When to use UI kits vs custom design

Should you build UI from scratch, use a component library, or adapt a UI kit?

The answer depends on what you're optimizing for.

When to build from scratch

You have a distinctive brand that requires custom visual design.

You have specific interactions that don't exist in standard components.

You have design resources and time to maintain a custom system.

Best for: Consumer apps with strong brand identity. Design tools. Visual-first products.

When to use component libraries

You need interactive components with built-in state management.

You want automatic updates and bug fixes from maintainers.

You're building internal tools where polish isn't the priority.

Best for: Admin panels. Internal dashboards. Rapid prototypes.

When to use UI kits (copy/paste components)

You want production-ready UI without the framework lock-in.

You need specific patterns (SaaS onboarding, pricing pages, etc.) not full control over everything.

You're a solo founder or small team shipping fast.

Best for: Early-stage SaaS. Marketing sites. Products where UI quality matters but design isn't your core competency.

The hybrid approach

Most successful products use a mix:

- UI kit for standard pages (landing, pricing, auth, settings) - Custom design for core features (your unique value proposition) - Component library for complex widgets (date pickers, rich text editors)

A practical approach

Many successful products start with a UI kit to get to market fast with polished UI.

Then customize the parts that differentiate the product. Keep the foundation, evolve what matters.

This approach gives speed to launch + flexibility to grow.

The real decision

It's not about what's "best" — it's about what fits your constraints.

Time? Budget? Design skills? Brand requirements?

Choose the approach that gets you to shipped product fastest, then iterate from there.