ClojureScript

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Score7.2

Rank#5 of 28

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Self-hosted, Web, Windows

Summary

ClojureScript is a compiler that turns Clojure code into JavaScript for client and embedded application development wherever JavaScript runs. It brings Clojure data structures and language constructs, including functional programming, macros, destructuring, and polymorphism, into JavaScript environments. Its output is compatible with Google Closure Compiler advanced compilation, which can minify output and remove dead code. Interactive REPL support lets developers work and test in a browser or Node.js. Browser output is the default in the quick start, with Node.js output available by selecting that target. ClojureScript can include both ClojureScript and JavaScript dependencies; the quick start demonstrates React. The build tools listed include shadow-cljs, Figwheel, Leiningen, and lein-cljsbuild, while editor resources cover Cursive, Emacs, VS Code, Light Table, Sublime Text, Vim, and Atom. It is open source under the Eclipse Public License 1.0 and is listed for Linux, macOS, Windows, web, and self-hosted environments. Documentation covers compiler and REPL options, dependencies, source maps, and other topics.

Who it is for

ClojureScript suits developers who want to use Clojure for client or embedded applications in JavaScript environments. Its REPLs support interactive development and testing in a browser or Node.js.

What is good

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

What to know first

The main macOS/Linux tutorial requires a browser and Clojure.
The Windows quick start specifies Java 21 and a standalone JAR.
JavaScript module support is marked Alpha.

Verdict

ClojureScript combines Clojure language constructs with JavaScript output, interactive development, and a documented build and editor ecosystem. Review the prerequisites and the Alpha label on JavaScript module support for your setup.

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: Yesclojurescript.org
API access: Yesclojurescript.org
Conversion mode: source-to-sourceclojurescript.org

Facts

What it does: ClojureScript is a compiler for Clojure that emits JavaScript.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
Optimization: Its JavaScript output is compatible with Google Closure Compiler advanced compilation, which can minify output and eliminate dead code.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
Language features: It brings Clojure’s rich data structures, functional programming, macros, reader, destructuring, and polymorphism constructs to JavaScript environments.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
Interactive development: The compiler supports REPLs for interactive development and testing in a browser or Node.js.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
Runtime targets: The quick start describes browser output by default and Node.js output when the node target is selected.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
JavaScript dependencies: ClojureScript supports including ClojureScript and JavaScript dependencies, and its quick start demonstrates using React.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
Build ecosystem: The maker’s tools page lists shadow-cljs, Figwheel, Leiningen, and lein-cljsbuild as build tools.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
Editor ecosystem: The tools page lists editor support resources for Cursive, Emacs, VS Code, Light Table, Sublime Text, Vim, and Atom.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
License: Use and distribution are covered by the Eclipse Public License 1.0.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
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.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
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.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
Debugging: The quick start says source mapped stack traces point to ClojureScript source locations instead of JavaScript locations.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
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.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026
Intended use: The rationale describes ClojureScript as a way to use Clojure for client and embedded application development wherever JavaScript reaches.clojurescript.org · 3 Oct 2026