esbuild vs webpack

Side-by-side comparison of esbuild and webpack

esbuild v0.27.3 MIT
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
webpack v5.105.0 MIT
Weekly Downloads
38.4M
Stars
65.9K
Gzip Size
License
MIT
Last Updated
1h ago
Open Issues
211
Forks
9.2K
Unpacked Size
5.8 MB
Dependencies

Download Trends

Download trends for esbuild and webpack095.8M191.6M287.4M383.2MFeb 25May 25Aug 25Nov 25Feb 26
esbuild
webpack

Verdict

esbuild is designed for speed, making it an excellent choice for projects that prioritize fast build times and minimal configuration. It's particularly well-suited for JavaScript and TypeScript applications that require quick bundling and minification. On the other hand, webpack offers a robust and flexible architecture that caters to complex applications with extensive customization needs and the ability to manage multiple asset types such as CSS, images, and JSON.

For smaller projects or teams with less experience in configuring bundlers, esbuild provides a straightforward path to bundling without unnecessary overhead. However, for larger applications requiring advanced features like code splitting or intricate plugin ecosystems, webpack is the more appropriate choice. Teams familiar with extensive configurations might find webpack's capabilities to be indispensable in optimizing performance.

When migrating from one to the other, consider the trade-offs in complexity versus speed. While esbuild can handle most scenarios efficiently, switching to webpack might require significant reconfiguration to harness its full potential, especially if specific loaders or plugins are used extensively.

Detailed Comparison

Criteria esbuild webpack
Build Speed Extremely fast build times, making it ideal for rapid development. Generally slower due to more features and complexity.
Open Issues Moderate volume of open issues indicating some ongoing challenges. Fewer open issues suggesting more stability and responsiveness.
GitHub Stars High star count reflecting developer interest and approval. Higher star count indicating greater adoption by the community.
Unpacked Size Compact at 135.3 kB, ideal for lightweight setups. Larger at 5.8 MB, reflecting its comprehensive feature set.
Asset Management Primarily focuses on JavaScript and CSS with limited asset handling. Supports a diverse range of asset types through loaders and plugins.
Weekly Downloads Significantly higher weekly downloads indicating growing popularity. Strong but lower weekly downloads compared to esbuild.
Community Support Strong community with good documentation but fewer plugins. Larger community with extensive plugins and resources.
Config Complexity Minimal configuration required for basic setups. Highly configurable, often requiring substantial setup and management.
TypeScript Support Excellent support for TypeScript out of the box. Supports TypeScript but may require additional configuration.
Overall Positioning Fast bundler ideal for simple configurations and quick builds. Flexible bundler with extensive customization for complex applications.

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