Hyperapp vs Svelte
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 web UI framework whose compiler turns components into plain JavaScript that updates the page directly.
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 Svelte if you need…
- Developers who want to build interactive websites with less boilerplate
- Teams building web apps who prefer a compiler-based approach
- Learners exploring how modern component frameworks work
Side-by-side
| Hyperapp | Svelte | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 19.2k | 88.5k |
| 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 | 4 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.
Svelte
Svelte is a compiler for building web applications. You write components in a declarative style, and Svelte converts them ahead of time into efficient JavaScript that updates the page's DOM directly. It is aimed at making web interfaces simpler to write while keeping the output lightweight.
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
Svelte
- Developers who want to build interactive websites with less boilerplate
- Teams building web apps who prefer a compiler-based approach
- Learners exploring how modern component frameworks work
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
Svelte
- MIT licensed and open source
- Compiles components to JavaScript that surgically updates the DOM, per the README
- Large community with an active Discord chat and a public roadmap
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
Svelte
- People who need a no-code tool, since Svelte requires writing code
- Projects that must rely only on long-established tooling, because the README gives little detail on ecosystem maturity for this use
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
Svelte
- The README is short and defers most detail to the external website and docs
- Some setup details and requirements are not stated in the provided README
- Being a compiler-based approach, understanding the build step takes some learning
Getting started
Svelte
Install the svelte package (per the npm package reference in the README badges)
npm install svelteFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Hyperapp and Svelte?
Hyperapp: A tiny JavaScript framework for building browser apps with a virtual DOM. Svelte: A web UI framework whose compiler turns components into plain JavaScript that updates the page directly. Hyperapp suits developers who want a very small framework for simple to medium browser apps, while Svelte suits developers who want to build interactive websites with less boilerplate.
Are Hyperapp and Svelte free?
Hyperapp: Free and open source. Svelte: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Hyperapp or Svelte?
Hyperapp is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Svelte is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Hyperapp or Svelte more popular?
Svelte has more GitHub stars (88.5k) 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 Svelte?
Other options people compare them with include Preact, React, Mithril, Solid.
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.