No more iframe

Stop using iframes, it’s 2025.

The <iframe> (short for inline frame) was once a clever solution to a common problem: embedding another HTML page inside your current page. Back when the web was less dynamic and more fragmented, iframes offered a way to integrate content like maps, videos, external tools, or even entire applications without duplicating code or hosting responsibilities. It was a quick fix for embedding third-party services and sandboxing isolated parts of an interface.

Limitations

But as the web matured, the limitations of <iframe> became more obvious. They’re no longer the clean solution they once seemed. Here are some of the key drawbacks:

• Styling limitations – iframes are difficult to style consistently across browsers and can break responsive layouts.

• Security risks – They can expose your site to vulnerabilities like clickjacking if not properly sandboxed.

• Poor performance – Each iframe loads a separate page context, adding to the load time and resource usage.

• Limited communication – Interacting between the parent page and the iframe requires complex messaging (postMessage API), making integrations fragile.

• SEO challenges – Content inside an iframe isn’t indexed the same way by search engines, which can hurt discoverability.

• Accessibility issues – Screen readers and assistive tech often struggle to interpret iframe content correctly.

Implementation today

Today, we have better tools. Embedding third-party content is now typically done via APIs, web components, or libraries that give you far more control and flexibility. Instead of using an iframe for a payment form, for example, you might use Stripe Elements. Want to embed a map? Use the Google Maps JavaScript API. For integrating isolated front-end components, frameworks like React let you dynamically render modular pieces without the downsides of iframes. In short, modern web development has moved on—and so should your codebase.