Anime.js vs Rough.js
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library for animating CSS properties, SVG, DOM attributes and plain objects.
Open source · MIT
A small JavaScript library that draws shapes in a sketchy, hand-drawn style on Canvas or SVG.
The short answer
Choose Anime.js if you need…
- Front-end developers adding motion to websites or web apps
- Developers animating SVG graphics or DOM elements
- Projects that want a small, JavaScript-only animation dependency
- Developers who prefer ES module imports
Choose Rough.js if you need…
- Web developers who want a casual, hand-drawn look for diagrams or illustrations
- Developers building whiteboard-style or sketch-style interfaces
- People creating maps or charts that should look informal
- Projects that need a lightweight drawing library with no heavy dependencies noted in the README
Side-by-side
| Anime.js | Rough.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 74.2k | 21.3k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | HTML |
| Last code update | 3 months ago | 2 years ago |
What each one is
Anime.js
Anime.js is a JavaScript animation library that moves, rotates, fades and otherwise changes things on a web page over time. It works with CSS properties, SVG, DOM attributes and JavaScript objects, using one API for all of them. Developers use it to add motion to interfaces without writing the timing math by hand.
Rough.js
Rough.js is a small JavaScript graphics library that makes lines, shapes, and paths look hand-drawn instead of perfectly computer-drawn. It works with both HTML Canvas and SVG, so it can be added to a web page to produce diagrams or illustrations with a sketchy look. The README describes it as under 9 kB in size.
Best for
Anime.js
- Front-end developers adding motion to websites or web apps
- Developers animating SVG graphics or DOM elements
- Projects that want a small, JavaScript-only animation dependency
- Developers who prefer ES module imports
Rough.js
- Web developers who want a casual, hand-drawn look for diagrams or illustrations
- Developers building whiteboard-style or sketch-style interfaces
- People creating maps or charts that should look informal
- Projects that need a lightweight drawing library with no heavy dependencies noted in the README
Strengths
Anime.js
- Single API covers CSS, SVG, DOM attributes and JavaScript objects
- Described in the README as lightweight, with ES module, UMD, CJS and IIFE builds available
- Widely used, with 74k+ GitHub stars and MIT license
Rough.js
- Small library size, described as under 9 kB in the README
- Works with both Canvas and SVG output
- Simple API with examples for shapes, fills, and paths
Not ideal for
Anime.js
- People who want no-code animation tools; the README describes a code API only
- Projects that must stay on v3 without migration work, since the README points to a separate v3-to-v4 migration guide
- Anyone who needs a full 3D or game engine; the README does not cover those uses
Rough.js
- People who need precise, technical, or CAD-style drawings, since the output is intentionally rough
- Users who want a ready-made drawing app rather than a code library, since the README covers only the library API
- Non-programmers looking for a point-and-click tool
Trade-offs
Anime.js
- The README is truncated and gives little detail beyond the usage example; full details live on an external documentation site
- v4 changed the API, so older tutorials and code may need migration
- Learning the full API depends on the external documentation
Rough.js
- The README is brief and points to an external wiki for full API documentation
- Output is deliberately imprecise, so it is unsuited to exact measurements
- The README shows no information on browser support or the maintenance pace beyond the last push date
Getting started
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Anime.js and Rough.js?
Anime.js: A JavaScript library for animating CSS properties, SVG, DOM attributes and plain objects. Rough.js: A small JavaScript library that draws shapes in a sketchy, hand-drawn style on Canvas or SVG. Anime.js suits front-end developers adding motion to websites or web apps, while Rough.js suits web developers who want a casual, hand-drawn look for diagrams or illustrations.
Are Anime.js and Rough.js free?
Anime.js: Free and open source. Rough.js: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Anime.js or Rough.js?
Anime.js is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Rough.js is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Anime.js or Rough.js more popular?
Anime.js has more GitHub stars (74.2k) than Rough.js (21.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Anime.js and Rough.js?
Other options people compare them with include G2, mo · js, flag-icons, three.js, nivo.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.