Hono vs Remix
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 small web framework for building APIs and sites that runs on many JavaScript platforms.
Open source · MIT
A full-stack web framework built on standard Web APIs, shipped as one npm package.
The short answer
Choose Hono if you need…
- Developers writing TypeScript or JavaScript HTTP APIs
- Teams that want one codebase to deploy on multiple runtimes
- Projects targeting edge platforms like Cloudflare Workers
- Developers who want a small framework with few dependencies
Choose Remix if you need…
- Developers who want a framework built on standard Web APIs rather than Node-specific ones
- Teams that want code portable across Node.js, Bun, Deno, and Cloudflare Workers
- Developers interested in the project's stated goal of minimal dependencies
- Developers who want a single package that bundles many smaller composable tools
Side-by-side
| Hono | Remix | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 32.8k | 33.4k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 5 days ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
Hono
Hono is a web framework for JavaScript and TypeScript, built on Web Standard APIs so the same code can run on several runtimes such as Cloudflare Workers, Deno, Bun, AWS Lambda, and Node.js. It is described as small and fast, with built-in, custom, and third-party middleware. Developers use it to define routes and handle requests and responses.
Remix
Remix is a JavaScript and TypeScript web framework for building web applications. This repository holds Remix 3, which the README describes as under active development. Its design favors standard browser and server Web APIs (Fetch, Streams, Web Crypto) over runtime-specific ones, aiming for code that runs across Node.js, Bun, Deno, and Cloudflare Workers.
Best for
Hono
- Developers writing TypeScript or JavaScript HTTP APIs
- Teams that want one codebase to deploy on multiple runtimes
- Projects targeting edge platforms like Cloudflare Workers
- Developers who want a small framework with few dependencies
Remix
- Developers who want a framework built on standard Web APIs rather than Node-specific ones
- Teams that want code portable across Node.js, Bun, Deno, and Cloudflare Workers
- Developers interested in the project's stated goal of minimal dependencies
- Developers who want a single package that bundles many smaller composable tools
Strengths
Hono
- The README states it has zero dependencies and uses only Web Standard APIs
- Runs on many JavaScript runtimes with the same code, per the README
- MIT licensed and actively maintained, with a recent push date
Remix
- Built on standard Web APIs, so code is intended to be portable across JavaScript runtimes
- Distributed as a single remix package, with each sub-package also usable on its own
- Released under the permissive MIT license
Not ideal for
Hono
- People who need a full-stack framework with a built-in database or UI layer, since the README describes only a web framework
- Non-programmers, because it requires writing code
- Projects that must run on a runtime not listed in the README without checking compatibility first
Remix
- Teams that need a stable, production-proven framework today, since the README describes Remix 3 as under active development
- People who want a mature ecosystem of plugins and guides, since the README does not describe one
- Developers who prefer Remix 2 or earlier, since this repository is the Remix 3 source
Trade-offs
Hono
- Performance and size claims come from the project itself; the README gives a size figure only for the hono/tiny preset
- Documentation is mainly hosted on hono.dev, so the README alone gives limited detail
- Supporting many runtimes means behavior can differ per platform; check the docs for your target
Remix
- The README states the project is under active development, so APIs may change
- Many functions are split across a large number of packages, which the authors acknowledge can be harder to learn
- The README is truncated and gives little detail on specific features or stability guarantees
Getting started
Remix
Install Remix
npm i remixCreate a new app with the CLI
npx remix new my-remix-appFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Hono and Remix?
Hono: A small web framework for building APIs and sites that runs on many JavaScript platforms. Remix: A full-stack web framework built on standard Web APIs, shipped as one npm package. Hono suits developers writing typescript or javascript http apis, while Remix suits developers who want a framework built on standard web apis rather than node-specific ones.
Are Hono and Remix free?
Hono: Free and open source. Remix: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Hono or Remix?
Hono is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Remix is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Hono or Remix more popular?
Remix has more GitHub stars (33.4k) than Hono (32.8k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Hono and Remix?
Other options people compare them with include Express, Fastify, Elysia, Koa, Next.js.
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.