webpack vs vite vs parcel vs snowpack
JavaScript Bundlers and Build Tools Comparison
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What's JavaScript Bundlers and Build Tools?

JavaScript bundlers and build tools are essential in modern web development, enabling developers to optimize their applications by combining multiple files into a single bundle, managing dependencies, and enhancing performance. These tools streamline the development process by automating tasks such as transpilation, minification, and hot module replacement, ultimately improving the efficiency of the development workflow and the performance of the final product. Each tool has its unique features and design philosophies that cater to different project requirements and developer preferences.

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webpack28,588,99565,0725.21 MB23716 days agoMIT
vite22,019,64471,0132.85 MB5854 days agoMIT
parcel216,78943,68743.9 kB6192 months agoMIT
snowpack8,69719,459-3894 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: webpack vs vite vs parcel vs snowpack

Configuration

  • webpack:

    Webpack is highly configurable, requiring a detailed configuration file that allows for extensive customization of the build process, making it suitable for complex applications but potentially overwhelming for newcomers.

  • vite:

    Vite offers a simple configuration setup, allowing developers to get started quickly while providing options for customization as needed, balancing ease of use with flexibility.

  • parcel:

    Parcel requires minimal configuration, automatically detecting and optimizing files based on their types, making it very user-friendly for beginners and small projects.

  • snowpack:

    Snowpack uses a simple configuration file to define entry points and build settings, focusing on a straightforward setup that emphasizes speed and efficiency.

Development Speed

  • webpack:

    Webpack can be slower in development due to its bundling process, but with proper configuration and optimizations like caching, it can still provide reasonable speeds for larger applications.

  • vite:

    Vite provides an incredibly fast development experience with instant server start and hot module replacement, allowing developers to see changes in real-time without full page reloads.

  • parcel:

    Parcel boasts fast build times due to its parallel processing capabilities and automatic optimizations, making it a great choice for rapid development cycles.

  • snowpack:

    Snowpack offers near-instant server start times and fast refresh capabilities, leveraging native ES modules to improve development speed significantly compared to traditional bundlers.

Ecosystem and Plugins

  • webpack:

    Webpack has a mature and extensive ecosystem with a vast array of plugins and loaders, making it highly adaptable for various project requirements and use cases.

  • vite:

    Vite has a rapidly growing ecosystem with a strong focus on modern frameworks like Vue and React, offering numerous plugins and integrations to enhance development.

  • parcel:

    Parcel has a growing ecosystem with a variety of plugins available, but it may not be as extensive as Webpack's, which could limit certain advanced use cases.

  • snowpack:

    Snowpack supports a range of plugins and integrations, particularly for modern web technologies, but its ecosystem is still developing compared to more established tools.

Learning Curve

  • webpack:

    Webpack has a steep learning curve due to its complexity and extensive configuration options, which can be challenging for beginners but provides powerful capabilities for advanced users.

  • vite:

    Vite is also beginner-friendly, offering a straightforward setup and intuitive development experience, making it easy to learn for newcomers to modern web development.

  • parcel:

    Parcel is designed for ease of use, making it beginner-friendly with a gentle learning curve, allowing developers to focus on building rather than configuration.

  • snowpack:

    Snowpack has a relatively low learning curve, especially for those familiar with ES modules, making it accessible for developers transitioning from traditional bundlers.

Performance Optimization

  • webpack:

    Webpack provides powerful optimization features, including code splitting, tree shaking, and various performance tuning options, allowing developers to fine-tune their builds for maximum efficiency.

  • vite:

    Vite optimizes performance by serving files over native ESM during development and generating optimized builds for production, ensuring fast load times and efficient resource management.

  • parcel:

    Parcel automatically optimizes builds for production, including code splitting and tree shaking, which helps improve performance without requiring extensive manual configuration.

  • snowpack:

    Snowpack optimizes builds by leveraging native ES modules, enabling faster loading times and smaller bundle sizes, particularly beneficial for modern web applications.

How to Choose: webpack vs vite vs parcel vs snowpack
  • webpack:

    Choose Webpack if you need a highly configurable and powerful tool that can handle complex build processes, allowing for extensive customization and optimization suited for large-scale applications.

  • vite:

    Choose Vite for its fast development experience, leveraging native ES modules and providing instant server start and hot module replacement, making it suitable for large applications and projects that require quick iteration.

  • parcel:

    Choose Parcel if you want a zero-configuration setup that automatically handles file types and optimizes your assets, making it ideal for smaller projects or rapid prototyping.

  • snowpack:

    Choose Snowpack if you prefer a modern approach with a focus on speed and simplicity, leveraging native ES modules for development and building optimized production bundles with minimal configuration.

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 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.

Similar Npm Packages to snowpack

snowpack is a modern build tool for web applications that focuses on speed and simplicity. It leverages JavaScript's native module system to provide a fast development experience by serving files directly from the source during development. Snowpack is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it an excellent choice for developers looking to build applications without the overhead of traditional bundlers. It supports a wide range of frameworks and libraries, allowing developers to create optimized production builds with minimal configuration.

While Snowpack offers a unique approach to web development, there are several alternatives that developers can consider:

  • parcel is a zero-configuration web application bundler that aims to provide a fast and easy development experience. It automatically handles code splitting, hot module replacement, and asset optimization without requiring extensive configuration. Parcel is particularly well-suited for smaller projects or for developers who want to get started quickly without diving deep into configuration files. Its simplicity and speed make it a popular choice among developers looking for an efficient bundler.
  • vite is a build tool that focuses on providing a fast and modern development experience. It uses native ES modules in the browser during development, resulting in near-instant server start times and fast hot module replacement. Vite is designed to work seamlessly with modern JavaScript frameworks like Vue and React, making it a great choice for developers building applications with these technologies. Its emphasis on speed and developer experience sets it apart from traditional bundlers.
  • webpack is one of the most widely used module bundlers in the JavaScript ecosystem. It provides a powerful and flexible configuration system that allows developers to bundle JavaScript, CSS, images, and other assets. While webpack is highly customizable and can handle complex applications, it often requires more configuration compared to newer tools like Snowpack, Parcel, or Vite. Developers who need fine-grained control over their build process may prefer webpack, but it can come with a steeper learning curve.

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

README for webpack


npm

node builds1 builds2 dependency-review coverage PR's welcome compatibility-score downloads install-size backers sponsors contributors discussions discord

webpack

Webpack is a module bundler. Its main purpose is to bundle JavaScript files for usage in a browser, yet it is also capable of transforming, bundling, or packaging just about any resource or asset.

Table of Contents

Install

Install with npm:

npm install --save-dev webpack

Install with yarn:

yarn add webpack --dev

Introduction

Webpack is a bundler for modules. The main purpose is to bundle JavaScript files for usage in a browser, yet it is also capable of transforming, bundling, or packaging just about any resource or asset.

TL;DR

  • Bundles ES Modules, CommonJS, and AMD modules (even combined).
  • Can create a single bundle or multiple chunks that are asynchronously loaded at runtime (to reduce initial loading time).
  • Dependencies are resolved during compilation, reducing the runtime size.
  • Loaders can preprocess files while compiling, e.g. TypeScript to JavaScript, Handlebars strings to compiled functions, images to Base64, etc.
  • Highly modular plugin system to do whatever else your application requires.

Learn about webpack through videos!

Get Started

Check out webpack's quick Get Started guide and the other guides.

Browser Compatibility

Webpack supports all browsers that are ES5-compliant (IE8 and below are not supported). Webpack also needs Promise for import() and require.ensure(). If you want to support older browsers, you will need to load a polyfill before using these expressions.

Concepts

Plugins

Webpack has a rich plugin interface. Most of the features within webpack itself use this plugin interface. This makes webpack very flexible.

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :---------------------------------------: | :----------------: | :-----------------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | mini-css-extract-plugin | mini-css-npm | mini-css-size | Extracts CSS into separate files. It creates a CSS file per JS file which contains CSS. | | compression-webpack-plugin | compression-npm | compression-size | Prepares compressed versions of assets to serve them with Content-Encoding | | html-webpack-plugin | html-plugin-npm | html-plugin-size | Simplifies creation of HTML files (index.html) to serve your bundles | | pug-plugin | pug-plugin-npm | pug-plugin-size | Renders Pug files to HTML, extracts JS and CSS from sources specified directly in Pug. |

Loaders

Webpack enables the use of loaders to preprocess files. This allows you to bundle any static resource way beyond JavaScript. You can easily write your own loaders using Node.js.

Loaders are activated by using loadername! prefixes in require() statements, or are automatically applied via regex from your webpack configuration.

Files

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :---------------: | :--------: | :----------: | :------------------------------------------------------- | | val-loader | val-npm | val-size | Executes code as module and considers exports as JS code |

JSON

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :---------: | :----------: | :------------------------------: | | | cson-npm | cson-size | Loads and transpiles a CSON file |

Transpiling

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :-----------: | :------------: | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | babel-npm | babel-size | Loads ES2015+ code and transpiles to ES5 using Babel | | | type-npm | type-size | Loads TypeScript like JavaScript | | | coffee-npm | coffee-size | Loads CoffeeScript like JavaScript |

Templating

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :-------------: | :--------------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | html-npm | html-size | Exports HTML as string, requires references to static resources | | | pug-npm | pug-size | Loads Pug templates and returns a function | | | pug3-npm | pug3-size | Compiles Pug to a function or HTML string, useful for use with Vue, React, Angular | | | md-npm | md-size | Compiles Markdown to HTML | | | posthtml-npm | posthtml-size | Loads and transforms a HTML file using PostHTML | | | hbs-npm | hbs-size | Compiles Handlebars to HTML |

Styling

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :------------: | :-------------: | :----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | <style> | style-npm | style-size | Add exports of a module as style to DOM | | | css-npm | css-size | Loads CSS file with resolved imports and returns CSS code | | | less-npm | less-size | Loads and compiles a LESS file | | | sass-npm | sass-size | Loads and compiles a Sass/SCSS file | | | stylus-npm | stylus-size | Loads and compiles a Stylus file | | | postcss-npm | postcss-size | Loads and transforms a CSS/SSS file using PostCSS |

Frameworks

| Name | Status | Install Size | Description | | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :------------: | :-------------: | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | vue-npm | vue-size | Loads and compiles Vue Components | | | polymer-npm | polymer-size | Process HTML & CSS with preprocessor of choice and require() Web Components like first-class modules | | | angular-npm | angular-size | Loads and compiles Angular 2 Components | | | riot-npm | riot-size | Riot official webpack loader | | | svelte-npm | svelte-size | Official Svelte loader |

Performance

Webpack uses async I/O and has multiple caching levels. This makes webpack fast and incredibly fast on incremental compilations.

Module Formats

Webpack supports ES2015+, CommonJS and AMD modules out of the box. It performs clever static analysis on the AST of your code. It even has an evaluation engine to evaluate simple expressions. This allows you to support most existing libraries out of the box.

Code Splitting

Webpack allows you to split your codebase into multiple chunks. Chunks are loaded asynchronously at runtime. This reduces the initial loading time.

Optimizations

Webpack can do many optimizations to reduce the output size of your JavaScript by deduplicating frequently used modules, minifying, and giving you full control of what is loaded initially and what is loaded at runtime through code splitting. It can also make your code chunks cache friendly by using hashes.

Contributing

We want contributing to webpack to be fun, enjoyable, and educational for anyone, and everyone. We have a vibrant ecosystem that spans beyond this single repo. We welcome you to check out any of the repositories in our organization or webpack-contrib organization which houses all of our loaders and plugins.

Contributions go far beyond pull requests and commits. Although we love giving you the opportunity to put your stamp on webpack, we also are thrilled to receive a variety of other contributions including:

To get started have a look at our documentation on contributing.

Creating your own plugins and loaders

If you create a loader or plugin, we would <3 for you to open source it, and put it on npm. We follow the x-loader, x-webpack-plugin naming convention.

Support

We consider webpack to be a low-level tool used not only individually but also layered beneath other awesome tools. Because of its flexibility, webpack isn't always the easiest entry-level solution, however we do believe it is the most powerful. That said, we're always looking for ways to improve and simplify the tool without compromising functionality. If you have any ideas on ways to accomplish this, we're all ears!

If you're just getting started, take a look at our new docs and concepts page. This has a high level overview that is great for beginners!!

If you have discovered a 🐜 or have a feature suggestion, feel free to create an issue on GitHub.

Current project members

For information about the governance of the Node.js project, see GOVERNANCE.md.

TSC (Technical Steering Committee)

Core Collaborators

Sponsoring

Most of the core team members, webpack contributors and contributors in the ecosystem do this open source work in their free time. If you use webpack for a serious task, and you'd like us to invest more time on it, please donate. This project increases your income/productivity too. It makes development and applications faster and it reduces the required bandwidth.

This is how we use the donations:

  • Allow the core team to work on webpack
  • Thank contributors if they invested a large amount of time in contributing
  • Support projects in the ecosystem that are of great value for users
  • Support projects that are voted most (work in progress)
  • Infrastructure cost
  • Fees for money handling

Premium Partners

Other Backers and Sponsors

Before we started using OpenCollective, donations were made anonymously. Now that we have made the switch, we would like to acknowledge these sponsors (and the ones who continue to donate using OpenCollective). If we've missed someone, please send us a PR, and we'll add you to this list.

Gold Sponsors

Become a gold sponsor and get your logo on our README on GitHub with a link to your site.

Silver Sponsors

Become a silver sponsor and get your logo on our README on GitHub with a link to your site.

Bronze Sponsors

Become a bronze sponsor and get your logo on our README on GitHub with a link to your site.

Backers

Become a backer and get your image on our README on GitHub with a link to your site.

Special Thanks to

(In chronological order)

  • @google for Google Web Toolkit (GWT), which aims to compile Java to JavaScript. It features a similar Code Splitting as webpack.
  • @medikoo for modules-webmake, which is a similar project. webpack was born because of the desire for code splitting for modules such as Webmake. Interestingly, the Code Splitting issue is still open (thanks also to @Phoscur for the discussion).
  • @substack for browserify, which is a similar project and source for many ideas.
  • @jrburke for require.js, which is a similar project and source for many ideas.
  • @defunctzombie for the browser-field spec, which makes modules available for node.js, browserify and webpack.
  • @sokra for creating webpack.
  • Every early webpack user, which contributed to webpack by writing issues or PRs. You influenced the direction.
  • All past and current webpack maintainers and collaborators.
  • Everyone who has written a loader for webpack. You are the ecosystem...
  • Everyone not mentioned here but that has also influenced webpack.
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