ClojureScript

Web · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted

Freedom report

Three barsScore 6.6

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely4 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

ClojureScript is a compiler that translates Clojure into JavaScript for client and embedded application development wherever JavaScript runs. It brings Clojure data structures, functional programming, macros, its reader, destructuring, and polymorphism constructs into JavaScript environments. The output works with Google Closure Compiler advanced compilation, which can minify code and remove dead code. Interactive REPLs support development and testing in a browser or Node.js. Browser output is the default in the quick start; selecting the Node.js target produces Node.js output. ClojureScript can include ClojureScript and JavaScript dependencies, and the quick start demonstrates React. Listed build tools include shadow-cljs, Figwheel, Leiningen, and lein-cljsbuild. Editor resources cover Cursive, Emacs, VS Code, Light Table, Sublime Text, Vim, and Atom. Documentation covers compiler and REPL options, dependencies, advanced compilation, source maps, and JavaScript module support marked Alpha. It is free and open source under the Eclipse Public License 1.0, with CLI and API access. Listed platforms include Linux, macOS, Windows, web, and self-hosted environments.

Who it is for

ClojureScript suits developers who want to use Clojure for applications targeting JavaScript environments. Its REPLs and listed build and editor resources may suit developers who prefer interactive development and a choice of tools.

What is good

Compiles Clojure to JavaScript.
Supports interactive REPL work in browsers and Node.js.
Output works with Closure Compiler advanced compilation.
Supports ClojureScript and JavaScript dependencies.
Free and open source under the Eclipse Public License 1.0.

What to know first

The Windows quick start requires Java 21 and the standalone ClojureScript JAR.
The documented Node.js support applies to stable versions at or above 0.12.X.
JavaScript module support is marked Alpha.

Verdict

ClojureScript brings Clojure features and interactive development to JavaScript targets, with output that can use Closure Compiler advanced compilation. Review the documented setup requirements and the Alpha status of JavaScript module support before choosing it.

ClojureScript plans and pricing

All plans

ClojureScript Free Open source software · Eclipse Public License 1.0 clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on code transpilers

CLI access: Yes
API access: Yes
Conversion mode: source-to-source

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The record

What it does: ClojureScript is a compiler for Clojure that emits JavaScript.
Optimization: Its JavaScript output is compatible with Google Closure Compiler advanced compilation, which can minify output and eliminate dead code.
Language features: It brings Clojure’s rich data structures, functional programming, macros, reader, destructuring, and polymorphism constructs to JavaScript environments.
Interactive development: The compiler supports REPLs for interactive development and testing in a browser or Node.js.
Runtime targets: The quick start describes browser output by default and Node.js output when the node target is selected.
JavaScript dependencies: ClojureScript supports including ClojureScript and JavaScript dependencies, and its quick start demonstrates using React.
Build ecosystem: The maker’s tools page lists shadow-cljs, Figwheel, Leiningen, and lein-cljsbuild as build tools.
Editor ecosystem: The tools page lists editor support resources for Cursive, Emacs, VS Code, Light Table, Sublime Text, Vim, and Atom.
License: Use and distribution are covered by the Eclipse Public License 1.0.
Development prerequisites: The quick start specifies a browser and Clojure for its main macOS/Linux tutorial, and Java 21 plus the standalone ClojureScript JAR on Windows.
Node.js version: The quick start says that only stable Node.js versions at or above 0.12.X are supported at the time described on that page.
Debugging: The quick start says source mapped stack traces point to ClojureScript source locations instead of JavaScript locations.
Documentation: The maker provides API and reference documentation, including compiler options, REPL options, dependency handling, advanced compilation, source maps, and JavaScript module support marked Alpha.
Intended use: The rationale describes ClojureScript as a way to use Clojure for client and embedded application development wherever JavaScript reaches.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Code Transpilers in 2026#4 of 28

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Sources

clojurescript.org· checked 3 Oct 2026
clojurescript.org/guides/quick-start· checked 3 Oct 2026
clojurescript.org/about/rationale· checked 3 Oct 2026
clojurescript.org/tools/tools· checked 3 Oct 2026
clojurescript.org/community/license· checked 3 Oct 2026
clojurescript.org/reference/documentation· checked 3 Oct 2026