JavaScript AlternativesTop Programming Languages and other similar apps like JavaScript

JavaScript is described as '(sometimes shortened to JS) is a lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first-class functions, most known as the scripting language for Web pages, but also used in many non-browser environments' and is a leading programming language in the development category. There are more than 50 alternatives to JavaScript for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, BSD and Web-based apps. The best JavaScript alternative is Python, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like JavaScript are Java, PHP, TypeScript and Ruby.

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JavaScript (sometimes shortened to JS) is a lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first-class functions,...

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JavaScript alternatives page was last updated Feb 12, 2025
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  1. Python icon
     1375 likes
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    Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, extensible programming language. It provides an extraordinary combination of clarity and versatility, and is free and comprehensively ported.

    92 Python alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • AROS
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • OpenSolaris
    • MorphOS

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  High Level
    2.  Object-oriented Language
    3.  Dynamic typing
    4.  Modular System
    5.  Garbage Collection
    6.  Support for scripting
    7.  Interpreted language
    8.  Portable
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Rad

    Python VS JavaScript

     
    Comments about Python as an Alternative to JavaScript
    Guest
    Negative Jan 12, 2021
    0

    Python and JavaScript share SOME similarities, but their main purpose is different. Both of them are good for building small apps and SOME ML, but Python is for data analysis, while JavaScript is for web design and visuals. NumPy is python's math library, while JS has many functions like ellipse(), rect() etc that are good for graphics.

    JavaScript Icon
    Python icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Python is a great JavaScript alternative.

    • Python is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to JavaScript.

    • Python is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to JavaScript.

    • Python is Free and Open SourceJavaScript is also Free and Open Source
    • Python is LightweightJavaScript is not according to our users
  2. Java icon
     656 likes
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    Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, and specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

    72 Java alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Java Mobile
    • Symbian S60
    • HP webOS
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Blackberry 10
    • Kindle Fire

    Java Features

    1.  Garbage Collection
    2.  Statically Typed Language
    3.  Object-oriented Language
    4.  Coding
    5.  X86/x64 Compatibility
    6.  Stringent Programming Language

    Java VS JavaScript

     
    Comments about Java as an Alternative to JavaScript
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative Oct 13, 2018
    5

    JavaScript is very different from Java.

    lionking420
    Positive Aug 2, 2022
    0

    JS is arguably more portable, because it can run on almost any web browser. Java can sometimes run in browsers, but usually requires its own RTE, which is still highly available, but not integrated with the web the same way as JS is.

    Guest
    Negative May 13, 2020
    3

    Java and JavaScript are entirely different programming languages.

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    3 of 4 comments
    JavaScript Icon
    Java icon
    • Some users think Java is a great JavaScript alternative, some don't.

    • Java is the most popular Web-based, Android & Android Tablet alternative to JavaScript.

    • Java is Free Personal and Open SourceJavaScript is Free and Open Source
  3. PHP icon
     469 likes
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    Open-source scripting language executed on the server, PHP embeds into HTML, fostering dynamic web development. Influenced by C, Java, and Perl, it supports database integration, offers extensive libraries, and remains easy for beginners while robust for seasoned developers.

    41 PHP alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PHP

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Object-oriented Language

    PHP VS JavaScript

     
    Comments about PHP as an Alternative to JavaScript
    RemovedUser
    Positive Mar 9, 2023
    0

    PHP is a great programming language! It can also be used for non web development thought is unlikely.

    Guest
    Negative Jun 15, 2015
    -2

    Javascript is client sided and can be integrated with PHP, PHP interacts with server and uses server side data and script.

    JavaScript Icon
    PHP icon
    • Most users think PHP is a great JavaScript alternative.

    • PHP is Free and Open SourceJavaScript is also Free and Open Source
    • PHP is LightweightJavaScript is not according to our users
  4. TypeScript icon
     62 likes
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    TypeScript is a language for application-scale JavaScript development. It is a typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript in any browser, any host, any OS and it is Open Source.

    14 TypeScript alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • JavaScript
    • Node.JS

    TypeScript Features

    1.  Support for Javascript
    2.  Typesafe
    3.  Typesetting
    4.  Object-oriented Language
    5.  Interpreter

    TypeScript VS JavaScript

     
    Comments about TypeScript as an Alternative to JavaScript
    Guest
    Positive Nov 29, 2020
    0

    Its actually Javascript, but better and worse in some ways

    JavaScript Icon
    TypeScript icon
    • Most users think TypeScript is a great JavaScript alternative.

    • TypeScript is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to JavaScript.

    • TypeScript is Free and Open SourceJavaScript is also Free and Open Source
  5. Ruby icon
     267 likes
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    Ruby is a dynamic, reflective, general purpose object-oriented programming language that combines syntax inspired by Perl with Smalltalk-like features. Ruby originated in Japan during the mid-1990s and was initially developed and designed by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku

    Ruby Features

    1.  Dynamic typing
    2.  Blocks
    3.  Object-oriented Language
    4.  Text processing
    5.  Interpreter
    6.  Native extension libraries

    Ruby VS JavaScript

     
  6. Perl icon
     140 likes
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    Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language with over 22 years of development.

    76 Perl alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  Portable
    3.  Shell integration
    4.  Text processing

    Perl VS JavaScript

     
  7. Lua icon
     176 likes
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    Lua is a powerful, fast, lightweight, embeddable scripting language.

    Lua combines simple procedural syntax with powerful data description constructs based on associative arrays and extensible semantics. Lua is dynamically typed, runs by interpreting bytecode for a register-based.

    82 Lua alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • BR flagBrazil

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • Playstation
    • MorphOS

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Embeddable
    2.  Support for scripting
    3.  Configuration
    4.  Command line interface

    Lua VS JavaScript

     
    Comments about Lua as an Alternative to JavaScript
    RemovedUser
    Positive Mar 9, 2023
    0

    One of my favourite programming languages! But this does not seem viable has a alternative to JavaScript.

    JavaScript Icon
    Lua icon
    • Most users think Lua is a great JavaScript alternative.

    • Lua is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to JavaScript.

    • Lua is Free and Open SourceJavaScript is also Free and Open Source
    • Lua is LightweightJavaScript is not according to our users
  8. Dart icon
     80 likes
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    Dart (originally called Dash) is a Web programming language developed by Google. It was unveiled at the GOTO conference in Aarhus, 2011 October 10-12. The goal of Dart is "ultimately to replace JavaScript as the lingua franca of web development on the open web platform.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online

    Dart Features

    1.  Ad-free

    Dart VS JavaScript

     
    Comments about Dart as an Alternative to JavaScript
    Guest
    Positive Jun 1, 2019
    0

    Same use, but better syntax.

    JavaScript Icon
    Dart icon
    • Most users think Dart is a great JavaScript alternative.

    • Dart is Free and Open SourceJavaScript is also Free and Open Source
  9. Kotlin icon
     37 likes
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    Kotlin is a cross-platform, statically typed, general-purpose programming language with type inference. Kotlin is designed to interoperate fully with Java, and the JVM version of its standard library depends on the Java Class Library, but type inference allows its syntax to be...

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online

    Kotlin Features

    1.  Object-oriented Language
    2.  Cross-Platform
    3.  Static typing
    4.  Type inference
    5.  Support for scripting
    6.  Portable
    7.  Java Support
    8.  Multiplatform
    9.  Interpreter
    10.  Rad

    Kotlin VS JavaScript

     
  10. CoffeeScript icon
     74 likes
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    CoffeeScript is a little language that compiles into JavaScript. Underneath all those awkward braces and semicolons, JavaScript has always had a gorgeous object model at its heart. CoffeeScript is an attempt to expose the good parts of JavaScript in a simple way.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online

    CoffeeScript Features

    1.  Support for Javascript
    2.  Javascript scripting

    CoffeeScript VS JavaScript

     
  11. Racket icon
     17 likes
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    Racket is a general-purpose programming language as well as the world’s first ecosystem for language-oriented programming.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Educational

    Features

    1.  Graphical User Interface
    2.  Object-oriented Language

    Racket VS JavaScript

     
  12. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Swift is a programming language for iOS, OS X, watchOS and tvOS apps that builds on the best of C and Objective-C, without the constraints of C compatibility. Swift adopts safe programming patterns and adds modern features to make programming easier, more flexible, and more fun.

    73 Swift (programming language) alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Swift (programming language) Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  Compiled Language
    3.  Object-oriented Language
    4.  Interpreter

    Swift (programming language) VS JavaScript

     
12 of 60 JavaScript alternatives