Best JavaScript Alternatives for Web Developers

As a web developer, you’ve probably been working with JavaScript throughout your career and maybe looking for the best JavaScript alternatives right now.

JavaScript has been a prominent language for developers worldwide since its inception in 1995. And today, even after a journey of almost 30 years, it is one of the most used programming languages.

It is known that developers have a love-hate relationship with this language. Some say it is not even a proper programming language, while others defend it with passion.

So, why this difference of opinion? And what are the best JavaScript alternatives, if you need one? We’ll discuss all of this and more below.

Love & hate JavaScript

Irrespective of how important and indisposable JavaScript has been for developers, it is still a programming language that most of us love and hate at the same time.

Although JavaScript has evolved over its 26 years of existence, there are some drawbacks that seem to have stuck and these are what cause developers a lot of difficulties to cope with.

There are experienced JS developers who argue that all it needs is a better understanding of its logic and most of the limitations have been overcome by IDE.

We agree that every programming language has its limitations and exceptions, and there is usually a way to get around these constraints. But today, there are a number of alternatives that you can use instead of JavaScript.

So, if you find another alternative easier to deal with, you don’t really have to stick to JS for everything you do, at least for your regular programs. For the browser side though, it is hard to find a JavaScript alternative, but you can use JavaScript transpilers to make things easier. More on that later.

Before you learn about the JavaScript alternatives, it is important to know all the pros and cons of the language to be able to make an informed decision for yourself.

The good of JavaScript

No matter how much we hate it, JavaScript has been around for so long and has become so popular for a reason. There are a lot of good things to say about the language and we’re sure you will not be able to deny any of these.

• Beginner-friendly

One of the primary reasons why most developers start using JavaScript from the moment they set foot into their careers is that JS is the easiest language to learn as a beginner. It needs no installation or setup.

All you need is your computer and a web browser, and you’re ready to start programming with JavaScript. The basic syntax and concepts are quite easy to learn and if you do get stuck somewhere, there is all the help available on the internet, thanks to the popularity of the language.

• Powerful

Despite being one of the simplest languages to start with, it still has immense power. You can do almost anything with JS. From building a full-fledged web page to developing a mobile app, and even a robot, the applications of JavaScript are endless.

No other programming language to date can probably give you the same range and versatility as JavaScript. So as a newbie, a developer may find JavaScript extremely fun and easy to work with.

The challenge, though, is to grow into an expert JS developer which needs knowledge of more than just the basics.

• Best for front-end development

Over these 26 odd years that JavaScript has been in use, no other programming language has been able to compete with it as a better choice for front-end development. For front-end development or building the client-side interface, there is nothing better than JavaScript as it allows you to create all kinds of interactive web pages.

JavaScript, combined with HTML and CSS, is the favourite of developers when it comes to creating dynamic web pages. When you need to add elements like a drag-and-drop function or a slider or anything interactive, JavaScript can help you create the best user interfaces.

JavaScript also runs flawlessly and very fast on the client-side browser, as long as no outside resources are required. So, for front-end web development there are almost no competitors to JS.

• Flexible

Another major advantage of JavaScript is the amount of flexibility it offers. Being the dynamic language that it is, JavaScript allows you to do a lot of things that other languages won’t. Whether you need to change or add variables at runtime or write code to generate code, JavaScript lets you do it with ease. This flexibility works great for creating scripts or templating engines.

• Versatile

JavaScript lets you work on both front-end and back-end development. With the introduction of Node.js, back-end programming has become equally easy with JavaScript, which was previously done only using server-side programming languages like Python, Java, Ruby, etc.

It is possible to create an entire app from front-end to back-end using only JavaScript if you know:

1. How to bootstrap Node.js with Express
2. Use a document database
3. Use JavaScript for the client side

The bad of JavaScript

Having said all of that, JavaScript is not free of flaws either. If there is a reason to love the language, there are several other reasons to hate it as well.

• Weak-typing and aggressive type coercion

One major problem with JavaScript is its very aggressive type coercion. This happens because certain data that you input with your code can mean different things in this language. For example, a ‘+’ can mean addition of two numbers, the addition of a number to a text or a text to a number.

If your code is even slightly incorrect in this weak-typing language, you could end up getting a completely illogical output thanks to its aggressive coercion.

In other words, if JavaScript cannot perform an operation with the arguments you have supplied, it will forcefully convert those arguments to still complete the operation. So, if there is a slight error in a large codebase, you are going to have a tough time finding it.

• Lack of security on the client-side

The JavaScript code that you write is visible to the user. If your code is accessible to others, there is a risk of misusing it for wrong purposes, since the source code can be used without any authentication.

A threat actor could even place some code into the original code that can cause a data breach on the website/ app. This compromises the security of the application on the client side.

• Poor browser support

The code created using JavaScript is interpreted differently on different browsers. Some of the old browsers do not support the new functions on JS and so on. So, once you’ve created a code, you might need to test it on multiple browsers separately to ensure that it runs correctly before you can publish it.

• Lack of debugging

One thing that is very important to any developer, which is missing in JavaScript, is the debugging facility. Though some of the HTML editors do offer debugging, they are not as efficient as other editors for C or C++. This makes it very difficult to spot errors, more so because the browser won’t show any errors.

Are there viable JavaScript alternatives?

Of course, there are numerous alternatives to JavaScript today. Particularly for regular scripts or programs, it is quite easy to replace Node.js with any other popular programming language, such as Python, C, C++, Perl, Ruby, Smalltalk and more.

For front-end development, you may not find a better option than JavaScript though. You can still use transpilers that can convert your source code into JavaScript that the browser can accept.

JavaScript transpilers like TypeScript, Elm, ClojureScript, Amber and others can come in really handy. These can make things a lot easier on the front end and save you from the struggles that you would otherwise face with JavaScript.

But when you think of alternatives, be it back-end or front-end, it is important to remember that every programming language or tool has its own limitations. So what you choose will depend on your development purpose. You have to be clear about what you need and what you can do without.

Languages that compile to JavaScript

There are numerous languages that compile to JavaScript. There are both new languages that can directly compile to JavaScript as well as transpilers for already existing languages. This makes it easier for you to code in your preferred language and then turn it into JavaScript for actual implementation.

Some of the most popular compilers that expert developers suggest are:

• Ruby
• Python
• Erlang
• Elixir
• Perl
• Scala
• Go
• Kotlin
• Elm
• Amber
• Dart
• CoffeeScript
• Svelte
• TypeScript
• ClojureScript
• Haxe, and more

These are a few of the most widely used compilers but there are other options too. These compilers will usually have better syntaxes and editor support than JavaScript. Some of these compilers also let you add better features that would be hard to imagine with JS.

With so many JavaScript alternatives, how to choose?

Only you can decide which alternative to choose because the choice ultimately depends on one thing – the purpose. Depending on what you are aiming to achieve.

If you are looking for an alternative for back-end development the most viable options could be Python, Ruby, Kotlin or PHP, for instance. If your purpose is front-end development, TypeScript, CoffeeScript, Elm, ClojureScript or Dart could be the better alternatives.

There are some alternatives that are more suitable for web applications while some others are better suited for mobile app development. So, no one can give you a magic formula for choosing the right alternative to JavaScript.

You need to first identify your needs, and then carry out your own research to see which of these options best meet your demands.

JavaScript alternatives for front-end development

• Dart

Dart is a Google product – an object-oriented programming language similar to C, created as a replacement for JavaScript. If you have experience working with Java, C or C++ you are likely to prefer dart over JavaScript. It has a more traditional object-oriented approach like these older languages, which is not found in JavaScript’s prototype inheritance system.

Dart is designed for productivity and you can get a lot more done with ease on dart than you would on JavaScript. It still has fewer capabilities than JavaScript but Google has been updating it regularly.

• TypeScript

TypeScript is developed by Microsoft with an aim to enhance the capabilities of JavaScript. It adds new features and methods to the already existing features on JavaScript. It is backward compatible with JS, so any app written in TypeScript can be viewed on almost any browser when compiled to JavaScript. TypeScript is also compatible with Node.js.

Most users find coding with TypeScript robust and less error-prone, but they also think it can be quite clumsy and complex.

• CoffeeScript

The CoffeeScript language is transpiled into JS to improve the readability and make the code shorter and simpler. So, it allows you to write faster and cleaner codes for front-end development. It has a more consistent syntax than JavaScript. It also has other advanced features such as list comprehensions and classes.

If you are using CoffeeScript, though, you will still need to be proficient in JavaScript.

• Elm

Elm is a comparatively new functional language that provides an advanced front-end web development experience. It is mostly used for graphic interface development. It has a simple and intuitive syntax, efficient debugging where you get an immediate notification if an error occurs during coding, and is easily compiled to JavaScript.

JavaScript alternatives for back-end development

• Python

Python is one of the most popular alternatives to JavaScript for backend development. The Python language has a very simple syntax that easy to grasp for the newbies too. It gives more clarity as the language is very easy to read and anyone working with you on your code can easily understand it. Each unit of the code runs separately, making it easier to handle. Python has been around as a back-end programming language for around 30 years and it is definitely here to stay.

• Kotlin

Kotlin is another back-end programming language that gives better readability and requires writing fewer codes. It was developed by the industry and not the academia, which is why Kotlin focuses more on the practical problems faced by developers in the field. It is more popular because of its capability of multiplatform programming. For instance, it can share code between Android and iOS systems in mobile app development.

• Ruby

Ruby is a robust, dynamically-typed and object-oriented programming language with a very simple syntax, that’s quite close to the English language. It may be a little slower than Python, but is still one of the most popular alternatives.

• PHP

PHP is being called the future of back-end development because of its flexible and flawless features. The syntax in this language is very expressive, which gives you some creative freedom. PHP has inbuilt website development capabilities too. It has built-in security features to keep websites safe against threats.

JavaScript alternatives for mobile development

• React Native

React Native is an open-source framework used for building cross-platform native apps. It uses React and JavaScript languages to build mobile apps that are almost indistinguishable from native apps that are built on Java of Objective-C.

• NativeScript

NativeScript is another very useful framework for building cross-platform native apps using JavaScript or TypeScript. Code sharing through Angular or Vue.js allows a single codebase to be deployed on multiple platforms such as Android and iOS.

• Ionic

Ionic is also a popular JavaScript framework used for building hybrid apps. Developers can access Cordova plugins that let them access hardware and software from a mobile device with the core code being connected to the device. Your expertise in basic web development, such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript is good enough to develop mobile apps on Ionic.

JavaScript alternatives for web applications development

Apart from the options for front-end and back-end development already mentioned above, you may also want to check out the following alternatives for web applications.

• ClojureScript

ClojureScript is a solid alternative for JavaScript which can easily compile the Clojure language to JavaScript. Clojure is a Lisp that runs on the Java Virtual Machine and can access all the existing Java libraries. It is compatible with Node.js and runs smoothly on all browsers.

• Elm

Elm is a new language built for functional programming, with reactive programming at its core. The advanced type system in this language ensures zero run-time errors in production codes and the better HTML rendering performances allow clean front-end architecture for the web.

• Babel

JavaScript runs on the ES5 version of the ECMA script, but the newer version ES6 has many interesting features that are not supported in JavaScript yet. Babel is a compiler that will convert your ES6 JavaScript code into ES5 compatible JS code. So when the ES6 features are supported on all browsers in the future, your JavaScript code will be ready for it.

The JavaScript war

With all these options at your disposal, making a choice is certainly not going to be easy. So we thought a comparison of each with JavaScript might make the decision easier for you.

Python vs JavaScript

As discussed above, Python is one of the most popular alternatives to JavaScript for backend development. Some of the key differences between the two languages include –

• JavaScript is a weakly-typed script with very aggressive type coercion. But Python is strongly typed, leaving no scope for implicit conversion between types.

• Python cannot help you with front-end programming, where JavaScript is a clear winner.

• Python is easier to learn compared to JavaScript. The variables and functions used are extremely simple and the language itself is very beginner-friendly.

• Node.js is JavaScript is designed to be more scalable and supports asynchronous programming, which Python does not. So, Python may not be as scalable as JavaScript but it does have tools to achieve better scalability where needed.

• Python uses a class-based inheritance while JavaScript uses a prototype-based inheritance model.

• Python has several modules and libraries for accomplishing other functions like data analytics and machine learning, while JavaScript has a few limited modules.

Java vs JavaScript

• Similar to Python, Java is a server-side programming language while JavaScript is more useful for front-end development.

• Java applications can run on both browsers and virtual machines while JavaScript codes can run only on a browser.

• JavaScript is mostly used with HTML and CSS to make interactive web apps or pages. But Java can be used for developing mobile apps, desktop apps as well as web applications.

• The JavaScript is interpreted directly by a browser, while the Java code is first compiled into bytecode and then run on Java Virtual Machine.

• Java is a more general-purpose programming language that is object-based and class-based unlike JavaScript, which is a prototype-based object-oriented scripting language.

• Java offers a more secure environment for app development compared to JavaScript. It does not leave any scope for misuse of the source code.

PHP vs JavaScript

• PHP is a server-side scripting language while JavaScript is a client-side scripting language.

• PHP is also more secure than JavaScript, as the code is not visible to users.

• PHP can be combined only with HTML but JavaScript can be combined with HTML, XML and Ajax.

• PHP has a bigger library and is yet simpler to use as compared to JavaScript.

• JavaScript is relatively faster than PHP.

• PHP may be better suited for applications such as blogs, e-learning systems, etc. while JavaScript is used in any type of project.

Typescript vs JavaScript

• TypeScript is an object-oriented programming language whereas JavaScript is a scripting language.

• TypeScript gives real-time notifications on errors in coding which is not possible in JavaScript.

• TypeScript is a more strongly-typed system as compared to JavaScript.

• Typescript uses concepts like types and interfaces to describe the data being used which is not a feature available in JavaScript.

• TypeScript supports modules that are not seen in JavaScript.

Dart vs JavaScript

• Dart is a language for the front-end development of cross-platform mobile apps and web apps, while JavaScript offers both front-end and back-end development capacities.

• Dart supports both strong and loose prototyping which makes it much more type-safe than JavaScript.

• Applications created using Dart can easily run on any operating system. JavaScript code can also run on most browsers.

• Dart is found to be much faster in certain instances than JavaScript although JavaScript is an interpreted language that is lightweight and flexible.

• Being less popular than JavaScript at present, Dart has a smaller community and so lesser learning material for newcomers.

CoffeeScript vs JavaScript

• CoffeeScript requires nearly 55% lesser code than JavaScript for the same functionality, saving time on typing and verification.

• The CoffeeScript syntax is relatively easier and simpler making it more manageable for larger projects.

• CoffeeScript is easier to learn for anyone who is already familiar with JavaScript.

• CoffeeScript can make JavaScript code more readable.

ClojureScript vs JavaScript

• ClojureScript has a much simpler syntax because of the Lisp-ness which makes it easier to comprehend.

• Clojure and ClojureScript are both designed to interact with the host making it easier to access existing JavaScript libraries.

• ClojureScript can optimize JavaScript through Google’s Closure library. It can also remove unused sections of code accessed from third-party libraries.

• ClojureScript can be used with React that helps build single-page apps very easily as compared to JavaScript.

Elm vs JavaScript

• There are no run-time exceptions in Elm that allows building large front-end codebases without testing at once.

• It also uses static typing that allows explicit coercion. This is an advantage over the aggressive coercion in JavaScript which is a common problem for developers.

• The compiler in Elm is extremely helpful and offers guidance for the most part. This makes refactoring on Elm very easy, which is not seen in JavaScript.

• Elm has built-in frameworks, libraries and build tooling, while JavaScript has a limited standard library.

Babel vs JavaScript

• JavaScript requires no installation, but Babel comes packaged as a node module and is installed via npm.

• JavaScript is class-free but Babel includes ES6 classes.

• Babel also defines the multiline strings introduced in ES6, not available with JavaScript yet.

• Though most of the functionality remains the same between ES5 and ES6, Babel lets you use the nice syntax of ES6 and transpile it into JavaScript easily.

Conclusion

JavaScript is one language you cannot do without, at least for now. But to make things a little simpler and to benefit your specific use case, these alternatives may be worth trying. As long as you know your goals, we hope this guide will help you choose the best alternative to JavaScript for better results.

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