StPageFlip and turn.js are the two open-source flipbook engines you will actually consider for a custom build. turn.js defined the category. StPageFlip rebuilt it for the modern web. Pick deliberately based on your stack and your willingness to maintain legacy code.
At a glance
| Criterion | StPageFlip | turn.js |
|---|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript | JavaScript / jQuery |
| Dependencies | None | jQuery |
| Licence | MIT (free) | Free personal; paid commercial |
| Mobile performance | Excellent | Acceptable |
| Active maintenance | Yes | Limited |
| React / Vue wrappers | Official | Community |
| Bundle size (gzipped) | ~30KB | ~50KB + jQuery |
StPageFlip — the short version
StPageFlip is the modern default — small, fast, no dependencies, cleanly typed.
turn.js — the short version
turn.js is the historical default — battle-tested, jQuery-dependent, and still serviceable for legacy projects.
Which one should you pick?
Pick StPageFlip for any new project. Pick turn.js only if you are maintaining an existing turn.js integration that would be expensive to rewrite.
If neither fits
react-pageflip is the React wrapper around StPageFlip; flipbook-viewer wraps PDF.js for higher-level use. Browse the full tool library for twelve hosted platforms and open-source libraries reviewed side-by-side.