rollup vs webpack vs vite vs vitest vs parcel
JavaScript Bundlers and Testing Frameworks Comparison
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What's JavaScript Bundlers and Testing Frameworks?

JavaScript bundlers and testing frameworks are essential tools in modern web development, enabling developers to package their code efficiently and test it effectively. These tools help manage dependencies, optimize performance, and ensure code quality through automated testing. Each package offers unique features and functionalities tailored to different development needs, from simple projects to complex applications. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each tool is crucial for selecting the right one for your project requirements.

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rollup43,277,64525,8972.74 MB6004 days agoMIT
webpack34,630,25965,4475.42 MB2364 days agoMIT
vite31,235,85274,2182.27 MB6422 days agoMIT
vitest12,777,79114,6631.38 MB347a month agoMIT
parcel290,44743,90343.9 kB581a month agoMIT
Feature Comparison: rollup vs webpack vs vite vs vitest vs parcel

Configuration Ease

  • rollup:

    Rollup has a straightforward configuration model but may require more setup for complex projects compared to Parcel, especially for plugins and advanced features.

  • webpack:

    Webpack is highly configurable but has a steep learning curve due to its complex setup process, which can be overwhelming for newcomers.

  • vite:

    Vite offers a simple configuration that can be extended as needed, providing a balance between ease of use and flexibility for developers.

  • vitest:

    Vitest is designed to work with Vite's configuration, making it easy to set up for projects already using Vite, with minimal additional configuration required.

  • parcel:

    Parcel requires minimal configuration, automatically detecting and optimizing files, making it user-friendly for beginners and quick setups.

Performance Optimization

  • rollup:

    Rollup excels in tree-shaking, removing unused code from the final bundle, which is particularly beneficial for library development and optimizing bundle size.

  • webpack:

    Webpack offers extensive performance optimization options, including code splitting, lazy loading, and caching strategies, but requires careful configuration to achieve optimal results.

  • vite:

    Vite provides lightning-fast development with native ES modules and optimized builds, leveraging modern browser capabilities for improved performance.

  • vitest:

    Vitest is optimized for speed, running tests in parallel and leveraging Vite's build optimizations to ensure quick feedback during development.

  • parcel:

    Parcel automatically optimizes builds with features like code splitting and caching, ensuring fast load times without manual intervention.

Ecosystem and Community

  • rollup:

    Rollup is widely used for library development and has a strong community, with many plugins available for various use cases, particularly for ES modules.

  • webpack:

    Webpack has a vast ecosystem and community support, with numerous plugins and loaders available, making it a versatile choice for complex applications.

  • vite:

    Vite is rapidly gaining popularity and has a vibrant community, especially among modern web developers, with a growing number of plugins and integrations.

  • vitest:

    Vitest benefits from Vite's ecosystem, allowing easy integration with Vite plugins and tools, although it is newer and has a smaller community compared to established frameworks.

  • parcel:

    Parcel has a growing community and ecosystem, but it is not as extensive as Webpack's, which may limit available plugins and resources.

Testing Capabilities

  • rollup:

    Rollup also does not provide built-in testing features, so developers typically use it alongside testing frameworks like Jest or Mocha.

  • webpack:

    Webpack does not have built-in testing features, but it is commonly used with testing frameworks like Jest, Mocha, or Cypress to facilitate testing workflows.

  • vite:

    Vite does not include testing capabilities by default, but it can be easily integrated with testing frameworks like Jest or Vitest for unit testing.

  • vitest:

    Vitest is specifically designed for testing, providing a fast and efficient testing framework that integrates seamlessly with Vite, making it ideal for projects using Vite.

  • parcel:

    Parcel does not include built-in testing capabilities, requiring integration with external testing frameworks for unit and integration tests.

Learning Curve

  • rollup:

    Rollup has a moderate learning curve, requiring some understanding of module formats and configuration, but is simpler than Webpack.

  • webpack:

    Webpack has a steep learning curve due to its complexity and extensive configuration options, which can be challenging for newcomers.

  • vite:

    Vite is designed for ease of use, with a low learning curve for developers familiar with modern JavaScript, especially those coming from frameworks like Vue or React.

  • vitest:

    Vitest is easy to pick up for those familiar with Jest, as it offers a similar API, making it accessible for developers transitioning to Vite.

  • parcel:

    Parcel has a gentle learning curve, making it accessible for beginners who want to get started with bundling without deep technical knowledge.

How to Choose: rollup vs webpack vs vite vs vitest vs parcel
  • rollup:

    Choose Rollup if you are focused on building libraries or applications that require tree-shaking capabilities to eliminate dead code. Rollup is particularly effective for ES modules and offers a simple configuration for optimizing output.

  • webpack:

    Choose Webpack if you need a highly configurable bundler that supports complex setups and a wide range of plugins. It's ideal for large-scale applications that require fine-tuned performance optimizations and extensive customization.

  • vite:

    Choose Vite for a modern development experience with fast hot module replacement (HMR) and an optimized build process. It's perfect for projects that need rapid development cycles and leverages native ES modules for performance.

  • vitest:

    Choose Vitest if you want a fast and lightweight testing framework that integrates seamlessly with Vite. It offers a familiar API for Jest users and is optimized for speed, making it suitable for projects already using Vite.

  • parcel:

    Choose Parcel if you want a zero-configuration bundler that automatically handles various file types and optimizes your assets without extensive setup. It's ideal for smaller projects or when you want to get started quickly.

Similar Npm Packages to rollup

rollup is a module bundler for JavaScript applications, designed to optimize the process of packaging and serving code. It is particularly well-suited for libraries and applications that utilize ES modules, as it can produce smaller and more efficient bundles by leveraging tree-shaking capabilities. Rollup allows developers to write modular code while ensuring that the final output is optimized for performance, making it a popular choice for building libraries and applications.

While Rollup is a powerful tool, there are several alternatives in the JavaScript ecosystem that serve similar purposes. Here are a few notable ones:

  • browserify is a tool that allows developers to use Node.js-style require statements in the browser. It transforms Node-style modules into a format that can be used in the browser, enabling developers to write modular code. While Browserify is effective for smaller projects, it may not be as performant as Rollup for larger applications due to its lack of tree-shaking capabilities.

  • gulp is a task runner that automates various development tasks, including file transformations, minification, and bundling. While Gulp can be used for bundling JavaScript files, it is more focused on task automation and may require additional plugins to achieve similar functionality to Rollup. Gulp is ideal for developers looking for a flexible and customizable build process.

  • parcel is a zero-configuration web application bundler that aims to simplify the development process. It automatically handles module bundling, code splitting, and asset optimization without the need for extensive configuration. Parcel is a great choice for developers who want a quick setup and an easy-to-use bundler, although it may not provide the same level of control and optimization as Rollup for library development.

  • webpack is one of the most popular module bundlers in the JavaScript ecosystem. It offers a wide range of features, including code splitting, hot module replacement, and extensive plugin support. While Webpack is highly configurable and powerful, it can also be complex to set up and manage. For larger applications that require fine-tuned control over the build process, Webpack is often the go-to choice.

To see how Rollup compares with Browserify, Gulp, Parcel, and Webpack, check out the comparison: Comparing browserify vs gulp vs parcel vs rollup vs webpack.

Similar Npm Packages to vite

vite is a modern build tool and development server designed to provide a fast and efficient development experience for web applications. It leverages native ES modules in the browser for lightning-fast hot module replacement (HMR) and offers a streamlined setup for modern JavaScript frameworks like Vue, React, and Svelte. Vite's focus on speed, simplicity, and an optimized development workflow makes it a popular choice among developers looking to enhance their productivity.

While Vite is an excellent choice, there are several alternatives in the ecosystem that also serve as build tools and bundlers. Here are a few notable ones:

  • parcel is a zero-configuration web application bundler that aims to provide a simple and fast development experience. Parcel automatically handles file transformations, code splitting, and asset optimization without requiring extensive configuration. It is particularly well-suited for smaller projects or developers who prefer a more hands-off approach to configuration. Parcel's built-in support for various file types and its fast build times make it a great alternative for those looking for ease of use.
  • rollup is a module bundler that focuses on producing optimized bundles for JavaScript libraries and applications. It is particularly well-known for its tree-shaking capabilities, which help eliminate dead code and reduce bundle size. Rollup is a great choice for developers looking to create libraries or applications that require a high level of optimization and performance. Its plugin ecosystem allows for extensive customization, making it suitable for a variety of use cases.
  • webpack is one of the most widely used module bundlers in the JavaScript ecosystem. It provides a powerful and flexible configuration system, allowing developers to customize their build process extensively. Webpack supports a wide range of features, including code splitting, asset management, and hot module replacement. While it offers great flexibility, its complexity can be overwhelming for newcomers. Webpack is ideal for larger projects that require fine-tuned control over the build process.

To see how Vite compares with Parcel, Rollup, and Webpack, check out the comparison: Comparing parcel vs rollup vs vite vs webpack.

Similar Npm Packages to vitest

vitest is a fast and lightweight testing framework designed for modern JavaScript applications, particularly those built with Vite. It provides a seamless experience for running unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests, leveraging Vite's speed and performance. With features like a built-in test runner, support for TypeScript, and a rich API, Vitest aims to simplify the testing process while ensuring high performance. While Vitest is an excellent choice for testing in Vite projects, there are several alternatives that developers can consider:

  • parcel is a web application bundler that offers a zero-configuration setup for building applications. Although primarily focused on bundling, Parcel can also be used in conjunction with testing frameworks to create a streamlined development experience. Its fast build times and automatic dependency management make it a popular choice for developers looking for simplicity and speed. However, Parcel does not provide built-in testing capabilities, so it is often paired with other testing libraries.
  • rollup is another module bundler that is particularly well-suited for building libraries and applications that need to be optimized for performance. While Rollup focuses on creating efficient bundles, it can be integrated with various testing frameworks to facilitate testing workflows. Developers who prioritize tree-shaking and optimized output may choose Rollup, but like Parcel, it does not come with built-in testing features.
  • vite is a modern build tool that offers a fast development experience for web applications. While Vite itself is not a testing framework, it provides an excellent foundation for testing tools like Vitest. Vite's hot module replacement (HMR) and fast build times make it a popular choice among developers, and when combined with a testing framework, it can create a powerful development and testing environment.
  • webpack is a widely-used module bundler that allows developers to bundle JavaScript applications and manage assets. While Webpack is not a testing library, it can be integrated with various testing frameworks to support testing workflows. Webpack's extensive plugin ecosystem and configurability make it a powerful tool for complex applications, but it can also introduce additional complexity compared to simpler alternatives.

To see how Vitest compares with Parcel, Rollup, Vite, and Webpack, check out the comparison: Comparing parcel vs rollup vs vite vs vitest 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 rollup

npm version node compatibility install size code coverage backers sponsors license Join the chat at https://is.gd/rollup_chat

Rollup

Overview

Rollup is a module bundler for JavaScript which compiles small pieces of code into something larger and more complex, such as a library or application. It uses the standardized ES module format for code, instead of previous idiosyncratic solutions such as CommonJS and AMD. ES modules let you freely and seamlessly combine the most useful individual functions from your favorite libraries. Rollup can optimize ES modules for faster native loading in modern browsers, or output a legacy module format allowing ES module workflows today.

Quick Start Guide

Install with npm install --global rollup. Rollup can be used either through a command line interface with an optional configuration file or else through its JavaScript API. Run rollup --help to see the available options and parameters. The starter project templates, rollup-starter-lib and rollup-starter-app, demonstrate common configuration options, and more detailed instructions are available throughout the user guide.

Commands

These commands assume the entry point to your application is named main.js, and that you'd like all imports compiled into a single file named bundle.js.

For browsers:

# compile to a <script> containing a self-executing function
rollup main.js --format iife --name "myBundle" --file bundle.js

For Node.js:

# compile to a CommonJS module
rollup main.js --format cjs --file bundle.js

For both browsers and Node.js:

# UMD format requires a bundle name
rollup main.js --format umd --name "myBundle" --file bundle.js

Why

Developing software is usually easier if you break your project into smaller separate pieces, since that often removes unexpected interactions and dramatically reduces the complexity of the problems you'll need to solve, and simply writing smaller projects in the first place isn't necessarily the answer. Unfortunately, JavaScript has not historically included this capability as a core feature in the language.

This finally changed with ES modules support in JavaScript, which provides a syntax for importing and exporting functions and data so they can be shared between separate scripts. Most browsers and Node.js support ES modules. However, Node.js releases before 12.17 support ES modules only behind the --experimental-modules flag, and older browsers like Internet Explorer do not support ES modules at all. Rollup allows you to write your code using ES modules, and run your application even in environments that do not support ES modules natively. For environments that support them, Rollup can output optimized ES modules; for environments that don't, Rollup can compile your code to other formats such as CommonJS modules, AMD modules, and IIFE-style scripts. This means that you get to write future-proof code, and you also get the tremendous benefits of...

Tree Shaking

In addition to enabling the use of ES modules, Rollup also statically analyzes and optimizes the code you are importing, and will exclude anything that isn't actually used. This allows you to build on top of existing tools and modules without adding extra dependencies or bloating the size of your project.

For example, with CommonJS, the entire tool or library must be imported.

// import the entire utils object with CommonJS
var utils = require('node:utils');
var query = 'Rollup';
// use the ajax method of the utils object
utils.ajax('https://api.example.com?search=' + query).then(handleResponse);

But with ES modules, instead of importing the whole utils object, we can just import the one ajax function we need:

// import the ajax function with an ES import statement
import { ajax } from 'node:utils';

var query = 'Rollup';
// call the ajax function
ajax('https://api.example.com?search=' + query).then(handleResponse);

Because Rollup includes the bare minimum, it results in lighter, faster, and less complicated libraries and applications. Since this approach is based on explicit import and export statements, it is vastly more effective than simply running an automated minifier to detect unused variables in the compiled output code.

Compatibility

Importing CommonJS

Rollup can import existing CommonJS modules through a plugin.

Publishing ES Modules

To make sure your ES modules are immediately usable by tools that work with CommonJS such as Node.js and webpack, you can use Rollup to compile to UMD or CommonJS format, and then point to that compiled version with the main property in your package.json file. If your package.json file also has a module field, ES-module-aware tools like Rollup and webpack will import the ES module version directly.

Contributors

This project exists thanks to all the people who contribute. [Contribute]. . If you want to contribute yourself, head over to the contribution guidelines.

Backers

Thank you to all our backers! 🙏 [Become a backer]

Sponsors

Support this project by becoming a sponsor. Your logo will show up here with a link to your website. [Become a sponsor]

Special Sponsor

TNG Logo

TNG has been supporting the work of Lukas Taegert-Atkinson on Rollup since 2017.

License

MIT

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