Hyperapp vs React
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 tiny JavaScript framework for building browser apps with a virtual DOM.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library for building interactive user interfaces out of reusable components.
The short answer
Choose Hyperapp if you need…
- Developers who want a very small framework for simple to medium browser apps
- People who like a functional style with plain state and actions
- Developers who want to try a framework without setting up a build tool
Choose React if you need…
- Developers building interactive web interfaces with JavaScript
- Teams adding React gradually to an existing project, as the README describes
- Developers who want to reuse the same component model for mobile apps via React Native
- Students learning how modern front-end UIs are structured
Side-by-side
| Hyperapp | React | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 19.2k | 252k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 20 months ago | 6 days ago |
What each one is
Hyperapp
Hyperapp is a small JavaScript library for building interactive web pages and apps. You describe what the page should look like from your current state, and it updates the real page when that state changes. The README says it is about 1 kB and can be loaded directly in a script tag without a build step.
React
React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. You describe what the screen should look like for each state of your data, and React updates and redraws only the parts that change. It is built around components, small self-contained pieces of UI that you combine into larger screens. The README also says React can render on the server with Node and power mobile apps through React Native.
Best for
Hyperapp
- Developers who want a very small framework for simple to medium browser apps
- People who like a functional style with plain state and actions
- Developers who want to try a framework without setting up a build tool
React
- Developers building interactive web interfaces with JavaScript
- Teams adding React gradually to an existing project, as the README describes
- Developers who want to reuse the same component model for mobile apps via React Native
- Students learning how modern front-end UIs are structured
Strengths
Hyperapp
- Very small size, stated as about 1 kB
- Few concepts to learn: views, actions, effects, and subscriptions
- Works with no build step by loading it from a CDN
React
- Declarative views make code easier to predict and debug, according to the README
- Adopts incrementally, so it can be added to an existing project without rewriting it
- Large, active project with an MIT license and a documented site at react.dev
Not ideal for
Hyperapp
- Teams that need a large ecosystem of ready-made components, since the README lists several official packages as planned and points to third-party collections
- Non-programmers, since it requires writing JavaScript
React
- People who want a complete, opinionated framework with routing and data fetching built in, since the README says React makes no assumptions about the rest of your stack and points to a separate toolchain for new projects
- Non-programmers looking for a no-code website builder
Trade-offs
Hyperapp
- Several official packages (http, random, navigation) are listed as planned, not finished
- Ecosystem is smaller than larger frameworks; third-party packages are found in a separate collection
- The README does not detail production usage or browser support
React
- It is a UI library only, so you must choose and add other tools for routing, data, and build setup
- The README's examples use JSX, a syntax extension that adds a learning step, though the README notes JSX is not strictly required
Getting started
React
Install React and React DOM from npm
npm install react react-domFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Hyperapp and React?
Hyperapp: A tiny JavaScript framework for building browser apps with a virtual DOM. React: A JavaScript library for building interactive user interfaces out of reusable components. Hyperapp suits developers who want a very small framework for simple to medium browser apps, while React suits developers building interactive web interfaces with javascript.
Are Hyperapp and React free?
Hyperapp: Free and open source. React: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Hyperapp or React?
Hyperapp is easier to get started with (rated beginner); React is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Hyperapp or React more popular?
React has more GitHub stars (252k) than Hyperapp (19.2k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Hyperapp and React?
Other options people compare them with include Preact, Svelte, Mithril, Angular, FoldingCell.
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.