Compare Arc with other React UI libraries
Arc is a React library of components and blocks built for AI-assisted development. These pages compare it with the libraries people most often weigh it against, using facts from each project's own site.
Comparisons
Arc vs Magic UI: which should you use?
Free, open source animated components and effects for marketing pages, with a paid Pro tier of sections and templates. The page covers stack, license, pricing, AI support and when to choose each.
Arc vs Aceternity UI: which should you use?
Visually bold components, blocks and Next.js templates for landing pages, with a free tier and a paid plan. The page covers stack, license, pricing, AI support and when to choose each.
21st.dev alternative: Arc vs 21st.dev
A community marketplace of React and Tailwind components from many authors, with its own MCP server and CLI. The page covers stack, license, pricing, AI support and when to choose each.
At a glance
| Topic | Arc | Magic UI | Aceternity UI | 21st.dev |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Product UI such as dashboards, settings, forms, tables and onboarding, with motion built in | Landing page effects such as marquees, animated text, globes and backgrounds | Bold, visual landing pages with full-page templates | Variety: many authors, many styles, and a place to publish your own |
| Stack | React, TypeScript, CSS Modules with CSS variables, Motion. Tailwind is optional. | React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Motion | React, Tailwind CSS, Motion | React and Tailwind CSS components from many authors |
| Free and paid | Free components and a starter set of blocks. Pro is $199 once, or $129 a year. Team is $599 once for up to 10 people. | Free core. Pro is a one-time lifetime license; see their pricing page for the current price. | Free components. Pro has annual, lifetime and team plans; see their pricing page for current prices. | Free tier with 2 component copies a day. Paid plans add unlimited installs; see their pricing page for current prices. |
| MCP and AI support | Remote MCP server (sign in with a free account), llms.txt and llms-full.txt, markdown for every component, an agent skill. | Official MCP server, set up with the @magicuidesign/cli installer for Cursor, Windsurf, Claude, Cline and Roo-Cline, and llms.txt. | MCP server for coding agents (see their site for setup) and llms.txt. | 21st MCP (formerly Magic MCP) and the @21st-dev/cli installer. It needs an API key: search is free, retrieving component code is metered by plan. |
Last verified October 13, 2026. For libraries that are not on this page, such as shadcn/ui, React Bits, HeroUI, Mantine and MUI, read Best React component libraries in 2026.
How we compare
We make Arc, so these pages are not neutral, and we try to be fair anyway. Facts about other libraries come from their own site, documentation, npm package or GitHub repository, and we record the date we checked. Where we could not confirm something, we leave it out or point you to their site.
- Counts for Arc are read from its catalog, so they match the rest of the site.
- Prices for Arc come from its billing plans. Prices for other libraries change often, so we link to them instead of copying a number.
- Every page says where the other library is the better pick.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arc a replacement for shadcn/ui?
No. Arc installs through the shadcn CLI and registry format, and works well next to shadcn/ui. shadcn/ui gives you accessible primitives to build on, while Arc adds animated components and complete blocks with its own tokens and an MCP server.
Which library is best for a landing page?
Magic UI and Aceternity UI are built around landing page effects and are the better starting point for marketing pages. Arc is the closer fit for product screens such as dashboards, settings and forms.
Why does Arc publish comparisons?
People and AI assistants ask how these libraries differ, and a page with the facts in one table answers that faster than a search. Arc is one of the libraries compared, so each page says where the other library is the better pick.
How current are these pages?
Facts about other libraries were last verified on October 13, 2026, and each page shows that date. Prices and counts change, so the pages link to the source. If something is out of date, write to hello@uiarc.dev.