Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to a Lisp that uses JSON instead of S-expressions (in .js)

a lisp implemented in Javascript (not very useful!) - jes5199/brid.js

Brid.js is a Lisp interpreter written in JavaScript that replaces traditional S-expressions with JSON syntax. Implemented as a non-practical experiment, it allows developers to write Lisp code using JSON formatting… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. a Lisp that uses JSON instead of S-expressions (in .js) launched in 2011; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1
jql – Easier jq Alternative with a Lispy Syntax Written in Go▲217
Easy JSON Query Processor with a Lispy syntax in Go - cube2222/jql
2020 · github.com · its alternatives →
2
Eslisp – Minimal JavaScript S-expression syntax and macro system▲51
un-opinionated S-expression syntax and macro system for JavaScript - anko/eslisp
2015 · github.com · its alternatives →
3
A JavaScript interpreter written in Ruby▲75
A Javascript implementation in Ruby! Contribute to haileys/twostroke development by creating an account on GitHub.
2012 · github.com · its alternatives →
4
Dak – a Lisp-like language that transpiles to JavaScript▲94
Hi HN, author here. Happy to answer any questions. I had an itch to make a lisp like language that was a thin layer on top JavaScript. Something that could leverage the thriving ecosystem that exists around JavaScript. It's brittle, hot off the oven. Besides being a fan of parenthesis, I think macros fill in a gap that the JavaScript ecosystem today fills in with one-off compilers, bundler plugins and such. Macros can't do everything, but for example I think they have the potential to enable things like JSX, Solid and Svelte style libraries. Take the tour to get a feel for what it can do and…
2023 · daklang.com · its alternatives →
5
CLJS Fiddle – ClojureScript▲82
A private, browser-only ClojureScript playground powered by the self-hosted compiler.
2016 · cljsfiddle.com · its alternatives →
6RL
Risp – Lisp in Rust▲314
Read Essays by Stepan Parunashvili
2019 · m.stopa.io · its alternatives →
7TI
Tetris Implemented in ClojureScript▲135
2019 · djblue.github.io · its alternatives →
8
HMPL▲200
HMPL.js is a lightweight server-oriented template language for JavaScript. Fetch HTML, render it safely, and keep apps dynamic, modern, and small. Alternative to HTMX and Alpine.js.
Dec 2025 · hmpl-lang.dev · its alternatives →
9
Runiq, a little Lisp-inspired language that runs on JavaScript▲24
:aquarius: A Lisp-esque, JS-interpreted scripting language - tsortwehttam/runiq
2015 · github.com · its alternatives →
10
A command-line utility-belt for hacking JSON and Javascript▲68
Command-line utility-belt for hacking JSON and Javascript. - GitHub - ddopson/underscore-cli at hn
2012 · github.com · its alternatives →
11
A Fast, Malloc-Free C++14 Json Parser and Encoder▲98
Meta programming utilities for C++14. Merged in matt-42/lithium - matt-42/iod
2014 · github.com · its alternatives →
12
Weird JSON superset with BigInt, Infinity, TypedArray etc▲67
the JS/Node.JS library for encoding complex and unconventional data structures. Support for BigInts, TypedArrays, null, undefined, and Symbol. Multiple flavors available. - DO-SAY-GO/WeirdJSON
2020 · github.com · its alternatives →
13
JSON Master▲82
Format, repair, convert, and visualize JSON, XML, YAML, CSV, and TOML. Free developer platform with advanced visualizers and AI-powered syntax repair.
2020 · jsonmaster.com · its alternatives →
14
LambdaLisp – A Lisp interpreter that runs on lambda calculus▲189
A Lisp interpreter written as an untyped lambda calculus term
2022 · woodrush.github.io · its alternatives →
15
Superset of Lisp and Lua Programming Language, a la JSX▲38
Lisp is Lisp. Lua is Lua. Lisp and Lua as One. Contribute to meric/l2l development by creating an account on GitHub.
2017 · github.com · its alternatives →
16
Lisp implementation in modern Java, Go, C#, TypeScript, Python▲128
A lisp rosetta stone to demonstrate modern language features - eatonphil/lisp-rosetta-stone
2021 · github.com · its alternatives →
17
Using Common Lisp from Inside the Browser▲111
2025 · turtleware.eu · its alternatives →
18
Umbrella JS, a 2.5kb jQuery alternative▲132
:umbrella: Lightweight javascript library for DOM manipulation and events
2018 · umbrellajs.com · its alternatives →
19
A Lispy, embedded Forth▲61
2017 · github.com · its alternatives →
20
A Lisp interpreter in C# 7▲30
A Lisp interpreter in C# 7. Contribute to nukata/lisp-in-cs development by creating an account on GitHub.
2018 · github.com · its alternatives →
21
Advanced Mathematics Library for Node.js and JavaScript▲123
Advanced Mathematics Library for Node.js and JavaScript - numbers/numbers.js
2012 · github.com · its alternatives →
22
JAQT – JavaScript Queries and Transformations▲100
Hi all, I've made a javascript library to simplify searching/sorting/filtering in arrays of objects. Its inspired by both GraphQL and SQL, but implemented using javascript Proxies. Instead of creating a new language, its all just javascript. I've made it as part of an experimental database, which uses javascript as the query engine. The normal javascript map/reduce/sort functions are quite difficult to master for junior developers. JAQT is easier to explain, and can still be used in combination with any existing array functions. Please let me know what you think of the…
2024 · github.com · its alternatives →
23
libRmath.js – A port of R's Nmath numeric library to JavaScript▲80
This R statistical nmath module re-created in typescript/javascript and handwritten webassembly. - R-js/libRmath.js
2018 · github.com · its alternatives →
24
Minimal Lisp in ~70 lines of Haskell▲76
GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.
2011 · gist.github.com · its alternatives →

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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →