Inputting dates and times in web applications is a common task—whether users select a birthdate, book travel, or schedule an appointment. A reliable DateTimePicker component can drastically enhance the user experience by minimizing errors and simplifying input.
There are many components designed specifically for this purpose. In this blog post, we'll introduce six free DateTimePicker options to suit various needs.
Six common DateTimePicker components
You have plenty of choices when choosing a date and time picker. Each has its pros and cons, which you need to compare to your project requirements. In 2024, these are the most popular pickers you should choose from:
1. Flatpickr
Flatpickr is lightweight, modular, and highly customizable, compatible with Angular, Ember, React, and Vue. It’s ideal for simple web forms and dashboards due to its simplicity and flexibility. Key features include multi-date selection, eight color themes, and support for over 50 locales.stands out for its lightweight nature, modular design, and extensive customization possibilities. It’s available for Angular, Ember, React, and Vue.
flatpickr(“#datepicker”, { enableTime: true });
2. React DateTimePicker
There is no surprise here; this React DateTimePicker is tailor-made for React applications. You get comprehensive features for selecting dates and times, including support for various input formats, time zones, and custom styling.
It’s a library that is a natural choice for any React-based project that requires a robust and flexible DateTimePicker. It's particularly well-suited for dynamic forms where you want to dynamically adjust the date and time selection options based on user input or other factors. Developers can choose to implement this picker's desktop, mobile, or responsive variant.
<DateTimePicker onChange={setDate} value={date} />
3. jQuery Date and Time Picker
This jQuery alternative is established and widely used with a classic date and time picker experience. You get a rich set of theming and configuration options, allowing developers to integrate it into their existing jQuery-based projects seamlessly.
Newer libraries are becoming more and more popular, but a jQuery picker remains a reliable choice for legacy applications, especially projects that are heavily reliant on jQuery.
$(‘#datepicker’).datetimepicker();
4. Ant Design DatePicker
Ant Design DatePicker is a component that’s a part of the comprehensive Ant Design UI library. You get a robust and feature-rich picker for handling date and time selection, with plenty of choices around customization, localization, and accessibility.
Needless to say, it’s ideal for projects already utilizing the Ant Design ecosystem because it seamlessly integrates with other Ant Design components.
It’s also notable that Ant Design meets enterprise-level requirements, so it’s a strong contender for large-scale applications. Some developers will like its TypeScript support and the fact that the Ant Designer picker offers localization.
<DatePicker showTime onChange={setDate} />
5. Bulma Calendar
With a clean and minimalist design, you’ll find that Bulma Calendar is – and you’ll notice a theme here – a good choice if you’re using the Bulma CSS framework.
Bulma Calendar is lightweight, uses JavaScript for the UI, and focuses on simplicity. It is particularly well-suited for smaller apps or projects where a visually cohesive and uncluttered interface is a priority. It offers a responsive design, alongside plenty of options for customization (via sass variables).
bulmaCalendar.attach(‘#datepicker’, { type: ‘datetime’ });
6. Vaadin DateTimePicker
Vaadin DateTimePicker is integrated into the Vaadin platform, offering a clean, intuitive interface for selecting dates and times, with built-in support for various formats and locales. Available in both Java and JavaScript versions, it easily integrates with other Vaadin components, allowing users to input dates using either the keyboard or overlays.
<DateTimePicker label="Meeting date and time" />
What makes a good DateTimePicker?
What should you consider when choosing a DateTimePicker? Here are a few key factors:
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Documentation: Look for clear and comprehensive documentation to help you quickly understand and implement the DateTimePicker component.
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Customization: A good degree of customization is important so the DateTimePicker integrates seamlessly into your app’s design and UX.
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Compatibility: Ensure the DateTimePicker is compatible with popular web development frameworks and libraries for a smooth development process.
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User Experience: Above all, a great DateTimePicker offers an intuitive and accessible interface for selecting dates and times, improving overall usability.
We continuously strive to improve our components so you don’t have to spend time evaluating date pickers yourself. If you have specific needs or want to share your experiences, let us know in the comments below—your feedback helps us make Vaadin even better!