handlebars vs ejs vs mustache vs pug
Template Engines for Node.js
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Template Engines for Node.js

Template engines are tools that allow developers to generate HTML dynamically by embedding JavaScript code within HTML. They are essential for rendering views in web applications, enabling separation of concerns between the application logic and the presentation layer. Each of these template engines offers unique features and design philosophies that cater to different development needs, making it crucial to understand their capabilities and limitations when choosing the right one for a project.

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handlebars25,171,68318,5352.78 MB1142 years agoMIT
ejs22,010,2338,063143 kB1172 years agoApache-2.0
mustache8,644,10716,707-1155 years agoMIT
pug1,952,429-59.7 kB-2 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: handlebars vs ejs vs mustache vs pug

Syntax

  • handlebars:

    Handlebars employs a more structured syntax that separates HTML from JavaScript logic. It uses curly braces for expressions and supports custom helpers, which can make templates cleaner and easier to read, but may require a bit of a learning curve.

  • ejs:

    EJS uses plain HTML with embedded JavaScript, making it easy to learn for those familiar with HTML and JavaScript. The syntax is straightforward, allowing for quick integration into existing projects without a steep learning curve.

  • mustache:

    Mustache's syntax is minimalistic and uses double curly braces for variable interpolation. It is designed to be logic-less, meaning it avoids embedding JavaScript logic in templates, which can simplify the development process but may limit functionality.

  • pug:

    Pug uses an indentation-based syntax that eliminates the need for closing tags, resulting in cleaner and more concise templates. While this can enhance readability, it may take some time for developers accustomed to traditional HTML to adapt.

Logic Handling

  • handlebars:

    Handlebars promotes a logic-less philosophy, encouraging developers to keep logic out of templates. It provides built-in helpers for common tasks, which helps maintain cleaner templates and better separation of concerns.

  • ejs:

    EJS allows for full JavaScript logic within templates, enabling complex conditional rendering and loops. This flexibility can be powerful but may lead to less maintainable code if overused.

  • mustache:

    Mustache strictly adheres to the logic-less principle, meaning no conditional logic or loops can be included in templates. This can simplify templates but may require additional JavaScript code to handle logic externally.

  • pug:

    Pug allows for JavaScript logic in templates, providing features like conditionals and loops. This flexibility can enhance functionality but may also lead to more complex templates if not managed carefully.

Performance

  • handlebars:

    Handlebars is optimized for performance, especially when using precompiled templates. This can lead to faster rendering times, particularly for applications with many views.

  • ejs:

    EJS is generally fast due to its straightforward rendering process. However, performance can degrade with complex templates that involve heavy logic or numerous includes.

  • mustache:

    Mustache is lightweight and performs well due to its simplicity. Its logic-less nature allows for quick rendering, making it suitable for applications where performance is critical.

  • pug:

    Pug can be slower than other engines due to its preprocessing step, but it compensates with features that enhance maintainability and readability. For large applications, the performance trade-off may be worth the benefits.

Extensibility

  • handlebars:

    Handlebars supports custom helpers and partials, allowing developers to extend functionality and reuse code effectively. This makes it a strong choice for larger projects requiring modular templates.

  • ejs:

    EJS is relatively straightforward and does not offer extensive built-in extensibility features. However, it can be easily extended with custom functions and middleware as needed.

  • mustache:

    Mustache's extensibility is limited due to its logic-less design. While it can be used in various languages, adding functionality typically requires external JavaScript code.

  • pug:

    Pug offers a range of built-in features like mixins and template inheritance, making it highly extensible. Developers can create reusable components and maintain a clean codebase.

Community and Ecosystem

  • handlebars:

    Handlebars has a strong community and a rich ecosystem of plugins and extensions, making it a popular choice for developers looking for more advanced templating capabilities.

  • ejs:

    EJS has a solid community and is widely used in Node.js applications, ensuring good support and a wealth of resources for developers.

  • mustache:

    Mustache has a smaller community compared to others, but its cross-language support makes it a versatile option for projects that may need to integrate with different technologies.

  • pug:

    Pug has a vibrant community and is often favored in the Node.js ecosystem, providing numerous resources, plugins, and integrations that enhance its usability.

How to Choose: handlebars vs ejs vs mustache vs pug
  • handlebars:

    Select Handlebars if you require a more powerful templating engine that supports logic-less templates. Handlebars is great for projects that need to separate the view from the logic, offering features like helpers and partials for better code organization.

  • ejs:

    Choose EJS if you need a simple, straightforward templating engine that allows you to embed JavaScript directly into your HTML. It is ideal for projects where you want to maintain a minimalistic approach and prioritize speed over complexity.

  • mustache:

    Opt for Mustache if you prefer a logic-less approach to templating. It is suitable for applications that prioritize simplicity and portability, as Mustache templates can be used in various programming languages, making it a versatile choice for multi-language projects.

  • pug:

    Choose Pug if you want a high-level templating engine that emphasizes clean syntax and indentation-based structure. Pug is ideal for developers who appreciate a more concise way to write HTML and want to leverage features like mixins and inheritance.

Similar Npm Packages to handlebars

handlebars is a popular templating engine for JavaScript that allows developers to create dynamic HTML content by combining templates with data. It provides a simple syntax for defining templates and supports features like helpers, partials, and block expressions, making it a powerful tool for rendering HTML on the server or client side. While Handlebars is widely used, there are several alternatives that also offer templating capabilities. Here are a few notable ones:

  • ejs (Embedded JavaScript) is a simple templating engine that lets you generate HTML markup with plain JavaScript. EJS allows you to embed JavaScript logic directly within your templates, making it easy to create dynamic content. Its syntax is straightforward and familiar to those who are comfortable with JavaScript, making it a popular choice for developers looking for a lightweight solution for server-side rendering in Node.js applications.

  • mustache is a logic-less templating engine that emphasizes simplicity and readability. It uses a minimal syntax, where templates are defined with placeholders that are replaced with actual data. Mustache is designed to be language-agnostic, meaning it can be used in various programming environments, not just JavaScript. Its lack of logic in templates encourages a clean separation between logic and presentation, making it a good choice for projects that prioritize maintainability.

  • pug (formerly known as Jade) is a high-performance templating engine that uses a unique indentation-based syntax to create HTML. Pug allows for cleaner and more concise templates by eliminating the need for closing tags and reducing boilerplate code. It supports features like mixins, inheritance, and conditionals, making it suitable for complex applications. Pug is particularly favored in projects where readability and maintainability of templates are crucial.

To see how Handlebars compares with EJS, Mustache, and Pug, check out the comparison: Comparing ejs vs handlebars vs mustache vs pug.

Similar Npm Packages to ejs

ejs (Embedded JavaScript) is a templating engine for Node.js that allows developers to generate HTML markup with plain JavaScript. It provides a simple syntax for embedding JavaScript code within HTML, making it easy to create dynamic web pages. EJS is known for its speed and simplicity, making it a popular choice for rendering views in web applications. However, there are several alternatives to EJS that offer different features and capabilities. Here are a few notable ones:

  • handlebars is a powerful templating engine that extends the capabilities of Mustache templates. It provides a more expressive syntax and allows for the creation of reusable templates with helper functions. Handlebars is particularly useful for projects that require more complex templating logic, as it supports features like conditionals, loops, and custom helpers. If you need a templating engine that balances simplicity with powerful features, Handlebars is a great option.

  • nunjucks is a full-featured templating engine inspired by Jinja2 (a popular templating engine for Python). It offers a rich set of features, including template inheritance, asynchronous control, and powerful filters. Nunjucks is well-suited for applications that require advanced templating capabilities and is particularly useful for projects that need to render templates on both the server and client sides. If you are looking for a versatile templating engine that can handle complex scenarios, Nunjucks is worth considering.

  • pug (formerly known as Jade) is a high-performance templating engine that uses a unique indentation-based syntax, which eliminates the need for closing tags in HTML. Pug allows for cleaner and more concise templates, making it easier to read and maintain. It also supports features like mixins and template inheritance. If you prefer a more minimalistic syntax and want to reduce the amount of boilerplate code in your templates, Pug is an excellent choice.

For a detailed comparison of these templating engines, check out the link: Comparing ejs vs handlebars vs nunjucks vs pug.

Similar Npm Packages to mustache

mustache is a logic-less templating engine that enables developers to create dynamic HTML content by embedding variables and expressions within templates. It is designed to be simple and easy to use, making it a popular choice for rendering templates in both client-side and server-side applications. Mustache's syntax is straightforward, allowing for quick integration into various projects without the need for complex logic within the templates.

While Mustache is a solid choice for templating, there are several alternatives in the JavaScript ecosystem that offer different features and capabilities. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • ejs (Embedded JavaScript) is a templating engine that allows you to generate HTML markup with plain JavaScript. EJS provides more flexibility than Mustache by allowing you to include JavaScript logic directly within your templates. This makes it suitable for projects where you need to perform more complex operations or manipulate data before rendering it in the view. EJS is widely used in server-side applications, especially with Node.js and Express.

  • handlebars is an extension of Mustache that adds more powerful features, including helpers and the ability to create reusable templates. Handlebars allows for more complex logic and functionality while still maintaining a logic-less philosophy. It is particularly useful for applications that require more advanced templating capabilities, such as partials and custom helpers, making it a popular choice for larger projects.

  • pug (formerly known as Jade) is a high-performance templating engine that uses an indentation-based syntax to create HTML. Pug allows for cleaner and more concise templates compared to traditional HTML, and it supports features like mixins and inheritance. If you prefer a more expressive syntax and are looking for a templating engine that can help reduce the amount of boilerplate code, Pug is an excellent option.

To see how Mustache compares with EJS, Handlebars, and Pug, check out the comparison: Comparing ejs vs handlebars vs mustache vs pug.

Similar Npm Packages to pug

pug is a high-performance template engine for Node.js that allows developers to write HTML in a more concise and readable way. Originally known as Jade, pug uses a clean syntax that eliminates the need for closing tags and allows for easy nesting of elements. This makes it a popular choice for developers looking to create dynamic web pages with minimal boilerplate code. While pug is a powerful templating engine, there are several alternatives available that cater to different needs and preferences. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • ejs (Embedded JavaScript) is a simple templating engine that allows you to generate HTML markup with plain JavaScript. EJS provides a straightforward syntax that is easy to learn, making it a great choice for developers who prefer a more traditional approach to templating. It supports features like partials and includes, allowing for code reuse and modularity. If you are looking for a templating engine that integrates seamlessly with JavaScript and offers flexibility, EJS is a solid option.

  • handlebars is a popular templating engine that extends the capabilities of Mustache templates. Handlebars allows for more complex logic and provides features such as helpers, partials, and custom functions. It emphasizes separation of logic and presentation, making it easier to maintain and scale applications. If you need a templating engine that supports advanced features while keeping your templates clean and readable, Handlebars is an excellent choice.

  • nunjucks is a powerful templating engine created by Mozilla that is inspired by Jinja2. It offers a rich feature set, including template inheritance, asynchronous rendering, and custom filters. Nunjucks is particularly well-suited for applications that require a high degree of flexibility and control over the rendering process. If you're building complex applications that need a robust templating solution, Nunjucks is worth considering.

To see how pug compares with ejs, handlebars, and nunjucks, check out the comparison: Comparing ejs vs handlebars vs nunjucks vs pug.

README for handlebars

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Handlebars.js

Handlebars.js is an extension to the Mustache templating language created by Chris Wanstrath. Handlebars.js and Mustache are both logicless templating languages that keep the view and the code separated like we all know they should be.

Checkout the official Handlebars docs site at https://handlebarsjs.com/ and the live demo at http://tryhandlebarsjs.com/.

Installing

See our installation documentation.

Usage

In general, the syntax of Handlebars.js templates is a superset of Mustache templates. For basic syntax, check out the Mustache manpage.

Once you have a template, use the Handlebars.compile method to compile the template into a function. The generated function takes a context argument, which will be used to render the template.

var source = "<p>Hello, my name is {{name}}. I am from {{hometown}}. I have " +
             "{{kids.length}} kids:</p>" +
             "<ul>{{#kids}}<li>{{name}} is {{age}}</li>{{/kids}}</ul>";
var template = Handlebars.compile(source);

var data = { "name": "Alan", "hometown": "Somewhere, TX",
             "kids": [{"name": "Jimmy", "age": "12"}, {"name": "Sally", "age": "4"}]};
var result = template(data);

// Would render:
// <p>Hello, my name is Alan. I am from Somewhere, TX. I have 2 kids:</p>
// <ul>
//   <li>Jimmy is 12</li>
//   <li>Sally is 4</li>
// </ul>

Full documentation and more examples are at handlebarsjs.com.

Precompiling Templates

Handlebars allows templates to be precompiled and included as javascript code rather than the handlebars template allowing for faster startup time. Full details are located here.

Differences Between Handlebars.js and Mustache

Handlebars.js adds a couple of additional features to make writing templates easier and also changes a tiny detail of how partials work.

Block expressions have the same syntax as mustache sections but should not be confused with one another. Sections are akin to an implicit each or with statement depending on the input data and helpers are explicit pieces of code that are free to implement whatever behavior they like. The mustache spec defines the exact behavior of sections. In the case of name conflicts, helpers are given priority.

Compatibility

There are a few Mustache behaviors that Handlebars does not implement.

  • Handlebars deviates from Mustache slightly in that it does not perform recursive lookup by default. The compile time compat flag must be set to enable this functionality. Users should note that there is a performance cost for enabling this flag. The exact cost varies by template, but it's recommended that performance sensitive operations should avoid this mode and instead opt for explicit path references.
  • The optional Mustache-style lambdas are not supported. Instead Handlebars provides its own lambda resolution that follows the behaviors of helpers.
  • Alternative delimiters are not supported.

Supported Environments

Handlebars has been designed to work in any ECMAScript 3 environment. This includes

  • Node.js
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari 5+
  • Opera 11+
  • IE 6+

Older versions and other runtimes are likely to work but have not been formally tested. The compiler requires JSON.stringify to be implemented natively or via a polyfill. If using the precompiler this is not necessary.

Performance

In a rough performance test, precompiled Handlebars.js templates (in the original version of Handlebars.js) rendered in about half the time of Mustache templates. It would be a shame if it were any other way, since they were precompiled, but the difference in architecture does have some big performance advantages. Justin Marney, a.k.a. gotascii, confirmed that with an independent test. The rewritten Handlebars (current version) is faster than the old version, with many performance tests being 5 to 7 times faster than the Mustache equivalent.

Upgrading

See release-notes.md for upgrade notes.

Known Issues

See FAQ.md for known issues and common pitfalls.

Handlebars in the Wild

  • Assemble, by @jonschlinkert and @doowb, is a static site generator that uses Handlebars.js as its template engine.
  • Cory, by @leo, is another tiny static site generator
  • CoSchedule An editorial calendar for WordPress that uses Handlebars.js
  • dashbars A modern helper library for Handlebars.js.
  • Ember.js makes Handlebars.js the primary way to structure your views, also with automatic data binding support.
  • Ghost Just a blogging platform.
  • handlebars_assets: A Rails Asset Pipeline gem from Les Hill (@leshill).
  • handlebars-helpers is an extensive library with 100+ handlebars helpers.
  • handlebars-layouts is a set of helpers which implement extendible and embeddable layout blocks as seen in other popular templating languages.
  • hbs: An Express.js view engine adapter for Handlebars.js, from Don Park.
  • koa-hbs: koa generator based renderer for Handlebars.js.
  • jblotus created http://tryhandlebarsjs.com for anyone who would like to try out Handlebars.js in their browser.
  • jQuery plugin: allows you to use Handlebars.js with jQuery.
  • Lumbar provides easy module-based template management for handlebars projects.
  • Marionette.Handlebars adds support for Handlebars and Mustache templates to Marionette.
  • sammy.js by Aaron Quint, a.k.a. quirkey, supports Handlebars.js as one of its template plugins.
  • SproutCore uses Handlebars.js as its main templating engine, extending it with automatic data binding support.
  • YUI implements a port of handlebars
  • Swag by @elving is a growing collection of helpers for handlebars.js. Give your handlebars.js templates some swag son!
  • DOMBars is a DOM-based templating engine built on the Handlebars parser and runtime DEPRECATED
  • promised-handlebars is a wrapper for Handlebars that allows helpers to return Promises.
  • just-handlebars-helpers A fully tested lightweight package with common Handlebars helpers.

External Resources

Have a project using Handlebars? Send us a pull request!

License

Handlebars.js is released under the MIT license.

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