Top 15 Free JavaScript Frameworks for Web Applications

JavaScript (JS) is the most preferred programming language among the developers and programmers for front-end coding. Its vast use lies in client-side scripting for websites and web apps and thus it is widely known even among the leading software developers.

The programming language helps to design exceptional interfaces for websites integrated with vast features and functionalities. JavaScript can help with making asynchronous requests to servers through Ajax, altering the web pages at command, and more.

With mobile app development and digitalization on the rise, the JavaScript sphere is expanding and becoming stable as the years pass. The evolution of multiple JavaScript frameworks in the market is proof of its importance in web app development.

If you are looking to design web and mobile apps with the JavaScript framework, here are your top trending choices of 2020:

Top Free JavaScript Frameworks for Web Apps in 2020

JavaScript Frameworks are of two types, Reactive and MVC. Reactive Web Development ensures responsiveness, resilience, and scalability of websites and apps. It guarantees that all software offers real-time responses to commands.

Contrarily, MVC frameworks offer a different approach by separating application logic and presentation. It features web pages with minimal scripting as the presentation is distinct from PHP scripting.

There are various MVC and Reactive JavaScript Frameworks available. Here are some of the top ones in the market:

1 AngularJS

Creation of Google, AngularJS is an open-source framework for web development. It is considered as an extension of HTML for developing complex web apps, mobile apps, and websites.

The platform is an MVC JavaScript framework that allows developers to design fully-functional websites from one platform. It helps build reusable view components and supports two data-binding between views and models. Plus, in case of alterations, it also enables automatic updates on each side.

AngularJS has gained preference in recent years with its solid foundation for developers following the current industry trends for web development. There are many apt benefits of AngularJS and the platform itself offers innovative and intuitive features for swift development. Furthermore, Google even has a separate portion of the website dedicated to Material Design Specification for developers to design apps that are compatible with the latest techniques and technologies.

2 Ractive.js

Ractive.js is one of the top Reactive JavaScript Frameworks. It’s been around for some time and has become one of the leading platforms with its native functionality that allows swift development of templates with user-centric UI components that support JS features and flexibility.

One of the challenges of web development is designing interactive websites that offer phenomenal user experiences within the app. Ractive.js, however, helps overcome the limitations. It is easy-to-use and straightforward, allowing developers to visualize their ideas into functional, interactive, and responsive websites.

3 Mercury

Mercury is another Reactive type of JavaScript Framework that is lightweight and simple to use. It is a robust modular framework with pre-determined components that developers can directly integrate with the mobile apps.

What makes it superb is that, it allows developers to customize functionalities and observe the changes in real-time. Furthermore, the demo page displays features with alterable functions. For example, if you wish to change the set theme of the website, you can try out various colors within the same browser as the platform in real-time as the platform is incredibly reactive and responsive.

For less complex applications, Mercury is the best choice of JavaScript Framework.

4 WebRx

WebRx is exceptionally lightweight with a size of 30kb when optimized and minimized. Also, it enables the web developers to speed up web development processes without compromising on quality and functionality.

It is a Reactive type of JavaScript Framework with various features, including a Model-View-View-Model Framework (MVVM). It is built on top of RX.js to allow combining of reactive and functional programming patterns, compatible with observable and declarative client-side routing, templating features, and data binding.

Furthermore, WebRx is convenient to use for designing complex, fully-functional apps, or reactive and straightforward designs.

5 jQuery

jQuery is an MVC type framework renowned for its exceptional functionality that enables developers to upscale websites and makes them more interactive and responsive. It is the best choice to integrate DOM traversal, animation, event handling, and AJAX conveniently across all web browsers.

It is a mini-library, capable of transforming websites for interactive and entertaining user experience. In addition to this, with jQuery plugins and widgets as the most searched components of front-end web development, it speaks of its importance in designing leading websites, including Google, WordPress, and IBM.

jQuery is also a good fit for a mobile platform. With its separate jQuery Mobile Library, developers can design mobile apps with the framework.

6 Backbone.js

Backbone helps in designing structured one-page websites or complex UIs. It is lightweight enough to fit into a single JavaScript file and ideal for companies looking to create simple websites or web apps using a smaller framework than Angular or others.

Backbone.js is an MVC type JavaScript Framework with routing and modes that can connect to RESTful API. The router offers exceptional functionality to handle URLs, and the platform features views with declarative handling ability.

The framework also helps with data structuring when building client-side web applications through JavaScript. BitTorrent, Pinterest, and FourSquare are some of the top examples of websites designed with Backbone.js JavaScript Framework.

7 Ember.js

Ember.js is a preferred choice of framework for its simplicity and smooth flow of functionality that offers a phenomenal user experience.

It is an MVC JavaScript framework that allows developers to design complex client-side applications. Primarily, the smart functionality takes many decisions off your hands, allowing you to invest time and effort in the complexity of web design and development.

Ember also features automatic updates with data changes through templates and view engines. It allows routing and model engine that works with RESTful API. Also, the framework is super easy to use with tons of tutorials and guides from other expert developers to help newbies understand and get started.

The platform helps in designing feature-rich applications using Handlebars templates and web components. Some of the top examples of websites using Ember.js, include Live Nation, Chipotle, and Nordstrom.

8 Knockout.js

Knockout is an MVC type JavaScript Framework that allows developers to use the syntax for relating existing DOM characteristics with data models.

The primary features of the platform include real-time changes with the UI as you make adjustments in the data model. Furthermore, it enables developers to connect individual data models for faster and convenient transformation.

Knockout.js also features declarative bindings, templating features, and dependency tracking. It can design intuitive UI models as one of the functions used for data models. Additionally, with Knockout supporting JavaScript, it is convenient to integrate with other frameworks easily than others.

9 Meteor

It’s a single development interface and real-time feature which makes Meteor a fast-booming framework in the software market. The functions the platform offers is that its web apps are compatible with all mobile devices. Plus, it is a full-stack MVC type framework that supports native JavaScript, making it easy to integrate with other frameworks.

Furthermore, Meteor also makes it convenient to directly convert web apps into mobile apps and publish onto app stores. It offers a unified and straightforward development experience for front-end and back-end.

10 Aurelia

Aurelia is another top-tier MVC JavaScript Framework for client-side development of web, desktop, and mobile applications. It is entirely a next-generation development tool, built primarily on ES6 with few features of ES7.

The platform allows developers to work on all browsers and revolutionizes the development of a creative process. It was designed as a module-like framework, meaning it features various small and big libraries that can be used in combination or individually.

11 Responsive

Built with jQuery and SaaS, Responsive, as the name suggests, is ideal for creating responsive websites. It is fundamentally for front-end programming with built-in features, including touch and accessibility support, and right-to-left language.

12 Omniscient

Contrary to the other names in the list, Omniscient is a Reactive type of JavaScript Framework, meaning it’s responsive and resilient, and reliable for web development.

The platform allows developers to use precise components for designing functional UIs. Furthermore, it features small but composable components with shared functionality via mixins. It offers a static development model, much like with HTML web development, with the addition of programming.

It enables developers to forgo things like templating engines and domain-specific languages to manipulate Views.

13 Riot.js

Riot is a Reactive JavaScript Framework and a React-based UI library for micro functions. It is incredibly responsive, making it the best fit for designing interactive web apps, websites, and more. The platform is lightweight with a phenomenal user interface as well.

14 Webix

Webix is ideal for cross-platform development. It is a multi-widget Reactive JavaScript Framework with over 100+ UI widgets and complete CSS/HTML5 JavaScript controls.

The platform also comes equipped with built-in templates and widgets, which speeds up the development of web apps, websites, and more. Additionally, the framework library features a Skin Builder tool with built-in skins for designing a responsive UX.

The best thing is that Webix can be easily integrated with other existing frameworks, including Angular, React, Vue.js, and Meteor.

15 Vue.js

Vue.js is one of the most straightforward JavaScript frameworks. It can be integrated with other development tools and transformed into a fully-functional framework.

The platform is a Reactive type with features, including designing modern and innovative web apps. Vue.js is a progressive JavaScript Framework and it is still a beta version so many more features are still in the testing phase.

Also Read: – JavaScript vs Dart: Comparison of two popular frameworks

Next Step: Choosing the Best JS Framework for You

I hope the article helped you understand the various types of JavaScript Framework available in the market. When it comes to choosing the best platform for you, it’s not only the number of features you need to consider but also its functionality. The ease with which it fits within your project is also an essential factor.

The next step is to choose the framework that best fits your company requirements or you can select the best from the list of top web development companies to develop your product based on your requirements.

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