# Vanta.js

> Animated WebGL backgrounds for websites in a few lines of code

- Category: Motion & animation (`motion`)
- Tags: `free`, `open-source`, `webgl`
- Official: https://www.vantajs.com
- GitHub: https://github.com/tengbao/vanta
- Wunderlust: https://wunderlust.xyz/r/vanta-js
- Image: https://wunderlust.xyz/media/vanta-js-poster.jpg
- Video preview: https://wunderlust.xyz/media/vanta-js.webm
- Added: 2026-11-05

## What it is

JavaScript library that applies animated 3D backgrounds to a page element, using Three.js or p5.js.

## What it’s for

To bring a section or hero background to life without heavy video or images.

## Benefits

- Effects such as Waves, customizable, with a randomize option on the site
- Responds to mouse and touch
- Just include the library and point the effect at an element by selector
- Lighter than video or large background images, according to the site

## Caveats

- According to the maker, it runs at about 60 fps on most laptops and desktops
- Some WebGL effects slow down on older machines and not all work on mobile; the site recommends one or two effects per page and a fallback background
- The site doesn't state the license; check the repository

## Similar on Wunderlust

- [Three.js](https://wunderlust.xyz/r/three-js.md): JavaScript library for 3D graphics on the web
- [Liquid Glass JS](https://wunderlust.xyz/r/liquid-glass-js.md): WebGL library for glass effects inspired by Apple's Liquid Glass
- [Lenis](https://wunderlust.xyz/r/lenis.md): A lightweight smooth-scroll library from darkroom.engineering
- [GSAP](https://wunderlust.xyz/r/gsap.md): A professional JavaScript animation library with timelines and plugins
- [React Bits](https://wunderlust.xyz/r/react-bits.md): A library of animated React components: text, backgrounds and microinteractions
- [Motion](https://wunderlust.xyz/r/motion.md): Animation library for React, JavaScript and Vue (formerly Framer Motion)
