Why 2026 is the year to ditch complex JavaScript frameworks and embrace CSS-only component libraries for faster, more maintainable web development
The web development landscape is reaching a breaking point. Modern JavaScript-heavy component libraries have created a complex ecosystem that's slowing down development, bloating applications, and making maintenance a nightmare. As we approach 2026, it's time to return to the fundamentals and embrace the power of the web platform itself.
Over the past decade, the web development community has embraced increasingly complex JavaScript frameworks and component libraries. What started as a solution has become the problem:
Modern JavaScript component libraries come with an overwhelming number of dependencies. A simple JS library can pull in dozens or even hundreds of packages:
{
"dependencies": {
"@emotion/react": "^11.10.5",
"@emotion/styled": "^11.10.5",
"@mui/base": "^5.0.0-beta.8",
"@mui/material": "^5.10.9",
"@mui/system": "^5.10.9",
"@mui/types": "^7.2.4",
"@mui/utils": "^5.10.9",
"@popperjs/core": "^2.11.6",
"@types/react-transition-group": "^4.4.5",
"clsx": "^1.2.1",
"csstype": "^3.1.1",
"prop-types": "^15.8.1",
"react-is": "^18.2.0",
"react-transition-group": "^4.4.5"
}
}Each dependency brings its own sub-dependencies, creating a fragile web of code that can break with any update. Security vulnerabilities in any one of these packages can compromise your entire application.
All these dependencies add up. A typical React + Material-UI application can easily exceed 1MB of JavaScript just for the component library:
That's over 740KB before you've written a single line of application code. Users on slower connections wait longer, and your Core Web Vitals suffer.
JavaScript-heavy frameworks require complex build processes:
# Typical modern build pipeline
npm run build:css
npm run build:js
npm run optimize:images
npm run bundle:analyze
npm run test:unit
npm run test:e2e
npm run build:prod
# Total build time: 3-8 minutes for a medium-sized appDevelopment builds are slow, production builds are slower, and debugging build issues eats into your productivity. Hot reloading breaks, sourcemaps get corrupted, and you spend more time fighting tools than building features.
Component libraries tied to specific frameworks create vendor lock-in:
// Material-UI (React only)
import { Button, Card, TextField } from '@mui/material';
function MyComponent() {
return (
<Card>
<TextField label="Email" variant="outlined" />
<Button variant="contained" color="primary">Submit</Button>
</Card>
);
}Want to migrate to Vue, Svelte, or try a new framework? You'll need to rewrite every component. Your UI knowledge and markup become worthless outside that specific ecosystem.
JavaScript component libraries add runtime overhead:
The result? Janky scrolling, delayed interactions, and poor performance on mobile devices.
Several trends are converging to make 2026 the perfect time to embrace simpler, CSS-only component libraries:
Modern CSS has evolved dramatically. Features that once required JavaScript are now native:
/* Modern CSS can do what JavaScript used to handle */
/* Smooth animations */
@keyframes slideIn {
from { transform: translateX(-100%); }
to { transform: translateX(0); }
}
/* Complex layouts */
.grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(250px, 1fr));
gap: 1rem;
}
/* Interactive states */
.dropdown:focus-within .dropdown-content {
opacity: 1;
transform: translateY(0);
}
/* Dark mode support */
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
:root {
--bg-color: #1a1a1a;
--text-color: #ffffff;
}
}CSS Grid, Flexbox, custom properties, container queries, and advanced selectors handle most UI needs without JavaScript.
Core Web Vitals are now a Google ranking factor. Users expect fast, responsive experiences:
Heavy JavaScript frameworks make these targets harder to achieve. CSS-only solutions start with a performance advantage.
Over 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Mobile users have:
CSS-only component libraries respect these constraints by minimizing JavaScript execution and reducing battery drain.
Developers are experiencing fatigue from complex toolchains:
The industry is ready for simpler solutions that "just work."
Web standards are advancing rapidly. Why reinvent the wheel when the platform provides solutions?
<!-- Native form validation -->
<input type="email" required>
<!-- Native date picker -->
<input type="date">
<!-- Native disclosure widget -->
<details>
<summary>Click to expand</summary>
<p>This content is hidden by default</p>
</details>Using platform features means better accessibility, consistent behavior across browsers, and no maintenance burden.
daisyUI represents the future of component libraries: CSS-only, framework-agnostic, and built on web standards.
daisyUI is pure CSS. Your entire component library adds zero runtime JavaScript:
<!-- Complete interactive dropdown - no JavaScript required -->
<div class="dropdown">
<label tabindex="0" class="btn m-1">Menu</label>
<ul tabindex="-1" class="dropdown-content menu bg-base-100 rounded-box w-52 p-2 shadow">
<li><a href="/home">Home</a></li>
<li><a href="/about">About</a></li>
<li><a href="/contact">Contact</a></li>
</ul>
</div>This dropdown works perfectly with keyboard navigation, screen readers, and mobile touch, all through CSS and semantic HTML.
Use daisyUI with any framework or no framework at all:
<!-- Plain HTML -->
<button class="btn btn-primary">Click me</button>
<!-- React -->
<button className="btn btn-primary">Click me</button>
<!-- Vue -->
<button class="btn btn-primary">Click me</button>
<!-- Svelte -->
<button class="btn btn-primary">Click me</button>The same markup works everywhere. Your UI knowledge transfers between projects and frameworks.
daisyUI's CSS is highly optimized and tree-shakeable:
daisyUI components follow WCAG guidelines and use semantic HTML:
<!-- Properly accessible modal -->
<input type="checkbox" id="modal-toggle" class="modal-toggle" />
<div class="modal">
<div class="modal-box" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="modal-title">
<h3 id="modal-title" class="font-bold text-lg">Confirmation</h3>
<p class="py-4">Are you sure you want to delete this item?</p>
<div class="modal-action">
<label for="modal-toggle" class="btn">Cancel</label>
<label for="modal-toggle" class="btn btn-error">Delete</label>
</div>
</div>
</div>Screen readers, keyboard navigation, and assistive technologies work perfectly without extra JavaScript.
daisyUI's CSS custom property-based theming is more powerful than JavaScript solutions:
/* Define a theme in pure CSS */
[data-theme="corporate"] {
--primary: #4f46e5;
--primary-content: #ffffff;
--secondary: #7c3aed;
--accent: #f59e0b;
--neutral: #374151;
--base-100: #ffffff;
--base-200: #f3f4f6;
--base-300: #e5e7eb;
}Themes apply instantly without JavaScript, work with SSR, and respect user preferences automatically.
daisyUI provides excellent DX without complexity:
<!-- Responsive card layout -->
<div class="card w-96 bg-base-100 shadow-xl">
<figure><img src="photo.jpg" alt="Photo" /></figure>
<div class="card-body">
<h2 class="card-title">Card Title</h2>
<p>Card description goes here.</p>
<div class="card-actions justify-end">
<button class="btn btn-primary">Action</button>
</div>
</div>
</div>Semantic class names, predictable behavior, and zero configuration required.
CSS-only libraries load and render faster:
Search engines prefer fast, lightweight sites:
CSS-only libraries require less maintenance:
Platform-native solutions work better with assistive technologies:
Invest in skills that transfer:
Moving to CSS-only component libraries doesn't mean sacrificing functionality:
Begin with simple components:
<!-- Replace complex JavaScript buttons -->
<button class="btn btn-primary">Primary Action</button>
<button class="btn btn-secondary">Secondary</button>
<button class="btn btn-outline">Outline</button>Add JavaScript only when necessary:
<!-- Base functionality in CSS -->
<div class="dropdown">
<label tabindex="0" class="btn">Menu</label>
<ul class="dropdown-content menu">
<li><a>Item 1</a></li>
<li><a>Item 2</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<!-- Enhanced with minimal JavaScript if needed -->
<script>
// Optional: Close dropdown when clicking outside
document.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
if (!e.target.closest('.dropdown')) {
document.activeElement.blur();
}
});
</script>Track the improvements:
2026 represents a turning point. The web platform has matured, performance requirements have tightened, and developer fatigue with complex toolchains has reached a peak.
CSS-only component libraries like daisyUI offer a path forward:
The question isn't whether to adopt CSS-only component libraries, but how quickly you can make the transition.
Ready to embrace the future of web development? Start with daisyUI and experience what component libraries should be: simple, fast, and built on web standards.
The web platform is ready. The tools are mature. 2026 is the year to simplify and win.
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