Best Scroll-Triggered Animation Libraries

Hello friends! Long time no post! Today I’m releasing a little guide to choosing the proper scroll animation library for you. Let’s get started! 😀

Introduction

What are scroll-triggered animations?

Scroll-triggered animations, also known as scroll animations, are a type of website effect that occurs when you scroll on a webpage. These animations are initiated by scrolling and can be triggered at specific scroll positions. Unlike continuous scrolling, scroll-triggered animations execute independently and can occur once or reset when the element is scrolled out of view and back again.

Do you need to use a library to create scroll-triggered animations?

While numerous scroll animation libraries are available, they are unnecessary to implement scroll-triggered animations. It is entirely possible to create these animations without relying on a library. However, unless you have particular requirements that a library cannot meet or if you have strict performance constraints, I generally recommend using a library. Many libraries are lightweight; if you were to build your animations from scratch, you would likely recreate most of the library’s functionality.

So, which library is the best choice?

There isn’t a single “best” library; the choice depends on your specific needs. The best library for you will depend on factors such as how quickly you want to get started, the desired features, whether you prefer built-in animations, or if you need to create scroll-bound animations. The purpose of this guide is to present you with available options clearly and understandably, so you can easily choose the most suitable library for your project.

All the libraries mentioned in this guide can be used to create scroll-triggered animations. However, I will recommend the ones I find particularly useful. Now, let’s explore the libraries.

Top 1: Sal JS and AOS JS

Sal

Sal is a library that shares similarities with the more popular AOS library (which also scores a 5 for ease of use). However, Sal is built on the intersection observer, which detects elements within the viewport. This design choice contributes to its overall size of just 1.3kb, making it incredibly compact compared to other options.

With Sal, you can easily apply transitions directly to HTML elements using data attributes. This approach allows for quick and hassle-free integration into your webpage. Sal primarily relies on CSS transitions instead of CSS animations, unlike some libraries. While the visual effects may appear similar, this can be a drawback for those looking to implement more complex animations.

All things considered, Sal is the optimal choice for incorporating straightforward scroll-triggered animations into your project.

AOS

AOS is a reliable library that boasts an impressive collection of pre-built animations. Like Sal, these animations are applied using data attributes and provide extensive customization options.

AOS utilizes scroll events as its underlying technology, but it performs exceptionally well in terms of efficiency. It’s particularly user-friendly, especially for those not well-versed in JavaScript.

One standout feature of AOS, which sets it apart from most libraries, is its ability to utilize one element as a trigger for animating another aspect. For instance, you can configure Element 2 to fade in when Element 1 reaches the top of the page. This functionality can be set up directly within the HTML, eliminating the need for JavaScript coding.

Compared to Sal, AOS offers a broader range of features while maintaining the same level of usability. However, this comes with a slightly larger JavaScript file size and a negligible performance impact caused by the usage of scroll events, which is typically unnoticeable.

Top 2: Emergence.js and ScrollReveal

Emergence.js

Emergence is a flexible animation library that allows you to create custom animations based on the visibility of elements within the viewport. Despite its versatility, Emergence remains remarkably user-friendly and highly customizable. If you prefer not to rely on pre-built animations and desire complete control over the behavior of your elements when they reach the trigger point, such as entering the viewport, Emergence is an excellent choice.

Even though Emergence empowers you to build animations from scratch, it still offers the convenience of using a data attribute to tag elements that need to be recognized by the script. This means you can utilize Emergence without writing additional JavaScript code apart from initializing the script. This streamlined approach ensures that implementing Emergence is quick and effortless.

As a bonus, Emergence provides callbacks when an element is triggered, allowing you to incorporate additional customization as needed. These callbacks enable you to seamlessly integrate your functionality when parts become visible, further enhancing the flexibility of Emergence.

ScrollReveal

ScrollReveal lives up to its name by specializing in animating elements as they become visible through scrolling. Its primary focus is on revealing features and offering customization options to tailor these effects. While there is technically only one built-in animation, a fade-in effect, you can customize it to your liking. Instead of the default transition from 0 to 1 opacity, you can start from .5 and animate to 1 using the available customization features.

Compared to the aforementioned libraries, ScrollReveal requires a slightly more hands-on approach in terms of JavaScript customization. Unlike Sal, AOS, and Emergence, ScrollReveal does not provide data attributes that can be directly applied to HTML elements for animation control. Instead, you need to pass an element selector to ScrollReveal using JavaScript. However, if you have some familiarity with JavaScript, this task is relatively straightforward, and the ScrollReveal website offers excellent guides and documentation to assist you.

A notable feature of ScrollReveal is the ability to set an interval duration between reveal animations. This functionality allows you to create a staggered reveal effect, where elements animate one after another at specified time intervals.

ScrollReveal is an excellent choice if you prefer to manage your scroll animation logic within JavaScript rather than HTML. It excels in revealing elements as the core focus of its animations, providing you with ample control and customization options.

Top 3: Josh.js, WOW.js, ScrollMagic, and GSAP ScrollTrigger

Josh.js

Josh.js is a scroll-triggered animation library that integrates seamlessly with the CSS animation library called Animate.css. Like Sal and AOS, Josh.js controls animations through attributes applied directly to HTML elements. While some additional configurations can be made in JavaScript, the main focus is attribute-based animation control.

While using Animate.css is optional, it appears that Josh.js was designed to be compatible with it, and it is recommended to use both libraries together for optimal results.

It’s important to note that animations in Josh.js do not repeat once the element is scrolled out of view and back again. If you require animations to repeat, this library may not suit your needs.

One advantage of Josh.js is its ability to work with dynamically created DOM elements. This means that elements added to the page programmatically after initializing the script will still be animated accordingly. This feature proves helpful when developing web applications or similar projects.

I recommend Sal over Josh.js, primarily because Josh.js cannot reset animations. However, if this limitation doesn’t concern you, Josh.js remains a solid choice, especially if you intend to utilize Animate.css animations in your project.

WOW.js

WOW.js is another scroll-triggered animation library that is specifically designed to complement the Animate.css animation library. Like Josh.js, WOW.js allows you to define animations directly on HTML elements without requiring extensive JavaScript configuration.

It’s worth noting that, like Josh.js, animations in WOW.js do not repeat once the element is scrolled out of view and back again. Therefore, if you need animations to repeat, WOW.js may not be the ideal library for your project.

Furthermore, it’s important to mention that WOW.js is incompatible with the latest version of Animate.css (v4) due to breaking changes introduced. Instead, WOW.js requires the use of Animate.css v3 alongside it.

Considering these factors, and the fact that Josh.js is built using the more efficient Intersection Observer, I recommend opting for Josh.js over WOW.js if you have to choose between the two.

ScrollMagic

ScrollMagic is a comprehensive scroll-based animation library that offers a wide range of features. It enables you to implement scroll-pinning, scroll-triggered animations, and scroll-bound animations while maintaining a relatively small file size.

However, ScrollMagic has a steeper learning curve when implementing scroll-triggered animations than other libraries. Unlike using HTML element attributes, ScrollMagic requires you to work with JavaScript exclusively, and it does not provide built-in animations. While this high level of customization can be beneficial for specific scenarios, it may be unnecessary for most typical scroll-triggered energies.

Due to this higher learning curve and lack of built-in animations, ScrollMagic may not be the most suitable choice for projects requiring scroll-triggered energies. If your project also involves scroll-pinning or scroll-bound animations, then ScrollMagic can fulfill those requirements and serve as a solution for scroll-triggered animations. In such cases, there should be no need to incorporate an additional library.

GSAP ScrollTrigger

ScrollTrigger is a powerful plugin designed to work with the JavaScript animation library GSAP. It functions as an extension of GSAP, meaning that you cannot use ScrollTrigger on its own; GSAP is also required for its usage.

Like ScrollMagic, ScrollTrigger is an all-in-one library that allows you to create various scroll-based animations, including scroll-triggered animations, scroll-bound animations, and scroll-pinning effects. For personal projects or client projects, you can use ScrollTrigger for free with a one-time fee. However, you must purchase a license if you intend to use it in commercial projects where end users are charged a usage fee.

When it comes to implementing scroll-triggered animations, ScrollTrigger has a higher learning curve compared to other libraries, mainly because you also need to familiarize yourself with using GSAP. Like ScrollMagic, JavaScript is used exclusively for configuration, and no built-in animations are provided. While ScrollTrigger offers a high level of customization, many of these advanced options may be unnecessary for typical scroll-triggered energies.

Considering these factors, I would not recommend using ScrollTrigger solely for scroll-triggered animations despite its similar name. If your project requires scroll-pinning or scroll-bound energies in addition to scroll-triggered spirits, ScrollTrigger can fulfill those needs. However, in that case, you might also consider using ScrollMagic, as it is approximately one-fourth the size of ScrollTrigger and offers similar functionality.

Top 4: T-scroll and Delighters.js

T-scroll

T-scroll may initially appear similar to some of the top choices for scroll-triggered animation libraries. It offers a good selection of built-in animations and can define animations directly on HTML elements.

However, one drawback of T-scroll is its documentation, which is unfortunately not very helpful. Using the library is more challenging than user-friendly options like Sal and AOS. Additionally, defining animation classes in both the HTML elements and JavaScript feels redundant and adds complexity to the implementation process.

Furthermore, T-scroll cannot reset animations once the element is scrolled out of view and back in again. This limitation may be a drawback if you require animations to repeat.

One positive aspect of T-scroll is its inclusion of an easy way to stagger animations, similar to the interval option in ScrollReveal. This feature enables you to create a staggered reveal effect, adding versatility to the library.

Overall, due to its inflexibility and confusing implementation process, T-scroll is more challenging than other options available for scroll-triggered animation libraries.

Delighters.js

Delighters.js is a scroll-triggered animation library that operates under a “bring-your-own” animation approach, similar to Emergence.js. It offers a high level of customization, allowing you to adjust your animations using data attributes and JavaScript configuration.

This library provides excellent flexibility, mainly if you prefer not to rely on built-in animations (as there are none) and desire complete control over your effects.

However, one notable challenge with Delighters.js is that it needs to include versioning and be published on npm, making it more challenging to use than a similar library like Emergence.js. The absence of versioning and npm publication may create difficulties in managing and integrating Delighters.js into your project.

Monster

For me, the best is AOS JS!

Let’s listen to music!