# What Is jQuery? History, Benefits and Modern Alternatives

jQuery is a JavaScript library that simplifies DOM selection, events, animation and Ajax. This guide covers what jQuery is, its history, how it looks next to modern vanilla JavaScript, the current jQuery 4 release, and when to use it or move to alternatives.

Tags: javascript, web-development
Published: 2023-03-15 (updated 2026-10-22)


## What Is jQuery?

jQuery is a fast, small, feature-rich JavaScript library that simplifies HTML document traversal and manipulation, event handling, animation and Ajax behind an easy-to-use API that works across browsers. It was created by John Resig and first announced in 2006, and its motto, "write less, do more", describes the point: one short line replaces many lines of cross-browser DOM code. The current version is jQuery 4.0, and per jquery.com it is the only version fully supported, with 3.x receiving only critical updates.

## A Short History of jQuery

John Resig introduced jQuery in January 2006, and version 1.0 followed in August 2006. At the time, browsers disagreed on basic DOM and event behavior, and Internet Explorer was a constant source of workarounds. jQuery hid those differences behind one consistent API, and a huge plugin ecosystem grew around it. For years it was the default way to write front-end JavaScript, and many sites, themes and platforms (WordPress among them) still ship it.

jQuery 4.0.0 was released in January 2026 after a long gap since the 3.x line, which shows the project is still maintained.

## How jQuery Works

You load the library, then use `$` (an alias of `jQuery`) to select elements and chain actions on them.

```html
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-4.0.0.min.js"></script>
<script>
  $('#myParagraph').text('Hello, world!');
</script>
```

Common jobs:

```javascript
// Select and change
$('.card').addClass('active').fadeIn();

// Events
$('button.save').on('click', () => {
  console.log('saved');
});

// Ajax
$.ajax({ url: '/api/items', method: 'GET' }).done((items) => {
  console.log(items);
});
```

Check the official download page for the current script URL and integrity hash before copying a CDN tag.

## jQuery vs Vanilla JavaScript

Modern browsers cover most of what jQuery was invented for, so many sites no longer need it.

| Task | jQuery | Vanilla JavaScript |
|---|---|---|
| Select elements | `$('.item')` | `document.querySelectorAll('.item')` |
| Add a class | `$el.addClass('on')` | `el.classList.add('on')` |
| Listen to a click | `$el.on('click', fn)` | `el.addEventListener('click', fn)` |
| Fetch JSON | `$.getJSON(url)` | `fetch(url).then((r) => r.json())` |
| Set text | `$el.text('Hi')` | `el.textContent = 'Hi'` |
| Fade in | `$el.fadeIn()` | CSS transitions or the Web Animations API |

Vanilla code is a little longer, but it has no dependency and no extra download.

## Benefits of jQuery

- **Short, readable DOM code** with method chaining.
- **Consistent behavior** across browsers, which still helps in legacy environments.
- **A huge plugin ecosystem** for sliders, date pickers and tables.
- **Small footprint.** jquery.com lists it at about 30 kB minified and gzipped.
- **Low barrier to entry** for quick scripts and legacy page templates.

## When to Use jQuery in 2026

Use it when you maintain a site that already depends on it, when a plugin you need requires it, or when you are adding a small interaction to an old template. For new projects, skip it: plain JavaScript or a component framework gives you more with less overhead. If you are choosing one, see the [Vue 3 guide](/blog/a-comprehensive-introduction-to-vuejs/), [SolidJS vs React](/blog/solidjs-a-powerful-and-reactive-javascript-library-for-building-efficient-web-applications/) or [Svelte 5 vs React](/blog/svelte-5-vs-react-2026/). For another look at an older, structure-first library, read [what Backbone.js is](/blog/what-is-backbonejs/).

## Migrating Away From jQuery

You do not need a big rewrite. Replace jQuery calls with native equivalents one file at a time, use a linter rule to block new jQuery usage, and remove the script tag once the last plugin is gone. Check which plugins still depend on it before you remove it.

## Frequently Asked

**What is jQuery used for?** Selecting and manipulating HTML elements, handling events, animation and Ajax, with consistent behavior across browsers.

**Is jQuery still used in 2026?** Yes, widely, mostly in older sites, themes and CMS platforms. New projects mostly use native JavaScript or component frameworks.

**Is jQuery dead?** No. jQuery 4.0.0 was released in January 2026 and jquery.com lists it as the supported version.

**Should I learn jQuery?** Learn vanilla JavaScript first. Learn jQuery only if you work with legacy code that uses it.

**What replaced jQuery?** Native browser APIs (`querySelector`, `fetch`, `classList`) and frameworks like React, Vue and Svelte.