Which is Better JavaScript Polyfills and Runtime Libraries?
regenerator-runtime vs @babel/runtime vs core-js vs babel-runtime vs @babel/polyfill vs babel-polyfill
1 Year
regenerator-runtime@babel/runtimecore-jsbabel-runtime@babel/polyfillbabel-polyfillSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Polyfills and Runtime Libraries?

These packages are essential for ensuring compatibility and functionality of modern JavaScript features in environments that do not support them natively. They provide polyfills and runtime support for various ECMAScript features, enabling developers to write code using the latest JavaScript syntax and features while maintaining compatibility with older browsers or environments. Each package serves a specific purpose in the ecosystem of JavaScript development, particularly in the context of using Babel for transpilation.

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regenerator-runtime57,842,0613,82527.9 kB8310 months agoMIT
@babel/runtime53,061,88943,214248 kB79114 days agoMIT
core-js32,294,32524,4411.24 MB382 months agoMIT
babel-runtime6,897,918---7 years agoMIT
@babel/polyfill1,855,66443,214-7914 years agoMIT
babel-polyfill1,397,535---7 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: regenerator-runtime vs @babel/runtime vs core-js vs babel-runtime vs @babel/polyfill vs babel-polyfill

Polyfill Coverage

  • regenerator-runtime: regenerator-runtime specifically targets generator functions and async/await, providing the necessary runtime support without additional polyfills.
  • @babel/runtime: @babel/runtime does not provide polyfills; instead, it focuses on reducing code duplication for Babel's helper functions, which are used in transpiled code.
  • core-js: core-js offers a modular approach, allowing developers to include only the necessary polyfills for specific ECMAScript features, which can significantly reduce bundle size.
  • babel-runtime: babel-runtime does not provide polyfills but includes Babel's helper functions to optimize code size and reuse.
  • @babel/polyfill: @babel/polyfill includes a wide range of polyfills for ECMAScript features, including Promise, Symbol, Array methods, and more, ensuring broad compatibility across different environments.
  • babel-polyfill: babel-polyfill provides the same comprehensive polyfill coverage as @babel/polyfill but is now deprecated, making it less suitable for new projects.

Size and Performance

  • regenerator-runtime: regenerator-runtime is lightweight and specifically designed for async/await and generator functions, ensuring minimal impact on bundle size.
  • @babel/runtime: @babel/runtime helps reduce the overall bundle size by reusing Babel's helper functions, making it a good choice for libraries and shared code.
  • core-js: core-js allows for selective polyfilling, which can lead to smaller bundle sizes as developers can include only what they need, enhancing performance.
  • babel-runtime: babel-runtime is lightweight and focuses on helper functions, making it a good choice for optimizing output size without including unnecessary polyfills.
  • @babel/polyfill: @babel/polyfill can increase bundle size significantly as it includes many polyfills. It is best used when full compatibility is required.
  • babel-polyfill: babel-polyfill is larger than @babel/polyfill and is not recommended for new projects due to its deprecation.

Modularity

  • regenerator-runtime: regenerator-runtime is not modular; it specifically targets async/await and generator functions without additional features.
  • @babel/runtime: @babel/runtime is not modular; it focuses on providing Babel's helper functions without polyfills, making it suitable for projects that already handle polyfills separately.
  • core-js: core-js is highly modular, allowing developers to import only the polyfills they need, which is ideal for optimizing bundle size and performance.
  • babel-runtime: babel-runtime is not modular and is focused on helper functions, which can be reused across different projects.
  • @babel/polyfill: @babel/polyfill is not modular; it includes a complete set of polyfills, which may lead to unnecessary bloat if only a few features are needed.
  • babel-polyfill: babel-polyfill is not modular and is now deprecated, so it is advisable to use @babel/polyfill instead.

Usage Scenarios

  • regenerator-runtime: regenerator-runtime is best used in projects that utilize async/await and generator functions without needing a full polyfill solution.
  • @babel/runtime: @babel/runtime is ideal for libraries or applications that are shared across multiple projects, where reducing code duplication is crucial for maintaining smaller bundle sizes.
  • core-js: core-js is perfect for applications that require specific polyfills without the need for a full set, allowing for a more tailored approach to compatibility.
  • babel-runtime: babel-runtime is useful in scenarios where Babel's helper functions are needed without the overhead of full polyfills, particularly in optimized builds.
  • @babel/polyfill: @babel/polyfill is best used in applications that need to support a wide range of browsers, especially older ones, while utilizing modern JavaScript features extensively.
  • babel-polyfill: babel-polyfill is suitable for legacy projects but should be avoided in new projects due to its deprecation.

Maintenance and Support

  • regenerator-runtime: regenerator-runtime is actively maintained and focuses on providing support for async/await and generator functions.
  • @babel/runtime: @babel/runtime is actively maintained and regularly updated, ensuring compatibility with the latest Babel features and improvements.
  • core-js: core-js is actively maintained and supports the latest ECMAScript proposals, making it a reliable choice for modern applications.
  • babel-runtime: babel-runtime is actively maintained and is a critical part of the Babel ecosystem for optimizing output code.
  • @babel/polyfill: @babel/polyfill is deprecated and will not receive further updates, making it less suitable for ongoing projects.
  • babel-polyfill: babel-polyfill is deprecated and should be replaced with @babel/polyfill in new projects.
How to Choose: regenerator-runtime vs @babel/runtime vs core-js vs babel-runtime vs @babel/polyfill vs babel-polyfill
  • regenerator-runtime: Choose regenerator-runtime if you specifically need support for generator functions and async/await syntax. This package is lightweight and focuses solely on enabling these features, making it suitable for projects that do not require the full set of polyfills.
  • @babel/runtime: Choose @babel/runtime if you want to reduce the size of your output code by avoiding duplication of Babel's helper functions. This is particularly useful for libraries or applications that are shared across multiple projects, as it allows for better code reuse and smaller bundle sizes.
  • core-js: Choose core-js if you need a modular and customizable polyfill solution. It allows you to include only the specific polyfills you need, which can help reduce bundle size and improve performance. Core-js is also actively maintained and supports the latest ECMAScript proposals.
  • babel-runtime: Choose babel-runtime if you are using Babel for transpiling your code and need to include Babel's helper functions without the full polyfill. This is useful for optimizing the output size of your code while still benefiting from Babel's features.
  • @babel/polyfill: Choose @babel/polyfill if you need a comprehensive solution that includes both core-js and regenerator-runtime. It is ideal for projects that require full support for ES6+ features and async functions, especially in environments that do not support modern JavaScript natively.
  • babel-polyfill: Choose babel-polyfill if you are working with older projects that still rely on the legacy Babel polyfill. However, note that it is now deprecated in favor of @babel/polyfill, so it's better to transition to the newer package for ongoing projects.
README for regenerator-runtime

regenerator-runtime

Standalone runtime for Regenerator-compiled generator and async functions.

To import the runtime as a module (recommended), either of the following import styles will work:

// CommonJS
const regeneratorRuntime = require("regenerator-runtime");

// ECMAScript 2015
import regeneratorRuntime from "regenerator-runtime";

To ensure that regeneratorRuntime is defined globally, either of the following styles will work:

// CommonJS
require("regenerator-runtime/runtime");

// ECMAScript 2015
import "regenerator-runtime/runtime.js";

To get the absolute file system path of runtime.js, evaluate the following expression:

require("regenerator-runtime/path").path