Simple Table vs. Material React Table
Comparing framework-agnostic efficiency with Material-UI integration
When building React applications that require both Material Design aesthetics and advanced data grid functionality, developers often evaluate Material React Table (MRT)—a popular library that combines TanStack Table's powerful features with Material-UI's polished components. While Material React Table offers an excellent solution for teams already invested in the Material-UI ecosystem, it comes with the overhead of requiring Material-UI as a dependency and a larger bundle size compared to standalone alternatives. Simple Table offers a compelling alternative for teams seeking advanced data grid features without the Material-UI dependency. At just 35 kB compared to Material React Table's 51.8 kB, Simple Table delivers comparable functionality with a significantly lighter footprint. While it doesn't come with Material Design styling out of the box, its flexible theming system makes it possible to achieve Material Design aesthetics if desired. This comparison examines the trade-offs between Material React Table's pre-built MUI integration and Simple Table's lightweight, framework-agnostic approach to help you determine which solution best fits your project's needs.
This comparison guide was created with AI assistance. While we strive for accuracy, if you notice any incorrect information, please contact us so we can correct it promptly.
Feature Comparison
Free
Paid
In Development
Not Available
| Feature | Simple Table | Material React Table |
|---|---|---|
Virtualization | ||
Infinite Scroll | ||
Column Resizing | ||
Column Reordering | ||
Column Visibility | ||
Column Pinning | ||
Column Alignment | ||
Column Sorting | ||
Column Filtering | ||
Advanced Filtering | ||
Nested Headers | ||
Aggregation Functions | ||
Column Selection | ||
Collapsible Columns | ||
Column Editing | ||
Row Selection | ||
Row Grouping | ||
Adjustable Row Height | ||
Row Expansion | ||
Cell Editing | ||
Cell Highlighting | ||
Cell Clicking | ||
Custom Renderers | ||
Live Updates | ||
Cell Formatting | ||
Cell Validation | ||
Formulas | ||
Data Binding | ||
Context Menu | ||
Comments | ||
Global Search | ||
Faceted Filters | ||
Client-side Pagination | ||
Server-side Pagination | ||
Cursor-based Pagination | ||
Value Getters/Setters | ||
Cell Range Selection | ||
Pivot Tables | ||
Tree Data | ||
Row Spanning | ||
Master/Detail Views | ||
Context Menu | ||
Status Bar | ||
Column Menu | ||
Full Width Rows | ||
Advanced Tooltips | ||
Excel Export | ||
Excel Import | ||
CSV Export | ||
CSV Import | ||
Clipboard Operations | ||
Advanced Keyboard Navigation | ||
Accessibility Features | ||
Multiple Themes | ||
Custom Icons | ||
TypeScript Support | ||
Undo/Redo |
Performance Comparison
| Metric | Simple Table | Material React Table |
|---|---|---|
| Bundle Size | 35 kB (minified + gzipped) | 51.8 kB (minified + gzipped) |
Summary
Simple Table is a lightweight, standalone data grid that provides essential features with minimal overhead. It's ideal for projects that need a performant table component without the weight of a full UI framework. With its 35 kB (minified + gzipped) bundle size, it offers a great balance of features and performance.Material React Table is built on top of TanStack Table and provides Material-UI styling out of the box. It offers advanced data grid features with 51.8 kB (minified + gzipped), making it a middle-ground option between Simple Table's minimal footprint and full-featured enterprise solutions.If you need a lightweight, framework-agnostic table with advanced features and don't require Material-UI styling, try Simple Table. If you're already heavily invested in the Material-UI ecosystem and want seamless MUI integration with TanStack Table's power, Material React Table is an excellent choice.
Missing a Feature?
We're constantly working to improve Simple Table. If you need a feature that's not yet available, let us know! We prioritize features based on community demand.