This article aims to explore the differences between the @material-ui and @mui packages, which are utilized for developing user interfaces in React applications.

Both packages can be installed through npm, but it is important to note that including both @material-ui and @mui in the package.json file may lead to conflicts.

In September 2021, Material-UI underwent a name change to MUI to establish a distinction from Google and avoid confusion with Google’s Material Design.

Versions 1-4 of Material-UI are accessible under the @material/core package, while versions 4 and beyond are located under the @mui/material package. As of version 5, both packages are now stored under @mui.

The official website for Material-UI has transitioned to mui.com, and the MUI packages can be installed using the command ‘npm install @mui/material’.

In essence, Material-UI and MUI represent the same library, but with different names, each having a separate package available on the npm registry.

What is it?

@material-ui and @mui are two different packages that provide a library for building user interfaces. Both packages can be installed using npm, but including both @material-ui and @mui in the package.json file may lead to conflicts.

Material-UI, which changed its name to MUI in September 2021, offers versions 1-4 under the package name @material/core, while versions 4 and above are available under @mui/material. Starting from version 5, all packages are stored under @mui.

The official website for Material-UI is now mui.com, and the packages for MUI can be installed using npm install @mui/material. The name change from Material-UI to MUI was implemented to differentiate the library from Google and Material Design. The Material-UI Twitter account provides updates on the name change, and the Material-UI website redirects to mui.com.

Both @material-ui and @mui are the same library, but with different names, and they have separate packages on the npm registry. It is possible to use both @material-ui and @mui in the same project, but the installation may require the –legacy-peer-deps flag.

The OverflowAI blog post announces and explains the reason for the name change, and it provides a link to the blog post on mui.com, which offers further details about the name change and the association with Material Design.

Name Change Explanation

The change in name from Material-UI to MUI was implemented to establish a clear distinction from Google and its Material Design framework. This decision was made to avoid any confusion and to assert the library’s unique identity.

By adopting the name MUI, the company aims to emphasize its independence and innovation in creating user interface components and design systems. The new name also reflects the evolution and growth of the library, as it has expanded beyond its initial focus on Material Design principles.

This change in name is accompanied by a shift in the package naming convention, with Material-UI versions 1-4 available under @material/core and Material-UI versions 4 and above available under @mui/material.

The official website for Material-UI now redirects users to mui.com, where detailed information about the name change and the library’s association with Material Design can be found.

Package Installation Differences

Package installation can be performed using npm for both @material-ui and @mui. However, there are some differences in how these packages are organized and installed.

In the case of @material-ui, versions 1 to 4 are available under the package name @material/core, while versions 4 and above are available under @mui/material. Starting from version 5, all packages are stored under @mui.

This means that if you want to install the latest version of Material-UI, you would use the command npm install @mui/material.

It is also worth mentioning that installing both @material-ui and @mui in the same project may lead to conflicts, so it is advisable to choose one package and stick to it to avoid any potential issues.