SAP UI5 is a widely adopted framework for building enterprise-grade web applications with rich user interfaces, designed around modern web standards and optimized for SAP environments. However, in the SAP UI5 ecosystem, you’ll often encounter two terms: SAPUI5 and OpenUI5. While they share many similarities, they also have important distinctions that influence how developers use them.
This article explores the similarities and differences between SAPUI5 and OpenUI5 to help developers, architects, and businesses make informed choices about which framework best suits their needs.
SAPUI5 is SAP’s proprietary UI development toolkit, designed primarily for building business applications that integrate seamlessly with SAP backend systems. It is a commercial product with full support from SAP.
OpenUI5 is the open-source version of SAPUI5, released under the Apache 2.0 license. It provides most of the core features and controls of SAPUI5 and can be freely used and extended by the developer community.
Both frameworks originate from the same codebase, and their APIs are almost identical, but they target slightly different audiences and usage scenarios.
Core Architecture and Components
Development Paradigm
Performance and Responsiveness
Extensibility and Customization
| Aspect | SAPUI5 | OpenUI5 |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Commercial, proprietary software under SAP license. | Open-source under Apache 2.0 license, free to use and modify. |
| Availability | Available only to SAP customers and partners via SAP Support Portal or SAP Cloud Platform. | Available publicly on GitHub and npm repositories. |
| Feature Set | Includes all SAPUI5 features plus some additional enterprise-level controls (e.g., advanced charts, certain Fiori elements). | Contains the majority of controls but excludes some proprietary or enterprise-only controls. |
| Support | Full official SAP support, patches, and updates. | Community-driven support, with updates via GitHub. |
| Usage Scenario | Primarily intended for SAP customers building enterprise applications integrated with SAP backends. | Suitable for open-source projects, non-SAP integrations, or general web UI development. |
| Documentation and Samples | Extensive SAP official documentation and Fiori design guidelines. | Similar documentation but some enterprise-specific guidance may be missing. |
Choose SAPUI5 if:
Choose OpenUI5 if:
SAPUI5 and OpenUI5 represent two sides of the same powerful UI development toolkit, sharing a core architecture and many features but differing in licensing, support, and some advanced capabilities. Understanding their similarities and differences allows developers and organizations to select the right framework that fits their project requirements, budget, and ecosystem needs.
For SAP-centric enterprise applications, SAPUI5 remains the premier choice, offering comprehensive tools, controls, and official support. For open-source enthusiasts and projects without strict SAP backend dependencies, OpenUI5 provides a robust and flexible alternative that fosters innovation and community involvement.