Alpine.js 2026: The 7.1 kB jQuery replacement. No build step. Add reactivity to Laravel/Django & boost Core Web Vitals. Compare it to React and Vue today.

TL;DR

Alpine.js is a 7.1 kB JavaScript framework with no build step. Drop in a script tag and get reactive dropdowns, modals, tabs, and form validation on any server-rendered page. It is not a React replacement — it is the tool you reach for when React is too much and vanilla JS is too tedious.

What is Alpine.js?

Alpine.js is a declarative JavaScript framework by Caleb Porzio, released in 2019. At just 7.1 kB gzipped, it adds reactive behaviour directly to your HTML markup — no build step, no virtual DOM, no npm install required.

Think of it as jQuery rewritten for the modern web: same drop-in simplicity, but built on reactivity instead of imperative DOM manipulation.

Unlike React or Vue, Alpine doesn't take over your page.…