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Head-to-head · Template Engine Software

Handlebars.js vs Apache Velocity

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Handlebars.js #3 in Template Engine Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Handlebars
Apache Velocity #6 in Template Engine Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Try Apache Velocity

Handlebars.js leads on 1 check, Apache Velocity on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHandlebars.js · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

Handlebars.js scores higher on our rubric for template engine software: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Handlebars.js offers automatic escaping; Apache Velocity doesn't. Apache Velocity offers sandbox mode; Handlebars.js doesn't.

Handlebars.js is the better fit for javaScript projects needing reusable HTML templates. Apache Velocity is the better fit for java teams generating text and source artifacts.

  • Handlebars.js fits best

    JavaScript projects needing reusable HTML templates

  • Apache Velocity fits best

    Java teams generating text and source artifacts

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Side by side

Feature Handlebars.js 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Apache Velocity 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #3 in Template Engine Software #6 in Template Engine Software
Best for JavaScript projects needing reusable HTML templates Java teams generating text and source artifacts
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Support Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Handlebars.js 1/4 · Apache Velocity 1/4
Template inheritance Not checked yet Not checked yet
Automatic escaping ✓ (best) —
Sandbox mode — ✓ (best)
Async rendering Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Rendering mode Not checked yet Server
Syntax model Logic-based Logic-based
License model Open-source Open-source
Our review
Pros
  • Compiles templates into JavaScript functions, with precompilation available
  • Built-in helpers support conditions and iteration; custom helpers are supported
  • Reuses registered partials and HTML-escapes expression output by default
  • Generates web pages, source code, SQL, PostScript, and emails
  • Supports conditionals, collection loops, includes, and reusable macros
  • Loads templates from files, the classpath, or a database
Cons
  • Not a hosted commercial product; it is an open-source library
  • User-supplied templates need a separate sandbox for isolation
  • Support is documented through docs
  • Requires self-hosted deployment in a Java application or utility
  • Automatic escaping is listed as false
  • Support is community-based
Our verdict

Handlebars.js is an open-source JavaScript templating language for developers generating HTML or other text from templates and input objects. It suits JavaScript projects that need reusable templates, with support for compiling templates…

Read the review →

Apache Velocity is a Java-based template engine for teams that need to generate text from templates. Java code supplies objects in a context, and templates use the Velocity Template Language to reference them and control output. It can be…

Read the review →
  1. Handlebars.jsTemplate Engine Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Apache VelocityTemplate Engine Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Handlebars.js — where it wins

    • Compiles templates into JavaScript functions, with precompilation available
    • Built-in helpers support conditions and iteration; custom helpers are supported
    • Reuses registered partials and HTML-escapes expression output by default

    Where it doesn't

    • Not a hosted commercial product; it is an open-source library
    • User-supplied templates need a separate sandbox for isolation
    • Support is documented through docs

  • Apache Velocity — where it wins

    • Generates web pages, source code, SQL, PostScript, and emails
    • Supports conditionals, collection loops, includes, and reusable macros
    • Loads templates from files, the classpath, or a database

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires self-hosted deployment in a Java application or utility
    • Automatic escaping is listed as false
    • Support is community-based

More comparisons

All template engine software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update