10 Best Dropdown Plugins To Replace The Native Select Box (2025 Update)
The native <select> element let's developers create a basic dropdown component for a list of preset options such as lists, menu items, etc.
With the development of web technology and the improvement of users' aesthetic level.
The original styling of the <select> element is might NOT suitable for modern web development and design.
Applying your own styles to the ugly select element is not a simple task for beginners.
This is why I listed here the 10 best JavaScript and/or jQuery plugins that help you create advanced, customizable dropdown lists and dropdown menus to replace the native select box without any CSS/HTML/JS skills. Have fun.
Originally Published Oct 13 2019, updated Feb 23 2025
See Also:
Table of contents:
jQuery Dropdown Plugins:
Create Searchable Dropdown Select With jQuery - selectstyle
A lightweight jQuery plugin that transforms the regular select box into a searchable dropdown list with custom styles.
Multi-column Dropdown Selector Plugin For jQuery - Inputpicker
A simple jQuery plugin that converts the normal text field into a filterable, multi-column dropdown select box for convenient option selection.
Custom Searchable Dropdown List Plugin For jQuery
A jQuery custom select plugin that takes an array of options objects and converts them into a custom dropdown list with filterable functionality.
Custom Select Dropdown With Search Box - Amsifyselect.js
An improved, progressive enhancement custom select dropdown jQuery plugin for stylizing and manipulating the native HTML select element with searchable options.
Multi-level Dropdown List Plugin - jQuery Dropdown Submenu
A jQuery plugin that converts a <select> element with option groups into a multi-level dropdown list, which improves usability, SEO, and helps make the options more accessible.
Vanilla JavaScript Dropdown Plugins:
Multi-level Dropdown Component For Bootstrap 5
A plain JavaScript to extend the native Bootstrap 5 dropdowns component that allows you to toggle the unlimited level of sub-dropdowns on click or hover.
Bootstrap Style Searchable Dropdown Plugin – fstdropdown
The fstdropdown JavaScript plugin turns a normal select element into a searchable, Bootstrap style drop-down select with pure JavaScript and CSS.
Enhanced Dropdown Select In Pure JavaScript – LC-select
A dependency-free JavaScript library designed to enhance the native select element with advanced features like custom images, live search, and much more.
High Performance Select Box JavaScript Library – Virtual Select
A high-performance, Material Design style select box replacement that supports single/multiple select, virtual scrolling (for larger data lists), live search, and dynamic data rendering.
Advanced Custom Dropdown Select With Vanilla JavaScript
Just another custom select JavaScript library that turns native select boxes into fully styled, beautiful, searchable dropdowns.
Conclusion:
Want more jQuery plugins or JavaScript libraries to create awesome Dropdowns on the web & mobile? Check out the jQuery Drop Down and JavaScript Dropdown sections.
More Resources:
- 10 Best Tags Input Plugins In JavaScript
- 10 Best Dual List Box Plugins In JavaScript
- 10 Best Cascading Dropdown Plugin In jQuery And Pure JavaScript
- 5 Best Multiple Select Components For Vue.js
- 7 Best Vue Dropdown Components To Beautify & Enhance Select Box
- 10 Best Multiple Select Components For React & Reacti Native
- 10 Best Multiple Select Libraries For Angular Apps
