Simple Table vs. TanStack Table
Ready-to-use solution vs. headless library approach
The React table ecosystem offers two distinct philosophies: ready-to-use components versus headless libraries that provide logic without UI. This fundamental choice affects everything from development speed to long-term maintenance. Many developers start their projects by evaluating TanStack Table (formerly React Table), the most popular headless table library, which provides powerful hooks and utilities but requires you to build every UI component from scratch. On the other side, Simple Table offers a complete, production-ready solution that gets you from zero to functional data grid in minutes rather than weeks. This comparison examines both approaches: the flexibility and control of building everything yourself versus the speed and convenience of a batteries-included solution. We'll help you determine which approach aligns better with your project timeline, team expertise, and design requirements.
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 | TanStack Table |
|---|---|---|
quickStart | ||
Virtualization | ||
Infinite Scroll | ||
componentType | ||
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 | ||
Column Filters | ||
Global Search | ||
Custom Filters | ||
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 | ||
Full Theme Control | ||
Responsive | ||
TypeScript Support | ||
Undo/Redo | ||
pricing |
Performance Comparison
| Metric | Simple Table | TanStack Table |
|---|---|---|
| Bundle Size | 31 kB (minified + gzipped) | 14.6 kB (minified + gzipped) + custom UI implementation |
Summary
Simple Table provides a complete solution with pre-built UI components, ready to use out of the box. It's ideal for projects that need a functional data grid quickly without building UI components from scratch. With a small bundle size (31 kB minified + gzipped) and comprehensive features, it's great for most table needs where you want to focus on your application logic rather than building UI components.TanStack Table is a headless library (14.6 kB minified + gzipped) that gives you complete control over your table's UI. It provides hooks and utilities to handle table logic, but you'll need to build all UI components yourself. It's perfect for projects that require highly customized tables and have the resources to build custom UI components from scratch.Choose Simple Table if you want a ready-to-use solution with minimal setup. Choose TanStack Table if you need complete UI flexibility and have the time and resources to build custom components.
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.