Top DevExtreme Alternatives for Modern Web Development

DevExtreme, a commercial application framework by DevExpress, is a powerful tool for building HTML5 and JavaScript-based applications, including native apps for smartphones and tablets, and responsive web apps. However, as with any specialized software, developers often seek alternatives that better align with their specific project requirements, budget, or preferred technology stack. This article explores the best DevExtreme alternative options available today, offering a range of choices for various development needs.

The Best DevExtreme Alternatives

Whether you're looking for open-source solutions, frameworks optimized for specific platforms, or a different approach to UI development, these alternatives provide compelling options to consider beyond DevExtreme.

Ionic Framework

Ionic Framework is an excellent DevExtreme alternative, making it simple to build native-quality hybrid interactive applications using HTML5 and JavaScript. Built with Sass and optimized for AngularJS, Ionic is a Free, Open Source solution available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Its key features include cross-platform development and the ability to create native applications, providing a robust and flexible environment for modern app creation.

React Native

React Native is a highly popular DevExtreme alternative for developers aiming to build world-class application experiences on native platforms. Utilizing JavaScript and React, it offers a consistent developer experience across Mac, Windows, and Linux. As a Free, Open Source platform, React Native is particularly strong in Android Development and includes features like Performance Monitoring, making it ideal for high-performance mobile applications.

jQuery UI

For those seeking a more foundational UI library as a DevExtreme alternative, jQuery UI is a strong contender. It's an open-source library of interface components, interactions, full-featured widgets, and animation effects, all based on the widely used jQuery JavaScript library. Available for Web, jQuery UI is Free and Open Source, excelling in providing rich User interface and Interaction capabilities through its extensive collection of Widgets.

WebDGap

WebDGap offers a unique approach as a DevExtreme alternative by allowing you to convert any web application into a native Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X desktop application. It's a Free, Open Source solution available across multiple platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, Chrome OS, Android Tablet, and Self-Hosted environments. Its key features as a Lightweight wrapper and Compiler make it an efficient choice for desktop app deployment from web technologies.

Webix UI

Webix UI is a comprehensive JavaScript Library/HTML5 UI framework that stands out as a DevExtreme alternative, especially for developers needing a wide range of widgets. It offers SpreadSheet, Pivot, Kanban, FileManager, Scheduler, Datatable, TreeTable, and more. Available as Commercial and Open Source, Webix UI supports Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, Android Tablet, Windows Phone, iPad, and Blackberry 10. Its features include Charts, DataGrid, Kanban boards, Pivot tables, Spreadsheets, Tree view, and capabilities for Web Development.

JQWidgets

JQWidgets presents itself as a unique toolkit for HTML5 Web development and can be considered a DevExtreme alternative. It's a new and distinct library that brings fresh capabilities to web development. Available as Free Personal for Web, JQWidgets offers a robust set of components for building interactive and rich web applications.

CrossBrowdy

CrossBrowdy is a multimedia JavaScript framework that serves as a flexible DevExtreme alternative, designed to create real cross-platform and hybrid game engines, games, emulators, multimedia libraries, and apps. It is Free and Open Source, available for Web platforms. Key features include its Cross-platform nature, suitability for Gaming, and support for Progressive Web App development.

Wisej

Wisej offers a distinct approach as a DevExtreme alternative for developers working within the Microsoft ecosystem. It allows you to design and build complex Web Applications directly in Visual Studio using C# or VB.NET and a rich library of components. Wisej is a Commercial solution available for Windows, providing a familiar environment for .NET developers.

Kendo UI

Kendo UI, a jQuery-based framework, is a powerful DevExtreme alternative for building rich UI. It enables developers to create HTML5 apps that look native on any device and build desktop and mobile applications for any browser. Kendo UI is available as Freemium and supports Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web platforms, offering a comprehensive suite for modern web development.

Amexio

Amexio provides an Angular API to build enterprise applications, making it a viable DevExtreme alternative for teams deeply invested in the Angular ecosystem. As a Free, Open Source solution available for Web and Chrome, Amexio offers robust features like Grid layout, Drag n drop functionality, Gantt-charts, Apps with Offline Map Support, Software as a Service capabilities, and Tree view components, facilitating complex enterprise solutions.

Choosing the right DevExtreme alternative depends heavily on your project's specific needs, your team's existing skill set, and your budget. By exploring these diverse options, you can find the perfect framework or library to build high-quality, high-performance applications that meet your development goals.