This post helps to find the best jQuery table plugin for your data/ information. The table is very important HTML element to represent data in a user-friendly manner.
There are number of paid grid plugin available in the market which is providing sorting, searching and filtering functionality but here I will list down the best free jQuery HTML table plugins.
The jQuery Grid plugin will professionally show the records in the HTML table. These grid plugin provides a look and feel that resembles the usage of an integrated framework grid view
You can also define data into div
, table, span, etc but jQuery table plugins provide more flexibility and customization on data representation.
You can also check other tutorials on table plugin:
- jQuery jqGrid Example with JSON Data Using Rest Service
- Datatables Example with JSON Data Using Rest WebService
- Simple Example and Use of jQuery Flexigrid
- Best Free jQuery Table and Grid Plugins
DataTables – HTML Table jQuery plugin
DataTables is a plug-in for the jQuery JavaScript library. It is a highly flexible tool, based upon the foundations of progressive enhancement, and will add advanced interaction controls to any HTML table.
You can get more information about the implementation and uses of datatable with server-side from Simple example and Demo of datatable with php and MySQL tutorial.

Tablesorter – jQuery HTML Table Sorting Plugin
Tablesorter is a popular HTML table plugin for sorting records in tables. Tablesorter is a very flexible client-side table sorting plugin.

Flexigrid – Lightweight and Rich Data Grid
Flexigrid is a very popular HTML table grid. It is a very lightweight and rich data grid with resizable columns and scrolling data to match the headers. You can use xml
/json
based data source using Ajax to load the content.

SlickGrid – Advanced JavaScript Grid
SlickGrid is an advanced JavaScript grid/spreadsheet jQuery plugin. slickGrid supports virtual scrolling, fast rendering, jQuery UI Theme, Configurable & customizable,editing and creating new rows.

jqGrid – Ajax Based HTML table grid
jqGrid is an Ajax-enabled JavaScript control that provides solutions for representing and manipulating tabular data on the web. Since the grid is a client-side solution loading data dynamically through Ajax callbacks, it can be integrated with any server-side technology, including PHP, ASP, Java Servlets, JSP, ColdFusion, and Perl.
jqGrid uses a jQuery JavaScript Library and is written as the plugin for that package.
Updated – jQgrid Example with Demo Using Bootstrap and jQuery UI.

jTable – AJAX-based CRUD tables
jTable is a jQuery plugin that is used to create AJAX-based CRUD tables without coding HTML or JavaScript. It Automatically creates an HTML table and loads records from the server using AJAX. It comes with pre-defined color themes.
You can read Simple Demo of jTable Add,Edit and Delete Using PHP and MySQL.

Tabulator
Tabulator is an easy-to-use jQuery plugin for creating interactive tables with features like sorting, filtering, and pagination.

Bootgrid – Bootstrap-Based HTML Grid Plugin
Bootgrid is a very popular and useful jQuery table plugin that is sleek and intuitive. Bootgrid is a grid control specially designed for bootstrap. You can learn more from Simple Example Bootgrid (Server Side) with PHP, MySQL and Ajax tutorial.

Very nice article, thank you!
Does any of those free options support export to PDF ?
ya,datatable supports pdf etc