Remix vs HTMX for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Remix Overview

Remix is a React framework built around web standards. Loaders handle data fetching. Actions handle mutations. Nested routes give every URL segment its own data pipeline and error handling. The progressive enhancement philosophy means forms and navigation work even without client-side JavaScript.

Ironically, Remix and HTMX share a lot of the same values. Both respect web standards. Both prioritize server-rendered HTML. Both believe forms should work without JavaScript. The difference is that Remix builds these principles on top of React's component model, while HTMX builds them directly on HTML.

For solo developers, Remix provides structure that helps organize data flow in complex applications. The tradeoff is the React dependency, build pipeline, and a community that's been losing momentum.

HTMX Overview

HTMX is a 14KB library that makes HTML interactive. Add hx-get="/api/search" to a form, and it sends an AJAX request and swaps in the returned HTML. No build step, no component model, no state management library. Your server returns HTML, and HTMX puts it in the right place.

I've been genuinely impressed by how much you can build with HTMX. Search-as-you-type, infinite scroll, tabbed interfaces, modal dialogs, live updates. All with HTML attributes and server endpoints. The simplicity is not a limitation for most CRUD applications. It's a feature.

HTMX doesn't care about your backend. Django, Rails, Go, Express, PHP, Rust. Whatever serves HTML works. That backend freedom is a huge advantage for solo developers who aren't JavaScript-first.

Key Differences

Philosophy. Remix says "let's make React respect web standards." HTMX says "let's make HTML do the interactive stuff without React." Both arrive at server-rendered, progressively-enhanced applications. They just take radically different paths.

Backend language. Remix requires Node.js (or a compatible runtime). HTMX works with any backend language. If you're a Python or Go developer, HTMX lets you build interactive web apps without entering the JavaScript ecosystem at all. That's liberating.

Build complexity. Remix needs npm, a bundler, and a Node.js deployment target. HTMX needs a script tag. For solo developers who want minimal tooling, the gap is enormous.

Interactivity ceiling. Remix gives you full React capabilities. Drag-and-drop, real-time collaboration, complex animations, rich component libraries. HTMX handles common interactive patterns well but struggles with highly stateful, client-side-heavy features. If your app needs a spreadsheet-like interface, HTMX alone won't get you there.

Developer experience. Remix has TypeScript, hot module replacement, React DevTools, and a rich debugging ecosystem. HTMX is debugged with browser DevTools and server logs. Remix's DX is objectively more sophisticated. HTMX's is simpler because there's less to debug.

Component reusability. React components compose beautifully. You build once, use everywhere. HTMX doesn't have a component model. You get server-side templates and partials, which work but aren't as composable as React components for complex UIs.

When to Choose Remix

• You're building a complex app that needs rich client-side interactivity
• You want React's component model with web-standards data loading
• Your project requires sophisticated UI components (rich text editors, drag-and-drop)
• You prefer TypeScript and the React tooling ecosystem
• You need nested routing with independent error handling per route

When to Choose HTMX

• You have a non-JavaScript backend you want to keep
• Your app is primarily CRUD with forms, tables, and search
• You want to avoid build tools and JavaScript complexity
• Simplicity and small dependency footprints matter to you
• You're building admin panels, dashboards, or internal tools

The Verdict

HTMX gets the higher solo developer rating because simplicity is a superpower when you're building alone. Most web applications are CRUD apps. Forms, lists, search, notifications. HTMX handles all of that without the overhead of a JavaScript framework, a build pipeline, or the React learning curve.

Remix is the better choice when your application demands rich interactivity that goes beyond what HTML can express. But if you're honest about what you're building, a surprising number of projects don't need that level of client-side complexity.

My recommendation for solo developers is this: start with HTMX and your preferred backend. If you hit a wall where the interactivity requirements exceed what HTMX can handle, then reach for a framework like Remix or SvelteKit. You might be surprised how far HTMX takes you before that happens.