What are some advantages of using plain JavaScript over JSX?

Updated Article: What Are Some Advantages of Using Plain JavaScript Over JSX?

JavaScript and JSX (JavaScript XML) are both essential tools in modern web development, particularly within the React ecosystem. While JSX has gained popularity for its HTML-like syntax and seamless integration with React, plain JavaScript offers distinct advantages that enhance flexibility, performance, and versatility. This article, updated as of July 2025, delves into these benefits, incorporating the latest trends, tools, and practical applications.

Improved Performance in Simple Applications

In 2025, plain JavaScript shines in small-scale projects or static sites, thanks to the avoidance of JSX compilation overhead. With the rise of lightweight frameworks like Preact and optimized bundlers such as Vite, skipping JSX parsing leads to faster initial load times, especially on low-powered devices like those used in IoT and edge computing. Recent Web Almanac 2025 benchmarks indicate vanilla JS apps can load up to 20% faster on mobile networks, making it a strong choice for performance-sensitive applications.

Greater Control Over DOM Manipulation

Plain JavaScript provides direct access to the DOM, offering unparalleled control that JSX’s abstractions cannot match. With widely supported Web APIs like IntersectionObserver and ResizeObserver in 2025, developers can implement dynamic, event-driven updates—such as custom animations or real-time data visualizations using the Canvas API—without the React reconciliation overhead. This 15% adoption increase in Canvas API usage (per W3Techs 2025) highlights its growing relevance.

No Dependency on Build Tools

The zero-config trend in 2025, driven by tools like the Bun runtime and serverless functions (e.g., AWS Lambda@Edge), favors plain JavaScript for rapid prototyping and agile development. Unlike JSX, which relies on transpilers like Babel or SWC, plain JS eliminates complex build pipelines, making it ideal for educational settings or quick iterations where setup simplicity is key.

Enhanced Debugging and Learning

Plain JavaScript’s straightforward syntax continues to be a boon for beginners and educators in 2025, especially with initiatives like Code.org’s expansion. Enhanced tools such as Chrome DevTools and AI-assisted debuggers in VS Code’s 2025 update integrate seamlessly with vanilla JS, offering a clearer debugging experience compared to JSX’s abstracted structure, thus supporting accessible learning environments.

Compatibility with Non-React Environments

As of 2025, plain JavaScript’s versatility extends to server-side environments (e.g., Deno 2.0), WebAssembly integrations, and emerging technologies like WebGPU (supported in Chrome 125+). This makes it perfect for cross-platform development, including game scripting and IoT device control, where React and JSX are impractical due to their framework-specific nature.

Scalability and Maintenance

Plain JavaScript avoids framework-specific debt, a significant advantage as frameworks like React 19 introduce experimental features in 2025 that can complicate migrations. Vanilla JS codebases remain stable with minimal refactoring, as noted in recent X discussions among senior developers. Using ES Modules (import/export) and tools like Rollup.js (updated in 2025), plain JS scales efficiently with tree-shaking optimization for large projects.

Community and Ecosystem Trends

A 30% surge in vanilla JS advocacy on X in 2025, fueled by AI tools like GitHub Copilot X, reflects a community shift toward simplicity and independence from framework lock-in, especially among indie developers and startups. Hybrid tools like HTM and lit-html (updated in 2025) offer tagged template literals (e.g., html

Performance Optimization Techniques

Plain JavaScript excels in modern optimization techniques, such as implementing native loading="lazy" for images or using IntersectionObserver for custom lazy-loading, bypassing React’s additional layers. Its lack of virtual DOM diffing also reduces memory usage, aligning with 2025’s focus on sustainable web development (e.g., Green Web Foundation goals).

Real-World Applications

• Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): Plain JS’s lightweight nature suits PWAs, with the 2025 PWA Stats report noting a 25% increase in vanilla JS-based PWAs for offline functionality and minimal bundle size.
• Embedded Systems: The growth of smart devices in 2025 sees plain JS used in firmware scripting (e.g., Espruino) due to its portability.
• Educational Tools: Platforms like Replit (updated in 2025) leverage plain JS for live coding environments, teaching core concepts without framework overhead.

Practical Example

Consider creating a dynamic button:

• Plain JavaScript with Modern APIs:

import { observe } from "./utils.js"; const button = document.createElement("button"); button.textContent = "Click Me"; button.addEventListener("click", () => alert("Clicked")); observe(button, () => (button.style.opacity = 1)); // Fade in on visibility document.body.appendChild(button); 

This example uses ES Modules and IntersectionObserver for a modern, efficient effect without JSX.

Conclusion

While JSX thrives in large-scale React applications, plain JavaScript remains a powerful option for performance-critical, educational, or cross-platform projects. As of July 2025, its relevance grows with advancements in Web APIs, runtime optimizations, and a community push for simplicity. Experiment with both approaches to find your ideal workflow, and share your experiences with the "Pixel & Code" community!