Software · head to head
ESLint vs LangSmith
The short version
- Only ESLint has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: ESLint slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome; LangSmith usage beyond the included trace allotment is billed in LangChain Compute Units at $1.50 per LCU and Storage Units at $1.00 per LSU, an unfamiliar metering unit compared to flat per-seat pricing, as of August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ESLint and LangSmith actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ESLint
- Statically analysing JavaScript and JSX to find problems before runtimenot LangSmith
- Automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewritesnot LangSmith
- Enforcing a consistent code style across a teamnot LangSmith
- Running as a CI step to block non-conforming codenot LangSmith
- Writing custom rules for project-specific conventionsnot LangSmith
LangSmith
No use cases recorded yet. See the LangSmith review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
ESLint
- Slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome
- Complexity in configuration from scratch, particularly for TypeScript support
- Limited built-in TypeScript support, requiring separate parsers and coordination with new TypeScript features
LangSmith
- Usage beyond the included trace allotment is billed in LangChain Compute Units at $1.50 per LCU and Storage Units at $1.00 per LSU, an unfamiliar metering unit compared to flat per-seat pricing, as of August 2026.
Pricing, plan by plan
ESLint
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the ESLint review.
LangSmith
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the LangSmith review.
Which should you pick?
Choose ESLint if
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment.
Choose LangSmith if
Nothing in the data separates LangSmith from ESLint on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is ESLint or LangSmith better?
- Neither clearly leads. ESLint starts at Free and LangSmith at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ESLint or LangSmith?
- ESLint has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ESLint and On request for LangSmith.
- Does ESLint or LangSmith run on more platforms?
- ESLint runs on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment. LangSmith runs on Web.
- Can I use ESLint for free?
- Yes. ESLint has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LangSmith starts at On request.
- What is ESLint best used for?
- ESLint is most often used for statically analysing javascript and jsx to find problems before runtime, automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewrites, enforcing a consistent code style across a team, running as a ci step to block non-conforming code. Of those, statically analysing javascript and jsx to find problems before runtime and automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewrites are not what LangSmith is typically brought in for.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
ESLint: Does ESLint automatically fix code issues?
Many problems ESLint finds can be automatically fixed via the --fix flag. ESLint fixes are syntax-aware so you won't experience errors introduced by traditional find-and-replace algorithms.
SourceESLint: How much does ESLint cost?
ESLint is completely free and open-source software maintained by the OpenJS Foundation. The project accepts voluntary donations from sponsors.
SourceESLint: Can I write custom ESLint rules?
Yes. You can develop custom rules that work alongside built-in functionality through ESLint's plugin system, allowing complete customization for your project needs.
SourceRelated pages
Keep looking
Other head to heads
- ESLint vs Visual Studio Code
- ESLint vs pnpm
- ESLint vs Turborepo
- ESLint vs Yarn
- ESLint vs Ansible
- ESLint vs Prettier
- ESLint vs Vite
- ESLint vs Webpack
- ESLint vs Argo CD
- ESLint vs Azure DevOps
- ESLint vs Bitbucket
- ESLint vs Buildkite
- ESLint vs Claude Code
- ESLint vs Cody
- ESLint vs Deno
- ESLint vs Fig
- ESLint vs Git
- ESLint vs GitHub Copilot
- ESLint vs Windsurf
- ESLint vs Zed
- ESLint vs Cursor
- ESLint vs Amp
- ESLint vs Augment Code
- ESLint vs Baseten
- ESLint vs Braintrust
- ESLint vs Bun
- ESLint vs Cline
- ESLint vs Devin
- ESLint vs Factory
- ESLint vs Humanloop
- ESLint vs Langfuse
- ESLint vs Qodo
- ESLint vs Val Town
- LangSmith vs Visual Studio Code
- LangSmith vs pnpm
- LangSmith vs Turborepo
- LangSmith vs Yarn
- LangSmith vs Ansible
- LangSmith vs Prettier
- LangSmith vs Vite
- LangSmith vs Webpack
- LangSmith vs Argo CD
- LangSmith vs Azure DevOps
- LangSmith vs Bitbucket
- LangSmith vs Buildkite
- LangSmith vs Claude Code
- LangSmith vs Cody
- LangSmith vs Deno
- LangSmith vs Fig
- LangSmith vs Git
- LangSmith vs GitHub Copilot
- LangSmith vs Windsurf
- LangSmith vs Zed
- LangSmith vs Cursor
- LangSmith vs Amp
- LangSmith vs Augment Code
- LangSmith vs Baseten
- LangSmith vs Braintrust
- LangSmith vs Bun
- LangSmith vs Cline
- LangSmith vs Devin
- LangSmith vs Factory
- LangSmith vs Humanloop
- LangSmith vs Langfuse
- LangSmith vs Qodo
- LangSmith vs Val Town