In this third episode of the series about templates and frameworks for Joomla, Emmanuel Lemor shows us three popular frameworks: Sparky, Astroid and T4.

The Future is bright for Joomla 5 (and beyond)…

EPISODE III: Sparky, Astroid and T4 Frameworks

As discussed in the previous articles, when it comes to building your website in Joomla 5.x, you have a quite a few great options and ways to go:

1. Core + Built-In template of Cassiopeia, custom fields, tags etc and opt for the great built-in option: Joomla's Built-in Content Templates Page Builder.

2. You could opt for the very popular Helix Ultimate 2.x framework and possibly its accompanying SP Page Builder (Free or Pro) as covered in EPISODE II: Helix Ultimate by JoomShaper…

But perhaps even though it is quite capable and the most popular of frameworks, you either didn’t start with it, don’t end up liking it or possibly end up liking a template that is built by one of our next 3 most popular frameworks: Sparky, Astroid or T4…

To give a bit of perspective and a reminder, while Helix Ultimate as of this writing (based on templatejoomla.com’s data hosts 1049 templates built with it, Sparky comes in at 107, Astroid has 90 and T4 some 68 of them (even if we cheat a bit and include T3’s 14 templates that are Joomla 5 compatible, that’s still only 82 - to be clear, I don’t recommend building a Joomla 5 site in T3 especially since there is no guarantee those templates will get rebuilt in T4…)) 

So as to not lengthen this article unnecessarily, I recommend you go back to EPISODE II: Helix Ultimate by JoomShaper to review the 7 categories and what we will cover in each, I will however leave below the Title of each Category and number of points for each.

1: Features and Functionality (out of 10 points)
2: Performance and Optimization (out of 10 points)
3: Ease of Use and Learning Curve (out of 10 points)
4: Compatibility and Integration (out of 5 points)
5: Security and Updates (out of 5 points)
6: Customizability and Flexibility (out of 5 points)
7: Unique Selling Points and Differentiators (out of 5 points)

To try to compare each framework one from the other, I have given each number 
of points out of 5 or 10 depending on the importance/category

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SPARKY 5.1 by HotJoomla
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While the Sparky Framework has some 107 templates built with it, surprisingly it is so far the only Joomla Framework that I have come across that you have to buy to use.

SCORE:  28 out of 50 points

1: Features and Functionality - ( 5 out of 10 )

1. What sort of baked-in or companion builder is included or available if any?
   Sparky Page Builder 1.3 - (last update Oct. 2023) has a very different approach to say SP Page Builder 5.x from JoomShaper, it is not a component in Joomla but an editor that replaces TinyMCE, etc.
   
   This has a definite advantage in that it feels in some ways closer to the standard Joomla Article editing process. Sadly, that’s where the pluses end, the interface is very basic and feels outdated and the Page Builder only has unique 14 blocks: Paragraph, Heading, Image, Button, List, Icon, Social, Video, Audio, Iframe, Separator, Spacer, Custom HTML, Joomla Module.
   
   
2. How does the framework handle layouts (including grid systems, columns, and rows)?
   A couple of cool even unique aspects of the Sparky Framework: 
   - while originally built around a 12 column grid layout, it is customizable from 1 to 24 columns. It, of course, supports an unlimited number of rows and comes with a 4 color interface - too drab or basic of a UI for my taste but some may prefer that approach..
   
   - it is not based on any specific CSS framework and uses its own internal system, which means 1. no Bootstrap conflicts and 2. you can use Bootstrap, Tailwind, SemanticUI or any other CSS framework.
   
   
   image credit: hotjoomlatemplates.com
   
   
3. Can modules be easily added, removed, and configured within the framework?
   There is definitely the capability to easily add either 1 main content area (component area) or any number of modules right from the Layout screen.
   
   
4. Since all modern frameworks support responsive design thankfully, how customizable and easy is it to manipulate or adjust?
   Sparky takes a different approach to responsive, it claims mobile first design which is awesome but after that, it is a bit more of a behind the scenes magic - it does talk about using similar breakpoints to Bootstrap but the number of features around responsiveness are too few or detailed. There does not seem to be a capability to add your own set of rules inside the framework.
   
   
5. How closely or well does it work with the Joomla Core?
   For the framework itself, it does no more no less than other frameworks when it comes to working closely to the Joomla Core. As mentioned above however, using the Sparky Page Builder and its text editor approach does give you a very close Joomla Core experience as it replaces your Text Editor and works inside Joomla Articles.
   
   
6. What customization options are available, such as typography, color schemes, and animations?
   As of v5.1 of the framework, Sparky Framework supports local Google Fonts and as previously it supports color schemes, various simple typography features.

2: Performance and Optimization - ( 6 out of 10 )

1. How does the framework perform in terms of page load speed, and other KPIs and what optimization techniques are built-in if any?
   Sparky Framework 5.1 generates valid W3C code and loads only the features that you really use - it will load dynamically generated CSS that is for that page only.
   
   
2. Does the framework provide built-in SEO optimization features or reminders, such as meta tags, structured data, canonical URLs and more?
   Sparky Framework, just like most other frameworks mainly sits on top of and relies on the Joomla Core and has basically no customizable features in the Template Options area. Thankfully, Joomla is great with SEO so you are taken care of if you fill things in.
   
   
3. How well does the framework adapt to mobile devices, and are there any features to enhance mobile user experience?
   Sparky Framework has a mobile first approach but the lack of specific functionalities around various Tablet, Phone, and Desktop sizes might make things a bit more complicated.
   
   
4. Which browsers are supported, and how well does the framework handle cross-browser compatibility issues?
   All major modern browsers are supported. There is no obvious/specific feature to handle cross-browser issues not that that should be an issue.
   
   

3: Ease of Use and Learning Curve - ( 7 out of 10 )

1. How intuitive and user-friendly is the framework's interface, and what kind of learning curve can users expect?
   With the basic UI and layout, it might be easy enough to get used to and use Sparky.
   
   
2. What kind of documentation, tutorials, and support resources are available for the framework?
   There is a dedicated page giving highlights to the framework as well as Forums, and Documentation.
   
   
3. How active and engaged is the community surrounding the framework?
   While Sparky has some 107 templates built with it for Joomla 5, the community seems considerably smaller than Helix.
   
   
4. What support exists for the framework and how good is it?
   HotJoomla has been around the Joomla community since 2004 and particularly active the first 10 years. They have developed hundreds of templates over the years and over a dozen extensions. There is continued development and support through Joomla 5. And most support requests on the forums are answered in under 1 day.

4: Compatibility and Integration -  ( 2 out of 5 )

1. Which Joomla versions are supported by the framework or does it have native Joomla 5 support (i.e. without the need of B/C plugin)?
   Joomla 5 obviously and it seems without the need for the compatibility plugin (sadly, I couldn’t not 100% confirm this on the website/documentation) (but it also supports Joomla 4).
   
   
2. How well does the framework integrate or play with popular Joomla extensions?
   While there have been some reported issues, you won’t run into problems as long as you make sure that you have the latest version of your extensions.
   
   
3. How well does it handle Accessibility?
   Since the framework is commercial, I was not able to test it, however, I did test about a dozen templates from their demo site with tools like Wave, and there is some room for improvement in terms of accessibility. When you add their own content, you will have to fix those issues and make sure to follow accessibility best practices to achieve your desired results.

5: Security and Updates -  ( 3 out of 5 )

1. What security features do the frameworks offer, if any?
   There is no information on the website or the forums about any built-in security features for this framework.
   
   
2. How frequently are updates released, and what kind of support is provided for security patches and bug fixes?
   Over the last 2 years, the Sparky Framework has been updated 5 times with 4 updates in 2022 and only 1 update in the last 12 months. While a Forum is available for reporting issues, the lack of a public changelog or an active Github page (no published packages or update in 4 years) might make some a bit weary.
   
   
3. How do the framework developers handle vulnerability disclosure, and what kind of transparency can users expect?
   There is no official email or process for reporting a vulnerability and I couldn’t find a Responsible Disclosure Policy for HotJoomla or the Sparky Framework.

6: Customizability and Flexibility -  ( 3 out of 5 )

1. How easily can the framework be customized to meet specific project requirements?
   The Sparky Framework is quite customizable with its 1-24 column grid approach, export feature but beyond a couple such features, it is probably not the framework I would choose for a complex project.
   
   
2. What kind of flexibility does the framework offer in terms of layout, design, and functionality?
   The framework’s backend interface is broken down into 10 areas: Details, Layout, Style, Features, Menus, Responsive, Custom, Export, NEWS and Menu Assignment.
   
   
3. Can the framework be extended or modified using custom code or third-party plugins?
   Nothing is mentioned or promoted around the ability for it to be extended or modified and since it is a commercial framework, probably fewer developers would consider creating things for it.

7: Unique Selling Points and Differentiators -  ( 2 out of 5 )

1. What sets this framework apart from the others, and what unique features or benefits does it offer?
   While there is not a ton that sets the Sparky Framework apart from the others, the 2 features that I think might be interesting for website creators is its CSS framework agnostics approach and the ability to have from 1 to 24 column grid layout.
   
   
2. How does the framework approach common problems or challenges in Joomla website construction, and what innovative solutions do they provide?
   There aren't a ton of specifically innovative aspects to the Sparky Framework that come to mind, perhaps more innovative is its companion Sparky Page Builder Text Editor approach so that your work is inside a Joomla Article.

====================

ASTROID 3.x by Templaza
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The Astroid Framework has some 90 templates built with it but unlike many Joomla 5 frameworks does not come with a specific/dedicated companion Visual Page Builder.

A quick overview video about the Astroid Framework.
 

SCORE:  35 out of 50 points

1: Features and Functionality - ( 6 out of 10 )

1. What sort of baked-in or companion builder is included or available if any?
   None.  While there is no companion or specific Visual Page Builder with Astroid, it can easily be used with SP Page Builder, Quix, and others :).
   
   
2. How does the framework handle layouts (including grid systems, columns, etc)?
   Astroid has a very clean, modern and visually appealing layout manager that makes it easy to make changes. 
   
    
3. Can modules be easily added, removed, and configured within the framework?
   You can easily add either 1 component area or any number of modules right from the Layout screen.
   
   
4. Since all modern frameworks support responsive design thankfully, how customizable and easy is it to manipulate or adjust?
   Astroid is a mobile first framework with many options to make it easy to support Phone, Tablet and Desktop views, it also has Off-Canvas, Mobile Menu etc. There does not seem to be a capability to add your own set of rules inside the framework however.
   
   
5. How closely or well does it work with the Joomla Core?
   For the framework itself, Astroid has a leg up on some frameworks as it supports Joomla 5 child templates. Astroid is actively developed to work very well and closely with J5!.
   
   
6. What customization options are available, such as typography, color schemes, and animations?
   Astroid has many customization options. Its backend has 12 sections: Basic, Header, Colors, Layout, Typography, Article/Blog, Social, Custom Code, Extensions, Miscellaneous, Theming and Preset Profiles to handle all aspects of customizations.
   
   

2: Performance and Optimization - ( 6 out of 10 )

1. How does the framework perform in terms of page load speed, and other KPIs and what optimization techniques are built-in if any?
   The Astroid Framework is designed to be lean, fast, modern and best for SEO. That said, many templates using Astroid also require the JollyAny Framework (an extended version of the Astroid framework) which seems in some cases to hinder performance a bit.
   
   
2. Does the framework provide built-in SEO optimization features or reminders, such as meta tags, structured data, canonical URLs and more?
   The Astroid Framework, just like most other frameworks mainly sits on top of and relies on the Joomla Core. Joomla is great with SEO so you are taken care of if you fill things in correctly.
   
   
3. How well does the framework adapt to mobile devices, and are there any features to enhance mobile user experience?
   The Astroid Framework uses Bootstrap 5, has a mobile first approach and has Advanced per Devices User Controls among other things to help handle responsiveness.
   
   
4. Which browsers are supported, and how well does the framework handle cross-browser compatibility issues?
   All major modern browsers are supported and the Astroid Team does specific browser testing to make sure the framework has the best possible support.. 

3: Ease of Use and Learning Curve - ( 8 out of 10 )

1. How intuitive and user-friendly is the framework's interface, and what kind of learning curve can users expect?
   Astroid with its modern UI, and logically separated backend is quite easy to understand.
   
   
2. What kind of documentation, tutorials, and support resources are available for the framework?
   There is an entire dedicated website to help promote, understand Astroid as well as a very active Github account and Github hosted Discussions area, and Documentation.
   
   
3. How active and engaged is the community surrounding the framework?
   Astroid has some 90 templates built with it for Joomla 5, and it has a rather active community.
   
   
4. What support exists for the framework and how good is it?
   Astroid has very definite active development and support through multiple channels, at least Github and Discord.
   
   

4: Compatibility and Integration -  ( 4 out of 5 )

1. Which Joomla versions are supported by the framework or does it have native Joomla 5 support (i.e. without the need of B/C plugin)?
   Yes, the Astroid Framework v3.x series works with Joomla 5 without the need of the B/C plugin. That said, I have found that as of June 2024, the JollyAny Framework which is often bundled with it does require it.
   
   
2. How well does the framework integrate or play with popular Joomla extensions?
   The Astroid Framework is found to work very well with the other popular extensions, and many of the templates built with it have a specific Extensions section that have specific parameters to best support those extensions such as Hikashop, etc..
   
   
3. How well does it handle Accessibility?
   When testing with tools like Wave, Astroid does very well in terms of accessibility. When you add your own content, you will have to make sure to follow accessibility best practices to achieve your desired results.

5: Security and Updates -  ( 4 out of 5 )

1. What security features do the frameworks offer, if any?
   Astroid takes security seriously and has built multiple security features into the framework.
   
   
2. How frequently are updates released, and what kind of support is provided for security patches and bug fixes?
   Over the last year, the Astroid Framework has been updated more than 15 times. An active Github hosted Discussions area is available for reporting issues.
   
   
3. How do the framework developers handle vulnerability disclosure, and what kind of transparency can users expect?
   There is no official process for reporting a vulnerability and I couldn’t find a Responsible Disclosure Policy for Astroid but I do know from experience that they are security focused and following Joomla Security practices.

6: Customizability and Flexibility -  ( 4 out of 5 )

1. How easily can the framework be customized to meet specific project requirements?
   The Astroid Framework has a lot of modern features from Sass support, Lazy Loading, Ajax Rating and so much more to make your project a success.
   
   
2. What kind of flexibility does the framework offer in terms of layout, design, and functionality?
   The framework’s backend interface is broken down into 14 areas: Basic, Header, Colors, Layout, Astroid Widgets, Typography, Article/Blog, Social, Custom Code, Miscellaneous, Theming, Menu Items Settings, Megamenu and More.
   
   
3. Can the framework be extended or modified using custom code or 3rd-party plugins?
   Nothing is specifically mentioned around the ability for it to be extended or modified but since it is on Github, one could easily do so.

7: Unique Selling Points and Differentiators -  ( 3 out of 5 )

1. What sets this framework apart from the others, and what unique features or benefits does it offer?
   The Astroid Framework does a lot of the right things that a framework should do: SVG, Bootstrap 5, Fontawesome 6 and Sass support, Lazy Loading Ajax Ratings, and the ability to import/export its settings and much more - it supports Child Templates,  includes Astroid Widgets, and RTL etc...
   
   
2. How does the framework approach common problems or challenges in Joomla website construction, and what innovative solutions do they provide?
   The Astroid Framework is a very complete, modern, modular, optimized and continually updated Framework which should allow you to tackle your Joomla website project.

====================

T4 Joomla! Framework by JoomlArt
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The T4 Joomla! Framework has some 68 templates built with it, and comes from a Joomla powerhouse with a ton of extensions and template sub-brands.

A quick overview video about the T4 Joomla! Framework.
 

SCORE:  36 out of 50 points

1: Features and Functionality - ( 8 out of 10 )

1. What sort of baked-in or companion builder is included or available if any?
   The T4 Page Builder 2.1.x has a very slick modern interface and is pleasant to use as a  Visual Page Builder. While of course it is the recommended option, I have used other Page Builders with T3 and T4 framework based templates without issue.
   
   
2. How does the framework handle layouts (including grid systems, columns, etc)?
   The T4 Framework has a very organized side panel system and real time updating on the right… with the typical 12 column grid layout, unlimited rows, pre-defined palettes and a LOT of customizability. Unlike Helix Ultimate where part of the panels float above the site, T4 Framework’s panel system is anchored and can not be made to float - some users may like or find this annoying…  Overall, it is similar in capabilities and customizations to the best framework I have reviewed so far - Helix Ultimate and while I am not personally a fan of the anchored menu, I do prefer its UI.
   
   

    

3. Can modules be easily added, removed, and configured within the framework?
   You can easily add either 1 component area or any number of modules right from the Layout screen.
   
   
4. Since all modern frameworks support responsive design thankfully, how customizable and easy is it to manipulate or adjust?
   The T4 Joomla! Framework is a mobile first framework with many options to make it easy to support Phone, Tablet, Desktop and XL Desktop views, it also has Off-Canvas, Mobile Menu etc. I could not find a way to add my own set of rules inside the framework and I wish Landscape support for Tablet, and Phones was easier to deal with.
   
   
5. How closely or well does it work with the Joomla Core?
   For the framework itself, the T4 framework also supports Joomla 5 child templates, is pretty actively developed and made to work closely with J5!. A couple of things of note, T4 supports enabling/disabling font awesome 4, 5 and 6 which can be helpful and is built with Bootstrap 4 an unfortunate difference with Joomla 5 which uses Bootstrap 5.
   
   
6. What customization options are available, such as typography, color schemes, and animations?
   The T4 Framework has a ton of customization options supporting 
   
   

2: Performance and Optimization - ( 7 out of 10 )

1. How does the framework perform in terms of page load speed, and other KPIs and what optimization techniques are built-in if any?
   The T4 framework is designed to be faster and better optimized than its T3 predecessor while having many more features and modern capabilities. Unfortunately, in my testing, there is some misinformation that may confuse some users: the T4 framework’s own page talks about BootStrap 4 for J5! and depending on which part you load it will also run Bootstrap v4.3.1. This may be one of the factors as to why some users have reported mixed results with it - it still is among the top 5 best frameworks for Joomla 5, maybe even top 3, but we will have to see at the end of this series how that plays out.
   
   
2. Does the framework provide built-in SEO optimization features or reminders, such as meta tags, structured data, canonical URLs and more?
   While the T4 Framework like all of the others relies on the Joomla Core for SEO, it has been designed with SEO in mind. Joomla is great with SEO so you are taken care of if you fill things in correctly.
   
   
3. How well does the framework adapt to mobile devices, and are there any features to enhance mobile user experience?
   The T4 Framework is fully responsive and has built their efforts around a mobile-first flexbox grid to build layouts of all shapes and sizes. There is built-in support for Phone, Tablet, Desktop and Large Desktop (XL), but again I wish it made landscape modes easier to handle.
   
   
4. Which browsers are supported, and how well does the framework handle cross-browser compatibility issues?
   All major modern browsers are supported and the JoomlArt team does specific browser testing to ensure the framework has the best possible support.. 
   
   

3: Ease of Use and Learning Curve - ( 7 out of 10 )

1. How intuitive and user-friendly is the framework's interface, and what kind of learning curve can users expect?
   The T4 Framework with its real time updating and organized interface is pretty easy to adapt to and learn.
   
   
2. What kind of documentation, tutorials, and support resources are available for the framework?
   There is an entire dedicated website to help promote, understand T4 Framework as well as a specific T4 framework Support Forums and Documentation.
   
   
3. How active and engaged is the community surrounding the framework?
   The T4 Framework may officially only have 68 templates to its name, it is part of a much larger community and company - JoomlArt over the years has purchased multiple well known players in the Joomla-sphere and is one of the most prominent actors with such brands as JoomlArt, Gavick, Shape5, JomSocial, iJoomla etc.
   
   
4. What support exists for the framework and how good is it?
   JoomlArt is actively developing and supporting its framework via at least their forums.

4: Compatibility and Integration -  ( 3 out of 5 )

1. Which Joomla versions are supported by the framework or does it have native Joomla 5 support (i.e. without the need of B/C plugin)?
   Yes, the T4 Framework works with Joomla 5 without the need of the B/C plugin. 
   
   
2. How well does the framework integrate or play with popular Joomla extensions?
   The T4 framework is found to work well with the other popular extensions with only a rare few issues.
   
   
3. How well does it handle Accessibility?
   When testing with tools like Wave, I was a bit saddened to find somewhat poor results in terms of accessibility for both the T4 Framework and 5 of their most recent 6 templates.. When you add your own content, you will have to make sure to fix and carefully evaluate accessibility and follow best practices to achieve your desired results.
   
   

5: Security and Updates -  ( 4 out of 5 )

1. What security features do the frameworks offer, if any?
   JoomlArt takes security seriously and has built multiple security features into the framework and has a security incident response in place.
   
   
2. How frequently are updates released, and what kind of support is provided for security patches and bug fixes?
   The T4 Framework is updated at least 6 times a year. The releases are mentioned on their blog which is not as practical as how some other frameworks do it to be honest.
   
   
3. How do the framework developers handle vulnerability disclosure, and what kind of transparency can users expect?
   JoomlArt has an official process for reporting a vulnerability and a specific email address and follows best Joomla programming and security practices.

6: Customizability and Flexibility -  ( 3 out of 5 )

1. How easily can the framework be customized to meet specific project requirements?
   The T4 Framework is a modern Framework with all of the latest features that you would expect Bootstrap 5, SCSS support, SEO and performance optimized to make your project a success.
   
   
2. What kind of flexibility does the framework offer in terms of layout, design, and functionality?
   The framework’s backend interface is broken down into 14 areas: Overview, Site Settings, Navigation, Theme Color, Layout Settings, Global Settings, Menu Assignment, and Tools.
   
   
3. Can the framework be extended or modified using custom code or 3rd-party plugins?
   I couldn’t find anything such an API mentioned so that it can easily be extended.

7: Unique Selling Points and Differentiators -  ( 4 out of 5 )

1. What sets this framework apart from the others, and what unique features or benefits does it offer?
   The T4 Framework (and its predecessor T3) has a long history of evolving and supporting many needed aspects of your website build: Custom CSS and SCSS, Color Palettes, and many more but nothing stands out in particular compared to other frameworks.
   
   
2. How does the framework approach common problems or challenges in Joomla website construction, and what innovative solutions do they provide?
   The T4 Framework will give you the tools to build any website project you have - but as often is the case, you will probably find greatest flexibility with using its T4 Page Builder companion.

In conclusion, in my eyes, 2 of the above 3 frameworks are great choices and very close to each other in final scores for building a Joomla 5 website today…

In all transparency, I have little experience with the Sparky Framework, but for me, it was hard to work with it because of the visual aspects of the interface and the lack of capabilities compared to other frameworks. Between Astroid and T4, while they are quite close, and while I have built more sites with Astroid, I tend to enjoy T4 more even with what I feel are its little minuses (difficulty in finding correct information on their website, relying too much on the forums and not having an easy changelog or an open Github transparency approach).

I hope that this has given you some insight into each and that you will possibly give them a try and combined with the now 1596 templates made for Joomla 5, you have plenty of combinations and possibilities to build another great website built on Joomla!

See you next month for a deeper conversation on the 5th, 6th, and 7th most popular Joomla 5 frameworks:  UIkit Framework, Gavern Framework and Gantry Framework.