Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Shorthand CSS

Feature rich CSS framework for the new decade

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Shorthand CSS launched in 2020; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Tailwind CSS▲420

   A utility-first CSS framework for rapid UI development

   2017 · tailwindcss.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Pattern.css▲197

   CSS library to fill empty background with beautiful patterns

   2020 · github.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Layer CSS▲152

   Lightweight CSS framework to build your own fluid layouts

   2015 · layers-css.vercel.app · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Cirrus v0.7▲87

   The SCSS framework for the modern web

   2022 · cirrus-ui.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Tailwind CSS v2.0▲385

   Rapidly build modern websites without ever leaving your HTML

   2020 · tailwindcss.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   launch.css▲42

   Launch Your Ideas Faster

   2025 · launch-css.dev · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Tailwind CSS v1.0▲279

   A utility-first CSS framework for building custom designs.

   2019 · tailwindcss.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Water.css – A just-add-css collection of styles to make websites nicer▲501

   A drop-in collection of CSS styles to make simple websites just a little nicer - kognise/water.css

   2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   bttn.css▲367

   Awesome buttons for awesome projects!

   2016 · bttn.surge.sh · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Unnamed▲248

    A colorful CSS framework made by a human not an AI

    2017 · smakosh.com · its alternatives →

11. 11MB
    my boilerplate CSS code for new designs, written in Less.▲108

    2011 · mgeraci.github.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Unify CSS Framework▲69

    Create a website, no code or design experience is needed

    2023 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    A simple, plain, minimal, classless CSS for simple, plain HTML pages▲128

    A simple, minimal, classless stylesheet for simple HTML pages - susam/spcss

    2020 · github.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    XP.css – Windows XP CSS file and framework for building GUIs▲297

    A design system for building faithful recreations of old UIs.

    2020 · botoxparty.github.io · its alternatives →

15. 15
    CSS.GUI▲201

    Open source visual editors for everything in the CSS spec

    2022 · components.ai · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Spectre.css▲162

    A lightweight, responsive and modern CSS framework

    2016 · picturepan2.github.io · its alternatives →

17. 17AM
    A maximalist CSS framework for full stack developers▲52

    2020 · ridgecss.com · its alternatives →

18. 18AS
    A simple lightweight CSS grid, not a bloated framework▲134

    2012 · thisisdallas.github.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    EnjoyCSS▲138

    CSS generator for rich graphical styles without coding

    2014 · enjoycss.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    RichCSS — Beautiful, DRY, Clean and Reusable CSS▲7

    The CSS Framework for your Team

    2016 · richcss.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Basic.css – Classless CSS Starter File▲153

    Basic.css - Classless CSS Starter File. Contribute to vladocar/Basic.css development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2020 · github.com · its alternatives →

22. 22AS
    A small (less than 2 kb) CSS framework▲79

    A beautiful CSS framework in under 2 KiB

    2013 · andhart.github.io · its alternatives →

23. 23
    CSS Layout▲52

    Most popular layouts and patterns that can be built with CSS

    2019 · csslayout.io · its alternatives →

24. 24
    CSS GUI▲72

    Create CSS without code by an open source tool

    2022 · cssgui.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →