shadcn vs Radix vs Base UI: Which One Should a Junior Pick in 2026?

If you spent any time on React Twitter or LinkedIn lately, you saw three names everywhere: shadcn/ui , Radix , and Base UI . People talk about them like they compete with each other, but they don't really. Let me explain what each one actually is, and when you should reach for which. First, what is a "headless" UI library? Before we compare anything, you need this idea. A normal UI library like Bootstrap or Material UI gives you components that already look a certain way. You import a and it com