EJS (Embedded JavaScript) is a simple templating language that lets you generate HTML markup with plain JavaScript. It allows you to embed JavaScript code within your HTML templates, making it easy to create dynamic content. EJS supports features like loops, conditionals, and includes, enabling you to build reusable components and render data dynamically.
Nunjucks is a powerful templating engine for JavaScript that is heavily inspired by Jinja2, a popular template engine for Python. It allows for creating dynamic templates with features like template inheritance, macros, filters, and control structures. Nunjucks is widely used for generating HTML, emails, and other text-based documents in web applications.
Both EJS and Nunjucks are popular templating engines in the Node.js ecosystem. EJS has been around for longer and is widely used in many projects. Nunjucks, inspired by Jinja2, is also popular and gaining traction due to its powerful features.
Syntax
EJS uses simple JavaScript embedded within HTML-like syntax, making it easy for developers familiar with HTML and JavaScript. Nunjucks, on the other hand, uses a more expressive and feature-rich template syntax inspired by Jinja2, which allows for more complex logic and template inheritance.
Features
Nunjucks offers more advanced features such as template inheritance, macros, filters, and custom extensions, making it suitable for complex templating needs. EJS, while simpler, may be more suitable for projects requiring basic templating without the need for advanced features.
Performance
In terms of performance, EJS is generally faster than Nunjucks due to its simpler syntax and design. However, the difference in performance may vary based on the complexity of the templates and the specific use case.
Integration
Both EJS and Nunjucks can be easily integrated into Node.js applications. EJS has a more straightforward integration process, while Nunjucks provides more flexibility and advanced configuration options for integrating with different frameworks and environments.
Community and Support
Both EJS and Nunjucks have active communities and good documentation. EJS has been around longer and has a larger user base, which can be beneficial in terms of finding resources and community support. Nunjucks, while newer, also has a growing community and good documentation to support developers.