eslint vs prettier vs js-beautify vs standard: Which is Better JavaScript Code Quality Tools?

Package	Downloads	Stars	Size	Issues	Publish	License

eslint	41,822,941	24,973	3.32 MB	103	9 days ago	MIT
prettier	40,095,691	49,256	7.7 MB	1,398	3 months ago	MIT
js-beautify	4,310,650	8,602	978 kB	398	8 months ago	MIT
standard	383,095	29,083	164 kB	122	a month ago	MIT

Configuration Flexibility

eslint: ESLint offers extensive configuration options, allowing developers to customize rules, environments, and plugins to fit their specific project needs. This flexibility enables teams to enforce unique coding standards and practices effectively.
prettier: Prettier is opinionated and has minimal configuration options, which simplifies the formatting process. It enforces a consistent style across the codebase, reducing the need for discussions about code style preferences.
js-beautify: js-beautify is relatively simple and does not require extensive configuration. It focuses primarily on formatting code, making it easy to use without needing to set up complex rules or configurations.
standard: Standard is designed to be zero-config, meaning it comes with a predefined set of rules that cannot be changed. This makes it easy to adopt but limits customization.

Integration with Development Tools

eslint: ESLint integrates seamlessly with various development tools and IDEs, providing real-time feedback and suggestions as you code. This integration helps catch issues early in the development process, improving code quality.
prettier: Prettier integrates well with most IDEs and editors, allowing for automatic formatting on save. This feature ensures that code is consistently styled without manual intervention, streamlining the development workflow.
js-beautify: js-beautify can be integrated into build processes or used as a standalone tool, but it lacks the real-time linting capabilities of ESLint. It is primarily used for formatting code rather than ongoing analysis.
standard: Standard can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines to enforce code style checks automatically. However, it does not provide real-time feedback like ESLint.

Community and Ecosystem

eslint: ESLint has a large and active community, with numerous plugins and extensions available to enhance its functionality. This ecosystem allows developers to tailor ESLint to their specific needs and leverage community-contributed rules.
prettier: Prettier has gained significant popularity and has a strong community backing. It supports various languages and frameworks, and its opinionated nature has led to widespread adoption in many projects.
js-beautify: js-beautify has a smaller community compared to ESLint and Prettier, resulting in fewer plugins or extensions. It is primarily focused on formatting rather than linting, which limits its ecosystem.
standard: Standard has a dedicated community that promotes its use for JavaScript projects. However, its zero-config approach may limit the number of extensions or plugins available.

Learning Curve

eslint: ESLint has a moderate learning curve due to its extensive configuration options and rule sets. New users may need time to understand how to set up and customize their linting rules effectively.
prettier: Prettier is designed to be easy to use, with minimal configuration required. Developers can quickly adopt it without needing to understand complex options, making it beginner-friendly.
js-beautify: js-beautify is straightforward and easy to use, making it accessible for beginners who need a simple tool for formatting code without complex configurations.
standard: Standard's zero-config approach makes it easy to get started, as there is no need to configure rules. However, users may need to familiarize themselves with its predefined rules.

Performance

eslint: ESLint can be resource-intensive, especially with large codebases and numerous rules. However, it provides options to optimize performance, such as limiting the scope of linting or using caching.
prettier: Prettier is optimized for performance and can format large files quickly. Its focus on speed ensures that formatting does not significantly slow down the development process.
js-beautify: js-beautify performs well for formatting tasks, but it may not be as efficient for large files or complex codebases compared to dedicated linters.
standard: Standard's performance is generally good, but it may vary depending on the complexity of the codebase and the number of rules being enforced.

eslint: Choose ESLint if you need a highly configurable linter that allows you to enforce coding standards and catch errors in your JavaScript code. It supports a wide range of plugins and rules, making it suitable for various coding styles and frameworks.

prettier: Opt for Prettier if you want an opinionated code formatter that enforces a consistent style across your codebase. It automatically formats code on save, reducing debates over code style and allowing developers to focus on writing code rather than formatting it.

js-beautify: Select js-beautify if your primary need is to format JavaScript, HTML, or CSS code to improve readability. It is straightforward and focuses on beautifying code without enforcing strict linting rules, making it ideal for quick formatting tasks.

standard: Choose Standard if you prefer a zero-configuration approach to code style enforcement. It provides a set of rules that are widely accepted in the JavaScript community, making it easy to adopt without extensive setup.