kitio.ai21st.dev vs HeroUI Chat
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. 21st.dev starts at See pricing page and HeroUI Chat starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Component library
- Magic MCP server
- UI variation generation
- Agent-ready prompts
- shadcn compatibility
- Text-to-UI generation
- HeroUI components
- Live preview
- Chat-based iteration
- Exportable React code
| Feature | 21st.dev | HeroUI Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | UI component library and MCP tools for AI coding agents | Prompt-to-app generator that builds React UIs with HeroUI components |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | See pricing page | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | 21st.dev | HeroUI |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
21st.dev starts at See pricing page and HeroUI Chat starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Free
Free
- Browse the whole library
- 2 component copies a day
Builder
$8/mo billed quarterly
- Unlimited copies and installs
- Unlimited shaders and gradients
Builder + AI
$20/mo billed quarterly
- 500 AI credits/month
- Design Bug Bot PR reviews
- Premium AI models
Team
$10/seat/mo billed quarterly
- Per seat, 2 to 50 seats
- Shared collections
- Private team components
- Admin controls
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
21st.dev
- Improves AI-generated UI quality
- Works with major coding agents
- Large free catalog
- React and Tailwind only
- Magic usage is paid
HeroUI Chat
- Output uses a well-known component library
- Code fits existing HeroUI projects
- Made by the library's own team
- Tied to the HeroUI design system
- Front-end only, no backend generation
- Pricing details are not public on the homepage
Which one should you choose?
Choose 21st.dev if you want:
- Improves AI-generated UI quality
- Works with major coding agents
- Large free catalog
Watch out: react and tailwind only.
Choose HeroUI Chat if you want:
- Output uses a well-known component library
- Code fits existing HeroUI projects
- Made by the library's own team
Watch out: tied to the heroui design system.
21st.dev vs HeroUI Chat FAQ
What is the difference between 21st.dev and HeroUI Chat?
21st.dev: UI component library and MCP tools for AI coding agents. HeroUI Chat: Prompt-to-app generator that builds React UIs with HeroUI components. Both are coding tools.
Is 21st.dev or HeroUI Chat cheaper?
21st.dev starts at See pricing page and HeroUI Chat starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do 21st.dev and HeroUI Chat have free plans?
21st.dev: Yes. HeroUI Chat: Yes.
Who makes 21st.dev?
21st.dev is made by 21st.dev.
Who makes HeroUI Chat?
HeroUI Chat is made by HeroUI.
Which should I choose, 21st.dev or HeroUI Chat?
Choose 21st.dev if you value improves ai-generated ui quality and works with major coding agents. Choose HeroUI Chat if you value output uses a well-known component library and code fits existing heroui projects.