shadcn/ui vs Tailwind CSS:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Tailwind CSS had more branded searches than shadcn/ui among CSS frameworks worldwide. Tailwind CSS had about 246,000 branded searches, while shadcn/ui had 135,000. Tailwind CSS made up 62% of all CSS framework searches we track, and shadcn/ui accounted for 34%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CSS frameworks, Tailwind CSS appeared in all five answers and shadcn/ui in two. Tailwind CSS was mentioned before shadcn/ui in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Tailwind CSS, about 82% more searches than shadcn/ui
Who does AI mention more?
Tailwind CSS, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Tailwind CSS, named ahead of shadcn/ui in every answer
Follow shadcn/ui vs Tailwind CSS and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top CSS frameworks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Tailwind CSS appeared in all five answers. shadcn/ui was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Tailwind CSS was listed before shadcn/ui in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Tailwind CSS1st
Bootstrap2nd
Bulma3rd
Pico.css4th
shadcn/ui5th
Materialize6th
Starship Foundation–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Tailwind CSS5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Bootstrap5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Bulma4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Pico.css3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- shadcn/ui2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Materialize1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Starship Foundation0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about CSS frameworks
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which CSS framework should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best CSS frameworks?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best CSS framework for a website team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“css frameworks”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“frontend framework”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is shadcn/ui or Tailwind CSS more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for shadcn/ui and Tailwind CSS by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven CSS frameworks we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Tailwind CSS, shadcn/ui. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tailwind CSS | shadcn/ui | Bootstrap | Pico.css | Bulma | Starship Foundation | Materialize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 66.3% | 29.6% | 1.8% | 0.97% | 1.2% | 0.13% | 0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 70.2% | 25.7% | 1.9% | 1% | 1% | 0.16% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 66.2% | 29.7% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.97% | 0.16% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 66.5% | 29.7% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.98% | 0.13% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 57% | 38.2% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.23% | 0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 57.4% | 38.3% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.19% | 0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 57.1% | 38.3% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.2% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 57.2% | 38.4% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.3% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 65.6% | 29.4% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 0.96% | 0.19% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 57.1% | 38.4% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.2% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 56.1% | 37.7% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.25% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 62% | 34% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.18% | <0.01% |
How has the shadcn/ui and Tailwind CSS comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Tailwind CSS was ahead of shadcn/ui in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, shadcn/ui’s share of searches among CSS frameworks worldwide moved from 29.6% to 34%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tailwind CSS’s share of searches among CSS frameworks worldwide moved from 66.3% to 62%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 246K.
How did search popularity change for CSS frameworks worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Tailwind CSS gained share of searches among CSS frameworks worldwide, from 56.1% to 62%.
In September 2026, shadcn/ui lost share of searches among CSS frameworks worldwide, from 37.7% to 34%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using shadcn/ui’s and Tailwind CSS’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
shadcn/ui
1 branded search term
- shadcn ui
Tailwind CSS
1 branded search term
- tailwind css
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.