Astroturf is a zero-runtime CSS-in-JS library for React. It allows you to write CSS styles in JavaScript using a familiar CSS syntax, and then generates optimized CSS at build time. This eliminates the need for runtime CSS processing and improves performance.
Alternatives: styled-components, emotion, linaria
Tags: javascriptcss-in-jsreactstylingperformance
tailwindcss
v3.3.5(about 1 month ago)
Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework. It provides a comprehensive set of pre-defined CSS styles that can be combined to create custom designs while maintaining a consistent and cohesive look and feel. Its atomic design approach, using small and reusable classes, offers a quick way to build responsive user interfaces. Unlike traditional CSS frameworks, Tailwind does not impose any design decisions, allowing you to focus on your content and design needs.
Tailwind CSS has gained significant popularity in the web development community due to its utility-first approach and large ecosystem. Astroturf, while popular in its own niche, is not as widely used or recognized as Tailwind CSS.
Size
Astroturf is a lightweight library that adds support for CSS-in-JS in React components. It has a minimal footprint and performs well. Tailwind CSS, on the other hand, is a comprehensive CSS framework that comes with a larger file size due to its extensive utility classes and feature set.
Functionality
Astroturf is focused on providing CSS-in-JS capabilities, allowing you to write CSS styles in JavaScript modules. It offers a seamless integration with React and provides advanced features like automatic static extraction. Tailwind CSS, on the other hand, is a full-featured CSS framework that provides a highly customizable set of utility classes to rapidly build UI components and layouts.
Development Experience
Astroturf offers a familiar development experience by allowing you to write CSS styles using JavaScript syntax and leveraging the power of JavaScript tooling. It provides excellent tooling support, such as TypeScript integration, IDE autocompletion, and linting. Tailwind CSS, on the other hand, also offers a good development experience with its utility classes and configuration options, but it requires a separate build step and lacks the JavaScript-centric approach of Astroturf.
Customizability
Tailwind CSS is highly customizable, allowing you to configure and extend its utility classes to match your project's specific design requirements. You can modify colors, spacing, breakpoints, and more. Astroturf, on the other hand, focuses on CSS-in-JS functionality and does not provide as much built-in customization options as Tailwind CSS.
Integration
Astroturf integrates seamlessly with React and works well with existing React workflows and tooling. It provides a straightforward approach to styling components in React. Tailwind CSS can be integrated into any web project, regardless of the frontend framework being used. It provides a standalone CSS file that can be included in projects without much configuration.
Community and Ecosystem
Tailwind CSS has a large and active community, with a wide range of third-party plugins, tools, and resources available. It has a thriving ecosystem that makes it easier to adopt and use in different projects. Astroturf, while not as widespread, still has an active and growing community, with support and contributions from the CSS-in-JS community.
