Rollup is a JavaScript module bundler that focuses on providing a highly efficient and performant bundling process for modern web applications. It is known for its tree-shaking capabilities, which eliminate unused code from the final bundle, resulting in smaller file sizes and faster loading times. Rollup also supports ES module syntax natively, making it a popular choice for projects using modern JavaScript features.
Webpack is a popular module bundler for JavaScript applications. It allows developers to bundle and optimize assets like JavaScript, CSS, and images for efficient delivery to browsers. Webpack's modular architecture and plugin system enable advanced customization and optimization of the build process. It supports code splitting, lazy loading, and hot module replacement for efficient development workflows.
Webpack is more popular and widely used compared to Rollup. It has a larger community and ecosystem surrounding it, with many plugins and tools available. Rollup, however, has been gaining popularity in recent years and is often preferred for smaller, more focused projects.
Configuration
Webpack is highly configurable and allows for complex setups, making it suitable for large-scale projects with diverse requirements. It provides extensive configuration options and supports features like code splitting, hot module replacement, and asset optimization. Rollup, on the other hand, takes a more opinionated approach and focuses on simplicity. It has a simpler configuration model, which makes it easier to set up and use for small to medium-sized projects.
Bundle Size
Rollup generally produces smaller bundle sizes compared to Webpack. It is known for its tree-shaking capabilities, allowing it to eliminate unused code and optimize the output significantly. Webpack, while it provides some optimization options, tends to have larger bundle sizes by default. However, with proper configuration and tree-shaking setup, Webpack can also achieve smaller bundle sizes.
Code Splitting
Webpack has more advanced code splitting capabilities and provides various strategies for splitting code into separate bundles. It supports dynamic imports and allows for granular control over how code is split. Rollup also supports code splitting but has more limited options compared to Webpack.
Module Formats
Both Webpack and Rollup support multiple module formats such as ES modules, CommonJS, and AMD. However, Rollup is known for its excellent support for ES modules and is often preferred for projects targeting modern browser environments. Webpack, on the other hand, is more flexible and supports a broader range of module formats, making it suitable for projects with mixed or legacy codebases.
Build Speed
Rollup is generally faster than Webpack when it comes to build times. It has a simpler and more streamlined build process, which leads to faster bundling. Webpack, due to its complexity and extensive feature set, can take longer to build, especially for larger projects. However, Webpack provides advanced caching mechanisms and incremental builds, which can help improve build performance.
Community and Ecosystem
Webpack has a larger and more established community compared to Rollup. It has a vast ecosystem of plugins, loaders, and tools developed by the community, which helps with integrating various technologies and simplifying complex setups. Rollup, while it has a smaller community, still has a decent number of plugins and tools available, but the ecosystem is not as extensive as Webpack's.
