Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Simplicity

The simplest MVC Framework for Node.js

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Simplicity launched in 2024; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Server.js – A modern Express alternative▲295

   Powerful server for Node.js that just works so you can focus on your awesome project

   2017 · serverjs.io · its alternatives →

2. 2SW
   Simpler web dev with Htmx, SQLite and TypeScript▲15

   i'm building this minimalistic framework mostly for myself. it's really just a project template + a tiny library that adds file based routes to express and persistent task queues. i wanted something that: 1. is a single long-running process to deploy and manage (thanks sqlite!) 2. has type-safe database queries and type-safe server rendered React-like `.tsx` components 3. addresses 80% of common full-stack concerns like emails, task queues and routing 4. doesn't have a frontend build process curious to hear what you think!

   2024 · plainweb.dev · its alternatives →

3. 3
   AdonisJS▲238

   A fully featured web framework for Node.js

   2021 · adonisjs.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Baseline JS▲139

   Open-source, serverless, fullstack framework that delivers

   2024 · baseline.technology · its alternatives →

5. 5SJ
   Simplemvc.js – A highly opinionated web back end framework▲29

   2020 · jeremyaboyd.com · its alternatives →

6. 6TJ
   Total.js – Low-code development (Node-RED alternative)▲216

   2023 · totaljs.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Minimal, no-JS web forum software▲392

   Hello HN! I've found my SQL knowledge to be lacking, so I made a project that uses SQLite as a backend. As it is intended for self-hosting I aim to make it easy to set up and maintain. Getting it up & running takes no more than a few commands (bar setting up a proxy such as nginx, which is out of scope). I've set up a "demo" site at https://forum.agreper.com/ if you want to try out the UI.

   2022 · github.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   MVC App Node.js▲7

   Lightweight Node.js MVC Framework — no Express needed

   2025 · github.com · its alternatives →

9. 9WJ
   Way.js – Simple, persistent, framework-agnostic two-way databinding▲162

   2014 · gwendall.github.io · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Now API▲197

    Instant serverless Node.JS deployments with an API.

    2016 · vercel.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    pure-http▲3

    The simple web framework for Node.js with zero dependencies.

    2020 · github.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Leaf PHP MVC Framework▲110

    Create clean, simple but powerful web apps and APIs quickly.

    2019 · leafmvc.netlify.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    A lightweight fullstack boilerplate based on VueJS and Node.js▲24

    A lightweight boilerplate for a universal webapp based on koa, mongodb, node, vue, and webpack - yunhan0/koa-vue-fullstack

    2018 · github.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    3rd planet's framework x▲3

    making APIs simpler.

    2023 · github.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Laravel Forge▲133

    Laravel is a framework for building modern web apps and AI agents. Expressive syntax, built-in tools, and everything you need to ship fast.

    2025 · laravel.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Easybase.io▲4

    Serverless platform for apps and projects. React.js Focused.

    2020 · its alternatives →

17. 17YA
    Yet Another Node.js Framework▲62

    About a year ago, I stumbled upon a new Nodejs language called "Imba", I found this language to be interesting and it seemed like it had a lot of potential. Doing a bit of digging, I realized no one had created a framework for it, so what did a normal dev do? Well, a normal dev went ahead and created another Nodejs Framework, only this time it was meant for Imba. So what did I create? I created a batteries included Framework heavily inspired by Laravel but it runs on Nodejs, and uses Imba as the default language, but you can actually use TypeScript or JavaScript. In fact, when creating a new…

    2022 · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Easy Serverless GraphQL APIs with Serverless Framework AppSync▲90

    2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    SimpleR State – simple state management for React▲43

    The simplest app state management for React. Contribute to arnelenero/simpler-state development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2021 · github.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    AdonisJS▲11

    MVC Framework for NodeJs to write webapps with less code

    2016 · adonisjs.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Backendless▲99

    Build scalable apps at lightning speed, coding optional

    2023 · backendless.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Espresso.js – React Meets Backbone for a Minimal MVC▲41

    Super minimal MVC library. Contribute to akrymski/espresso.js development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2014 · github.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Code Smart▲58

    The Laravel Framework Version 5 for Beginners

    2016 · leanpub.com · its alternatives →

24. 24TJ
    Titan – JavaScript-first framework that compiles into a Rust server▲49

    Hi HN, I built Titan, a backend framework where you write routes and logic in JavaScript, and the CLI compiles everything into a single Rust + Axum binary using the Boa JS engine. No Node.js is required in production. The idea is to keep JS developer experience while getting Rust performance and a self-contained deployable server. Current features: JS route DSL Action system mapped to Rust esbuild bundling Generated Rust server with Axum Hot-reload dev server Single-binary output Repo: https://github.com/ezet-galaxy/-ezetgalaxy-titan Would love feedback on the…

    Dec 2025 · npmjs.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 →