sass vs node-sass vs gulp-sass vs grunt-sass
Sass Compilation Tools Comparison
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What's Sass Compilation Tools?

These packages are used for compiling Sass (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets), a preprocessor scripting language that is interpreted or compiled into Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). They help developers write more maintainable and structured CSS by allowing the use of variables, nested rules, mixins, and functions. Each package has its own use case and integration style, catering to different build systems and workflows in web development.

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sass14,120,2804,0125.66 MB7210 days agoMIT
node-sass1,222,1988,5021.83 MB1872 years agoMIT
gulp-sass328,8501,57023.9 kB242 months agoMIT
grunt-sass149,4091,014-35 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: sass vs node-sass vs gulp-sass vs grunt-sass

Integration

  • sass:

    Sass (Dart Sass) can be run from the command line or imported as a library in Node.js applications. It supports modern JavaScript features and can be easily integrated into various build systems.

  • node-sass:

    Node-sass is a library that can be used independently of any task runner. It provides a simple API for compiling Sass files programmatically, making it suitable for custom build scripts or applications.

  • gulp-sass:

    Gulp-sass works with Gulp, enabling a streaming build process. It allows for piping Sass through various Gulp plugins, making it easy to integrate with other tasks like minification and autoprefixing.

  • grunt-sass:

    Grunt-sass integrates with the Grunt task runner, allowing you to define tasks in a Gruntfile. It supports various options for output style, source maps, and error handling, making it flexible for different build processes.

Performance

  • sass:

    Dart Sass is slower than node-sass due to its pure JavaScript implementation, but it offers the most up-to-date features and syntax. It is optimized for modern web development workflows.

  • node-sass:

    Node-sass is known for its fast compilation speed, as it is a binding to the native LibSass library. It provides quick feedback during development, making it suitable for larger projects with many Sass files.

  • gulp-sass:

    Gulp-sass is designed for speed, leveraging Gulp's streaming capabilities to process files as they are read. This results in faster builds, especially when combined with other Gulp tasks.

  • grunt-sass:

    Grunt-sass may introduce some overhead due to Grunt's task-based approach, which can slow down the build process, especially with large projects. However, it offers caching options to improve performance on subsequent builds.

Feature Support

  • sass:

    Dart Sass supports all the latest features of Sass, including modules and the new @use rule. It is the recommended choice for projects that want to leverage the full power of Sass.

  • node-sass:

    Node-sass supports most Sass features, but it may not support the latest syntax introduced in Dart Sass. It's a good choice for projects that do not require cutting-edge Sass features.

  • gulp-sass:

    Gulp-sass supports all Sass features and allows for easy integration with other Gulp plugins, enabling advanced workflows like autoprefixing and minification.

  • grunt-sass:

    Grunt-sass supports a wide range of Sass features, including variables, nesting, and mixins. However, it may lag behind the latest Sass features if not updated regularly.

Community and Maintenance

  • sass:

    Dart Sass is the primary implementation of Sass and is actively maintained by the Sass team. It is the most up-to-date and recommended version for all new projects.

  • node-sass:

    Node-sass is widely used and has a strong community, but it is important to note that it is being deprecated in favor of Dart Sass. Users are encouraged to transition to Dart Sass for future-proofing their projects.

  • gulp-sass:

    Gulp-sass is actively maintained and benefits from the popularity of Gulp as a build tool. The community around Gulp is vibrant, and many plugins are available for various tasks.

  • grunt-sass:

    Grunt-sass is maintained by the community, but Grunt itself has seen a decline in popularity compared to Gulp and other build tools. This may affect the long-term viability of using grunt-sass in new projects.

Learning Curve

  • sass:

    Dart Sass can be used directly from the command line or as a library, making it accessible for beginners. Its documentation is comprehensive, aiding in the learning process.

  • node-sass:

    Node-sass has a straightforward API for compiling Sass, making it easy to integrate into custom scripts. However, it may require some understanding of Node.js for effective use.

  • gulp-sass:

    Gulp-sass is relatively easy to set up, especially for those familiar with JavaScript. Gulp's code-based configuration is intuitive, making it easier to learn and use.

  • grunt-sass:

    Grunt-sass requires understanding Grunt's configuration and task-based approach, which can have a steeper learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with task runners.

How to Choose: sass vs node-sass vs gulp-sass vs grunt-sass
  • sass:

    Use sass (Dart Sass) if you want the latest features of Sass and prefer a more modern implementation. Dart Sass is the primary implementation of Sass and supports all the latest syntax and features, making it ideal for new projects.

  • node-sass:

    Opt for node-sass if you need a standalone library for compiling Sass to CSS without a task runner. It's a direct binding to the LibSass library, offering fast compilation and is suitable for projects that don't require a full build system.

  • gulp-sass:

    Select gulp-sass if you prefer Gulp as your build tool. Gulp is known for its speed and simplicity, and gulp-sass provides a straightforward way to compile Sass files with a streaming approach, making it efficient for larger projects.

  • grunt-sass:

    Choose grunt-sass if you are already using Grunt as your task runner. It integrates seamlessly with the Grunt ecosystem and allows for easy configuration of Sass compilation tasks alongside other build processes.

Similar Npm Packages to sass

sass is a popular CSS preprocessor that extends the capabilities of CSS with features like variables, nested rules, mixins, and more. It allows developers to write more maintainable and organized stylesheets, making it easier to manage complex styles in large projects. While Sass is widely used, there are several alternatives that also offer unique features and benefits. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • less is a dynamic stylesheet language that extends CSS with features such as variables, mixins, and nested rules, similar to Sass. It is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great choice for developers who want to enhance their CSS without a steep learning curve. Less compiles to standard CSS and can be integrated into various build systems, making it a flexible option for many projects.
  • postcss is a tool for transforming CSS with JavaScript plugins. Unlike traditional preprocessors, PostCSS allows developers to use a wide range of plugins to add features like variables, nesting, and autoprefixing. This modular approach gives developers the flexibility to customize their workflow according to their specific needs. PostCSS is particularly useful for teams that want to adopt modern CSS features while maintaining compatibility with older browsers.
  • stylus is another CSS preprocessor that offers a unique syntax and a variety of features, including variables, mixins, and functions. Stylus is known for its flexibility and minimalism, allowing developers to write CSS in a more concise and expressive way. It supports both an indented syntax and a traditional CSS-like syntax, catering to different developer preferences. Stylus is a good choice for those who appreciate a more expressive and less verbose way of writing styles.

To see how Sass compares with Less, PostCSS, and Stylus, check out the comparison: Comparing less vs postcss vs sass vs stylus.

Similar Npm Packages to node-sass

node-sass is a popular library that allows developers to compile Sass (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets) into CSS using Node.js. It provides a straightforward way to integrate Sass into your build process, enabling the use of features like variables, nesting, and mixins to create more maintainable and scalable stylesheets. However, there are several alternatives to node-sass that developers might consider:

  • dart-sass is the primary implementation of Sass, written in Dart. It is the most up-to-date version of Sass and includes all the latest features and improvements. Dart Sass is recommended for new projects as it is actively maintained and supports the latest Sass features, including modules. If you are looking for a future-proof solution with full support for the latest Sass capabilities, dart-sass is the way to go.

  • postcss-scss is a PostCSS parser that allows you to use SCSS syntax within the PostCSS ecosystem. While it does not compile SCSS to CSS on its own, it enables developers to leverage SCSS-like syntax while benefiting from the powerful PostCSS plugin ecosystem. If you are already using PostCSS and want to incorporate SCSS syntax, postcss-scss is a great choice.

  • sass is a package that provides the Dart Sass implementation for both the command line and JavaScript environments. It is the official Sass implementation and is recommended for developers who want to use the latest features of Sass without relying on the older LibSass (which node-sass is based on). If you want to ensure that you are using the most current version of Sass, the sass package is the best option.

  • scss is not a standalone package but rather a syntax extension of CSS that allows for more advanced styling capabilities. It is often used interchangeably with Sass, as SCSS is a superset of CSS that adds features like variables and nesting. If you are already familiar with CSS and want to enhance your stylesheets with additional features, SCSS is a natural choice.

For a detailed comparison of these packages, check out the link: Comparing dart-sass vs node-sass vs postcss-scss vs sass vs scss.

Similar Npm Packages to gulp-sass

gulp-sass is a popular Gulp plugin that allows developers to compile Sass (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets) into CSS. It integrates seamlessly with the Gulp build system, enabling a streamlined workflow for processing stylesheets. By using gulp-sass, developers can take advantage of Sass features such as nesting, variables, and mixins while benefiting from Gulp's task automation capabilities. This combination enhances productivity and helps maintain organized and efficient stylesheets in web development projects.

While gulp-sass is a great choice for those using Gulp, there are alternatives available for developers who prefer different build systems. One notable alternative is grunt-sass. This plugin serves a similar purpose but is designed for use with Grunt, another popular JavaScript task runner. Grunt provides a flexible and powerful way to automate repetitive tasks in web development, and grunt-sass allows developers to compile Sass files into CSS within that ecosystem. If your project is already using Grunt for task automation, integrating grunt-sass can be a natural choice.

For developers deciding between these two options, it’s essential to consider the build system already in use and the specific needs of the project. Both gulp-sass and grunt-sass provide robust solutions for compiling Sass, but the choice ultimately depends on the developer's familiarity with Gulp or Grunt and the overall project requirements.

To see how gulp-sass compares with grunt-sass, check out the comparison: Comparing gulp-sass vs grunt-sass.

Similar Npm Packages to grunt-sass

grunt-sass is a Grunt plugin that allows developers to compile Sass (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets) into CSS using the popular Grunt task runner. This package simplifies the process of integrating Sass into your build workflow, making it easier to manage stylesheets in large projects. While grunt-sass is a solid choice for those using Grunt, there are several alternatives available that cater to different build systems and preferences. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • gulp-sass is a Gulp plugin that enables Sass compilation in projects using the Gulp task runner. Similar to grunt-sass, it allows developers to automate the process of converting Sass files into CSS. Gulp's streaming capabilities make it efficient for handling large projects, and gulp-sass integrates seamlessly with other Gulp plugins, providing a flexible and powerful build system for front-end development. If you prefer Gulp over Grunt for your build process, gulp-sass is an excellent choice.

  • node-sass is a library that provides binding for Node.js to LibSass, which is a C++ implementation of the Sass language. It allows developers to compile Sass files directly in their Node.js applications without the need for a task runner like Grunt or Gulp. While node-sass can be used independently, it is often utilized in conjunction with other build tools or frameworks. If you are looking for a straightforward way to integrate Sass compilation into a Node.js application, node-sass is a suitable option.

  • sass is the official implementation of Sass, which has transitioned from LibSass to Dart Sass. It is the most up-to-date and actively maintained version of Sass, providing the latest features and improvements. The sass package can be used directly in Node.js applications or as part of a build process with task runners like Gulp or Grunt. If you want to ensure that you are using the latest and most feature-rich version of Sass, opting for the sass package is highly recommended.

To see how these packages compare, check out the comparison: Comparing grunt-sass vs gulp-sass vs node-sass vs sass.

README for sass

A pure JavaScript implementation of Sass. Sass makes CSS fun again.

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This package is a distribution of Dart Sass, compiled to pure JavaScript with no native code or external dependencies. It provides a command-line sass executable and a Node.js API.

Usage

You can install Sass globally using npm install -g sass which will provide access to the sass executable. You can also add it to your project using npm install --save-dev sass. This provides the executable as well as a library:

const sass = require('sass');

const result = sass.compile(scssFilename);

// OR

// Note that `compileAsync()` is substantially slower than `compile()`.
const result = await sass.compileAsync(scssFilename);

See the Sass website for full API documentation.

Legacy API

Dart Sass also supports an older JavaScript API that's fully compatible with Node Sass (with a few exceptions listed below), with support for both the render() and renderSync() functions. This API is considered deprecated and will be removed in Dart Sass 2.0.0, so it should be avoided in new projects.

Sass's support for the legacy JavaScript API has the following limitations:

  • Only the "expanded" and "compressed" values of outputStyle are supported.

  • Dart Sass doesn't support the precision option. Dart Sass defaults to a sufficiently high precision for all existing browsers, and making this customizable would make the code substantially less efficient.

  • Dart Sass doesn't support the sourceComments option. Source maps are the recommended way of locating the origin of generated selectors.

See Also

  • Dart Sass, from which this package is compiled, can be used either as a stand-alone executable or as a Dart library. Running Dart Sass on the Dart VM is substantially faster than running the pure JavaScript version, so this may be appropriate for performance-sensitive applications. The Dart API is also (currently) more user-friendly than the JavaScript API. See the Dart Sass README for details on how to use it.

  • Node Sass, which is a wrapper around LibSass, the C++ implementation of Sass. Node Sass supports the same API as this package and is also faster (although it's usually a little slower than Dart Sass). However, it requires a native library which may be difficult to install, and it's generally slower to add features and fix bugs.

Behavioral Differences from Ruby Sass

There are a few intentional behavioral differences between Dart Sass and Ruby Sass. These are generally places where Ruby Sass has an undesired behavior, and it's substantially easier to implement the correct behavior than it would be to implement compatible behavior. These should all have tracking bugs against Ruby Sass to update the reference behavior.

  1. @extend only accepts simple selectors, as does the second argument of selector-extend(). See issue 1599.

  2. Subject selectors are not supported. See issue 1126.

  3. Pseudo selector arguments are parsed as <declaration-value>s rather than having a more limited custom parsing. See issue 2120.

  4. The numeric precision is set to 10. See issue 1122.

  5. The indented syntax parser is more flexible: it doesn't require consistent indentation across the whole document. See issue 2176.

  6. Colors do not support channel-by-channel arithmetic. See issue 2144.

  7. Unitless numbers aren't == to unit numbers with the same value. In addition, map keys follow the same logic as ==-equality. See issue 1496.

  8. rgba() and hsla() alpha values with percentage units are interpreted as percentages. Other units are forbidden. See issue 1525.

  9. Too many variable arguments passed to a function is an error. See issue 1408.

  10. Allow @extend to reach outside a media query if there's an identical @extend defined outside that query. This isn't tracked explicitly, because it'll be irrelevant when issue 1050 is fixed.

  11. Some selector pseudos containing placeholder selectors will be compiled where they wouldn't be in Ruby Sass. This better matches the semantics of the selectors in question, and is more efficient. See issue 2228.

  12. The old-style :property value syntax is not supported in the indented syntax. See issue 2245.

  13. The reference combinator is not supported. See issue 303.

  14. Universal selector unification is symmetrical. See issue 2247.

  15. @extend doesn't produce an error if it matches but fails to unify. See issue 2250.

  16. Dart Sass currently only supports UTF-8 documents. We'd like to support more, but Dart currently doesn't support them. See dart-lang/sdk#11744, for example.

Disclaimer: this is not an official Google product.

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