serve vs webpack-dev-server vs http-server vs browser-sync vs lite-server vs live-server vs nodemon
Development Servers and Live Reload Tools
Search packages..
servewebpack-dev-serverhttp-serverbrowser-synclite-serverlive-servernodemonSimilar Packages:
Development Servers and Live Reload Tools

These npm packages are development servers and live reload tools that facilitate web development by providing a local server environment, automatic reloading of the browser upon file changes, and various other features that enhance the development workflow. They help developers test their applications in real-time, ensuring a smoother and more efficient development process.

Npm Package Weekly Downloads Trend
3 Years
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
serve18,197,2069,79426 kB1464 months agoMIT
webpack-dev-server13,240,2977,851558 kB454 hours agoMIT
http-server4,048,47214,129124 kB95-MIT
browser-sync658,46612,289582 kB5749 months agoApache-2.0
lite-server02,317-735 years agoMIT
live-server04,56653.7 kB216-MIT
nodemon026,681219 kB112 months agoMIT
Feature Comparison: serve vs webpack-dev-server vs http-server vs browser-sync vs lite-server vs live-server vs nodemon

Live Reload

  • serve:

    serve does not include live reload features; it serves static files without automatic updates or refresh capabilities.

  • webpack-dev-server:

    webpack-dev-server supports hot module replacement, allowing you to see updates in real-time without refreshing the entire page, enhancing the development experience.

  • http-server:

    http-server does not support live reloading; it simply serves static files without any additional features for automatic updates or synchronization.

  • browser-sync:

    Browser-Sync provides advanced live reloading capabilities, allowing you to see changes in real-time across multiple devices and browsers. It synchronizes interactions, so scrolling, clicking, and form inputs are mirrored on all connected devices.

  • lite-server:

    lite-server offers live reload functionality, automatically refreshing the browser when files change, making it easy to see updates immediately during development.

  • live-server:

    live-server provides live reload capabilities, refreshing the browser automatically when changes are made to files, making it ideal for static sites.

  • nodemon:

    nodemon does not provide live reload for the browser; instead, it automatically restarts the Node.js server when file changes are detected, which is crucial for backend development.

Configuration Complexity

  • serve:

    serve is simple to use with minimal configuration, allowing you to get up and running quickly with static file serving.

  • webpack-dev-server:

    webpack-dev-server requires a Webpack configuration but provides powerful features like hot module replacement, which may add complexity compared to simpler servers.

  • http-server:

    http-server is extremely simple to set up with minimal configuration, making it ideal for quick tests or serving static files without hassle.

  • browser-sync:

    Browser-Sync requires some configuration, especially for advanced features like synchronization across devices, but it is generally straightforward and well-documented.

  • lite-server:

    lite-server requires minimal configuration and is easy to set up, making it a good choice for small projects or quick prototypes.

  • live-server:

    live-server is very easy to use with no configuration needed, making it perfect for developers looking for a quick and simple solution.

  • nodemon:

    nodemon requires minimal configuration, mainly focusing on the scripts you want to monitor for changes, making it easy to integrate into existing Node.js applications.

Use Case

  • serve:

    Ideal for serving single-page applications and static sites with minimal fuss, providing a straightforward command-line interface.

  • webpack-dev-server:

    Best for projects using Webpack, providing advanced features like hot module replacement for a more efficient development workflow.

  • http-server:

    Best suited for serving static files quickly without any additional features, making it perfect for quick tests or serving static content.

  • browser-sync:

    Ideal for front-end developers who need to test responsive designs across multiple devices and browsers simultaneously, making it great for collaborative work.

  • lite-server:

    Great for small projects or when you need a quick server with live reload capabilities, especially for static sites.

  • live-server:

    Perfect for static sites and quick prototyping, providing a simple way to see changes in real-time without configuration.

  • nodemon:

    Essential for backend development in Node.js applications, allowing for automatic restarts of the server on file changes, streamlining the development process.

Performance

  • serve:

    serve is fast and efficient for serving static files, with minimal performance impact, making it suitable for production-like environments.

  • webpack-dev-server:

    webpack-dev-server is optimized for development, providing fast rebuilds and hot module replacement, but can consume more resources compared to simpler servers.

  • http-server:

    http-server is lightweight and fast, making it ideal for serving static files without any performance bottlenecks.

  • browser-sync:

    Browser-Sync can introduce some overhead due to its synchronization features, but it is generally performant for most development scenarios.

  • lite-server:

    lite-server is efficient for small projects, but performance may vary with larger applications due to its live reload capabilities.

  • live-server:

    live-server is lightweight and performs well for static sites, but may slow down with many simultaneous connections due to its simplicity.

  • nodemon:

    nodemon's performance is tied to the Node.js application it monitors; it does not affect the performance of the application itself but can slow down restarts if many files are watched.

Ecosystem Integration

  • serve:

    serve is a standalone tool that does not require integration, making it easy to use for serving static files without additional setup.

  • webpack-dev-server:

    webpack-dev-server is designed to work with Webpack, providing a powerful development environment that leverages Webpack's capabilities for modern web applications.

  • http-server:

    http-server is a standalone tool and does not integrate with other tools but is useful for quick tests and serving static files.

  • browser-sync:

    Browser-Sync integrates well with various build tools and task runners, enhancing its capabilities for modern web development workflows.

  • lite-server:

    lite-server can be easily integrated into existing projects and works well with other tools, making it a flexible choice for developers.

  • live-server:

    live-server is a standalone tool that does not require integration with other tools, making it simple to use for static sites.

  • nodemon:

    nodemon integrates seamlessly with Node.js applications, making it a crucial tool for backend development and enhancing the development workflow.

How to Choose: serve vs webpack-dev-server vs http-server vs browser-sync vs lite-server vs live-server vs nodemon
  • serve:

    Select serve for a simple command-line static file server that is easy to use and configure. It's great for serving single-page applications and static sites with minimal fuss.

  • webpack-dev-server:

    Opt for webpack-dev-server if you're using Webpack for your build process and need a development server that supports hot module replacement, allowing for seamless updates without a full page reload.

  • http-server:

    Select http-server for a simple and lightweight solution to serve static files quickly without any additional features. It's perfect for quick tests or serving static content without overhead.

  • browser-sync:

    Choose Browser-Sync if you need a powerful tool that not only serves your files but also synchronizes interactions across multiple devices and browsers, making it ideal for testing responsive designs.

  • lite-server:

    Opt for lite-server if you want a simple development server with live reload capabilities and a minimal setup. It's great for small projects or when you need a quick server without complex configurations.

  • live-server:

    Use live-server for an easy-to-use server that automatically reloads your browser when changes are detected. It's suitable for static sites and quick prototyping.

  • nodemon:

    Choose nodemon if you're working with Node.js applications and want automatic restarts of your server whenever file changes are detected. It's essential for backend development to streamline the workflow.

Similar Npm Packages to serve

serve is a simple and efficient static file serving library for Node.js applications. It allows developers to quickly serve static files such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and images from a specified directory. With minimal configuration, serve can be an excellent choice for serving static assets during development or for deploying static sites. Its ease of use and lightweight nature make it a popular option among developers looking for a straightforward solution to serve static content.

However, there are several alternatives in the Node.js ecosystem that also provide static file serving capabilities. Here are a few notable ones:

  • express is a widely-used web application framework for Node.js that provides a robust set of features for building web and mobile applications. While express is primarily known for its middleware capabilities and routing, it also has built-in support for serving static files through its express.static middleware. If you need a more comprehensive framework that allows you to build APIs or web applications while also serving static files, express is an excellent choice.
  • http-server is a simple, zero-configuration command-line HTTP server that can serve static files. It is particularly useful for quickly setting up a local server to serve files from a directory without any additional configuration. http-server is lightweight and easy to use, making it a good option for development and testing purposes when you need a quick way to serve static content.
  • live-server is a development server with live reload capability. It serves static files and automatically refreshes the browser whenever changes are made to the files being served. This feature makes live-server particularly useful for front-end development, as it allows developers to see changes in real-time without needing to manually refresh the browser. If you are working on a project that requires frequent updates and immediate feedback, live-server can enhance your development workflow.

For a detailed comparison of these packages, check out this link: Comparing express vs http-server vs live-server vs serve.

Similar Npm Packages to webpack-dev-server

webpack-dev-server is a powerful development server for webpack-based applications. It provides a fast and efficient way to serve your web applications during development, with features like live reloading, hot module replacement, and easy integration with webpack's build process. While webpack-dev-server is a popular choice among developers, there are several alternatives that also provide similar functionalities. Here are a few notable options:

  • browser-sync is a versatile tool that allows developers to synchronize browser testing across multiple devices. It automatically refreshes the browser whenever changes are made to the code, making it ideal for responsive design testing. Browser-sync can be used with any web project, regardless of the build tool being used, and offers features like synchronized scrolling and form inputs across devices, making it a great choice for collaborative development and testing.
  • http-server is a simple, zero-configuration command-line HTTP server. It is lightweight and easy to set up, making it a good choice for serving static files during development. While it lacks some of the advanced features of webpack-dev-server, such as hot module replacement, it is perfect for quick and simple setups where you just need to serve files without additional complexity.
  • lite-server is a lightweight development server that provides live reloading and is easy to set up. It is particularly well-suited for single-page applications and can be easily integrated into existing projects. Lite-server is a great option for developers looking for a simple solution that offers live reloading without the overhead of more complex build tools.
  • parcel is a web application bundler that includes a built-in development server. It offers zero configuration and fast builds, making it a popular choice for developers who want to get started quickly. Parcel automatically handles code splitting, asset optimization, and hot module replacement, providing a comprehensive solution for modern web development without the need for extensive configuration.
  • vite is a next-generation frontend build tool that focuses on speed and performance. It features an extremely fast development server with hot module replacement and leverages native ES modules for faster builds. Vite is particularly well-suited for modern JavaScript frameworks and libraries, making it an excellent choice for developers looking for a fast and efficient development experience.

To explore how webpack-dev-server compares with these alternatives, check out the comparison: Comparing browser-sync vs http-server vs lite-server vs parcel vs vite vs webpack-dev-server.

Similar Npm Packages to http-server

http-server is a simple, zero-configuration command-line HTTP server that is ideal for serving static files. It is particularly useful for quickly testing and sharing web applications during development. With its straightforward setup, developers can easily serve files from a specified directory and access them via a web browser. While http-server is a great tool for serving static content, there are several alternatives that offer additional features or different use cases. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • express is a fast, unopinionated, and minimalist web framework for Node.js. It is widely used for building web applications and APIs, providing a robust set of features for web and mobile applications. Unlike http-server, which is focused on serving static files, express allows developers to create dynamic web applications with routing, middleware, and various HTTP utilities. If you need more control over your server and want to build a full-fledged web application, express is an excellent choice.

  • live-server is a simple development server with live reload capability. It serves static files and automatically reloads the browser when changes are detected in the source files. This makes it particularly useful for front-end development, as it enhances the development workflow by providing immediate feedback on changes. If you are looking for a lightweight server that offers live reloading, live-server is a great alternative to http-server.

  • serve is another static file serving solution that is designed to be simple and efficient. It can serve static files from a directory and also supports features like gzip compression, custom headers, and more. serve is particularly useful for deploying static sites and offers a more feature-rich alternative compared to http-server. If you need additional capabilities while serving static files, serve is a solid option.

To compare these packages, check out the following link: Comparing express vs http-server vs live-server vs serve.

Similar Npm Packages to browser-sync

browser-sync is a powerful tool for web developers that enables live reloading and synchronized browser testing. It helps streamline the development process by automatically refreshing the browser whenever changes are made to HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files. This feature allows developers to see their changes in real-time, improving productivity and reducing the time spent on manual refreshes. Browser-sync can also synchronize interactions across multiple devices, making it easier to test responsive designs.

While browser-sync is a great choice for live reloading and testing, there are several alternatives that offer similar functionalities. Here are a few notable options:

  • http-server is a simple, zero-configuration command-line HTTP server that can serve static files. It is lightweight and easy to set up, making it ideal for quickly serving files during development. While it does not offer live reloading out of the box, it can be combined with other tools to achieve similar functionality.
  • lite-server is a lightweight development server that provides live reloading capabilities. It is built on top of connect and serve and is designed for simplicity. Lite-server automatically watches files and refreshes the browser when changes are detected, making it a good alternative for developers looking for an easy-to-use solution.
  • live-server is another simple development server that provides live reloading. It serves static files and automatically refreshes the browser when changes are made. Live-server is straightforward to set up and is a great choice for developers who want a quick and efficient way to serve their projects.
  • nodemon is a utility that monitors for changes in your source code and automatically restarts your Node.js application. While it is primarily used for server-side development, it can be combined with other tools to provide a more comprehensive development experience. It does not offer live reloading for the browser but is useful for backend development.
  • serve is a static file serving solution that is simple to use and can be easily integrated into various projects. It does not provide live reloading by itself, but it can be used in conjunction with other tools to achieve that functionality.
  • webpack-dev-server is a development server that comes with Webpack. It provides live reloading and hot module replacement, making it a powerful option for projects that use Webpack for bundling. It is particularly useful for larger applications that require more advanced features.

To see how browser-sync compares with these alternatives, check out the comparison: Comparing browser-sync vs http-server vs lite-server vs live-server vs nodemon vs serve vs webpack-dev-server.

Similar Npm Packages to lite-server

lite-server is a lightweight development server that serves static files and provides live reloading capabilities for web applications. It is particularly useful for front-end developers who want a simple way to serve their projects during development without the overhead of a full-fledged server. Lite-server is easy to set up and can be configured to watch for changes in files, automatically refreshing the browser when updates are made.

While lite-server is a great option for local development, there are several alternatives that offer similar functionalities. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • browser-sync is a powerful tool that enables synchronized browser testing. It allows developers to see changes in real-time across multiple devices and browsers, making it an excellent choice for responsive design testing. Browser-sync can also inject CSS changes without a full page reload, enhancing the development experience.
  • http-server is a simple, zero-configuration command-line HTTP server. It is ideal for serving static files and is often used for quick testing of web applications. While it lacks some of the advanced features of other development servers, its simplicity and ease of use make it a popular choice for quick setups.
  • live-server is another lightweight development server that provides live reloading capabilities. It serves static files and automatically refreshes the browser when changes are detected. Live-server is easy to set up and is particularly useful for small projects or prototypes.
  • nodemon is a utility that monitors for changes in your Node.js applications and automatically restarts the server when changes are detected. While it is primarily used for back-end development, it can be integrated with front-end workflows to enhance development efficiency.
  • serve is a static file serving library that is simple to use and can serve files from any directory. It is often used for deploying static sites and can be a good option for serving files during development.
  • webpack-dev-server is a development server that comes with Webpack. It provides features like hot module replacement, live reloading, and more, making it a powerful choice for projects that use Webpack for bundling. It is best suited for larger applications that require a robust development setup.

For a comprehensive comparison of these packages, check out the following link: Comparing browser-sync vs http-server vs lite-server vs live-server vs nodemon vs serve vs webpack-dev-server.

Similar Npm Packages to live-server

live-server is a simple development server that provides a live reloading feature for web applications. It serves static files and automatically refreshes the browser whenever changes are made to the files, making it an excellent tool for front-end development. While live-server is a popular choice, there are several alternatives that offer similar functionality. Here are a few notable ones:

  • browser-sync is a powerful tool that not only serves your files but also synchronizes file changes across multiple devices. It provides live reloading, allowing developers to see changes in real-time on all connected devices. Additionally, browser-sync offers features like URL syncing, form input synchronization, and more, making it a great choice for collaborative development or testing across different devices.
  • lite-server is a lightweight development server that is easy to set up and use. It is designed to serve static files and provides live reloading capabilities similar to live-server. Lite-server is particularly useful for small projects or when you need a quick and simple server without the overhead of more complex setups. Its simplicity and ease of use make it a popular choice among developers looking for a straightforward solution.
  • webpack-dev-server is a development server that comes as part of the Webpack ecosystem. It provides live reloading and hot module replacement (HMR) features, allowing developers to see changes in real-time without refreshing the entire page. Webpack-dev-server is particularly beneficial for projects that are already using Webpack for module bundling, as it integrates seamlessly with the Webpack configuration. If your project relies heavily on Webpack, this server can enhance your development workflow significantly.

To explore how live-server compares with browser-sync, lite-server, and webpack-dev-server, check out the comparison: Comparing browser-sync vs lite-server vs live-server vs webpack-dev-server.

Similar Npm Packages to nodemon

nodemon is a utility that helps develop Node.js applications by automatically restarting the server whenever file changes in the directory are detected. This tool is particularly useful during development, as it allows developers to see changes in real-time without the need to manually stop and restart the server. With its simple configuration and ease of use, nodemon has become a popular choice among Node.js developers.

However, there are several alternatives to nodemon that also provide process management and server monitoring capabilities. Here are a few notable options:

  • forever is a simple CLI tool that ensures that a given script runs continuously. It is designed to keep your Node.js applications running indefinitely, automatically restarting them if they crash. While it doesn’t provide the same file-watching capabilities as nodemon, it is an excellent choice for production environments where you need to ensure that your application is always up and running.

  • pm2 is a powerful process manager for Node.js applications that offers advanced features such as load balancing, monitoring, and clustering. PM2 is particularly well-suited for production environments, as it provides robust process management capabilities, including automatic restarts, log management, and performance monitoring. If you're looking for a comprehensive solution to manage your Node.js applications in production, PM2 is an excellent choice.

  • supervisor is another tool that automatically restarts your Node.js application when file changes are detected. It is similar to nodemon but offers additional features such as the ability to monitor multiple processes and run scripts in parallel. Supervisor is a good alternative for developers who need a simple way to manage multiple Node.js applications during development.

For a detailed comparison of these packages, check out the following link: Comparing forever vs nodemon vs pm2 vs supervisor.

README for serve

Serve Logo

serve helps you serve a static site, single page application or just a static file (no matter if on your device or on the local network). It also provides a neat interface for listing the directory's contents:

Listing UI

Once it's time to push your site to production, we recommend using Vercel.

Usage

serve v14 onwards requires Node v14 to run. Please use serve v13 if you cannot upgrade to Node v14.

The quickest way to get started is to just run npx serve in your project's directory.

If you prefer, you can also install the package globally (you'll need at least Node LTS):

> npm install --global serve

Once that's done, you can run this command inside your project's directory...

> serve

...or specify which folder you want to serve:

> serve folder-name/

Finally, run this command to see a list of all available options:

> serve --help

Now you understand how the package works! :tada:

Configuration

To customize serve's behavior, create a serve.json file in the public folder and insert any of these properties.

API

The core of serve is serve-handler, which can be used as middleware in existing HTTP servers:

const handler = require('serve-handler');
const http = require('http');

const server = http.createServer((request, response) => {
  // You pass two more arguments for config and middleware
  // More details here: https://github.com/vercel/serve-handler#options
  return handler(request, response);
});

server.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Running at http://localhost:3000');
});

You can also replace http.createServer with micro.

Issues and Contributing

If you want a feature to be added, or wish to report a bug, please open an issue here.

If you wish to contribute to the project, please read the contributing guide first.

Credits

This project used to be called list and micro-list. But thanks to TJ Holowaychuk handing us the new name, it's now called serve (which is much more definite).

Author

Leo Lamprecht (@leo)

npm-compare.com is an independent website designed to help developers choose the most suitable npm packages. We are not affiliated with npm, Inc, the official website for the npm registry. Note that npm is a registered trademark of npm, Inc. Please share your feedback via our GitHub repository. For more details, please refer to our Terms & Privacy.