animejs vs gsap
Side-by-side comparison of animejs and gsap
- Weekly Downloads
- 544.5K
- Stars
- 66.4K
- Gzip Size
- 39.1 kB
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 9d ago
- Open Issues
- 89
- Forks
- 4.4K
- Unpacked Size
- 1.8 MB
- Dependencies
- 1
- Weekly Downloads
- 1.8M
- Stars
- 23.8K
- Gzip Size
- 28.0 kB
- License
- Standard 'no charge' license: https://gsap.com/standard-license.
- Last Updated
- 1mo ago
- Open Issues
- 9
- Forks
- 1.9K
- Unpacked Size
- 6.3 MB
- Dependencies
- 1
Download Trends
Verdict
animejs is a focused animation engine popular for its simplicity and ease of use, making it suitable for developers who want to create detailed animations without a steep learning curve. Its smaller bundle size also makes it attractive for smaller projects and quick implementations.
On the other hand, gsap is designed to handle high-performance animations across various frameworks and supports a wider range of animation targets including CSS, SVG, and WebGL. This makes gsap a better choice for complex projects or when working with multiple frameworks, especially where performance is a key concern.
While migrating from animejs to gsap may require adaptation due to different APIs and complexity, those already familiar with comprehensive animation techniques may find gsap’s extensive features beneficial. However, for projects focused primarily on simpler animations, animejs can be less burdensome in terms of size and learning curve.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | animejs | gsap |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | Covers essential animation topics for a focused audience. | ✓Broad range of topics caters to a diverse set of animation needs. |
| Categories | Specializes solely in animation, could appeal to targeted projects. | ✓Also categorized under animation, but supports a wider array of use cases. |
| Description | JavaScript animation engine focused on ease of use. | ✓Framework-agnostic animation library with extensive capabilities. |
| Open Issues | 88 open issues may suggest ongoing challenges to address. | ✓9 open issues indicate better maintenance and responsiveness. |
| GitHub Forks | ✓4.4K forks illustrate active development and experimentation. | 1.9K forks indicate a smaller collaborative base. |
| GitHub Stars | ✓66.4K stars reflect a highly engaged community and significant support. | 23.8K stars show a solid, yet smaller community. |
| Last Updated | ✓Latest in January 2026, signals recent activity. | Latest in December 2025, indicates ongoing support. |
| Unpacked Size | ✓1.8 MB, relatively lightweight for projects with limited requirements. | 6.3 MB may be seen as heavy for smaller applications. |
| Weekly Downloads | 541.4K downloads indicate a strong but niche user base. | ✓1.8M downloads suggest broader popularity and adoption. |
| Bundle Size (gzip) | 39.1 kB, larger size may impact load times for smaller projects. | ✓28.0 kB is more efficient for performance-sensitive applications. |