No-JS Web Debate

The cluster revolves around debates on browsing the web without JavaScript, weighing privacy and performance benefits against the breakage of most modern sites and the expectation that JS is now essential.

📉 Falling 0.4x Web Development
6,317
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#116
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
8
2008
41
2009
54
2010
167
2011
158
2012
284
2013
409
2014
332
2015
429
2016
482
2017
435
2018
458
2019
562
2020
521
2021
476
2022
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2023
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2024
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2025
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2026
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Keywords

e.g NoScript STEAMD CSS JS HN HTTP JavaScript HTML AdBlock javascript js disabled web sites website user websites site disable

Sample Comments

nvk Jan 12, 2016 View on HN

This is rude, there are many reasons and needs for no JS. A good example is Tor, where turning off JS helps with privacy.

na85 Jan 13, 2018 View on HN

The web is better as a whole without js

ranger_danger Feb 4, 2023 View on HN

actually most people will miss out on most of the usable internet without javascript. not everyone goes to the same sites as you or has the same browsing patterns.

slaxman Jul 1, 2013 View on HN

May be that works for you. But a significant number of web developers are moving on JS frameworks for web development such Angular, Meteor, Node, etc. Most sites built on these frameworks will break is javascript is disabled. As an end user, that is the worst user experience you can ask for.

anarchy8 Apr 1, 2015 View on HN

How can you reasonably expect to browse the web today without turning on Javascript?

plorkyeran Jan 18, 2013 View on HN

A shocking number of web sites are better with JS disabled.

fittingopposite Nov 30, 2025 View on HN

Doesn't it make some websites unusable? Feels tedious to know when to turn JS on and when off.

executive Jan 28, 2021 View on HN

Why not make a website that doesn't require Javascript?

joelhaasnoot Mar 6, 2012 View on HN

What website is useable these days though without Javascript?

LukeB_UK May 11, 2014 View on HN

Nowadays you can't realistically expect to browse the internet with Javascript disabled.