JavaScript bundlers and transpilers are tools used in web development to optimize and bundle JavaScript code for production. They help manage dependencies, improve performance, and enable modern JavaScript features. Choosing the right tool depends on project requirements, build speed, configuration flexibility, and ecosystem support.
NPM Package Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
esbuild
30,348,439
37,649
134 kB
441
9 days ago
MIT
webpack
24,216,298
64,341
4.97 MB
251
21 days ago
MIT
rollup
20,622,209
25,037
2.26 MB
550
2 days ago
MIT
vite
12,841,839
66,101
3.26 MB
628
8 days ago
MIT
@swc/core
6,384,701
30,550
120 kB
352
4 days ago
Apache-2.0
Feature Comparison: esbuild vs webpack vs rollup vs vite vs @swc/core
Build Speed
esbuild: Esbuild is renowned for its unparalleled build speed, thanks to its Go-based architecture and efficient algorithms. It excels in quickly bundling and transpiling large codebases.
webpack: Webpack offers extensive configuration options and plugin support, allowing developers to optimize build speed through various settings. While not as inherently fast as esbuild or Vite, Webpack's flexibility enables performance improvements.
rollup: Rollup prioritizes build speed by emphasizing tree-shaking and code splitting to generate optimized bundles. It excels in producing smaller and more efficient outputs.
vite: Vite leverages native ES modules and a dev server with hot module replacement to provide a fast development experience. It eliminates the need for bundling during development for quicker feedback.
@swc/core: SWC Core focuses on improving build speed by leveraging Rust's performance benefits. It aims to be significantly faster than traditional JavaScript compilers like Babel.
Configuration Flexibility
esbuild: Esbuild simplifies configuration with its minimalistic approach, focusing on sensible defaults and performance optimizations. While less configurable than Webpack, it offers a straightforward setup process.
webpack: Webpack is highly configurable, allowing developers to fine-tune every aspect of the build process. With a vast ecosystem of plugins and loaders, Webpack offers unparalleled customization options for diverse project requirements.
rollup: Rollup's configuration is centered around tree-shaking and code splitting, enabling developers to optimize bundle outputs. It provides flexibility in defining output formats and customizing build processes.
vite: Vite streamlines configuration by leveraging native ES modules and a dev server that eliminates the need for complex bundling setups during development. It offers a simple and intuitive configuration experience.
@swc/core: SWC Core provides compatibility with Babel and TypeScript configurations, offering flexibility in adopting existing setups. It allows developers to transition smoothly while benefiting from performance enhancements.
Ecosystem Support
esbuild: Esbuild has gained traction in the JavaScript ecosystem for its speed and efficiency, attracting support from various tools and frameworks. Its growing community contributes to expanding its ecosystem compatibility.
webpack: Webpack has a vast ecosystem of plugins and loaders that support a wide range of frameworks, libraries, and tools. Its extensive community contributions ensure compatibility with diverse project requirements.
rollup: Rollup is well-suited for library authors and projects requiring optimized bundle outputs, with support for popular module formats like ES modules and CommonJS. Its ecosystem includes plugins for extending functionality.
vite: Vite is designed for Vue.js projects but can also be used with other frameworks like React and Svelte. Its ecosystem includes plugins and tools tailored for modern web development workflows.
@swc/core: SWC Core integrates with existing JavaScript tooling and frameworks, ensuring compatibility with popular libraries and build setups. It aims to provide a seamless transition for developers adopting its performance improvements.
How to Choose: esbuild vs webpack vs rollup vs vite vs @swc/core
esbuild: Choose esbuild if you prioritize build speed and efficiency. Esbuild is known for its blazing fast performance, making it ideal for projects that require quick bundling and transpilation.
webpack: Choose Webpack if you need a versatile and highly configurable bundler that supports a wide range of plugins and loaders. Webpack is suitable for complex projects with diverse requirements and extensive customization needs.
rollup: Choose Rollup if you need a module bundler that focuses on tree-shaking and code splitting. Rollup is great for library authors or projects that require a more optimized output bundle.
vite: Choose Vite if you want a modern build tool that leverages native ES modules for faster development and hot module replacement. Vite is designed for Vue.js projects but can also be used for other frameworks.
@swc/core: Choose @swc/core if you are looking for a fast JavaScript/TypeScript compiler written in Rust. It aims to be compatible with Babel and TypeScript while providing significant performance improvements.
esbuild
webpack
rollup
vite
@swc/core
Similar Npm Packages to esbuild
esbuild is a fast and efficient JavaScript bundler and minifier. It is designed to be incredibly fast, often outperforming other bundlers like Webpack and Rollup. Esbuild's speed comes from its use of Go for the core bundling logic, making it a popular choice for projects that require quick build times.
When it comes to bundling and building JavaScript applications, there are several alternatives to esbuild:
grunt is a task runner that automates repetitive tasks like minification, compilation, unit testing, and linting. It has been a popular choice for build automation in JavaScript projects.
gulp is another task runner that allows developers to build processes that are easy to read and maintain. It focuses on code over configuration and has been widely used in the JavaScript community.
parcel is a zero-configuration bundler that aims to simplify the build process for web applications. It offers a fast and easy way to bundle assets and handle dependencies.
rollup is a module bundler that focuses on tree-shaking and creating smaller bundles. It is often used for library authors and projects that require a more optimized bundle size.
webpack is a popular module bundler that offers a wide range of features and configurations for building complex web applications. It is highly configurable and widely used in the JavaScript ecosystem.
