Naive UI is one of the most pleasant Vue 3 component libraries—TypeScript-first, themeable, well-designed. n-data-table is its grid component: feature-rich and idiomatic for Composition API.
If Naive UI is already your design system, you'll keep n-data-table. If you're pulling Naive UI in for the table specifically, Simple Table for Vue is the focused alternative: an MIT-licensed Vue 3 data grid that runs in <script setup>, Nuxt 3, and Nuxt 4 without the rest of the suite.
This article compares both on bundle, virtualization, grouping with aggregations, editing, and Vue 3 ergonomics.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Naive UI Data Table | Simple Table for Vue |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Vue 3 + TypeScript | Yes (TS-first) | Yes (TS-first) |
| Composition API + <script setup> | Yes | Yes (idiomatic) |
| Bundle size (gzipped) | 150–300 kB (suite + theme) | ~70 kB |
| Row virtualization | virtual-scroll prop | Built-in |
| Column pinning | fixed: 'left' / 'right' | Yes |
| Row grouping with aggregations | Tree mode (manual aggregations) | Built-in |
| Inline cell editing | Slot-based | Built-in |
| Theming | Theme overrides API | CSS variables, BYO |
Stay with Naive UI when…
- Naive UI is your design system across the app.
- Your team values the integrated theme overrides API.
- You use other Naive UI components heavily (forms, dialogs, layout).
- n-data-table's existing feature set covers your use cases.
Switch to Simple Table for Vue when…
- Naive UI is pulled in just for n-data-table.
- You want grouping with aggregations and inline editing as built-in primitives.
- You want a smaller bundle (~70 kB) without dropping virtualization.
- You also build React / Angular / Svelte / Solid surfaces and want a shared engine.
Real-world scenarios
Naive UI design system
Naive UI provides forms, dialogs, layout, and the table.
Stay with n-data-table—the suite's coherent.
Just need the grid
Naive UI was added for n-data-table; nothing else uses it heavily.
Switch to Simple Table—drop the suite.
Reporting view with aggregations
Group by region with sum/avg footers, virtualize 50k rows.
Switch to Simple Table—aggregations are first-class.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Naive UI a good Vue library?
- Yes—TypeScript-first, well-themed, and pleasant. The question isn't quality but scope: do you need the whole suite or just the grid?
- How big is the migration?
- A few hours per table. Map column definitions to HeaderObjects and convert render functions to cellRenderers.
- Does Simple Table support tree data?
- Yes. Expandable / nested rows with virtualization are built in.
The verdict
Naive UI's n-data-table is excellent if you're using Naive UI broadly. Simple Table for Vue wins when the grid is what you actually need and the rest of the suite isn't pulling weight.
Both are MIT, both are Vue 3-native, both are TypeScript-first. The choice is scope and feature set.