Templ is a type-safe HTML templating language for Go that compiles components directly into performant Go code. We rate it 87/100 — an excellent solution for Go developers building web applications who want the safety of compile-time type checking combined with the flexibility of component-based architecture.
What is Templ?
Templ brings modern component-based templating to the Go ecosystem, solving a critical pain point: Go's standard html/template package lacks type safety and doesn't catch errors until runtime. Created by Adrian Hesketh in 2021, Templ has grown to over 10,200 GitHub stars and serves as the go-to solution for developers who want reactive UIs without leaving the Go language.
Unlike traditional templating languages that require string concatenation or complex escaping, Templ lets you write HTML components as Go functions. Each component is compiled into type-safe, performant code that catches errors at compile time—not at runtime when your users see broken pages.
Key Features
Type-Safe Components
Define HTML components as Go functions with typed parameters. Type errors are caught at compile time, eliminating entire classes of runtime bugs. Every component is validated before deployment.
Zero JavaScript Dependency
Templ runs entirely server-side. No client-side JavaScript is required, though it integrates seamlessly with HTMX for adding interactivity without the complexity of modern SPAs. This makes Templ ideal for developers who want to avoid JavaScript fatigue.
Native Go Integration
Use standard Go control flow directly in your templates. Call any Go function, iterate with familiar for loops, use if statements, and leverage the entire Go standard library—no special template syntax needed.
Flexible Deployment
Deploy Templ applications anywhere Go runs: serverless functions, Docker containers, traditional servers, or as static HTML generators. The compiled output is just Go code with no external runtime dependencies.
Developer Experience
IDE autocomplete support, language server protocol (LSP) integration, and compile-time validation provide excellent developer ergonomics. Visual Studio Code and other editors provide real-time syntax highlighting and error detection.
Performance
Templ components compile to optimized Go code that's significantly faster than Go's standard html/template package. Benchmarks show drastic performance improvements when rendering large component trees.
Real Developer Sentiment
From HackerNews & Go Community:
"Just genius. This is how Go template should have been from the start."
"I rewrote my entire internal dashboard with Templ and HTMX, cutting thousands of lines of client-side JavaScript. The development velocity is incredible."
"Type safety in templates is a game-changer. Caught a bug at compile time that would have broken production."
Adoption & Community: Templ is imported by 5,481+ projects on GitHub and maintains active development with monthly releases. The recent v0.3.1001 release (February 2026) continues to add features and performance improvements.
Pricing & Availability
License: Open Source (MIT License)
Cost: Free
Installation: go get github.com/a-h/templ/cmd/templ
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | Free | Full source, compiler, documentation, community support |
| Commercial Support | Contact Adrian Hesketh | Consulting, custom features, priority support (available through GitHub discussions) |
Who Should Use Templ?
Perfect For:
- Go Web Developers building dynamic web applications who want type safety without leaving Go
- Teams Building HTMX Apps combining server-side rendering with minimal JavaScript
- Startups & Agencies who need fast iteration and fewer bugs without JavaScript complexity
- Backend Developers writing their own frontend code without learning complex JS frameworks
- Projects Requiring Compilation where catching errors before deployment is critical
Less Ideal For:
- Complex Frontend UIs that require deep client-side state management (though HTMX bridges this gap)
- Teams Heavy on Frontend Specialists with no Go expertise
- Projects Requiring Isomorphic Code where you need the same code running on client and server
- Rapid Prototyping in a non-Go stack (setup learning curve for new Go developers)
Pros
- Compile-Time Safety: Type errors caught before deployment, not after
- Zero JavaScript Overhead: Full HTML generation without client-side JavaScript dependencies
- Performance: Significantly faster than html/template and comparable to hand-written HTML
- Integration: Works seamlessly with Go standard library, databases, and existing Go tooling
- Developer Ergonomics: LSP support, autocomplete, and natural Go syntax
- Flexible Deployment: Runs anywhere Go runs with zero external dependencies
- Active Community: Growing adoption, regular releases, responsive maintainer
- HTMX Integration: Perfect partner for building reactive UIs with minimal JavaScript
Cons
- Go-Only Ecosystem: Requires knowing Go; not suitable for non-Go teams
- Smaller Ecosystem Than React/Vue: Fewer third-party components compared to JavaScript frameworks
- Compile Step: All changes require compilation; slower iteration than interpreted templating
- Limited Client-Side State: Heavy client-side interactivity still benefits from JavaScript frameworks
- Learning Curve: New developers must learn both Go and Templ syntax
- IDE Support: While good, not as mature as JavaScript frameworks in some editors
Alternatives to Templ
Go Templating:
- html/template (Standard Library): Built-in but lacks type safety and performance of Templ
- Gomponents: Go components library using function calls; less type-safe than Templ
- Jet: Fast templating engine; more traditional template syntax than Templ
Full-Stack Frameworks:
- Echo/Gin + HTMX: Smaller footprint than full frameworks; requires manual setup
- Astro (Node.js): Similar component-based server-side rendering for JavaScript
- Rails/Django: More opinionated full-stack frameworks with built-in templating
JavaScript Alternatives:
- React: Complex, heavy, requires client-side JavaScript but has largest ecosystem
- Next.js: Server components simplify SSR but still JavaScript-heavy
- Svelte: Simpler than React but still requires JavaScript toolchain
The Verdict
Templ represents a refreshing approach to web development: leveraging the power of compile-time type safety while keeping developers in the Go ecosystem. For teams building traditional web applications with Go, Templ + HTMX is a revelation—eliminating thousands of lines of JavaScript while maintaining superior developer experience and performance.
The main limitation is that Templ only makes sense in a Go shop. But if you're already using Go, the question isn't whether Templ is good—it's how you ever lived without it. The combination of compile-time safety, zero JavaScript overhead, and excellent performance makes Templ a clear 9/10 for its target audience: Go developers building production web applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Templ compare to html/template?
Templ catches type errors at compile time, runs significantly faster, and uses natural Go syntax. html/template is safer than raw string concatenation but inferior to Templ in every measurable way for new projects.
Can I use Templ with my existing Go web framework?
Yes. Templ works with Echo, Gin, net/http, and any Go web framework. It's framework-agnostic and generates standard http.Handler compatible code.
Is Templ suitable for building SPAs?
Not for traditional SPAs with heavy client-side state. However, Templ + HTMX is excellent for reactive applications without the complexity of React/Vue.
What's the performance overhead of Templ?
Minimal to none. Templ compiles to optimized Go code that's faster than html/template. There's no runtime interpreter or reflection.
Can I deploy Templ applications serverless?
Yes. Templ applications compile to static Go binaries that run on AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, or any serverless platform that supports Go.
Is there commercial support for Templ?
Adrian Hesketh, the creator, provides consulting and custom feature development. Community support is active on GitHub discussions and the Go subreddits.
