Several established tools still have a place on websites that already use jQuery, but “still works” is not the same as “actively maintained,” compatible with every current browser, or a good choice for a new project. The strongest version-specific compatibility evidence here is for jQuery UI 1.14.2; several other entries are CSS-only or vanilla-JavaScript libraries rather than jQuery plugins.
What “still working” means for a jQuery site
Decide on a tool by the job it does, then check its current version, maintenance evidence, browser support, accessibility needs, dependencies and migration cost. A library that continues to run in an existing site may still be a poor fit for a new project—especially if your goal is to remove jQuery.
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The entries below are drawn from a roundup that includes a mix of jQuery-dependent tools, standalone JavaScript libraries and CSS effects. Its maintenance labels and recommendations are editorial assessments, not independent compatibility tests. The project-specific evidence noted here should not be read as testing every item.
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1. jQuery UI: interactions, widgets and effects
jQuery UI groups interactions, effects, widgets, utilities and themes. Its demos documentation says these are designed to work together or on their own. The project’s compatibility notes for version 1.14.2 report test-suite runs against jQuery 4.0.0 with jQuery Migrate 4.0.2 and jQuery 3.7.1 with jQuery Migrate 3.6.0. The project says deprecated jQuery APIs have been removed for compatibility with recent jQuery versions up to 4.0.
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That is useful, version-specific evidence—not a guarantee for every older jQuery UI release, third-party extension or browser. The project officially supports current Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge. Check the version and browser requirements of your own site before upgrading.
2. Select2: searchable and enhanced select controls
Select2 enhances native select elements and supports search, tagging, remote data, pagination and templating. It requires jQuery, so it can be a practical fit when an existing application needs richer selection controls and retaining jQuery is acceptable. If the main aim is to eliminate jQuery, that dependency is a reason to assess another approach instead.
3. DataTables: interactive data tables
DataTables provides interactive table features and an extension ecosystem. Its current documentation says DataTables 3 no longer requires jQuery, though it can still be used with jQuery. That makes it distinct from a tool that inherently depends on jQuery.
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Before adopting an extension, check the exact DataTables version, browser requirements and compatibility of the extension combination you need. The project cautions that its feature-compatibility matrix is not exhaustive, so the presence of individual compatible features does not establish that every combination will work.
4. jQuery Validation: form rules
jQuery Validation offers built-in and custom validation rules for forms. It may suit a site already structured around jQuery and needing those rules, but the broad maintenance assessment in the roundup was not independently confirmed. For common constraints, compare it with native browser constraint validation before adding or keeping a dependency.
Layout, filtering and scroll effects
5. Isotope: filtering and layout
Isotope is presented as an option for filtering and arranging content. It can address a richer layout or filtering requirement than a simple CSS arrangement, but the roundup’s status assessment is not a compatibility test. For straightforward layouts, consider whether CSS or native browser capabilities can meet the need with fewer dependencies.
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6. Masonry: staggered layouts
Masonry is used for staggered, column-based content layouts. As with Isotope, weigh its layout behavior against what CSS can do for the particular design; a visual effect alone may not justify an additional script.
7. Waypoints: scroll-triggered actions
Waypoints provides a way to trigger actions as elements reach a scroll position. For simple cases, native browser APIs may be a better fit. The roundup describes Waypoints as a legacy option; that characterization is its assessment rather than independently verified maintenance evidence.
8. Parallax.js: parallax motion
Parallax.js is presented for parallax scrolling effects. Consider whether the effect is necessary and whether a CSS-based treatment can achieve it. The roundup’s maintenance label should not be treated as proof of current browser compatibility or accessibility.
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Animation, text and number effects
9. Animate.css: CSS animations
Animate.css is CSS-only, so it is an effect library rather than a jQuery plugin. It can provide ready-made animation classes without adding a jQuery dependency for the animation itself.
10. AOS: scroll-triggered animation
AOS is listed for animation associated with scrolling. It is not established here as a jQuery-dependent plugin. Check the project’s current maintenance and accessibility behavior before using motion effects, and ensure the page remains understandable when animation is unavailable or reduced.
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11. Typed.js: simulated typing
Typed.js animates text and is described as vanilla JavaScript, not a jQuery plugin. It may suit a deliberately animated text treatment, but should not be confused with a jQuery dependency.
12. CountUp.js: animated numbers
CountUp.js animates a number toward a target value. It is also described as vanilla JavaScript. Use it only where the animation improves comprehension; the effect does not by itself establish that the displayed number is accurate or accessible.
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13. Slick: carousel
Slick is described as a legacy carousel choice. The roundup names Swiper and Splide as alternatives, but provides no independent compatibility tests for those replacements. Check the current project requirements and whether a carousel is needed before choosing or replacing one.
14. Owl Carousel 2: carousel
Owl Carousel 2 is also presented as a legacy carousel option. Treat that as the roundup’s assessment, not a verified statement about every release or site configuration. A replacement decision should account for existing markup, behavior, extensions and migration effort.
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Magnific Popup is described as a legacy lightbox. The roundup names GLightbox and Fancybox as alternatives, without independent compatibility tests for them. Check the current requirements—including keyboard and assistive-technology behavior—rather than assuming that a working overlay is accessible.
How to choose without adding unnecessary dependencies
- For an existing jQuery site: first identify whether the current tool still meets the feature need and whether its exact version works with your jQuery and browser targets.
- For selects or forms: compare the needed search, multi-select, tagging, remote-loading, pagination, templating or validation behavior with native controls and constraints.
- For tables: verify the DataTables core and each required extension as a combination; do not infer compatibility from a single feature.
- For layout and motion: check whether CSS or native browser APIs can accomplish the same task before retaining a script solely for a simple effect.
- For a new project: treat reducing jQuery dependencies as a separate design goal. A library’s ability to run is not, by itself, a reason to introduce jQuery.
Do not use bundle-size estimates or “last updated” years from the roundup as verified performance or maintenance measurements. Confirm current project documentation and release information for the exact release you plan to deploy.
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