Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Javalin 1.0 – A Kotlin/Java web framework

Javalin is a lightweight web framework for Kotlin and Java developers, inspired by Sparkjava and koa.js. It functions more as a library than a framework, requiring minimal setup and few concepts to learn. Developers… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Javalin 1.0 – A Kotlin/Java web framework launched in 2017; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Javalin, a Java/Kotlin REST API Framework▲50

   Javalin - A lightweight Java and Kotlin web framework. Create REST APIs in Java or Kotlin easily.

   2017 · javalin.io · its alternatives →

2. 2
   I finished v5 of a JVM framework I've spent spent half a decade making▲377

   ForewordJavalin is a Java and Kotlin web framework which focuses on simplicity and Java/Kotlin interoperability.It supports WebSockets and HTTP3, and it uses...

   2022 · javalin.io · its alternatives →

3. 3
   My Kotlin/Java REST Library Javalin Reaches v0.4.0 (CORS, Uploads, ++)▲11

   CORSJavalin 0.4.0 adds built-in CORS support with app.enableCorsForOrigin(

   2017 · javalin.io · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Anime.js 3.0▲354

   Lightweight JavaScript animation library

   2019 · animejs.com · its alternatives →

5. 5AI
   An Isomorphic JavaScript Framework Faster Than React▲337

   2015 · jsblocks.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   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 →

7. 7
   Javalin REST Library – Rewritten in Kotlin▲5

   Javalin release notes, announcements, and changelog.

   2017 · javalin.io · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Anime.js▲236

   A flexible yet lightweight Javascript animation library.

   2016 · anime-js.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Anime.js – Polyvalent JavaScript Animation Engine▲283

   A fast, multipurpose and lightweight JavaScript animation library

   2016 · anime-js.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    WebJSX – A tiny Web Components and JSX library▲26

    2024 · webjsx.org · its alternatives →

11. 11
    1kb JavaScript library for building front end applications▲187

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

    2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

12. 12MN
    My new JavaScript MVC framework▲304

    2014 · lhorie.github.io · its alternatives →

13. 13LA
    LemonadeJS – A micro JavaScript library for building web interfaces▲57

    Reactive components with React-like patterns at ~9 KB gzip. Zero dependencies, zero build step, designed for humans and AI agents.

    2021 · lemonadejs.net · its alternatives →

14. 14
    HyperApp – 1k JavaScript framework for building web applications▲303

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

    2018 · github.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Http4k: Server as a Function. In Kotlin. Typesafe. Without the Server▲29

    An overview of the Kotlin

    2017 · http4k.org · its alternatives →

16. 16
    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 →

17. 17
    1 KB JavaScript library for building applications▲116

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

    2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    ProType▲157

    The next generation MVC JavaScript framework 🛠️

    2018 · protype.js.org · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Rellax.js▲140

    Lightweight, vanilla javascript parallax library

    2016 · dixonandmoe.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Monkberry – a JavaScript library for building web user interfaces▲115

    Monkberry is blazingly fast, small 1kb and simple JavaScript library for building web user interfaces.

    2016 · monkberry.js.org · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Jax-JS, array library in JavaScript targeting WebGPU▲84

    JAX in pure JavaScript, as a flexible machine learning library and compiler.

    Jan 2026 · ss.ekzhang.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Mitata – Benchmarking tooling for JavaScript▲93

    I always had a sweet tooth for how easy it is to use google/benchmark, but when working with js, current libraries didn't feel right and some were not even accurate enough, so I decided to create my own library to make JavaScript benchmarking tooling better. With more free time, I finally implemented all features I wished for in 1.0.0 and made a lightweight C++ single-header version for moments when google/benchmark is too much. Hope this library helps you as much as it does me.

    2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Dagger.js – A buildless, runtime-only JavaScript micro-framework▲80

    TL;DR: dagger.js is a buildless, runtime-only micro-framework that plays nicely with native Web Components. It uses HTML-first directives (e.g. +click, +load) so you can ship a page by dropping a single from a CDN—no bundlers, no compile step. Why I built it Modern stacks are powerful but often heavy: bundlers, compile steps, framework DSLs, local CLIs. For internal tools, small apps, and edge/serverless deployments, I wanted something you can view-source, paste into a page, and ship. What it is: Runtime-only: no build or VDOM compile; hydrate behaviors directly on HTML. HTML…

    2025 · daggerjs.org · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Minze▲93

    Dead-simple JS framework for native web components

    2022 · minze.dev · 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 →