Simple Table vs TanStack Solid Table: Batteries-Included vs Headless SolidJS Grid

ComparisonDecision GuideSignals-Native

TanStack Solid Table is headless—you bring the markup. Simple Table for Solid is batteries-included with virtualization, pinning, grouping with aggregations, and inline editing in one MIT package, built on Solid signals.

For Solid developers comparing data grid options in 2026.

TanStack Solid Table is the Solid adapter of TanStack Table—headless primitives for state, sorting, filtering, and column models. You wire the UI yourself: every <td>, every interaction, every virtualization integration.

Simple Table for Solid is batteries-included: virtualization, column pinning, row grouping with aggregations, and inline editing all ship in one MIT package, built on Solid's fine-grained reactivity.

This article compares the two so you can pick the one that fits your team's appetite for building UI from primitives.

Quick comparison

FeatureTanStack Solid TableSimple Table for Solid
LicenseMITMIT
ApproachHeadless (BYO UI)Batteries-included
Solid signals integrationYesFirst-class
Solid-Start supportYesYes
Bundle size (gzipped)~14 kB core (UI not included)~70 kB (full grid)
Built-in row virtualizationNo (BYO virtualizer)Yes
Built-in column pinningState only (BYO UI)Yes
Row grouping + aggregationsState only (BYO UI)Built-in
Inline cell editingBYOBuilt-in
Setup time to first tableHours / daysMinutes

Stay headless when…

  • You want pixel-level control over every <tr> and <td>.
  • You're already shipping a custom virtualization layer (TanStack Virtual).
  • Your design system has unique table layouts.
  • You're standardized on TanStack across your stack and want consistency.

Switch to Simple Table for Solid when…

  • You want virtualization, pinning, grouping with aggregations, and editing in one package.
  • Your team is small and time-to-feature beats absolute UI control.
  • You also build React / Vue / Angular / Svelte / Vanilla surfaces and want one engine.
  • You want signal-based reactivity without writing the UI primitives.

Real-world scenarios

Custom design system with unique row layouts

Need full control over markup, styling, animations.

Stay on TanStack Solid Table—you'll get exactly the markup you want.

Reporting tool, 100k rows, grouping required

Sum/avg footers, virtualization, time-to-feature matters.

Switch to Simple Table for Solid—heavy lifting is built in.

Greenfield Solid-Start app

Want signals-first data grid; team is small.

Pick Simple Table for Solid—batteries-included on Solid signals.

Multi-stack platform (React + Solid)

Want one engine and one mental model across both.

Choose Simple Table—same engine via @simple-table/react and @simple-table/solid.

Frequently asked questions

Is TanStack Solid Table dead?
No—it's actively maintained as part of the TanStack family. The trade-off vs Simple Table is headless vs batteries-included, not maintenance.
Can I migrate gradually?
Yes. Replace one table at a time. Map your column defs to HeaderObject entries; replace your TanStack Virtual integration with Simple Table's built-in virtualization; convert custom cell renderers to Simple Table cellRenderer Solid components.
Does Simple Table for Solid use signals?
Yes. Inputs accept signals or static values; updates flow through Solid's fine-grained reactivity.

The verdict

Both are MIT, both are Solid-native, and both are maintained. The choice is philosophy.

If you want primitives and full UI control, stay on TanStack Solid Table. If you want virtualization, pinning, grouping with aggregations, and editing without building them, switch to Simple Table for Solid.

Want a batteries-included Solid data grid?

Simple Table for Solid ships virtualization, pinning, grouping, and editing in one MIT package—signals-native, ~70 kB gzipped.