Best JavaScript Frameworks, Libraries and Tools to Use in 2019

Share this article

Best JavaScript Frameworks, Libraries and Tools to Use in 2019

It seems there are more JavaScript frameworks, libraries, and tools than there are developers. At the end of 2018, a quick search on GitHub reveals 2.3 million JavaScript projects. npm has become the world’s largest module system with 700,000 usable packages on npmjs.com and billions of downloads every month.

2018.12.06: The article was updated to reflect the current state of the JavaScript ecosystem. This year’s update was sponsored by Sencha. Thank you for supporting the partners who make SitePoint possible!

This article endeavors to explain the basics and rudimentary differences between the most popular client-side JavaScript frameworks, libraries, and tools. Whether they are “best” for you is another question. Choose something and stick with it for a while. Just be aware your favorite option will be superseded by something “better” no matter what you select!

Please accept the following terms and conditions before reading this article!…

  • The JavaScript landscape changes on a daily basis. This article will be out of date the moment it’s published!
  • By “best” I mean “the most popular/used/hyped general-purpose projects”. All have free/open source options but the list may not include your favorites.
  • Discontinued projects such as YUI are not included even though they may still have high use across the web.
  • Only client-side projects are referenced. Some can work server-side but the list does not include pure server-based frameworks such as Express.js or Hapi.
  • Information about each project is intentionally brief to provide an overview for further research.
  • Each project provides a usage popularity indicator but statistics are notoriously difficult to collate and can be misleading.
  • I’m biased. You’re biased. Everyone else is biased! I haven’t tried every tool here and will declare my favorites but you should make your own assessment based on your requirements.
  • Neither I or SitePoint are liable for any disastrous decisions you make!

Tricky Terminology

The terms “framework”, “library” and “tool” can mean different things to different people at different times depending on the context. The general definitions used here:

Libraries

A library is an organized collection of useful functionality. A typical library could include functions to handle strings, dates, HTML DOM elements, events, cookies, animations, network requests, and more. Each function returns values to the calling application which can be implemented however you choose. Think of it like a selection of car components: you’re free to use any to help construct a working vehicle but you must build the engine yourself.

Libraries normally provide a higher level of abstraction which smooths over implementation details and inconsistencies. For example, Ajax can be implemented using the XMLHttpRequest API but this requires several lines of code and there are subtle differences across browsers. A library may provide a simpler ajax() function so you’re free to concentrate on higher-level business logic.

A library could cut development time by 20% because you don’t have to worry about the finer details. The downsides:

  • a bug within a library can be difficult to locate and fix
  • there’s no guarantee the development team will release a patch quickly
  • a patch could change the API and incur significant changes to your code.

Frameworks

A framework is an application skeleton. It requires you to approach software design in a specific way and insert your own logic at certain points. Functionality such as events, storage, and data binding are normally provided for you. Using the car analogy, a framework provides a working chassis, body, and engine. You can add, remove or tinker with some components presuming the vehicle remains operational.

A framework normally provides a higher level of abstraction than a library and can help you rapidly build the first 80% of your project. The downsides:

  • the last 20% can be tough going if your application moves beyond the confines of the framework
  • framework updates or migrations can be difficult – if not impossible
  • core framework code and concepts rarely age well. Developers will always discover a better way to do the same thing.

Tools

A tool aids development but is not an integral part of your project. Tools include build systems, compilers, transpilers, code minifiers, image compressors, deployment mechanisms and more.

Tools should provide an easier development process. For example, many coders prefer Sass to CSS because it provides code separation, nesting, render-time variables, loops, and functions. Browsers do not understand Sass/SCSS syntax so the code must be compiled to CSS using an appropriate tool before testing and deployment.

Don’t Label Me!

The distinction between libraries, frameworks, and tools is rarely clear. A framework could include a library. A library may implement framework-like methods. Tools could be essential for either. I’ve attempted to label each project but the scope can vary.

If this sounds too complicated, you could consider coding vanilla JavaScript. That’s fine, but you will inevitably write your own library and/or framework code which must be maintained. JavaScript itself is an abstraction on a tower of browser and OS abstractions!

JavaScript Frameworks and Libraries

Projects in approximate order of usage/popularity/hype…

jQuery

jQuery description
type library
website jquery.com
repository github.com/jquery/jquery
GitHub stars 50,000+
current version 3.3.1
developer jQuery team
launch date August 2006
typical size 30kb min
typical use general purpose
usage 73.5% of all websites

jQuery remains the most-used JavaScript library ever created and is distributed with WordPress, ASP.NET and several other frameworks. It revolutionized client-side development by introducing CSS selector to DOM node retrieval plus chaining to apply event handlers, animations, and Ajax calls.

jQuery has fallen from developer favor in recent years, but usage remains high. It remains a viable option for projects which require a sprinkling of JavaScript functionality.

Pros:

  • small distribution size
  • shallow learning curve, considerable online help
  • concise syntax
  • easy to extend

Cons:

  • adds a speed overhead to native APIs
  • less essential now that browser compatibility has improved
  • usage has flat-lined
  • some industry backlash against unnecessary use.

React

React description
type library
website facebook.github.io/react/
repository github.com/facebook/react
GitHub stars 115,000+
current version 16.6.3
developer Facebook and contributors
launch date March 2013
typical size 21kb min
typical use single-page applications
usage low

Perhaps the most-talked about library of the last few years, React claims to be a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It focuses on the “View” part of Model-View-Controller (MVC) development and makes it easy to create UI components which retain state. It was one of the first libraries to implement a virtual DOM; the in-memory structure computes the differences and updates the page efficiently.

React usage appears low in statistics perhaps because it’s used in applications rather than websites. Almost 70% of developers claim to have some experience using the library.

Pros:

  • small, efficient, fast and flexible
  • simple component model
  • good documentation and online resources
  • server-side rendering is possible
  • still popular and growing fast
  • plenty of jobs advertise for React developers

Cons:

  • new concepts and syntaxes to learn
  • build tools are essential
  • can require other libraries or frameworks to provide the model and controller aspects
  • can be incompatible with code and other libraries which modify the DOM

AngularJS 1.x

AngularJS description
type framework
website angularjs.org
repository github.com/angular/angular.js
GitHub stars 60,000+
current version 1.7.5
developer Google
launch date October 2010
typical size 144kb
typical use single-page applications
usage low

Angular is the first framework – or MVC application framework – to appear on this list. The most popular edition remains version 1.x which extended HTML with two-way data-binding while decoupling DOM manipulation from application logic.

Angular 1.x is still in development despite the release of version 2 (which is now version 4!) Confused? See below…

Pros:

  • a popular framework adopted by several large companies
  • a single solution to produce modern web applications
  • part of the “standard” MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express.JS, AngularJS, NodeJS) so many articles and tutorials are available

Cons:

  • steeper learning curve than some alternatives
  • large code base
  • impossible to upgrade to Angular 2.x
  • despite being a Google project, Google do not appear to use it?

Angular 2+ (now 7.x)

Angular description
type framework
website angular.io
repository github.com/angular/angular
GitHub stars 43,000+
current version 7.1
developer Google
launch date September 2016
typical size 450kb min
typical use single-page applications
usage low

Angular 2.0 was released in September 2016. It was a complete rewrite which introduced a modular component-based model created with TypeScript (which is compiled to JavaScript). To add to the confusion, version 4.0 was released in March 2017 (v3 was skipped to avoid semantic version issues).

Angular 2+ is radically different to v1. Neither is compatible with the other – perhaps Google should have given the project a different name?!

Pros:

  • a single solution to produce modern web applications
  • still part of the MEAN stack although fewer Angular 2+ tutorials are available
  • TypeScript provides some advantages to those familiar with statically-typed languages such as C# and Java.

Cons:

  • steeper learning curve than some alternatives
  • large code base
  • impossible to upgrade from Angular 1.x
  • Angular 2.x has experienced relatively low uptake compared to 1.x
  • despite being a Google project, Google do not appear to use it?

Vue.js

Vue.js description
type framework
website vuejs.org
repository github.com/vuejs/vue
GitHub stars 120,000+
current version 2.5.17
developer Evan You
launch date February 2014
typical size 19kb min
typical use components and single-page applications
usage low

Vue.js is a lightweight progressive framework for building user interfaces. The core offers a React-like virtual DOM-powered view layer which can be integrated with other libraries but it is also capable of powering single-page applications. The framework was created by Evan You who previously worked on AngularJS but wanted to extract the parts he liked.

Vue.js uses an HTML template syntax to bind the DOM to instance data. Models are plain JavaScript objects which update the view when data is changed. Additional tools provide facilities for scaffolding, routing, state management, animations and more.

Pros:

  • rapid adoption and increasing popularity
  • simple to get started with high level of developer satisfaction
  • lightweight, small dependency and good performance

Cons:

  • can be overshadowed by React
  • some reliance on a single developer for updates
  • fewer resources than alternatives

Sencha Ext JS

Ext JS description
type framework and component library
website sencha.com/products/extjs/
current version 6.6.0
developer Sencha
launch date December 2007
typical size depends on requirements: 85 – 500kb
typical use components and single-page applications
usage low

Ext JS evolved from YUI-Ext and has one of the longest histories on this list. Although best known for its wide range of configurable, accessible, cross-browser UI components and data visualisation tools, Ext JS also provides a framework for building full applications. Alternatively, you can use the component library with React or Angular.

Ext JS is the only framework here to offer commercial training and support. There are also options to have the Sencha team help review your code, automate testing, and migrate to other platforms.

Pros:

  • a wide range of usable components
  • contains everything required to create both web and mobile applications
  • script customization, design tools, and quick prototypes
  • provides tools for visually building and styling web apps
  • commercial support and excellent documentation
  • 30-day free trial and community edition for smaller applications (under $10,000 revenue per year)

Cons:

  • integration with frameworks other than React and Angular may be impractical as of now — see roadmap plans for Ext JS 7
  • deep custom UI changes may be difficult

Lodash and Underscore

Lodash description
type library
website lodash.com/
repository github.com/lodash/lodash/
GitHub stars 35,000+
current version 4.17.11
developer John-David Dalton
launch date April 2012
typical size 4kb – 24kb min
typical use general purpose
usage low
Underscore description
type library
website underscorejs.org/
repository github.com/jashkenas/underscore
GitHub stars 24,000+
current version 1.8.3
developer Jeremy Ashkenas
launch date October 2009
typical size 6kb min
typical use general purpose
usage low

Lodash and Underscore are combined in this section because they provide hundreds of functional JavaScript utilities to supplement native string, number, array and other primitive object methods. There is some overlap so you are unlikely to require both libraries in a single project.

Client-side usage is low but either library can be adopted for server-side Node.js applications.

Pros:

  • small and simple
  • easy to learn with good documentation
  • compatible with most libraries and frameworks
  • does not extend built-in objects
  • can be used on the client or server

Cons:

  • some methods are available in ES2015 and later editions of JavaScript.

Backbone.js

Backbone.js description
type framework
website backbonejs.org
repository github.com/jashkenas/backbone/
GitHub stars 37,000+
current version 1.3.3
developer Jeremy Ashkenas
launch date October 2010
typical size 8kb min
typical use single-page applications
usage low

Backbone.js was one of the earliest client-side options to provide an MVC structure commonly found in server-side frameworks. Its only dependency is Underscore.js which was created by the same developer.

Backbone.js claims to be a library because it can be integrated with other projects. I suspect most developers consider it to be a framework, albeit less opinionated than some others.

Pros:

  • small, lightweight and less complicated
  • does not add logic to HTML
  • great documentation
  • adopted for many applications including Trello, WordPress.com, LinkedIn and Groupon

Cons:

  • a lower level of abstraction than alternatives such as AngularJS (although that could be considered a benefit)
  • requires additional components to implement features such as data binding
  • more recent frameworks have moved away from MVC architectures

Ember.js

Ember.js description
type framework
website emberjs.com
repository github.com/emberjs/ember.js
GitHub stars 20,000+
current version 3.6.0
developer Ember team
launch date December 2011
typical size 95kb min
typical use single-page applications
usage low

Ember.js is one of the larger opinionated frameworks which is based on a Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) pattern. It implements templating, data-binding, and libraries in a single package. The convention-over-configuration concepts will be immediately familiar to those with Ruby on Rails experience.

Pros:

  • provides a single solution for client-side applications
  • developers can be instantly productive – it uses jQuery
  • good backward compatibility and upgrade options
  • has adopted modern web development standards

Cons:

  • large distributable
  • considered monolithic compared to other frameworks which are moving toward smaller component structures
  • steep learning curve – it’s the Ember way or no way

Knockout.js

Knockout.js description
type framework
website knockoutjs.com
repository github.com/knockout/knockout
GitHub stars 9,000+
current version 3.5.0
developer Steve Sanderson
launch date July 2010
typical size 59kb min
typical use single-page applications
usage low

One of the older MVVM frameworks, Knockout.js uses observers to ensure the UI stays synchronized with underlying data. It features templating and dependency tracking.

Pros:

  • small and lightweight with no dependencies
  • excellent browser support going back to IE6
  • good documentation

Cons:

  • larger projects can become complex
  • development has slowed
  • usage appears to be on the wane

Notable Mentions

Hungry for more? The following projects are less popular but worth considering:

  • Polymer – a library which enables cross-browser support for HTML5 web components
  • Meteor – a full-stack platform for web applications.
  • Aurelia – a lightweight, cross-platform framework
  • Svelte – a fairly new project which transforms framework source code into vanilla-like JavaScript
  • Conditioner.js – a new library which automatically loads and unloads modules based on state.

Tools: General-Purpose Task Runners

Build tools automate a variety of web development tasks such as pre-processing, compilation, module bundling, image optimization, code minification, linting, and running tests. Tasks are usually managed together in a single executable package. The most popular options:

Webpack

Webpack description
website webpack.js.org
repository github.com/webpack/webpack
GitHub stars 45,000+
current version 4.25.1
weekly downloads 4 million

Webpack supports all popular module options and has become synonymous with React development. Although claiming to be a module bundler, Webpack can be used as a general-purpose task runner. JavaScript object-based configuration can be a little awkward.Generators are available but some Webpack users have been migrating to Parcel for easier configuration and improved compilation times.

Gulp.js

Gulp.js description
website gulpjs.com
repository github.com/gulpjs/gulp
GitHub stars 30,000+
current version 4.0.0 (3.9.1 still active)
weekly downloads 750,000+

While it was not the first task runner, Gulp quickly became one of the most popular and is my personal favorite. Gulp uses easy-to-read JavaScript code which loads source files into a stream and pipes the data through various plugins before they are output to a build folder. It’s simple, fast and fun, but developers have been migrating to Webpack.

npm

npm description
website npmjs.com
repository github.com/npm/npm
GitHub stars 17,000+
current version 6.4.1
weekly downloads 1 million

npm is the Node.js package manager but its scripts facility can be used for general-purpose task running. It’s an attractive option for simpler projects with few dependencies. However, more complex tasks can rapidly become impractical.

Grunt

Grunt description
website gruntjs.com
repository github.com/gruntjs/grunt
GitHub stars 17,000+
current version 1.0.3
weekly downloads 425,000

Grunt was one of the first JavaScript task runners to achieve mass adoption but the speed and complicated JSON configuration led to the rise of Gulp. The worst issues have been resolved and Grunt remains a popular option.

Tools: Module Bundlers

Managing more than a few JavaScript files can become a chore. Unless you can adopt the relatively new ES6 module import syntax natively, JavaScript dependencies in the browser must be loaded or concatenated in an appropriate order. A module bundler can be used if you need to support older browsers (anything released prior to 2018) but the need to use these tools will diminish over time.

Browserify

Browserify description
website browserify.org
repository github.com/browserify/browserify
GitHub stars 12,000+
current version 16.2.3
weekly downloads 480,000

Browserify supports CommonJS modules as used by Node.js to compile all modules into a single browser-compatible file.

RequireJS

RequireJS description
website requirejs.org
repository github.com/requirejs/r.js
GitHub stars 2,500+
current version 2.3.6
weekly downloads 230,000

RequireJS started life an in-browser module loader although it can also be used in Node.js. It supports AMD syntax.

Tools: Linting

Linting analyses your code for potential errors or deviation from syntactical standards. You’ll never miss a closing bracket or undeclared variable again!

ESLint

ESLint description
website eslint.org
repository github.com/eslint/eslint
GitHub stars 12,000+
current version 5.9.0
weekly downloads 4 million

ESLint is the most popular linting tool supported by the majority of IDEs, editors, bundlers, and task runners. Every rule is a plugin so it can be configured to your liking.

JSHint

JSHint description
website jshint.com
repository github.com/jshint/jshint
GitHub stars 8,000+
current version 2.9.6
weekly downloads 390,000

A flexible JavaScript linter which is less configurable than ESLint but strikes a good balance between genuine errors and pedantic syntactical demands.

JSLint

JSLint description
website jslint.com
repository github.com/reid/node-jslint
GitHub stars 8,000+
current version 0.12.0
weekly downloads 11,500

One of the first linters and it implements a strict set of default rules. Development has slowed and it can be a little uncompromising for some developers.

Tools: Test Suites

Test-Driven-Development requires you to write code to test your code before you start writing it. You’re welcome to write code to test your test code too!

There are many options including Ava, Tape and Jasmine but the three most popular options are currently…

Jest

Jest description
website https://jestjs.io/
repository github.com/kof/node-qunit
GitHub stars 21,000+
current version 23.6.0
weekly downloads 2 million

A testing framework from Facebook which has risen in popularity because of its close connections with React and Webpack.

Mocha

Mocha description
website mochajs.org
repository github.com/mochajs/mocha
GitHub stars 16,500+
current version 5.2.0
weekly downloads 1.8 million

Mocha can run tests in Node.js and a browser. It supports asynchronous testing and is often paired with Chai to enable test code to be expressed in a readable style. It was the most popular option for several years.

Jasmine

Jasmine description
website jasmine.github.io
repository github.com/jasmine/jasmine-npm
GitHub stars 300+
current version 3.3.0
weekly downloads 750,000

Jasmine is a behavior-driven test suite which can automate the testing your UI and interactions in a browser.

Tools: Miscellaneous

Despite my best efforts, I accept not everyone loves JavaScript! Compilers such as TypeScript, LiveScript and CoffeeScript can make your development life a little more pleasurable. Alternatively, consider Babel to transform modern, concise ES2015 source into cross-browser-compatible ES5 code.

There are dozens of JavaScript-powered HTML template engines including Mustache, Handlebars, Pug (Jade) and EJS. I prefer lightweight options which retain JavaScript syntax such as EJS and doT.

Finally, why write your own documentation when you can automate it? ES2015-compatible documentation generators include ESDoc, JSDoc, YUIdoc, documentation.js and Transcription.

Summary and Recommendations

If you follow the wisdom of crowds, momentum is currently behind React and other libraries are moving in a similar technical direction. It’s a safe career choice but you should also consider Vue.js or the React-compatible-but-smaller Preact.

Monolithic frameworks have fallen from favor but, should you require a strict structure for larger projects, AngularJS remains a popular option. The majority of developers have stuck with version 1.0 but that’s possibly out of necessity than choice. Longer term, version 2+ could be a safer bet but you will need to learn TypeScript.

Sencha’s Ext JS is a great option for companies (small businesses to enterprises) looking for an option that includes both a framework and pre-built, integrated components and tools, including access to commercial support. Ext JS also easily integrates its robust component library with React and Angular, for developers looking to implement pre-built components as opposed to building them on their own.

Do not discount jQuery. It’s not trendy and is rarely mentioned in the technical press, but it’s actively developed and more than capable for websites and applications. jQuery has a shallow learning curve and is understood by many developers worldwide.

If you’re feeling adventurous, new transpiler options such as Svelte and Rawact convert framework code to vanilla JavaScript. The framework dependency is removed, code is considerably smaller and runs faster.

Tools choice is less critical and can vary from project to project. Most WebPack, Gulp or npm scripts. You can’t go far wrong with ESLint and Jest for testing but there are plenty of alternatives to try.

That said, every project, team and skill set is different. You have limited time to make an assessment so it’s tempting to use what you know. This article will receive comments recommending FrameworkX but everything looks like a nail when you have a hammer.

Finally, never forget that libraries, frameworks, and tools are optional! JavaScript development has been revolutionized during the past decade; we’ve gone from a few rudimentary helper libraries to an overwhelming choice. It’s easy to fall into a trap of ever-increasing complexity or switching to the latest hot framework every few months. Always consider vanilla JavaScript – especially for smaller and personal personal. The knowledge you gain cannot date and will become invaluable when evaluating frameworks for other projects.

Have I missed, dismissed, or failed to praise the benefits your favorite JavaScript libraries, frameworks and tools? Of course I have! Comments welcome…

Frequently Asked Questions about Top JavaScript Frameworks, Libraries, and Tools

What are the key differences between Angular and React?

Angular and React are both popular JavaScript frameworks, but they have some key differences. Angular, developed by Google, is a full-fledged MVC framework that provides a robust set of features for building complex applications. It uses two-way data binding and real DOM. On the other hand, React, developed by Facebook, is a library for building user interfaces. It uses one-way data binding and virtual DOM, which makes it faster and more efficient for rendering large lists and data sets.

How do I choose the right JavaScript framework for my project?

Choosing the right JavaScript framework depends on several factors. You should consider the size and complexity of your project, the learning curve of the framework, the size of the community and available resources, and the performance and scalability needs of your application. It’s also important to consider the long-term viability of the framework, as you’ll want to choose a framework that will continue to be supported and updated in the future.

What are the advantages of using Vue.js over other JavaScript frameworks?

Vue.js is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It has a gentle learning curve, making it a good choice for beginners. It also has a flexible architecture, allowing you to choose between a lightweight, library-like setup or a full-featured framework setup. Vue.js also uses a virtual DOM and offers efficient re-rendering and component-level caching for fast performance.

What is the role of Node.js in JavaScript development?

Node.js is a runtime environment that allows JavaScript to be run on the server side. This means you can use JavaScript to build both the front-end and back-end of your application, leading to more efficient development and easier code maintenance. Node.js also has a large ecosystem of libraries and tools, and it’s known for its high performance and scalability.

How important is it to learn TypeScript when working with JavaScript frameworks?

TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that adds static types to the language. It’s not necessary to learn TypeScript to work with JavaScript frameworks, but it can be beneficial. TypeScript can help catch errors at compile time rather than at runtime, leading to more robust code. It’s particularly useful when working with large codebases and teams.

What are the benefits of using a JavaScript library like Lodash?

Lodash is a utility library that provides helpful methods for manipulating arrays, objects, and other data types in JavaScript. It can help make your code more concise, readable, and efficient. Lodash methods are also optimized for performance, so they can be faster than native JavaScript methods in some cases.

How does Ember.js compare to other JavaScript frameworks?

Ember.js is a full-featured framework that provides a lot of built-in functionality, such as a router and a data layer. This can make it easier to build complex applications, but it also means there’s more to learn. Ember.js follows the convention over configuration principle, which can speed up development but may be less flexible than other frameworks.

What are the key features of the Polymer library?

Polymer is a library developed by Google for building web components. It provides a set of features for creating custom HTML elements, encapsulating CSS and JavaScript in those elements, and using data binding and event handling. Polymer also supports both one-way and two-way data binding.

How does jQuery fit into the modern JavaScript landscape?

jQuery is a library that simplifies HTML document traversal, event handling, and animation. While it’s not as necessary as it once was due to improvements in native JavaScript and the rise of modern frameworks, jQuery is still widely used and can be a good choice for simpler projects or for maintaining legacy code.

What are some emerging JavaScript frameworks and libraries to watch?

Some emerging JavaScript frameworks and libraries include Svelte, a compiler-based framework that aims to provide a simpler and faster development experience; Next.js, a framework for server-rendered React applications; and Gatsby, a static site generator based on React. These tools are gaining popularity and may become more important in the future.

Craig BucklerCraig Buckler
View Author

Craig is a freelance UK web consultant who built his first page for IE2.0 in 1995. Since that time he's been advocating standards, accessibility, and best-practice HTML5 techniques. He's created enterprise specifications, websites and online applications for companies and organisations including the UK Parliament, the European Parliament, the Department of Energy & Climate Change, Microsoft, and more. He's written more than 1,000 articles for SitePoint and you can find him @craigbuckler.

angular.jsBabelBabylon.jsBackbone.jsembergitCSjavascriptjavascript frameworksjQueryjs librarykarmamdn
Share this article
Read Next
Get the freshest news and resources for developers, designers and digital creators in your inbox each week