Maintenance Status Alert
MUI-Datatables last published: 3 years ago (2021). It only supports Material-UI v4, which is no longer actively developed. Material-UI v5+ (now @mui/material) is the current standard. Consider this when choosing for new projects or planning migrations.
You're evaluating data table options for a React app. MUI-Datatables appears in search results—it has 2,700+ GitHub stars, 40k weekly downloads, and comprehensive features. But there's a critical issue: it hasn't been updated since 2021 and only works with Material-UI v4.
MUI-Datatables was once a popular choice for Material-UI applications. It offers filtering, resizable/draggable columns, search, CSV export, printing, selectable rows, expandable rows, pagination, and sorting. The codebase is mature and well-tested. However, it's effectively unmaintained and incompatible with modern Material-UI (v5+).
Simple Table is actively maintained with zero dependency on Material-UI and official adapters for React, Vue, Angular, Svelte, Solid, and vanilla TypeScript. This guide compares the React integration; the same grid ships for Vue, Angular, and more. If you're evaluating alternatives, check out our comparison of free React data grids.
This comparison helps you understand why MUI-Datatables is risky for new projects, and why Simple Table or Material React Table (for MUI v5+) are better choices.
Quick Comparison at a Glance
| Criteria | MUI-Datatables | Simple Table |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT (Free) | MIT (Free) |
| Last Updated | 3 years ago (2021) | Active (2026) |
| Bundle Size (min+gzip) | 88 kB* | 62.4 kB |
| Dependencies | Requires Material-UI v4 only | Zero dependencies |
| MUI v5 Support | ✗ Not compatible | ✓ Works anywhere |
| Security Updates | None (unmaintained) | Active |
| Best For | Legacy MUI v4 apps (not recommended) | Any modern React app |
The Critical Maintenance Problem
MUI-Datatables' biggest issue isn't features or performance—it's that the project is effectively abandoned. Here's why this matters:
MUI-Datatables: Stuck in 2021
- Last publish: 3 years ago (v4.3.0, 2021)
- Material-UI v4 only: No support for modern @mui/material (v5+)
- No security updates: Vulnerable dependencies won't be patched
- No bug fixes: Issues accumulate with no resolution
- React 18+ issues: May have compatibility problems with modern React
- Migration path unclear: No official successor or upgrade guide
Important: Material-UI v4 entered maintenance mode in 2021. The current version is @mui/material v6 (2024+). Using MUI-Datatables locks you into an obsolete ecosystem.
Simple Table: Active Development
- Actively maintained: Regular updates and bug fixes
- React 18+ compatible: Works with latest React versions
- Framework-agnostic: No Material-UI dependency
- Security updates: Dependencies kept current
- Community support: Active GitHub, Discord community
- Future-proof: Not tied to any framework version
Real-World Impact
Starting a new project with MUI-Datatables means: You're building on a 3-year-old, unmaintained foundation that requires Material-UI v4 (also obsolete). Security vulnerabilities won't be patched. Bugs won't be fixed. You'll eventually need to migrate anyway—why not start with an active, modern solution?
Feature Comparison
Despite maintenance issues, MUI-Datatables has comprehensive features. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | MUI-Datatables | Simple Table |
|---|---|---|
| Sorting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filtering | ✓ 5 types | ✓ |
| Pagination | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Resizing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Reordering | ✓ Draggable | ✓ |
| Column Visibility | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Pinning | ✗ | ✓ |
| Row Selection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Row Grouping | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expandable Rows | ✓ | ✓ Nested |
| Virtualization | ✗ | ✓ Built-in |
| Search | ✓ | ✓ Coming soon |
| CSV Export | ✓ Built-in | ✓ Via callback |
| ✓ Built-in | ✓ Via callback | |
| Responsive Modes | ✓ 3 modes | ✓ |
| Server-Side | ✓ | ✓ |
| TypeScript | ✓ Basic | ✓ Excellent |
Feature parity with caveats: MUI-Datatables has solid features, but they won't evolve. Simple Table adds column pinning, row grouping, and built-in virtualization, plus ongoing improvements.
Migration Paths: Moving Away from MUI-Datatables
If you're using MUI-Datatables or considering it, here are your options:
Option 1: Switch to Simple Table (Recommended)
Best for: Maximum flexibility, smallest bundle, no framework lock-in
- ✓ Pros:No Material-UI dependency, 2× smaller bundle, actively maintained, works with any CSS framework
- △ Migration:Moderate effort—API is different but concepts are similar. You'll need to restyle to match your design system
Option 2: Upgrade to Material React Table
Best for: Staying in Material-UI ecosystem with modern MUI v5+
- ✓ Pros:Modern @mui/material support, actively maintained, similar feature set
- △ Migration:Requires upgrading Material-UI v4 → v5+ first (breaking changes), then switching table library
See our Material React Table comparison for details.
Option 3: Stay on MUI-Datatables (Not Recommended)
Only for: Legacy apps with no migration budget
- ✗ Cons:No security updates, no bug fixes, stuck on Material-UI v4, eventual forced migration
- ⚠ Risk:Security vulnerabilities, incompatibility with future React versions, dependency conflicts
Decision Framework: Should You Use MUI-Datatables?
The Simple Answer
Don't use MUI-Datatables for new projects.
It's unmaintained, stuck on obsolete Material-UI v4, and has no security updates. Choose Simple Table (standalone, modern, actively maintained) or Material React Table (for MUI v5+ apps). The only exception: legacy maintenance where migration isn't budgeted.
Choose Simple Table When:
- Starting a new project (any React version, any CSS framework)
- Want actively maintained code with regular updates
- Need smallest bundle size (42KB vs 88KB)
- Want zero dependencies and framework flexibility
- Need features MUI-Datatables lacks (virtualization, pinning, grouping)
The Verdict: Choose Maintained, Modern Solutions
MUI-Datatables was once a solid choice, but three years without updates makes it unsuitable for production use in 2026. The risks outweigh any perceived benefits:
Why MUI-Datatables is Risky
- Security: Vulnerabilities won't be patched
- Compatibility: Stuck on Material-UI v4 (obsolete since 2021)
- Future-proofing: No React 18+ guarantees, no modern features
- Migration inevitability: You'll need to migrate eventually anyway
Simple Table offers everything MUI-Datatables has, plus:
- ✓ Active maintenance and security updates
- ✓ 2× smaller bundle (62.4 kB vs 88KB)
- ✓ Works with any React version and CSS framework
- ✓ Built-in virtualization, pinning, grouping
- ✓ Modern TypeScript, React 18+ compatible
- ✓ No framework lock-in
If you're using Material-UI v5+ and want design system integration, Material React Table is the modern successor to MUI-Datatables. For standalone flexibility, Simple Table is your best choice. Both are actively maintained, MIT licensed, and production-ready. For more context, see our guide to the best free React data grids in 2026.