When you’re preparing to start an Angular development project, you have some important decisions and choices to make. Planning in advance and working out all the details before getting started will increase your chances for success by a lot.
A big part of the planning stage for your Angular project is choosing the UI library that fits your requirements best. You have plenty of options to choose from, so it’s important to take your time and do some research to be able to make the right decision.
A good UI library means less coding for repetitive bits and more focus on the cool features that will make your app stand out. But not every library works for every project.
So, in this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the key factors to consider before deciding on the best Angular component library for what you’re building.
Why Use an Angular UI Library?
UI is a big part of an Angular development project. Sure, you can create your own components, but using an Angular UI library will save you a lot of time. These libraries come with ready-made components that you can just add to your app, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
Besides saving time, a UI library will also help keep your app consistent, as many libraries already come with designs that look good on all devices. This means that you won’t have to spend extra time tweaking things for mobile or tablet views. Also, a good UI library can help improve the accessibility and usability of your application, which your users will appreciate.
With an Angular component library, you get built-in tools that make building a professional UI way faster and easier. That way, you can focus more on the unique parts of your app, knowing the UI is already taken care of.
Factors to Consider When Choosing
Choosing the best Angular UI framework for your app is not just about picking the first one that looks good. There are some aspects and key things to think about to make sure the library will work well for your specific needs.
Before choosing an Angular UI library, take a step back, and think about what your project needs exactly. Is it a simple app, or a more complex one with unique features? There are libraries that are better suited for quick and basic projects, while others offer more flexibility for larger applications.
Think about functionality, too. Does your app require features like custom modals, data tables, or charts? Not all libraries offer the same components, so take the time to research and pick the one that has everything you need.
Next, check out the libraries and the different components they provide. You can find a list of the best Angular frameworks and libraries on GitHub, called the Angular Awesome List. There are libraries that mostly focus on basic elements, and others have a range of components like buttons, forms, or more complex UI elements. So, think about what you need when it comes to the components: do you need a wide variety or a smaller set will work as well?
Customizability is another important factor. You should be able to adjust the components within your chosen UI library to match your project’s design. So, make sure to select a library that allows you to do that. Look for libraries that offer easy customization options when it comes to styles, themes, or extending the components.
Then, there is community support and maintenance. You want to choose a library that has an active community and user base since these libraries are more likely to have regular maintenance, bug fixes, and new features. This way, whenever you run into issues, you will have support available.
Lastly, don’t forget about performance. Some Angular UI libraries are more lightweight and efficient than others, which can make a big difference if you’re working on an app that needs to run smoothly on various devices. Be sure to test the performance of the library, especially if you’re planning on building a large-scale app.
Conclusion
Choosing the Angular UI library that fits your project best will contribute to its success. Just focus on what your project needs — the right components, flexibility and customization, good community support, and performance.
Of course, every project is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Take your time, test a couple of options and go with the one that feels right.
