HonestUI vs Mantine

Use Mantine if you want a large, mature React component library that is maintained through npm packages.

Use HonestUI if you prefer adding UI component source directly to your project and want charts, icons, logos, vectors, shaders, and animated components from the same project.

This is the biggest difference between them.

Mantine works like a traditional component library. You install packages such as @mantine/core and import components from them.

HonestUI copies its UI and animated components into your codebase. Once added, those files are yours to change directly. (HonestUI overview, Mantine getting started)

Both approaches are useful. The better choice depends on how much of the component implementation you want your application to own.

HonestUI fits better when you want the implementation of your interface components inside your own codebase.

After you add a component, you can change its markup, variants, styling, or behavior directly. You are not limited to the customization API exposed by a package.

HonestUI also includes categories outside normal application UI. Charts use Apache ECharts, while icons, logos, vectors, and shaders have their own package entry points.

If source ownership and those additional visual collections matter to you, HonestUI is the more natural fit.

Mantine fits better when you want a large application component system that is maintained for you as packages.

Its ecosystem includes core UI, hooks, forms, dates, charts, notifications, modals, Tiptap, carousels, dropzones, spotlight, and other tools commonly needed in larger applications. (Mantine getting started)

You do not need to keep the implementation of every component in your own repository. Updating Mantine packages can bring fixes and improvements across the component library.

Mantine also has a deep styling and theme system if you prefer customizing package components through defined APIs instead of editing their source.

With HonestUI:

npx honestui@latest init
npx honestui@latest add button

Then:

import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button"

export function Example() {
  return <Button>Continue</Button>
}

The Button source is now part of your application.

Mantine uses npm packages:

npm install @mantine/core @mantine/hooks

Add the styles and provider:

import "@mantine/core/styles.css"
import { MantineProvider } from "@mantine/core"

export function App({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  return <MantineProvider>{children}</MantineProvider>
}

Then import a component:

import { Button } from "@mantine/core"

export function Example() {
  return <Button>Continue</Button>
}

Mantine is open source, but the normal workflow keeps the implementation inside the installed package.

HonestUI uses Apache ECharts:

npm install honestui

import { BarChart } from "honestui/charts"
import "honestui/charts.css"

Mantine uses a separate charts package:

npm install @mantine/charts recharts

Then:

import { BarChart } from "@mantine/charts"

Most Mantine chart components are built on Recharts. (Mantine charts)

If your project already uses ECharts, HonestUI will probably fit more naturally.

If you already use Mantine and Recharts, @mantine/charts gives you charts that work with the rest of the Mantine theme.

The customization model is another major difference.

HonestUI uses semantic --hui-* CSS variables and Tailwind CSS v4 classes inside the copied component files.

You can change shared tokens when you want to change the whole interface, or edit the component source when the change only belongs to one component.

Mantine keeps the implementation in its packages and exposes customization through its theme, CSS variables, style props, and Styles API. (Mantine CSS variables, Mantine Styles API)

Neither approach is inherently better.

HonestUI gives you direct source control.

Mantine gives you a more structured package customization API.

HonestUI has a separate collection of animated components where motion is part of the component itself.

Mantine includes transitions and animations across its normal component library. Its Transition component can handle enter and exit transitions, and components such as Modal and Tooltip use transitions internally.

For more advanced animation, Mantine recommends using a dedicated animation library such as Motion. (Mantine Transition)

Because the component models are different, migration should be done gradually.

When moving from Mantine to HonestUI:

1. Add the HonestUI component alongside the current Mantine version.
2. Check every Mantine-specific prop you currently use.
3. Recreate any application-specific behavior.
4. Move shared styling into HonestUI tokens where appropriate.
5. Test the component before removing Mantine.

When moving from HonestUI to Mantine:

1. Review any changes you made directly to the HonestUI component source.
2. Find the equivalent Mantine props or Styles API selectors.
3. Configure MantineProvider.
4. Replace the component and test the affected flow.
5. Remove the old source only when the replacement is complete.

Does Mantine give me the component source?

Mantine is open source, but the normal usage model is package-based.

You import components from @mantine/* rather than having the implementation copied into your own component directory.

Which library has more application components?

Mantine currently has the broader application component and package ecosystem.

Which library is better for charts?

HonestUI uses Apache ECharts.

Mantine's chart package mostly uses Recharts.

Choose based on which charting engine and API better fit your application.

Which library is easier to customize?

It depends on how you prefer to work.

HonestUI lets you edit the actual component file.

Mantine gives you a large theme system and Styles API without requiring you to own the implementation.

Can I use both?

Yes. You could use Mantine for specific application features and HonestUI for other components or visual collections.

Just make sure the two visual systems still look consistent together.

Choose Mantine if you want a large package-based React UI ecosystem and would rather consume maintained components through stable APIs.

Choose HonestUI if you want the UI component source in your own project and also want first-party ECharts charts, animated components, icons, logos, vectors, and shaders.

If source ownership is the deciding factor, see how HonestUI components are installed.

Connor Love, the creator of HonestUI, wrote this comparison. It is not an independent review.