Top JavaScript Animation Libraries
Top 5 Projects Compared
juliangarnier/anime is a lightweight JavaScript animation library with a simple, yet powerful API for creating smooth animations and transitions.
Code Example
anime({
targets: '.element',
translateX: 250,
rotate: '1turn',
duration: 800
});
Pros
- Offers a more intuitive and easier-to-use API compared to some complex libraries like GSAP or Velocity.js.
- Provides excellent performance and smooth animations, even for complex sequences.
- Has a smaller file size than many alternatives, making it ideal for projects where minimizing load times is crucial.
Cons
- Lacks some advanced features found in more comprehensive libraries like GSAP or Mojs.
- Has a smaller community and ecosystem compared to more established projects like GSAP or React Native Reanimated.
- May not be the best choice for projects requiring extensive SVG manipulation, where libraries like Vivus or SVG.js might be more suitable.
Motion is a lightweight animation library for React that provides a declarative API for creating smooth animations and gestures.
Code Example
import { motion } from "@motion-canvas/2d";
<motion.div animate={{ x: 100, opacity: 0 }} />
Pros
- Seamless integration with React, making it easy to add animations to existing components
- Powerful and flexible API that supports complex animations and gestures
- Excellent performance optimization, reducing unnecessary re-renders
Cons
- Limited to React applications, unlike some other libraries that are framework-agnostic
- Smaller community and ecosystem compared to more established animation libraries like GSAP
- May have a steeper learning curve for developers new to declarative animation concepts
ScrollReveal is a JavaScript library for easily animating elements as they enter/leave the viewport.
Code Example
ScrollReveal().reveal('.element', {
delay: 200,
distance: '50px',
origin: 'bottom'
});
Pros
- Simple and intuitive API for creating scroll-based animations
- Lightweight and performant compared to some larger animation libraries
- Works well with existing HTML structure without requiring extensive markup changes
Cons
- Limited to scroll-based animations, unlike more versatile libraries like GSAP or Anime.js
- Lacks advanced features for complex animations or timeline control
- May not be suitable for projects requiring highly customized or interactive animations
GSAP (GreenSock Animation Platform) is a powerful JavaScript animation library for creating high-performance, professional-grade animations on the web.
Code Example
gsap.to(".box", {duration: 1, x: 100, y: 50, rotation: 360});
gsap.fromTo(".circle", {opacity: 0}, {duration: 2, opacity: 1, scale: 1.5});
Pros
- GSAP offers superior performance and smooth animations, even for complex sequences.
- It provides a rich set of features and plugins for advanced animation control.
- GSAP has excellent browser compatibility and works well with various frameworks.
Cons
- GSAP has a steeper learning curve compared to some simpler animation libraries.
- The full version of GSAP requires a paid license for commercial use.
- It may be overkill for simple animations or projects with minimal animation needs.
Mo.js is a JavaScript animation library that allows for creating motion graphics with simple and intuitive APIs.
Code Example
const burst = new mojs.Burst({
radius: { 0: 100 },
count: 5,
children: { shape: 'circle', fill: 'red' }
}).play();
Pros
- Mo.js offers a unique and powerful approach to creating complex animations with simple, declarative code.
- It provides excellent performance optimization, making it suitable for creating smooth animations even on mobile devices.
- The library includes a wide range of pre-built shapes and effects, reducing development time for common animation tasks.
Cons
- Mo.js has a steeper learning curve compared to some other animation libraries due to its unique syntax and concepts.
- The documentation and community support for Mo.js are not as extensive as some more popular animation libraries like GSAP or Anime.js.
- Mo.js lacks some advanced features found in more comprehensive libraries, such as timeline controls or advanced SVG manipulation.
All Top Projects
anime
JavaScript animation engine
motion
A modern animation library for React and JavaScript
scrollreveal
Animate elements as they scroll into view.
GSAP
GSAP (GreenSock Animation Platform), a JavaScript animation library for the modern web
mojs
The motion graphics toolbelt for the web
velocity
Accelerated JavaScript animation.
typed.js
A JavaScript Typing Animation Library
vivus
JavaScript library to make drawing animation on SVG
auto-animate
A zero-config, drop-in animation utility that adds smooth transitions to your web app. You can use it with React, Vue, or any other JavaScript application.
konva
Konva.js is an HTML5 Canvas JavaScript framework that extends the 2d context by enabling canvas interactivity for desktop and mobile applications.
svg.js
The lightweight library for manipulating and animating SVG
lax.js
Simple & lightweight (<4kb gzipped) vanilla JavaScript library to create smooth & beautiful animations when you scroll.
Visual CopilotPromo
Turn Figma designs into high-quality code using AI
nodeppt
This is probably the best web presentation tool so far!
tween.js
JavaScript/TypeScript animation engine
react-native-reanimated
React Native's Animated library reimplemented
two.js
A renderer agnostic two-dimensional drawing api for the web
tsparticles
tsParticles - Easily create highly customizable JavaScript particles effects, confetti explosions and fireworks animations and use them as animated backgrounds for your website. Ready to use components available for React.js, Vue.js (2.x and 3.x), Angular, Svelte, jQuery, Preact, Inferno, Solid, Riot and Web Components.
progressbar.js
Responsive and slick progress bars
dynamics.js
Javascript library to create physics-based animations
animateplus
A+ animation module for the modern web
pixel-art-react
Pixel art animation and drawing web app powered by React
lightgallery.js
Full featured JavaScript image & video gallery. No dependencies
granim.js
Create fluid and interactive gradient animations with this small javascript library.
snabbt.js
Fast animations with javascript and CSS transforms
engine
A typescript interactive engine, support 2D, 3D, animation, physics, built on WebGL and glTF.
swup
Versatile and extensible page transition library for server-rendered websites 🎉
move.js
CSS3 backed JavaScript animation framework
ant-motion
:bicyclist: Animate specification and components of Ant Design
ScrollTrigger
Let your page react to scroll changes.
web-animations-js
JavaScript implementation of the Web Animations API