Which is Better JavaScript Module Bundlers and Task Runners?
webpack vs browserify vs gulp vs grunt vs parcel
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What's JavaScript Module Bundlers and Task Runners?

These packages are essential tools in modern web development, primarily focused on module bundling, task automation, and optimizing the development workflow. They help developers manage dependencies, compile assets, and streamline the build process, ultimately improving performance and maintainability of web applications. Each tool has its unique features and use cases, making them suitable for different project requirements and developer preferences.

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webpack25,433,36964,6045.08 MB2629 days agoMIT
browserify1,375,64814,598363 kB39618 hours agoMIT
gulp1,350,83232,99511.2 kB286 months agoMIT
grunt674,01112,27268.3 kB1622 years agoMIT
parcel197,95443,40740.5 kB6837 months agoMIT
Feature Comparison: webpack vs browserify vs gulp vs grunt vs parcel

Bundling Approach

  • webpack: Webpack is a powerful and highly configurable module bundler that supports advanced features like code splitting, tree shaking, and hot module replacement. It is suitable for large applications and complex workflows, providing fine-grained control over the build process.
  • browserify: Browserify allows you to write Node.js-style modules and bundles them for use in the browser. It analyzes the dependency graph and creates a single JavaScript file that can be included in your HTML, making it easy to manage dependencies.
  • gulp: Gulp uses a code-over-configuration approach, allowing you to define tasks in JavaScript. It streams files through a series of transformations, making it efficient for bundling and processing assets. Gulp is known for its speed and flexibility in handling complex workflows.
  • grunt: Grunt is primarily a task runner that can also handle bundling through plugins. It requires configuration files (Gruntfile) to define tasks, making it less intuitive for bundling compared to dedicated bundlers. It is more focused on automating repetitive tasks like minification and compilation.
  • parcel: Parcel is a zero-configuration bundler that automatically handles code splitting, asset optimization, and hot module replacement. It is designed for simplicity and speed, making it an excellent choice for developers who want to get started quickly without extensive setup.

Configuration Complexity

  • webpack: Webpack has a steep learning curve due to its extensive configuration options. While it offers powerful features, setting it up can be complex, especially for beginners.
  • browserify: Browserify has a relatively simple configuration process, often requiring minimal setup to get started. It is suitable for developers who prefer a straightforward approach without extensive configuration.
  • gulp: Gulp's configuration is more intuitive, as it allows developers to write tasks in JavaScript. This can make it easier to understand and modify, especially for those familiar with JavaScript programming.
  • grunt: Grunt requires a more complex configuration setup, as it relies on a Gruntfile to define tasks and plugins. This can lead to a steeper learning curve for newcomers, but it offers extensive customization options.
  • parcel: Parcel is designed to be zero-config, meaning it works out of the box without requiring any configuration files. This makes it very user-friendly and ideal for quick prototyping or smaller projects.

Performance Optimization

  • webpack: Webpack provides advanced performance optimization features like tree shaking and code splitting, allowing developers to reduce the size of their bundles and improve loading times. It is highly effective for large-scale applications.
  • browserify: Browserify performs well for smaller projects, but as the application grows, the single bundle can become large and impact loading times. It is essential to manage dependencies carefully to optimize performance.
  • gulp: Gulp is known for its speed due to its streaming capabilities, allowing files to be processed in memory without writing intermediate files to disk. This can significantly improve build times, especially in larger projects.
  • grunt: Grunt can optimize performance through various plugins, but the build process can be slower due to its file-based approach. It is best suited for projects where build speed is not the primary concern.
  • parcel: Parcel automatically optimizes assets during the build process, including code splitting and lazy loading, which can enhance performance without requiring manual configuration. It is particularly effective for modern web applications.

Ecosystem and Community Support

  • webpack: Webpack has a large and active community, with extensive documentation and a rich ecosystem of plugins and loaders. It is widely adopted in the industry, making it a safe choice for complex applications.
  • browserify: Browserify has a smaller ecosystem compared to other bundlers, but it is well-supported by the community. It integrates well with other tools and libraries, making it a reliable choice for smaller projects.
  • gulp: Gulp has a vibrant ecosystem with numerous plugins available for various tasks. Its community is active, and it continues to be a popular choice for developers looking for a flexible task runner.
  • grunt: Grunt has a vast ecosystem of plugins and a strong community, providing a wide range of options for task automation. However, its popularity has declined in favor of more modern tools like Gulp and Webpack.
  • parcel: Parcel is gaining popularity due to its simplicity and ease of use. While its ecosystem is not as extensive as Webpack's, it is rapidly growing and has a supportive community.

Learning Curve

  • webpack: Webpack has a steep learning curve, particularly for beginners. Its extensive configuration options can be overwhelming, but mastering it can lead to powerful build optimizations.
  • browserify: Browserify has a gentle learning curve, especially for developers familiar with Node.js. Its straightforward approach makes it easy to get started with module bundling.
  • gulp: Gulp is relatively easy to learn, especially for those who prefer coding over configuration. Its use of JavaScript for task definitions makes it accessible for developers.
  • grunt: Grunt has a steeper learning curve due to its configuration-heavy approach. New users may find it challenging to set up and understand the task automation process.
  • parcel: Parcel is designed for quick onboarding, with no configuration required. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners or those looking to prototype rapidly.
How to Choose: webpack vs browserify vs gulp vs grunt vs parcel
  • browserify: Choose Browserify if you need a simple and straightforward way to use Node.js-style modules in the browser without much configuration. It is ideal for smaller projects or when you want to leverage existing Node.js modules directly in the browser.
Similar Npm Packages to browserify

browserify is a JavaScript tool that allows developers to use Node.js-style require() calls in the browser. It enables the bundling of multiple JavaScript files into a single file, making it easier to manage dependencies and optimize web applications. While browserify is a powerful tool for module bundling, there are several alternatives in the ecosystem that also provide similar functionalities. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • parcel is a web application bundler that offers a zero-configuration setup, making it incredibly easy to use. Parcel automatically handles code splitting, hot module replacement, and asset optimization, allowing developers to focus on building their applications without worrying about the underlying configuration. Its fast performance and out-of-the-box support for various file types make it a great choice for developers looking for a straightforward bundling solution.
  • rollup is a module bundler specifically designed for JavaScript libraries and applications. It emphasizes the creation of small, efficient bundles and supports ES modules natively. Rollup is particularly well-suited for library authors who want to create optimized builds for distribution. Its tree-shaking capabilities help eliminate dead code, resulting in smaller bundle sizes. If your focus is on building libraries or applications that require high performance and modularity, Rollup is an excellent option.
  • webpack is one of the most popular module bundlers in the JavaScript ecosystem. It provides a highly configurable and extensible framework for bundling JavaScript applications, along with support for various asset types like CSS, images, and more. Webpack's powerful plugin system allows developers to customize the build process extensively. While it has a steeper learning curve compared to some alternatives, its flexibility and robust feature set make it a go-to choice for large-scale applications that require complex build configurations.

For a detailed comparison of these tools, check out the link: Comparing browserify vs parcel vs rollup vs webpack.

Similar Npm Packages to gulp

gulp is a popular task runner for automating repetitive tasks in web development. It allows developers to define tasks using a simple and intuitive API, enabling them to streamline their build processes, manage assets, and optimize workflows. Gulp uses streams to process files, making it efficient and fast for tasks like minification, compilation, and image optimization. While gulp is widely used, there are several alternatives that cater to different needs and preferences in the development workflow. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • browserify is a tool that allows developers to use Node.js-style require statements in the browser, enabling modular JavaScript development. It bundles JavaScript files into a single file for use in the browser, making it easier to manage dependencies. While browserify focuses primarily on module bundling, it can be integrated with other tools to handle tasks like minification and transpilation, making it a good choice for projects that prioritize modularity.
  • grunt is another task runner that automates repetitive tasks in web development. It uses a configuration-based approach, where developers define tasks in a Gruntfile.js. While grunt provides a robust set of plugins for various tasks, its configuration can become verbose and complex for larger projects. Grunt is a solid choice for developers who prefer a more declarative style of task management.
  • parcel is a web application bundler that offers a zero-configuration setup, making it easy to get started with modern web development. Parcel automatically handles tasks like transpilation, bundling, and optimization without requiring extensive configuration. Its fast performance and built-in support for hot module replacement make it a great choice for developers looking for a straightforward and efficient build tool.
  • webpack is a powerful module bundler that has become the standard for modern JavaScript applications. It allows developers to bundle JavaScript files along with other assets like CSS and images, providing a highly customizable build process. Webpack's extensive plugin ecosystem and support for code splitting, tree shaking, and hot module replacement make it ideal for complex applications. However, its configuration can be intricate, which may pose a learning curve for newcomers.

To explore how gulp compares with browserify, grunt, parcel, and webpack, check out the comparison: Comparing browserify vs grunt vs gulp vs parcel vs webpack.

Similar Npm Packages to grunt

grunt is a popular JavaScript task runner that automates repetitive tasks in the development workflow. It allows developers to define tasks in a configuration file, enabling them to automate processes such as minification, compilation, unit testing, and linting. Grunt has a rich ecosystem of plugins that extend its functionality, making it suitable for various project requirements. However, there are several alternatives to Grunt that offer different approaches to task automation and build processes. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • gulp is a streaming build system that emphasizes code over configuration. Unlike Grunt, which uses a configuration file to define tasks, Gulp allows developers to write tasks in JavaScript using a more programmatic approach. This can lead to more readable and maintainable build scripts. Gulp's use of streams also makes it faster in many scenarios, as it can process files in memory without writing intermediate files to disk. If you prefer a more flexible and code-centric approach to task automation, Gulp is an excellent choice.

  • parcel is a web application bundler that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It requires minimal configuration and automatically handles tasks such as transpiling, bundling, and optimizing assets. Parcel is particularly well-suited for projects that prioritize quick setup and rapid development cycles. Its zero-configuration philosophy allows developers to get started quickly without needing to define complex build processes. If you're looking for a straightforward solution for modern web applications, Parcel is a great option.

  • webpack is a powerful module bundler that has become the standard for modern JavaScript applications. It allows developers to bundle JavaScript files along with other assets like CSS, images, and fonts, providing a comprehensive solution for managing dependencies and optimizing performance. Webpack's plugin system and configuration flexibility make it suitable for complex applications, but it can also have a steeper learning curve compared to Grunt and other alternatives. If your project requires advanced features like code splitting, tree shaking, and hot module replacement, Webpack is an excellent choice.

To explore how Grunt compares with Gulp, Parcel, and Webpack, check out the comparison: Comparing grunt vs gulp vs parcel vs webpack.

Similar Npm Packages to parcel

parcel is a web application bundler that aims to provide a fast and zero-configuration experience for developers. It automatically handles various tasks such as module bundling, code splitting, and asset optimization without requiring extensive configuration files. Parcel is particularly well-suited for developers looking for a straightforward setup and quick build times, making it an attractive option for both small and large projects.

While Parcel is a powerful tool, there are several alternatives in the ecosystem that cater to different needs and preferences:

  • browserify is a tool that allows developers to use Node.js-style modules in the browser. It transforms CommonJS modules into a format that can be understood by the browser, enabling developers to write modular code without worrying about compatibility issues. Browserify is particularly useful for projects that heavily rely on Node.js modules and want to maintain a modular structure in their client-side code.

  • grunt is a JavaScript task runner that automates repetitive tasks such as minification, compilation, unit testing, and linting. While it is not a bundler per se, Grunt can be configured to work with various plugins to achieve similar results. It is ideal for developers who prefer a highly customizable and extensible build process, although it may require more setup compared to other tools.

  • gulp is another task runner that uses a code-over-configuration approach, allowing developers to define tasks using JavaScript. Gulp is known for its speed and flexibility, as it streams files through a series of transformations. It is a great choice for developers who want to create a custom build process tailored to their specific needs, although it may involve more initial setup than Parcel.

  • rollup is a module bundler that focuses on optimizing the output for libraries and applications. It supports ES modules natively and provides tree-shaking capabilities, allowing developers to reduce the size of their bundles by eliminating unused code. Rollup is particularly well-suited for building libraries and applications where performance and bundle size are critical.

  • webpack is one of the most popular module bundlers in the JavaScript ecosystem. It offers a highly configurable setup and supports a wide range of features, including code splitting, hot module replacement, and asset management. While it provides great flexibility and power, it can also be complex to configure, making it more suitable for larger projects that require a tailored build process.

To compare these tools further, you can check out the following link: Comparing browserify vs grunt vs gulp vs parcel vs rollup vs webpack.

README for webpack


npm

node builds1 builds2 dependency-review coverage PR's welcome


install size

webpack

Webpack is a module bundler. Its main purpose is to bundle JavaScript files for usage in a browser, yet it is also capable of transforming, bundling, or packaging just about any resource or asset.

Table of Contents

  1. Install
  2. Introduction
  3. Concepts
  4. Contributing
  5. Support
  6. Core Team
  7. Sponsoring
  8. Premium Partners
  9. Other Backers and Sponsors
  10. Gold Sponsors
  11. Silver Sponsors
  12. Bronze Sponsors
  13. Backers
  14. Special Thanks

Install

Install with npm:

npm install --save-dev webpack

Install with yarn:

yarn add webpack --dev

Introduction

Webpack is a bundler for modules. The main purpose is to bundle JavaScript files for usage in a browser, yet it is also capable of transforming, bundling, or packaging just about any resource or asset.

TL;DR

  • Bundles ES Modules, CommonJS, and AMD modules (even combined).
  • Can create a single bundle or multiple chunks that are asynchronously loaded at runtime (to reduce initial loading time).
  • Dependencies are resolved during compilation, reducing the runtime size.
  • Loaders can preprocess files while compiling, e.g. TypeScript to JavaScript, Handlebars strings to compiled functions, images to Base64, etc.
  • Highly modular plugin system to do whatever else your application requires.

Get Started

Check out webpack's quick Get Started guide and the other guides.

Browser Compatibility

Webpack supports all browsers that are ES5-compliant (IE8 and below are not supported). Webpack also needs Promise for import() and require.ensure(). If you want to support older browsers, you will need to load a polyfill before using these expressions.

Concepts

Plugins

Webpack has a rich plugin interface. Most of the features within webpack itself use this plugin interface. This makes webpack very flexible.

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :---------------------------------------: | :----------------: | :-----------------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | mini-css-extract-plugin | mini-css-npm | mini-css-size | Extracts CSS into separate files. It creates a CSS file per JS file which contains CSS. | | compression-webpack-plugin | compression-npm | compression-size | Prepares compressed versions of assets to serve them with Content-Encoding | | html-webpack-plugin | html-plugin-npm | html-plugin-size | Simplifies creation of HTML files (index.html) to serve your bundles | | pug-plugin | pug-plugin-npm | pug-plugin-size | Renders Pug files to HTML, extracts JS and CSS from sources specified directly in Pug. |

Loaders

Webpack enables the use of loaders to preprocess files. This allows you to bundle any static resource way beyond JavaScript. You can easily write your own loaders using Node.js.

Loaders are activated by using loadername! prefixes in require() statements, or are automatically applied via regex from your webpack configuration.

Files

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :---------------: | :--------: | :----------: | :------------------------------------------------------- | | val-loader | val-npm | val-size | Executes code as module and considers exports as JS code |

JSON

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :---------: | :----------: | :------------------------------: | | | cson-npm | cson-size | Loads and transpiles a CSON file |

Transpiling

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :-----------: | :------------: | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | babel-npm | babel-size | Loads ES2015+ code and transpiles to ES5 using Babel | | | type-npm | type-size | Loads TypeScript like JavaScript | | | coffee-npm | coffee-size | Loads CoffeeScript like JavaScript |

Templating

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :-------------: | :--------------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | html-npm | html-size | Exports HTML as string, requires references to static resources | | | pug-npm | pug-size | Loads Pug templates and returns a function | | | pug3-npm | pug3-size | Compiles Pug to a function or HTML string, useful for use with Vue, React, Angular | | | md-npm | md-size | Compiles Markdown to HTML | | | posthtml-npm | posthtml-size | Loads and transforms a HTML file using PostHTML | | | hbs-npm | hbs-size | Compiles Handlebars to HTML |

Styling

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :------------: | :-------------: | :----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | <style> | style-npm | style-size | Add exports of a module as style to DOM | | | css-npm | css-size | Loads CSS file with resolved imports and returns CSS code | | | less-npm | less-size | Loads and compiles a LESS file | | | sass-npm | sass-size | Loads and compiles a Sass/SCSS file | | | stylus-npm | stylus-size | Loads and compiles a Stylus file | | | postcss-npm | postcss-size | Loads and transforms a CSS/SSS file using PostCSS |

Frameworks

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :------------: | :-------------: | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | vue-npm | vue-size | Loads and compiles Vue Components | | | polymer-npm | polymer-size | Process HTML & CSS with preprocessor of choice and require() Web Components like first-class modules | | | angular-npm | angular-size | Loads and compiles Angular 2 Components | | | riot-npm | riot-size | Riot official webpack loader | | | svelte-npm | svelte-size | Official Svelte loader |

Performance

Webpack uses async I/O and has multiple caching levels. This makes webpack fast and incredibly fast on incremental compilations.

Module Formats

Webpack supports ES2015+, CommonJS and AMD modules out of the box. It performs clever static analysis on the AST of your code. It even has an evaluation engine to evaluate simple expressions. This allows you to support most existing libraries out of the box.

Code Splitting

Webpack allows you to split your codebase into multiple chunks. Chunks are loaded asynchronously at runtime. This reduces the initial loading time.

Optimizations

Webpack can do many optimizations to reduce the output size of your JavaScript by deduplicating frequently used modules, minifying, and giving you full control of what is loaded initially and what is loaded at runtime through code splitting. It can also make your code chunks cache friendly by using hashes.

Contributing

We want contributing to webpack to be fun, enjoyable, and educational for anyone, and everyone. We have a vibrant ecosystem that spans beyond this single repo. We welcome you to check out any of the repositories in our organization or webpack-contrib organization which houses all of our loaders and plugins.

Contributions go far beyond pull requests and commits. Although we love giving you the opportunity to put your stamp on webpack, we also are thrilled to receive a variety of other contributions including:

  • Documentation updates, enhancements, designs, or bugfixes
  • Spelling or grammar fixes
  • README.md corrections or redesigns
  • Adding unit, or functional tests
  • Triaging GitHub issues -- especially determining whether an issue still persists or is reproducible.
  • Searching #webpack on twitter and helping someone else who needs help
  • Teaching others how to contribute to one of the many webpack's repos!
  • Blogging, speaking about, or creating tutorials about one of webpack's many features.
  • Helping others in our webpack gitter channel.

To get started have a look at our documentation on contributing.

If you are worried or don't know where to start, you can always reach out to Sean Larkin (@TheLarkInn) on Twitter or simply submit an issue and a maintainer can help give you guidance!

We have also started a series on our Medium Publication called The Contributor's Guide to webpack. We welcome you to read it and post any questions or responses if you still need help.

Looking to speak about webpack? We'd love to review your talk abstract/CFP! You can email it to webpack [at] opencollective [dot] com and we can give pointers or tips!!!

Creating your own plugins and loaders

If you create a loader or plugin, we would <3 for you to open source it, and put it on npm. We follow the x-loader, x-webpack-plugin naming convention.

Support

We consider webpack to be a low-level tool used not only individually but also layered beneath other awesome tools. Because of its flexibility, webpack isn't always the easiest entry-level solution, however we do believe it is the most powerful. That said, we're always looking for ways to improve and simplify the tool without compromising functionality. If you have any ideas on ways to accomplish this, we're all ears!

If you're just getting started, take a look at our new docs and concepts page. This has a high level overview that is great for beginners!!

Looking for webpack 1 docs? Please check out the old wiki, but note that this deprecated version is no longer supported.

If you want to discuss something or just need help, here is our Gitter room where there are always individuals looking to help out!

If you are still having difficulty, we would love for you to post a question to StackOverflow with the webpack tag. It is much easier to answer questions that include your webpack.config.js and relevant files! So if you can provide them, we'd be extremely grateful (and more likely to help you find the answer!)

If you are twitter savvy you can tweet #webpack with your question and someone should be able to reach out and help also.

If you have discovered a 🐜 or have a feature suggestion, feel free to create an issue on GitHub.

License

FOSSA Status

Core Team


Tobias Koppers

Core


Founder of webpack
Johannes Ewald

Loaders & Plugins


Early adopter of webpack
Sean T. Larkin

Public Relations


Founder of the core team
Kees Kluskens

Development


Sponsor


Sponsoring

Most of the core team members, webpack contributors and contributors in the ecosystem do this open source work in their free time. If you use webpack for a serious task, and you'd like us to invest more time on it, please donate. This project increases your income/productivity too. It makes development and applications faster and it reduces the required bandwidth.

This is how we use the donations:

  • Allow the core team to work on webpack
  • Thank contributors if they invested a large amount of time in contributing
  • Support projects in the ecosystem that are of great value for users
  • Support projects that are voted most (work in progress)
  • Infrastructure cost
  • Fees for money handling

Premium Partners

Other Backers and Sponsors

Before we started using OpenCollective, donations were made anonymously. Now that we have made the switch, we would like to acknowledge these sponsors (and the ones who continue to donate using OpenCollective). If we've missed someone, please send us a PR, and we'll add you to this list.

Angular MoonMail MONEI

Gold Sponsors

Become a gold sponsor and get your logo on our README on GitHub with a link to your site.

Silver Sponsors

Become a silver sponsor and get your logo on our README on GitHub with a link to your site.

Bronze Sponsors

Become a bronze sponsor and get your logo on our README on GitHub with a link to your site.

Backers

Become a backer and get your image on our README on GitHub with a link to your site.

Special Thanks to

(In chronological order)

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