tailwindcss vs bootstrap vs bulma vs vanilla-framework vs purecss
CSS Frameworks Comparison
1 Year
tailwindcssbootstrapbulmavanilla-frameworkpurecssSimilar Packages:
What's CSS Frameworks?

CSS frameworks are pre-prepared libraries that are meant to be used as a base for starting a project. They provide a standardized way to style web applications, offering a collection of CSS classes and components that help developers create responsive and visually appealing designs quickly. Each framework has its own philosophy and approach to styling, making it essential to choose one that aligns with your project needs and development style.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
tailwindcss19,545,80887,808676 kB722 days agoMIT
bootstrap4,897,547172,3159.62 MB53912 days agoMIT
bulma185,45649,7746.97 MB491a month agoMIT
vanilla-framework21,384901583 kB14923 days agoLGPL-3.0
purecss11,15723,714229 kB13-BSD-3-Clause
Feature Comparison: tailwindcss vs bootstrap vs bulma vs vanilla-framework vs purecss

Design Philosophy

  • tailwindcss:

    TailwindCSS embraces a utility-first design philosophy, allowing developers to apply styles directly in their HTML. This approach promotes rapid prototyping and customization, enabling unique designs without the constraints of a predefined component library.

  • bootstrap:

    Bootstrap follows a component-based design philosophy, providing a wide range of pre-styled components that can be easily integrated into any project. It emphasizes consistency and responsiveness, making it a go-to choice for many developers.

  • bulma:

    Bulma adopts a modern, flexbox-based approach that focuses on simplicity and readability. It encourages a clean design aesthetic and allows developers to create responsive layouts with minimal effort, promoting a more intuitive styling experience.

  • vanilla-framework:

    Vanilla Framework emphasizes semantic HTML and accessibility, providing a straightforward approach to styling. It encourages clean code practices and focuses on delivering a lightweight solution that enhances usability.

  • purecss:

    PureCSS is built around the idea of minimalism, offering only the essential styles needed for a project. It avoids unnecessary complexity and focuses on providing a lightweight solution that can be easily integrated into existing projects without bloat.

Customization

  • tailwindcss:

    TailwindCSS excels in customization, allowing developers to create unique designs by composing utility classes directly in their HTML. Its configuration file provides extensive options for theming and customizing styles, making it highly adaptable to various design requirements.

  • bootstrap:

    Bootstrap allows for customization through its Sass variables and mixins, enabling developers to easily change the default styles and create a unique look. However, extensive customization may require overriding existing styles, which can lead to complexity.

  • bulma:

    Bulma is highly customizable, allowing developers to modify its variables to suit their design needs without the need for complex overrides. Its modular structure makes it easy to include only the components you need, enhancing performance and maintainability.

  • vanilla-framework:

    Vanilla Framework offers limited customization options, focusing on providing a straightforward styling approach. Developers can easily modify styles, but the framework is designed to be simple and may not support extensive customization.

  • purecss:

    PureCSS is designed for minimal customization, as it provides a basic set of styles. Developers can easily override styles as needed, but the framework itself does not offer extensive customization options out of the box.

Learning Curve

  • tailwindcss:

    TailwindCSS may have a steeper learning curve initially due to its utility-first approach, which differs from traditional CSS frameworks. However, once developers become familiar with the utility classes, they often find it enhances their productivity and design flexibility.

  • bootstrap:

    Bootstrap has a moderate learning curve, especially for beginners. Its extensive documentation and community support make it easier to learn, but understanding its grid system and component structure may take some time.

  • bulma:

    Bulma is relatively easy to learn, thanks to its straightforward syntax and clear documentation. Developers familiar with CSS will find it intuitive, making it a great choice for those new to CSS frameworks.

  • vanilla-framework:

    Vanilla Framework is easy to learn, especially for those familiar with semantic HTML and CSS. Its focus on simplicity and accessibility makes it approachable for developers of all skill levels.

  • purecss:

    PureCSS has a gentle learning curve, as it focuses on providing only essential styles. Developers can quickly grasp how to use it, but they may need to rely on custom CSS for more complex designs.

Community and Support

  • tailwindcss:

    TailwindCSS has rapidly gained popularity and boasts a vibrant community. Its extensive documentation, tutorials, and third-party plugins make it easy for developers to find support and resources for their projects.

  • bootstrap:

    Bootstrap has a large and active community, providing extensive resources, tutorials, and third-party plugins. This strong support network makes it easier for developers to find solutions and share knowledge.

  • bulma:

    Bulma has a growing community and offers good documentation, but it may not have as many third-party resources as Bootstrap. However, its simplicity and modern approach attract a dedicated user base.

  • vanilla-framework:

    Vanilla Framework has a smaller community, which may limit the availability of resources and support. However, its focus on accessibility and semantic HTML resonates with developers who prioritize clean coding practices.

  • purecss:

    PureCSS has a smaller community compared to larger frameworks, but it is well-documented. Developers may find fewer resources and plugins available, but its minimalistic approach is appreciated by those who prefer simplicity.

How to Choose: tailwindcss vs bootstrap vs bulma vs vanilla-framework vs purecss
  • tailwindcss:

    Choose TailwindCSS if you prefer a utility-first approach that allows for rapid prototyping and custom designs without leaving your HTML. TailwindCSS is excellent for developers who want to build unique designs without being constrained by predefined components, offering maximum flexibility and customization.

  • bootstrap:

    Choose Bootstrap if you need a comprehensive and widely-used framework that provides a robust grid system, extensive pre-built components, and strong community support. It's ideal for rapid development and prototyping, especially for projects requiring a consistent look and feel across different devices.

  • bulma:

    Select Bulma if you prefer a modern, flexbox-based framework that is lightweight and easy to customize. Bulma is great for developers looking for a clean aesthetic and a simple syntax without the overhead of JavaScript components, making it suitable for projects that prioritize simplicity and responsiveness.

  • vanilla-framework:

    Select Vanilla Framework if you are looking for a simple, lightweight framework that emphasizes semantic HTML and accessibility. It's suitable for projects that prioritize clean code and straightforward styling without the complexities of larger frameworks.

  • purecss:

    Opt for PureCSS if you want a minimalistic approach with a small footprint. PureCSS is ideal for projects that require only essential styles without any unnecessary bloat, making it perfect for performance-sensitive applications or when you want to keep your CSS file size to a minimum.

README for tailwindcss

Tailwind CSS

A utility-first CSS framework for rapidly building custom user interfaces.

Build Status Total Downloads Latest Release License


Documentation

For full documentation, visit tailwindcss.com.

Community

For help, discussion about best practices, or any other conversation that would benefit from being searchable:

Discuss Tailwind CSS on GitHub

For chatting with others using the framework:

Join the Tailwind CSS Discord Server

Contributing

If you're interested in contributing to Tailwind CSS, please read our contributing docs before submitting a pull request.