10 Best Parallax Scrolling Effects In JavaScript (2026 Update)

Here is a constantly updated list of the 10 Best Free JavaScript libraries to create the familiar Parallax Scrolling Effect on elements (e.g. images, backgrounds, videos, text, etc) as you scroll down or up the web page.

I hope you like it and don’t forget to spread the world.

Originally Published Dec 04 2018, updated Jan 06 2026

1. Animate Elements On Scroll With Parallax Effect – locomotive-scroll

locomotive-scroll is a modern JS library that applies a smooth, subtle, configurable parallax scroll effect to elements when scrolled into view.

More features:

  • Custom trigger offset.
  • Smooth scroll.
  • Touch-enabled.
  • Custom scrollbar.
  • Supports sticky element.
  • Vertical or horizontal directions.

Animate Elements On Scroll With Parallax Effect - locomotive-scroll

Demo Download


2. Smooth Inertial & Parallax Scroll Effects In JavaScript – luxy.js

A lightweight JavaScript plugin which applies smooth inertial scroll and parallax scroll effects to your webpage.

inertial-parallax-scroll-luxy-min

Demo Download


3. Game-Style Interactive 2D/3D Parallax Effects for Web – SuperParallax

A JavaScript library that creates complex multi-layer parallax effects responding to both scroll and mouse movement.

The library offers two versions: a pure vanilla JavaScript implementation for 2D effects weighing approximately 6KB with zero dependencies, and a Three.js-powered variant that delivers true 3D depth through WebGL rendering.

Features:

  • Implements requestAnimationFrame for consistent 60fps animations across all layers.
  • Uses CSS translate3d transforms to leverage GPU acceleration for smooth rendering.
  • Automatically recalculates boundaries on window resize to maintain proper positioning.
  • Supports unlimited parallax layers with independent depth configurations.
  • Tracks mouse movement across the container for interactive depth effects.
  • Responds to scroll events with configurable intensity multipliers.
  • Offers axis-specific movement control for horizontal-only or vertical-only effects.
  • Rotates the camera based on mouse position for authentic 3D perspective.
  • Applies subtle 3D rotation to individual layers for enhanced depth perception.

2d-3d-parallax-super

Demo Download


4. Mobile-friendly Smooth Parallax Scroll Plugin – Universal Parallax

A small JavaScript plugin to implement the smooth, mobile-friendly parallax scrolling effect on your web app.

Universal Parallax

Demo Download


5. Parallax Scrolling Library For Mobile & Desktop – basicScroll

A lightweight, powerful, high-performance parallax scrolling JavaScript library designed for both mobile and desktop.

Parallax Scrolling Library For Mobile & Desktop – basicScroll

[Demo] [Download]


6. Lightweight Vanilla Javascript Parallax Library – rellax

rellax is a small vanilla JavaScript library which provides a smooth parallax scrolling effect on any DOM elements.

Lightweight Vanilla Javascript Parallax Library – rellax

[Demo] [Download]


7. Lightweight Background Parallax JavaScript Library – Ukiyo.js

A lightweight, configurable, fresh new parallax library that makes creating stunning background parallax scrolling effects a breeze.

Supports <img> <picture> tags and DIV containers with background images.

background-parallax-ukiyo

[Demo] [Download]


8. Image Parallax Effect While Scrolling – parallax-image.js

A lightweight JavaScript library that creates an illusion of depth in 2D images by making it scroll slower than the webpage background while the user scrolls down the page.

Image Parallax Effect While Scrolling – parallax-image.js

Demo Download


9. Minimal Horizontal/Vertical Parallax Scrolling Library – miniparallax.js

A super tiny (~1kb minified), blazing-fast, and customizable parallax library that supports both horizontal and vertical parallax scrolling effects.

mini-horizontal-vertical-parallax

Demo Download


10. Apply Parallax Scrolling Effect On Elements – JSU Parallax

A minimal Vanilla JavaScript library for implementing a subtle parallax scrolling effect on any elements within the document.

Use this plugin to move objects within the document at different speeds on page scroll.

Apply Parallax Scrolling Effect On Elements - JSU Parallax

Demo Download


Conclusion:

Looking for more JavaScript libraries for parallax scroll effects? Don’t forget to check out the Parallax section.

If you’re a jQuery user, here is a list of 10 best jQuery parallax scroll plugins created for you. Enjoy.

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