Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Brutal.js – a small framework for building brutalist web applications

Brutal.js is a lightweight framework designed for developers building brutalist web applications. It emphasizes minimalist design principles and stripped-down functionality, focusing on core features without… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Brutal.js – a small framework for building brutalist web applications launched in 2018; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Brutal.js – A crazy-small framework for building brutalist web apps▲6

   A crazy-small framework for building brutalist web applications - crisdosaygo/brutal.js

   2022 · github.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Brutal.JS – markup as functions of state▲10

   2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   RoughJS – Create hand-drawn graphics using JavaScript▲1,087

   Rough.js is a light weight javascript library that lets you draw graphics with a hand-drawn, sketchy, appearance.

   2018 · roughjs.com · its alternatives →

4. 4BJ
   Behave.js – Coding Behaviors for textarea elements▲180

   2013 · jakiestfu.github.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Hammer.js▲193

   Add touch gestures to your site

   2015 · hammerjs.github.io · its alternatives →

6. 6
   HyperApp – 1k JavaScript framework for building web applications▲303

   1kB-ish JavaScript framework for building hypertext applications - hyperapp/hyperapp

   2018 · github.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   1 KB JavaScript library for building front end apps▲242

   1kB-ish JavaScript framework for building hypertext applications - hyperapp/hyperapp

   2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

8. 8TP
   This page is a truly naked, brutalist HTML quine▲633

   2019 · secretgeek.github.io · its alternatives →

9. 9TJ
   Total.js – Low-code development (Node-RED alternative)▲216

   2023 · totaljs.com · its alternatives →

10. 10MN
    My new JavaScript MVC framework▲304

    2014 · lhorie.github.io · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Sapper.js – towards a better web app framework▲410

    Taking the next-plus-one step

    2018 · svelte.technology · its alternatives →

12. 12
    1 KB JavaScript framework for building front-end applications▲216

    1kB-ish JavaScript framework for building hypertext applications - hyperapp/hyperapp

    2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

13. 13AI
    An Isomorphic JavaScript Framework Faster Than React▲337

    2015 · jsblocks.com · its alternatives →

14. 14BH
    Brutalist Hacker News – A HN reader inspired by brutalist web design▲101

    I've developed a Hacker News reader that draws inspiration from Brutalist Web Design, the open web, Cyberpunk Aesthetics, and glitch art. The entire project is crafted in Vanilla JavaScript, contained within a single index.html file, eschewing any external libraries. It features support for theming, including the use of third-party themes. Additionally, users have the capability to create and apply their own themes directly within the site. Moreover, the application is designed as a Progressive Web App (PWA), enabling it to be downloaded and used as an app on most devices. I'm eager to…

    2024 · brutalisthackernews.com · its alternatives →

15. 15TD
    thin.dev, back end for making realtime, typesafe React Apps▲147

    2022 · thin.dev · its alternatives →

16. 16
    The Brutalist Report – A rolling snapshot of the day’s headlines▲232

    Hi HN. I was inspired by so many other folks also longing for a return to the old web that I put together a service to scratch my own itch: An extremely fast headline aggregator done in 1990s style HTML. Sharing it with you all for those of you that also would enjoy this now esoteric style.

    2022 · brutalist.report · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Lowdefy – Build internal tools with YAML on an open-source framework▲107

    We're excited to announce Lowdefy V4, a full-stack web framework built on top of Next.js that simplifies building web applications, internal tools, admin panels, BI dashboards, and CRUD apps using YAML or JSON configuration files. New in V4: Next.js: Lowdefy now runs on top of the Next.js framework. All of Auth.js: App auth is now handled by Auth.js supported providers, adapters and callbacks and events, easy to configure, but all of which can be customized. Plugin extensibility: Apps can now be extended with any npm or pnpm workspace plugins. Our story: We have developed a simple…

    2021 · lowdefy.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    1kb JavaScript library for building front end applications▲187

    1kB-ish JavaScript framework for building hypertext applications - hyperapp/hyperapp

    2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Blnq Studio▲119

    An online web development platform using HTML, CSS and JS

    2020 · its alternatives →

20. 20FJ
    Forgo.js – a 4kb React alternative based on plain JS and DOM APIs▲110

    2021 · forgojs.org · its alternatives →

21. 21
    NeoBrutalismCSS▲97

    A CSS library embracing the neo-brutalist design principles

    2023 · matifandy8.github.io · its alternatives →

22. 22
    1 KB JavaScript library for building applications▲116

    1kB-ish JavaScript framework for building hypertext applications - hyperapp/hyperapp

    2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    DirtyShare, Pure JavaScript P2P File Sharing (in Node.js + Socket.io)▲75

    Looking to hire dedicated JavaScript developers? We’ve got you covered with our ultimate hiring guide. Let us help you today!

    2012 · gun.io · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Zero – DX focused non framework to interact with the DOM▲33

    Experimental jsxdom. Contribute to nhh/zero development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

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 →