SolidJS vs HTMX for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

SolidJS Overview

SolidJS is a reactive JavaScript framework that looks like React but runs fundamentally differently. Components execute once. Signals track state. When a signal changes, only the exact DOM node that depends on it updates. There's no virtual DOM, no diffing, and no unnecessary re-renders.

The result is raw performance that competes with hand-written vanilla JavaScript. SolidJS consistently leads framework benchmarks. Bundle sizes stay small because there's no reconciliation engine to ship. And the reactive model, once you understand it, feels cleaner than React's hook rules and dependency arrays.

SolidStart provides the meta-framework layer with file-based routing, server-side rendering, and API routes. It's the full-stack option if you want SolidJS on both ends. The ecosystem is growing, with solid community libraries for routing, state management, and UI components, though it's still a fraction of React's.

HTMX Overview

HTMX is a 14KB JavaScript library that lets any HTML element make AJAX requests and update parts of the page. No build step, no npm, no bundler. Add a script tag and sprinkle hx-get, hx-post, and hx-swap attributes on your HTML elements. The server returns HTML fragments, and HTMX places them into the DOM.

The philosophy is that the server is the application. Your backend framework (Django, Rails, Laravel, Go, whatever you prefer) renders HTML, handles state, and processes business logic. HTMX just gives HTML the ability to make requests and receive partial updates without full page reloads.

I've used HTMX on several projects and the simplicity is addictive. Need live search? hx-get="/search" hx-trigger="keyup changed delay:300ms". Need infinite scroll? hx-get="/page/2" hx-trigger="revealed". Features that would take a React component with state management, API calls, and loading states become single HTML attributes.

Key Differences

Application architecture. SolidJS builds a client-side application. Your browser runs JavaScript that manages state, renders UI, and communicates with a backend API. HTMX enhances a server-rendered application. Your server handles everything, and HTMX adds dynamic behavior through HTML responses. These are two completely different paradigms for building web apps.

Where the logic lives. With SolidJS, you split logic between the client (UI state, interactions, rendering) and the server (data, business rules, persistence). With HTMX, nearly all logic stays on the server. This single-codebase approach is a major advantage for solo developers who don't want to maintain two separate applications.

Interactivity range. SolidJS can build anything: real-time editors, complex data visualizations, drag-and-drop interfaces, offline-capable applications. HTMX handles the interactive patterns that cover most web apps (forms, filters, modals, live search, pagination) but can't match a full JavaScript framework for highly interactive client-side features.

Development speed. HTMX projects typically come together faster because you're writing one application, not two. No API design, no serialization, no frontend state management, no TypeScript compilation. SolidJS projects require more setup and infrastructure but provide more capability for complex interactions.

Performance profile. SolidJS delivers exceptional client-side performance with minimal bundle size. HTMX delivers exceptional simplicity with minimal JavaScript (14KB total). For most CRUD applications, HTMX's approach is faster to build and fast enough at runtime. For interaction-heavy applications, SolidJS's fine-grained reactivity creates a smoother experience.

Team skills. HTMX lets backend developers build dynamic web applications without deep JavaScript knowledge. SolidJS requires understanding reactive programming, JSX, and client-side patterns. If you're primarily a Python, Ruby, or Go developer, HTMX leverages your existing skills instead of asking you to learn a new paradigm.

When to Choose SolidJS

• You're building a complex interactive application (editor, dashboard, visualization)
• Client-side performance is a measurable requirement
• The app needs offline capability or complex client-side state
• You enjoy JavaScript/TypeScript and want fine-grained control over rendering
• Your project's interactivity needs exceed what server-rendered HTML can provide

When to Choose HTMX

• Your app's interactivity fits standard patterns (forms, modals, lists, search)
• You want to ship faster by maintaining one codebase instead of two
• You're a backend developer who prefers server-side rendering
• Simplicity and reduced maintenance burden are priorities
• You want to avoid the JavaScript build toolchain entirely

The Verdict

HTMX gets the higher solo developer rating (8/10 vs 7/10) because it dramatically reduces the amount of code, tooling, and complexity needed for the majority of web projects. Most applications that solo developers build, including SaaS dashboards, admin panels, content platforms, and e-commerce sites, work perfectly with HTMX's server-rendered approach.

SolidJS is the better technical choice when your project genuinely needs rich client-side interactivity. If you're building something where the UI needs to react instantly to user input, display complex data visualizations, or provide desktop-app-like responsiveness, SolidJS delivers that with the best performance in the framework ecosystem.

The honest question to ask yourself: does my project actually need a JavaScript framework, or do I just assume it does? If your server can render the HTML and HTMX can handle the dynamic parts, you'll ship faster and sleep better. If your project truly needs a rich client, SolidJS is an excellent choice that outperforms most alternatives.