Nunjucks
Nunjucks: An open-source JavaScript engine with inheritance, escaping, and sync or async rendering. Ranked #17 of 65 in Template Engine Software by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for javaScript teams wanting Jinja-like server and browser.
At a glance
- Editor score7.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forJavaScript teams wanting Jinja-like server and browser
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Rendering modeBoth
- Facts checked23 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Renders in Node.js and modern browsers, with browser precompilation
- Includes template inheritance, blocks, filters, macros, and extensions
- Automatic output escaping is enabled by default
Where it doesn't
- Does not sandbox user-defined templates
- Asynchronous rendering uses callbacks, async filters, extensions, or loaders
- Express is the listed integration
Our verdict on Nunjucks
Nunjucks is an open-source templating engine for JavaScript applications, inspired by Jinja2. It renders templates in Node.js and modern browsers, so it can suit teams that want a Jinja-like syntax across server and browser contexts. Its feature set includes inheritance, blocks, filters, macros, and extensions, with configurable template loaders for filesystem and web sources. The published positioning is a fit for JavaScript teams seeking logic-based templates rather than a narrowly focused string-substitution tool.
Template composition and rendering flexibility are central strengths. Base templates and blocks support inheritance, while custom filters, tags, and extensions let developers shape template behavior. Rendering is synchronous by default; asynchronous rendering is also supported through callbacks, async filters, extensions, and loaders. Browser precompilation is available for browser use. Automatic output escaping is enabled by default, an important default for rendered output, though Nunjucks does not sandbox user-defined templates. Teams that need a sandbox for untrusted templates should choose an alternative designed to provide one.
Nunjucks is distributed as an open-source JavaScript package, with documentation and community support channels. Express support is documented as an integration option. Those characteristics make it relevant to solo developers through enterprise teams that can work with an open-source engine and its documented integration path. It is less suitable for buyers looking for commercial plans, a managed support offering, or sandboxing of user-defined templates. Choose Nunjucks when inheritance, browser precompilation, and both synchronous and asynchronous rendering matter; look elsewhere if template isolation is a requirement.
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Nunjucks pricing
Nunjucks fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Rendering mode | Both |
| Syntax model | Logic-based |
| Template inheritance | Yes |
| Automatic escaping | Yes |
| Sandbox mode | No |
| Async rendering | Yes |
| License model | Open-source |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 1 integrations: Express |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | mozilla.github.io |
| Facts checked | 23 Oct 2026 |
Nunjucks integrations
Nunjucks lists 1 integrations on its own site.
- Express
Alternatives to Nunjucks
- JinjaJinja gives Python applications inheritance, configurable rendering, and compilation in an open-source engine.9.4
- TwigA free, open-source PHP engine for compiled templates, inheritance, escaping, and sandboxing.9.3
- Handlebars.jsA free, open-source template engine for JavaScript projects that need reusable HTML.9.2
See all Nunjucks alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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