jQuery 4.0 Released: 20 Years Later, Does the Library Still Matter?

Hello HaWkers, jQuery just turned 20 years old with the release of version 4.0. The library that revolutionized web development in 2006 continues receiving updates, but does it still make sense to use it in 2026?

Let's analyze jQuery 4.0's new features, its legacy, and when (if) it still makes sense to choose this library.

What's New in jQuery 4.0

Main Changes

Version 4.0 brings significant modernizations after years of development.

Main new features:

Migration to ES Modules: Compatible with modern bundlers like Vite and esbuild
IE support dropped: Finally removed support for Internet Explorer 10 and older
Reduced size: Library became ~30% smaller
TypeScript: Types included natively
Modernized APIs: Various deprecated methods were removed

Size comparison:

Version	Size (minified)	Size (gzipped)
jQuery 3.7	87 KB	30 KB
jQuery 4.0	61 KB	21 KB
jQuery 4.0 slim	45 KB	16 KB

Module-Compatible Code

One of the biggest changes is the adoption of ES Modules.

Before (jQuery 3.x):

<script src="jquery.min.js"></script>
<script>
  $(document).ready(function() {
    console.log('jQuery loaded');
  });
</script>

Now (jQuery 4.0):

// ES module import
import $ from 'jquery';

// Or dynamic import
const $ = await import('jquery');

// Normal usage
$(document).ready(() => {
  console.log('jQuery 4.0 loaded');
});

jQuery's Legacy

Why jQuery Was Revolutionary

To understand jQuery's importance, we need to go back to 2006.

Problems jQuery solved:

Browser inconsistency: Each browser implemented JavaScript differently
Complex DOM manipulation: Native APIs were verbose and confusing
Difficult AJAX: Making HTTP requests was laborious
Animations: Creating visual effects required lots of code
Events: Event system was fragmented

Example of how jQuery simplified code:

// Without jQuery (2006)
var element = document.getElementById('myElement');
if (element.addEventListener) {
  element.addEventListener('click', myFunction, false);
} else if (element.attachEvent) {
  element.attachEvent('onclick', myFunction);
}

// With jQuery (2006)
$('#myElement').click(myFunction);

Industry Impact

jQuery shaped how we think about web development.

Lasting contributions:

Popularized the concept of CSS selectors for JavaScript
Inspired modern DOM APIs (querySelector, fetch)
Created design patterns that modern frameworks adopted
Trained an entire generation of web developers
Demonstrated the power of JavaScript libraries

Impressive numbers:

Used on more than 77% of websites
Over 100 million npm downloads (total)
Active community for 20 years
Thousands of plugins developed

jQuery in 2026: Does It Still Make Sense?

When to Use jQuery

Despite modern frameworks, there are cases where jQuery still makes sense.

Scenarios where jQuery is useful:

Legacy project maintenance: Migrating old code can be costly
Simple projects: Static sites or with little interactivity
CMS like WordPress: Many themes and plugins depend on jQuery
Quick prototyping: Widespread knowledge, easy to use
Compatibility: Still works on older browsers

When NOT to use jQuery:

Scenario	Better Alternative
Complex SPAs	React, Vue, Angular
Real-time apps	Frameworks with reactive state
New projects	Modern vanilla JavaScript
Critical performance	Vanilla JS or lightweight frameworks
TypeScript-first	Frameworks with native support

Vanilla JavaScript in 2026

Many features that made jQuery popular now exist natively.

Modern comparison:

// SELECTORS
// jQuery
$('.class');
$('#id');
$('div.class');

// Vanilla 2026
document.querySelectorAll('.class');
document.querySelector('#id');
document.querySelectorAll('div.class');

// EVENTS
// jQuery
$('#btn').on('click', handler);

// Vanilla 2026
document.querySelector('#btn').addEventListener('click', handler);

// AJAX
// jQuery
$.ajax({ url: '/api', method: 'GET' }).done(callback);

// Vanilla 2026
const data = await fetch('/api').then(r => r.json());

// DOM MANIPULATION
// jQuery
$('#el').addClass('active').attr('data-id', 1);

// Vanilla 2026
const el = document.querySelector('#el');
el.classList.add('active');
el.dataset.id = 1;

Migrating from jQuery

Migration Strategies

If you have projects with jQuery, there are gradual ways to migrate.

Incremental approach:

Identify usage: List where and how jQuery is used
Replace gradually: Start with less critical code
Use polyfills: For older browsers when necessary
Maintain compatibility: jQuery and vanilla can coexist
Test heavily: Regressions are common in migrations

Tools that help:

You Might Not Need jQuery: Site with vanilla equivalents
ESLint plugins: Detect jQuery usage
Codemod: Scripts to transform code automatically
jQuery Migrate: Official plugin to identify deprecations

Lightweight Alternative Libraries

If you want jQuery's convenience without the weight, there are alternatives.

Lightweight options:

Library	Size	Focus
Cash	6 KB	jQuery-like API
Zepto	10 KB	jQuery-like for mobile
Umbrella JS	8 KB	DOM manipulation
Alpine.js	15 KB	Lightweight reactivity
htmx	14 KB	Declarative AJAX

Example with Cash (lightweight alternative):

// Cash - almost identical API to jQuery
import $ from 'cash-dom';

$('.btn').on('click', function() {
  $(this).addClass('active');
  $.ajax({ url: '/api' });
});

jQuery Ecosystem in 2026

Plugins and Community

The jQuery ecosystem is still vast, even if less active.

Popular plugins still in use:

jQuery UI: Interface components (datepicker, dialog, etc.)
DataTables: Interactive tables with pagination and search
Select2: Advanced dropdowns
Slick: Carousels and sliders
Lightbox: Image galleries

Community status:

Active maintainers at OpenJS Foundation
Regular releases (even if less frequent)
Documentation continues to be updated
Stack Overflow still has answers for questions
Many historical tutorials available

jQuery in WordPress

A special case: WordPress still uses jQuery extensively.

Situation in WordPress:

jQuery is loaded by default in all themes
Many plugins depend on jQuery
Gutenberg uses React, but jQuery is still present
Gradual migration is happening
WordPress developers still need to know jQuery

Reflections on Libraries and Longevity

Lessons from jQuery

jQuery offers valuable lessons about technology life cycles.

What we can learn:

Solve real problems: jQuery emerged from practical needs
Simplicity wins: Simple and intuitive API was key
Community matters: Plugin ecosystem extended usefulness
Evolution is necessary: Staying relevant requires adaptation
Legacy is long: Technologies don't disappear instantly

The Future of JavaScript Libraries

What the jQuery case suggests about the future of React, Vue, etc.

Observed patterns:

Dominant libraries are eventually replaced
But replacement takes years or decades
Good ideas are absorbed by the platform (DOM APIs)
Code legacy keeps technologies alive
Simplicity tends to win in the long run

Predictions for current libraries:

Like jQuery, React and Vue will eventually be "replaced" by new approaches. But that doesn't mean they'll be irrelevant - the process takes a long time, and knowledge remains valuable.

Conclusion

The release of jQuery 4.0 marks 20 years of a library that transformed web development. While modern frameworks have taken the lead in new projects, jQuery remains relevant in legacy system maintenance, ecosystems like WordPress, and situations where simplicity is priority. The decision to use jQuery in 2026 should be pragmatic, not dogmatic.

Key points:

jQuery 4.0 brings modernizations like ES Modules and size reduction
The library solved real problems and shaped web development
Modern vanilla JavaScript covers many jQuery use cases
Migrations should be gradual and based on real need
jQuery's legacy will continue to be present for many years

For new projects, it probably doesn't make sense to choose jQuery. But dismissing its impact or forcing unnecessary migrations isn't the right answer either.

For more on JavaScript evolution, read: ES2026 Temporal API: The End of Suffering With Dates in JavaScript.