10 Best Dropdown Plugins To Replace The Native Select Box (2026 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 27 2025
See Also:
Table of contents:
jQuery Dropdown Plugins:
Searchable Multi-select Dropdown Plugin With jQuery - Dropdown.js
The Dropdown.js jQuery plugin converts the normal select box into a fast, performant, dynamic, multi-select dropdown list for better UX.
Features:
- Supports 'token' mode which can be used to create a tag/token manager;
- Supports optgroup;
- Supports native select operations;
- Supports both JSON and option data sources.
- Cross-browser and easy to use.
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.
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.
Advanced Dropdown Select Plugin For Bootstrap 5 - jQuery bsSelectDrop
A simple plain jQuery plugin that converts a Bootstrap 5 select into a custom dropdown component with search and filter capabilities.
Features:
- Dark mode.
- Custom dropdown positions.
- Supports both Single and Multiple select.
- Select/Deselect all options.
- Custom html at the beginning and end of the dropdown.
- Simple yet useful APIs.
Multiselect Dropdown With Checkbox & Radio Button - jQuery treeSelection
A treeview like multi-select jQuery plugin that allows the user to select single or multiple options using radio buttons or checkboxes.
Vanilla JavaScript Dropdown Plugins:
Filterable & Checkable Multi-Select Dropdown In JavaScript
A lightweight, framework-agnostic JavaScript library for creating enhanced multi-select dropdowns.
It converts the native select box into a filterable and checkable dropdown list and displays the selected options as tags/tokens on the page.
Multi-select Dropdown Picker With Vanilla JavaScript
A vanilla JS dropdown picker for users to select one or more items from a predefined list. The user can also filter the list based on what they typed in the search field. Inspired by Filterable & Checkable Multi-Select Dropdown In JavaScript.
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.
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
