HTMX vs React: A Complete Comparison

HTMX, a relatively new frontend library released in 2020, is gaining traction in the web development community for its ability to integrate modern browser interactivity directly within HTML, reducing the need for JavaScript. With accolades like a second-place finish in the 2023 JavaScript Rising Stars "Front-end Frameworks" category and a growing GitHub presence, HTMX offers features such as AJAX requests, CSS transitions, and WebSockets through simple HTML attributes. It stands as a lightweight alternative to more complex frameworks like React, which is known for its component-based architecture, robust state management, and wide adoption. While React remains the preferred choice for developing single-page applications and complex interfaces, HTMX offers a streamlined solution for simpler web interactivity, particularly appealing to backend developers looking to avoid extensive client-side JavaScript. Despite their differences, HTMX and React can coexist within projects, each serving distinct roles based on the application's requirements for complexity and interactivity.