Head-to-Head: Ionic Framework vs OnsenUI Analysis

@ionic/core

v8.2.6(3 days ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 3Monthly npm downloads

@ionic/core is a powerful and efficient library for building cross-platform mobile and web applications using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It provides a set of UI components and tools that enable developers to create visually appealing and responsive interfaces. @ionic/core is known for its performance optimization and seamless integration with popular frameworks like Angular and React.

Alternatives:
onsenui+
framework7+
quasar+
vuetify+
ionic-angular+
native-base+
f7-icons+
react-native-paper+
material-components-web+
primevue+

Tags: ioniccross-platformmobilewebUI-components

onsenui

v2.12.8(over 1 year ago)

This package was last published over a year ago. It may not be actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 0Monthly npm downloads

Onsen UI is a user interface framework that provides a set of customizable and responsive components for building mobile and web applications. It offers a rich collection of UI elements like buttons, forms, lists, and navigation patterns, all designed with a native look and feel. Onsen UI is built on top of Web Components and Angular, React, and Vue bindings are also available for seamless integration with popular frameworks.

Alternatives:
framework7+
quasar+
vuetify+
ionic-react+
native-base+
react-native-paper+
mui+
ant-design-mobile+
taro-ui+
primevue+

Tags: user-interfaceframeworkmobilewebresponsive

Fight!

Popularity

@ionic/core is a popular package that is widely used in the development of hybrid mobile applications using Ionic framework, which is built on top of Angular. On the other hand, Onsen UI is also a popular package that offers a framework-agnostic approach for building hybrid mobile apps. Both packages have their own dedicated communities and are well-known in the mobile app development space.

Framework Integration

@ionic/core is tightly integrated with the Ionic framework, which is primarily based on Angular. It provides a set of UI components, tools, and utilities that are specifically designed for developing Ionic apps. Onsen UI, on the other hand, is a framework-agnostic package that can be used with any JavaScript framework such as Angular, React, or Vue.js. This gives developers the flexibility to choose their preferred framework while using Onsen UI.

UI Components

@ionic/core offers a wide range of pre-built UI components that adhere to the Material Design guidelines. These components are optimized for mobile app development and provide a consistent look and feel across platforms. Onsen UI also provides a rich set of UI components, but it follows a more customized approach and allows developers to build their own unique designs. It provides themes and a flexible component architecture to create custom UI layouts.

Developer Experience

Both @ionic/core and Onsen UI offer good developer experiences. However, depending on the framework being used, the experience may vary. If you are already familiar with Angular and prefer to use it for your mobile app development, then @ionic/core would provide a seamless experience as it is built on Angular. With Onsen UI, you have the flexibility to use your preferred JavaScript framework, making it suitable for developers who prefer a framework-agnostic approach.

Documentation and Community Support

Both @ionic/core and Onsen UI have well-documented APIs and provide extensive resources and guides for developers. They also have active communities where you can seek support and find answers to your questions. However, @ionic/core has a larger user base and a more established community due to its connection with the Ionic framework, which can provide additional resources and support options.

Customization and Extensibility

Onsen UI offers more flexibility for customization and extensibility compared to @ionic/core. Its component architecture and theming capabilities allow developers to create unique and highly customized UI designs. @ionic/core offers customization options as well, but it is more opinionated in terms of UI design due to its integration with Ionic framework's design language.

Ecosystem and Plugins

@ionic/core benefits from the broader Ionic ecosystem, which includes a wide range of plugins and extensions specifically designed for Ionic apps. These plugins can enhance the functionality of your app with features like native device access, push notifications, and more. Onsen UI, being framework-agnostic, can also leverage plugins and extensions available for the respective frameworks it is used with.