ASP.NET Ajax Tool Kit vs third party controls for ASP.NET

Question

I am using Ajax Control Toolkit and I make use of these controls. I am just wondering if there any free third party controls that can be used for .net. I believe the Telerik product is a paid version. Because I tried it and a message appears on top of my page addressing you are still using demo version. Later my page design breaks.

Has anyone else here used Telerik or other third party controls for free?

Answer 1

As well as Telerik, there is DevExpress, which have some "free" controls along with controls that cost money. Both companies create useful UI controls that can make development quicker.

However, there is also jQuery and the many available plugins - this route will give you more control on what can be achieved in the UI, and you are not tied into a single vendor. This route often innovates quicker than either DevExpress or Telerik.