esbuild vs parcel
Side-by-side comparison of esbuild and parcel
- Weekly Downloads
- 106.9M
- Stars
- 39.7K
- Gzip Size
- 14.8 kB
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 2d ago
- Open Issues
- 586
- Forks
- 1.3K
- Unpacked Size
- 135.3 kB
- Dependencies
- 1
- Weekly Downloads
- 278.6K
- Stars
- 44.0K
- Gzip Size
- —
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 4d ago
- Open Issues
- 585
- Forks
- 2.3K
- Unpacked Size
- 44.0 kB
- Dependencies
- —
Download Trends
Verdict
esbuild is positioned as an extremely fast bundler and minifier for JavaScript and CSS, suitable for projects requiring high performance and efficient resource management. It is ideal for developers who prioritize speed and are working on modern web applications, especially those utilizing TypeScript or React.
In contrast, parcel offers a zero-configuration setup that caters to those who prefer an out-of-the-box experience. This makes it particularly appealing for smaller projects or teams with less extensive experience in configuration details, enabling quicker onboarding and faster initial development cycles.
While esbuild boasts higher weekly downloads and a larger community presence, parcel’s ease of use makes it a viable option for new projects where configuration overhead should be minimized. Developers considering migration should weigh the configuration effort of parcel against the performance benefits of esbuild depending on their existing project complexities.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | esbuild | parcel |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Fast JavaScript and CSS bundler and minifier. | Zero configuration web application bundler. |
| Open Issues | 586 open issues, suggesting some active maintenance needs. | 586 open issues, indicating similar levels of maintenance. |
| Performance | ✓Extremely fast, prioritizing build times. | Fast, but not as optimized for large projects. |
| GitHub Forks | 1.3K forks, showing active interest in contributions. | ✓2.3K forks, indicating a larger number of developer adaptations. |
| GitHub Stars | High at 39.7K, showing strong community support. | ✓Higher at 44.0K, indicating a popular choice. |
| Unpacked Size | Larger at 135.3 kB, reflecting potential complexity. | ✓Smaller at 44.0 kB, suggesting lightweight functionality. |
| Learning Curve | Requires more setup and familiarity with modern tooling. | ✓Designed for zero configuration, easier for newcomers. |
| Target Audience | Best for high-performance projects with developer experience. | ✓Ideal for smaller teams or projects needing minimal setup. |
| Weekly Downloads | ✓Very high at 105.8M, indicating strong popularity. | Moderate at 281.9K, suggesting niche use. |
| Bundle Size (gzip) | ✓Compact at 14.8 kB, optimizing delivery performance. | Not provided, but generally larger than esbuild. |
| Configuration Flexibility | ✓More flexible configurations suitable for complex builds. | Less flexible due to zero configuration focus. |
| Support for Modern JavaScript | ✓Strong support for ES modules and TypeScript. | Good support for modern JavaScript with an emphasis on simplicity. |