Hono: A Rising Star in the Post-React Web Framework Landscape

Hono, a web framework built on web standards, is gaining traction, reaching 25,000 GitHub stars. Unlike React-based frameworks, Hono's server-side focus and compatibility with various JavaScript runtimes (Node.js, Deno, Bun, Vercel) position it as a potential leader in the post-React era.

Key Features and Advantages

• Lightweight and Fast: Hono is significantly faster than Express.js in many benchmarks.
• Web Standards-Based: Built upon the Fetch API, ensuring better interoperability and maintainability.
• Versatile Use Cases: Used for classic web APIs, full-stack apps, documentation sites, and even as an API layer within Next.js.
• Edge Network Optimized: Ideal for APIs or microservices requiring edge deployment.
• HonoX Meta-Framework: Provides additional full-stack capabilities, including file-based routing and Vite integration (currently in alpha).

<img src="https://cdn.thenewstack.io/media/2025/07/dcbce603-hono-screenshot-july2025.png" alt="Hono homepage">

Comparison with Next.js

While often compared to Next.js, Hono is fundamentally different. Hono prioritizes the server/runtime layer, offering UI-agnosticism. You can return JSON, stream HTML, or utilize HonoX for JSX components, unlike Next.js's monolithic React approach. Next.js is more comprehensive, offering features like data fetching, image optimization, and Turbopack bundling.

Hono's Position in the Evolving Ecosystem

The rise of Hono reflects a shift towards smaller, more specialized frameworks that leverage web standards. Instead of "super-frameworks," developers are increasingly adopting frameworks tailored to specific needs. Hono fits into the "microframework" category, perfect for edge-specific use cases, complementing larger frameworks like Astro.

Conclusion

Hono, although still relatively new, deserves attention. Its speed, flexibility, and focus on web standards provide a compelling alternative, particularly for projects emphasizing server-side logic and edge deployments.