eslint vs prettier vs stylelint vs tslint: Which is Better JavaScript and TypeScript Code Quality Tools?

Package	Downloads	Stars	Size	Issues	Publish	License

eslint	41,415,306	24,962	3.32 MB	99	6 days ago	MIT
prettier	39,557,579	49,225	7.7 MB	1,391	3 months ago	MIT
stylelint	4,576,973	11,001	1.48 MB	130	a month ago	MIT
tslint	1,774,111	5,904	-	1	4 years ago	Apache-2.0

Purpose

eslint: ESLint is a static code analysis tool designed to identify problematic patterns in JavaScript code. It allows developers to define their own coding standards and rules, making it highly customizable to fit the needs of the project.
prettier: Prettier is an opinionated code formatter that automatically formats code to ensure a consistent style across the entire codebase. It focuses solely on formatting and does not concern itself with code quality or potential errors.
stylelint: Stylelint is a modern CSS linter that helps developers enforce consistent conventions and catch errors in stylesheets. It supports various CSS preprocessors and can be configured to suit different project requirements.
tslint: TSLint was a linter specifically for TypeScript that helped catch errors and enforce coding standards. However, it has been deprecated, and users are encouraged to migrate to ESLint for TypeScript linting.

Integration

eslint: ESLint integrates seamlessly with various development environments and build tools, including IDEs like Visual Studio Code, and can be run as part of the build process using task runners like Gulp or Webpack.
prettier: Prettier can be integrated into most code editors and IDEs, allowing developers to format their code on save. It can also be configured to run as part of the CI/CD pipeline to ensure consistent formatting before deployment.
stylelint: Stylelint can be integrated into build tools and task runners, as well as IDEs, providing real-time feedback on CSS code quality. It can also be used in conjunction with Prettier for a complete styling solution.
tslint: TSLint could be integrated into various build processes and IDEs, but since its deprecation, users are encouraged to adopt ESLint for TypeScript, which offers similar integration capabilities.

Customization

eslint: ESLint is highly customizable, allowing developers to create their own rules or extend existing ones through plugins. This flexibility enables teams to enforce specific coding standards tailored to their project needs.
prettier: Prettier has limited customization options as it follows a set of opinionated rules. However, it does allow some configuration for specific formatting preferences, such as tab width and single vs. double quotes.
stylelint: Stylelint is customizable and allows developers to define their own rules and configurations to enforce specific styling conventions. It also supports plugins to extend its functionality.
tslint: TSLint offered customization options for TypeScript projects, but with its deprecation, users are encouraged to transition to ESLint, which provides similar customization capabilities.

Community and Support

eslint: ESLint has a large and active community, which means a wealth of resources, plugins, and support are available. It is widely adopted in the JavaScript ecosystem, making it a go-to choice for many developers.
prettier: Prettier also has a strong community and is widely used in the industry. Its opinionated nature means that there is less debate about formatting styles, leading to a more uniform adoption across projects.
stylelint: Stylelint has a growing community and is increasingly adopted in projects that require CSS linting. It has a solid set of plugins and resources available for developers.
tslint: TSLint had a dedicated community, but with its deprecation, the focus has shifted to ESLint, which now supports TypeScript, ensuring ongoing community support and development.

Performance

eslint: ESLint is generally performant, but the complexity of the rules and the size of the codebase can impact its speed. Developers can optimize performance by selectively enabling rules and using caching.
prettier: Prettier is designed for speed and efficiency, quickly formatting code without significant performance overhead. Its focus on formatting ensures that it runs efficiently even on large codebases.
stylelint: Stylelint's performance can vary based on the number of rules and the size of the stylesheets. Developers can optimize performance by configuring it to only lint necessary files and using caching.
tslint: TSLint's performance was generally acceptable, but with its deprecation, users are encouraged to transition to ESLint, which offers similar performance characteristics.

eslint: Choose ESLint if you are working primarily with JavaScript or TypeScript and need a highly configurable linter that can enforce coding standards and catch potential errors early in the development process. ESLint is widely adopted and has a rich ecosystem of plugins.

prettier: Select Prettier if your main focus is on code formatting rather than linting. Prettier automatically formats your code according to a set of rules, ensuring a consistent style throughout your codebase. It works well alongside ESLint for a complete code quality solution.

stylelint: Opt for Stylelint if you are dealing with CSS or preprocessors like SCSS or LESS. Stylelint helps enforce consistent conventions and catch errors in stylesheets, making it an essential tool for maintaining high-quality styles in web applications.

tslint: Use TSLint if you are working with TypeScript and require a linter specifically designed for TypeScript code. However, note that TSLint has been deprecated in favor of ESLint, which now supports TypeScript through plugins.