Tabulator is a popular vanilla JavaScript table library that's been around for years. It's feature-rich, well-documented, and works across frameworks. However, if you're building a React application in 2026, you might be wondering: is Tabulator still the best choice, or are there better alternatives built specifically for React?
The short answer: there are better options. While Tabulator works with React, it wasn't built for React. This means you miss out on React-specific optimizations, TypeScript integration, and the declarative component model that makes React development so productive.
In this guide, we'll explore the best Tabulator alternatives built for React in 2026, comparing features, performance, developer experience, and helping you choose the right data grid for your project.
Why Consider Alternatives to Tabulator?
- • Tabulator is vanilla JS, not built for React
- • Requires imperative API calls instead of declarative props
- • Limited TypeScript support
- • Larger bundle size (103.2 kB min+gzip)
- • React-first alternatives offer better DX and performance
Quick Comparison: Tabulator vs React Alternatives
| Criteria | Tabulator | Simple Table | TanStack Table | AG Grid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built for React | No (vanilla JS) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| License | MIT (Free) | MIT (Free) | MIT (Free) | MIT + $999+/year |
| Bundle Size | 98.9 kB | 42 kB | 15.2 kB | 298.2 kB |
| TypeScript | Basic | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| UI Included | Yes | Yes | No (headless) | Yes |
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Gentle | Steep | Steep |
| Best For | Multi-framework | React apps | Custom UIs | Enterprise |
Best Tabulator Alternatives for React in 2026
Simple Table
FreeA lightweight (42 kB), batteries-included React data grid built from the ground up for React. Offers the best balance of features, performance, and developer experience.
Why Choose Over Tabulator
- ✓ Built specifically for React (not vanilla JS wrapper)
- ✓ Declarative props API (not imperative)
- ✓ Excellent TypeScript support
- ✓ Smaller bundle (42 kB)
- ✓ Better React integration
- ✓ All features included free
- ✓ Modern, clean UI out of box
Key Features
- • Sorting & filtering
- • Column pinning & resizing
- • Row grouping & aggregation
- • Cell editing (inline & form)
- • Built-in virtualization
- • CSV export
- • Custom renderers
- • Pagination & infinite scroll
Code Comparison: Tabulator vs Simple Table
Tabulator (imperative):
// Imperative API
const table = new Tabulator(
"#table", {
data: data,
columns: columns
});
table.setData(newData);Simple Table (declarative):
// Declarative React
<SimpleTable
data={data}
columns={columns}
/>TanStack Table (React Table v8)
FreeHeadless table library that provides the logic while you build the UI. Great for complete customization but requires more work upfront.
Advantages
- ✓ Complete UI control
- ✓ Excellent TypeScript
- ✓ All features free
- ✓ Framework agnostic
- ✓ Small core bundle
Disadvantages
- ✗ No UI (you build everything)
- ✗ Steep learning curve
- ✗ More code to write
- ✗ Longer time to first table
Best for: Teams that need complete UI control and have time to build custom components. Compare with Simple Table
AG Grid
Free + PaidFeature-rich data grid with free Community edition and paid Enterprise edition ($999+/dev/year). More features than Tabulator but heavier and more complex.
Advantages
- ✓ Extensive features
- ✓ Mature, stable
- ✓ Great documentation
- ✓ Enterprise support available
Disadvantages
- ✗ Large bundle size (140KB+)
- ✗ Enterprise features cost $999+/dev
- ✗ Steep learning curve
- ✗ Complex API
Best for: Large enterprises with budget for licenses and need for advanced features like pivot tables. See free alternatives
Material React Table (MRT)
FreeBuilt on TanStack Table with Material-UI components. Great if you're already using MUI, but brings heavy dependencies.
Best for: Apps already using Material-UI. Compare with Simple Table
Ant Design Table
FreePart of the Ant Design component library. Good features but requires full Ant Design ecosystem.
Best for: Apps already using Ant Design. Compare with Simple Table
Feature Comparison: What You Get
| Feature | Tabulator | Simple Table | TanStack | AG Grid Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filtering | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Column Pinning | ✓ | ✓ Free | ✓ | ✗ Paid |
| Row Grouping | ✓ | ✓ Free | ✓ | ✗ Paid |
| Aggregation | ✓ | ✓ Free | ✓ | ✗ Paid |
| Virtualization | ✓ | ✓ Built-in | Plugin | ✓ |
| Cell Editing | ✓ | ✓ | DIY | ✓ |
| Built for React | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TypeScript | Basic | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
Key Insight: While Tabulator works with React, libraries built specifically for React like Simple Table offer better integration, TypeScript support, and more natural React development patterns.
Migrating from Tabulator to React-First Solutions
If you're currently using Tabulator and considering a switch, here's what to expect:
Benefits of Switching
- Better React integration: Use declarative props instead of imperative API calls
- Improved TypeScript support: Full type safety and autocomplete
- Smaller bundle size: Reduce your app's footprint by 50KB+
- Better performance: Libraries built for React optimize for React's rendering lifecycle
- Easier maintenance: Less imperative code, more declarative React patterns
Migration Effort
Typical migration timeline:
- • Simple Table: 1-3 days (similar API concepts, declarative props)
- • TanStack Table: 1-2 weeks (need to build UI components)
- • AG Grid: 3-7 days (different API, configuration-heavy)
Our Recommendation: Choose React-First
If you're building a React application in 2026, we strongly recommend choosing a data grid built specifically for React over Tabulator. While Tabulator is a solid library, it was designed for vanilla JavaScript and doesn't take full advantage of React's capabilities.
Simple Table: The Best Tabulator Alternative for React
For most React applications, Simple Table is the best choice. It offers:
- All of Tabulator's features
- Built specifically for React
- Smaller bundle size
- Better TypeScript support
- Declarative React API
- 100% free forever
Whether you're starting a new project or migrating from Tabulator, Simple Table provides the smoothest path forward for React developers in 2026.