Capacitor vs Ionic
Capacitor and Ionic are complementary tools from the same company. Capacitor is the native runtime that wraps your web app, while Ionic provides pre-built mobile UI components. You can use Capacitor without Ionic, but not vice versa.
🎯 Quick Answer
Capacitor is the native bridge/runtime you need to convert web apps to mobile. Ionic is an optional UI framework that provides mobile-optimized components. Use Capacitor alone if you want full control over your UI. Add Ionic if you want pre-built mobile components.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Capacitor | Ionic |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Native runtime/bridge | UI component library |
| Required for Mobile | Yes (wraps web app) | No (optional) |
| Can Use Independently | Yes | No (needs Capacitor/Cordova) |
| Native Features Access | Yes (plugins) | No (UI only) |
| UI Components | None (bring your own) | 100+ mobile components |
| Styling Freedom | Complete (any CSS) | Ionic's design system |
| Framework Support | Any web framework | React, Angular, Vue |
| Learning Curve | Minimal | Medium (new components) |
| Bundle Size | Small | Larger (component library) |
| Design Flexibility | Unlimited | Ionic design patterns |
Pros & Cons
Capacitor
✓ Pros
- Required for mobile app conversion
- Works with any web framework
- Minimal overhead
- Complete styling freedom
- Use your preferred UI library (Tailwind, MUI, etc.)
- Smaller bundle sizes
- Less to learn
- Direct native plugin access
- No design system constraints
- Simple integration
✗ Cons
- No pre-built mobile components
- Need to build/style everything yourself
- No mobile-specific patterns out of the box
- More initial setup for navigation
- Need to handle mobile UX patterns manually
Ionic
✓ Pros
- 100+ pre-built mobile components
- Mobile-optimized UI patterns
- Built-in navigation
- Consistent mobile feel
- Faster UI development
- Mobile gestures built-in
- Well-documented components
- Theme customization
✗ Cons
- Larger bundle size
- Learning curve for components
- Less design flexibility
- Ionic-specific patterns
- Not required for basic apps
- May clash with custom designs
- Additional dependency
When to Use Each
Choose Capacitor
- You want complete design control
- You're using Tailwind or another UI library
- You want minimal dependencies
- Your design doesn't look 'mobile app-like'
- You're converting an existing web app
- You want the smallest bundle size
- You prefer your own component library
- You're comfortable building UI from scratch
Choose Ionic
- You want pre-built mobile components
- You need rapid UI development
- You want native-looking interfaces
- You're building a traditional mobile app
- You need complex navigation patterns
- You want mobile gesture handling out of the box
- You're new to mobile development
- You want a consistent design system
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both Capacitor and Ionic?
You need Capacitor to convert your web app to mobile. Ionic is optional - use it if you want pre-built mobile UI components. Many developers use Capacitor with Tailwind or Material-UI instead of Ionic.
Can I use Capacitor without Ionic?
Absolutely! Many developers use Capacitor with frameworks like Next.js + Tailwind, React + MUI, or Vue + your own components. Capacitor is the runtime; your UI is completely up to you.
Will Ionic make my app look better?
Ionic provides mobile-optimized components that look native. However, if you have a custom design or prefer modern web aesthetics, you might prefer Tailwind or another UI library with Capacitor.
Which is easier to learn?
Capacitor is simpler - it's just a native bridge with plugins. Ionic requires learning its component system and patterns. If you know React and Tailwind, Capacitor alone is easier.
Can I add Ionic to my Capacitor app later?
Yes, but it's not recommended. Mixing Ionic components with custom UI can be messy. Choose your UI approach upfront - either Ionic or your own (Tailwind, etc.).
Which approach does NextNative use?
NextNative uses Capacitor with Tailwind CSS and custom components (not Ionic). This gives you complete design freedom, smaller bundles, and the ability to use modern web UI patterns.
Conclusion
Capacitor is the essential native runtime you need for mobile apps. Ionic is an optional UI library. For modern web apps with custom designs, Capacitor + your choice of UI library (Tailwind, MUI, etc.) often provides more flexibility and smaller bundles than using Ionic.
Build with Capacitor + Next.js
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Ready to Get Started?
Follow these step-by-step tutorials to build your mobile app
How to Convert Your Next.js App to iOS & Android
30 minutes • beginner
Learn how to transform your Next.js web application into fully functional iOS and Android mobile apps using Capacitor. This guide covers installation, configuration, and deployment to app stores.
How to Add Push Notifications to Your Next.js Mobile App
45 minutes • intermediate
Implement push notifications in your Next.js mobile app using Capacitor's Push Notifications plugin and Firebase Cloud Messaging. Send notifications to iOS and Android users.
How to Add In-App Purchases to Your Next.js App
60 minutes • intermediate
Monetize your Next.js mobile app with in-app purchases and subscriptions using RevenueCat. This guide covers setup, implementation, and testing for both iOS and Android.