-6 seconds to download. Simple Table (42 kB) takes ~1.2 seconds. For mobile-first apps or emerging markets, this is critical.
Feature Comparison
Both libraries are feature-rich, but they take different approaches. Mantine DataTable includes some unique features, while Simple Table focuses on core data grid functionality.
| Feature | Mantine DataTable | Simple Table |
|---|---|---|
| Sorting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filtering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pagination | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Resizing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Reordering | ✓ Drag & drop | ✓ |
| Column Toggling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Pinning | ✗ | ✓ |
| Row Selection | ✓ Gmail-style | ✓ |
| Row Grouping | ✗ | ✓ |
| Row Expansion | ✓ | ✓ Nested tables |
| Nested Tables | ✓ | ✓ |
| Virtualization | ✗ | ✓ Built-in |
| Context Menus | ✓ Built-in | ✓ Via renderers |
| Row Dragging | ✓ Via @hello-pangea/dnd | ✓ Via callbacks |
| Cell Editing | ✓ Via custom | ✓ |
| Dark Mode | ✓ Automatic | ✓ Built-in |
| TypeScript | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent |
Feature parity with tradeoffs: Mantine DataTable includes Gmail-style selection and built-in context menus. Simple Table adds column pinning, row grouping, and built-in virtualization. The real difference is Mantine UI integration vs standalone flexibility.
The Mantine UI Integration Story
Mantine DataTable's biggest selling point is seamless Mantine UI integration. But how much does that matter?
Mantine DataTable
Opinionated Mantine Styling: Perfect integration with Mantine UI theme system.
- Automatic dark theme via Mantine ColorScheme
- Matches Mantine Button, TextInput, Select, etc.
- Inherits your Mantine theme automatically
- Beautiful out-of-the-box design
- Can't use without Mantine UI
- Breaking out of Mantine styling is hard
Simple Table
Framework-Agnostic Styling: Works with any design system.
- Works with Tailwind, CSS Modules, Styled Components, Mantine
- CSS variable customization
- Custom renderers for any component library
- Can integrate Mantine components if you want
- No design system lock-in
The Critical Question
Are you already using Mantine UI? If yes, Mantine DataTable is a natural fit. If no, ask yourself: "Am I willing to add 100KB+ of Mantine UI just for tables?" For most projects, the answer is no.
When to Choose Each: Decision Framework
Choose Mantine DataTable When:
- You're already using Mantine UI extensively (forms, buttons, modals, etc.)
- Mantine design consistency is a hard requirement
- Your team is already familiar with Mantine UI patterns
- You want automatic dark mode via Mantine ColorScheme
- Bundle size isn't critical (internal tools, desktop-only apps)
Choose Simple Table When:
- You're not using Mantine UI and don't want to add it just for tables
- Bundle size and performance are top priorities (customer-facing, mobile-first)
- You want framework-agnostic tables that work with any CSS solution
- You need built-in virtualization for large datasets
- You need row grouping and column pinning
- You want zero dependencies and smallest possible bundle
Real-World Scenarios
🏢 Enterprise Dashboard (Mantine UI Design System)
Building an internal analytics tool using Mantine UI for all components. Need data tables that match the Mantine aesthetic perfectly.
✅ Recommendation: Mantine DataTable — Already invested in Mantine, perfect integration
🚀 SaaS Product (Custom Design)
Building a customer-facing project management app with custom branding. Not using any component library. Performance is critical.
✅ Recommendation: Simple Table — No design system lock-in, best performance
📱 Mobile-First Data App
Building a mobile-optimized analytics app. Every KB counts for 3G users in emerging markets. Need virtualization for large datasets.
✅ Recommendation: Simple Table — 4× smaller bundle, built-in virtualization
🎨 Tailwind CSS App
Building with Tailwind CSS. Want tables that match your utility-first approach, not Mantine styling.
✅ Recommendation: Simple Table — Works seamlessly with Tailwind, no Mantine conflict
🏗️ Migrating Away from Mantine UI
Gradually moving away from Mantine UI to reduce bundle size. Don't want to add Mantine dependencies for tables.
✅ Recommendation: Simple Table — Helps you move away from Mantine, not deeper into it
The Verdict: Context Is Everything
Both Mantine DataTable and Simple Table are excellent libraries with different strengths. The right choice depends entirely on your context:
The Simple Question
Are you already deeply invested in Mantine UI?
- YES, using Mantine everywhere:Mantine DataTable is a natural fit. The ~95KB cost is amortized across your existing Mantine investment.
- NO, not using Mantine:Simple Table gives you all features without 100KB+ of Mantine UI overhead. It's 4× smaller and works with any CSS framework.
- MAYBE, considering Mantine:Don't let tables be the reason you add Mantine UI. Simple Table is lighter and more flexible.
Bundle Size Reality Check
For apps not using Mantine UI: Mantine DataTable stack = ~195KB. Simple Table = 42 kB. That's a 4× difference that directly impacts load time, especially on mobile.
For standalone React apps, mobile-first products, or teams avoiding design system lock-in, Simple Table's lightweight approach wins. For Mantine UI apps where consistency trumps bundle size, Mantine DataTable is excellent. Both are MIT licensed and production-ready—choose based on your constraints, not arbitrary preferences. For more context on choosing the right table library, see our guide to the best free React data grids.