Developer Tools · head to head
ESLint vs Rollup
The short version
- Each has a real cost: ESLint slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome; Rollup slower than the Go and Rust bundlers that followed it, since it is written in JavaScript
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ESLint and Rollup actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in ESLint
Nothing recorded that Rollup does not also cover.
Only in Rollup
- Tree shaking
- Clean output
- Multiple output formats
- Plugin API
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 Rollup
- Automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewritesnot Rollup
- Enforcing a consistent code style across a teamnot Rollup
- Running as a CI step to block non-conforming codenot Rollup
- Writing custom rules for project-specific conventionsnot Rollup
Rollup
- Publishing a JavaScript library in several module formatsnot ESLint
- Builds where output size and cleanliness matter more than build speednot ESLint
- Producing ES module output for consumers who will bundle it themselvesnot ESLint
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
Rollup
- Slower than the Go and Rust bundlers that followed it, since it is written in JavaScript
- Application concerns like dev servers and hot reloading are not its job, so app builds need Vite on top
- Configuration for non-trivial applications gets verbose compared with tools that assume more
Pricing, plan by plan
ESLint
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the ESLint review.
Rollup
Free- RollupFree
- Full functionality
- Commercial use permitted
- Community support
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 Rollup if
- You need tree shaking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
- You also want clean output.
Questions people ask
- Is ESLint or Rollup better?
- Neither clearly leads. ESLint starts at Free and Rollup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ESLint or Rollup?
- ESLint starts at Free and Rollup at Free.
- Does ESLint or Rollup run on more platforms?
- ESLint runs on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment. Rollup runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.
- Can I use ESLint for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 Rollup is typically brought in for.
- What can ESLint do that Rollup cannot?
- Rollup covers Tree shaking, Clean output, Multiple output formats, Plugin API.
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.
SourceRollup: Is Rollup free?
Yes, open source under the MIT licence.
ESLint: 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.
SourceRollup: Rollup or webpack?
Rollup is the usual choice for libraries thanks to cleaner output and better tree shaking. webpack remains stronger for complex applications with heavy asset handling.
ESLint: 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.
SourceRollup: Do I need Rollup if I use Vite?
Not directly. Vite uses Rollup for production builds, so you already benefit from it.
Related pages
Other head to heads
- ESLint vs Visual Studio Code
- ESLint vs pnpm
- ESLint vs Turborepo
- ESLint vs GitHub Copilot
- ESLint vs Penpot
- ESLint vs Keycloak
- ESLint vs Rust
- ESLint vs CLion
- ESLint vs GNAT Pro
- ESLint vs IAR Embedded Workbench
- ESLint vs GNU Emacs
- ESLint vs Keil MDK
- ESLint vs Vite
- ESLint vs Bazel
- ESLint vs CodeSandbox
- ESLint vs Eclipse IDE
- ESLint vs Moonrepo
- ESLint vs Nx Cloud
- ESLint vs Next.js
- ESLint vs Django
- ESLint vs MySQL
- ESLint vs Flask
- ESLint vs React
- ESLint vs Vue.js
- ESLint vs Tailwind CSS
- ESLint vs Docusaurus
- ESLint vs Laravel
- ESLint vs MUI
- ESLint vs Nginx
- ESLint vs Remix
- ESLint vs esbuild
- ESLint vs npm
- ESLint vs SolidStart
- ESLint vs TanStack Start
- ESLint vs Alpine.js
- ESLint vs Astro
- Rollup vs Visual Studio Code
- Rollup vs pnpm
- Rollup vs Turborepo
- Rollup vs GitHub Copilot
- Rollup vs Penpot
- Rollup vs Keycloak
- Rollup vs Rust
- Rollup vs CLion
- Rollup vs GNAT Pro
- Rollup vs IAR Embedded Workbench
- Rollup vs GNU Emacs
- Rollup vs Keil MDK
- Rollup vs Vite
- Rollup vs Bazel
- Rollup vs CodeSandbox
- Rollup vs Eclipse IDE
- Rollup vs Moonrepo
- Rollup vs Nx Cloud
- Rollup vs Next.js
- Rollup vs Django
- Rollup vs MySQL
- Rollup vs Flask
- Rollup vs React
- Rollup vs Vue.js
- Rollup vs Tailwind CSS
- Rollup vs Docusaurus
- Rollup vs Laravel
- Rollup vs MUI
- Rollup vs Nginx
- Rollup vs Remix
- Rollup vs esbuild
- Rollup vs npm
- Rollup vs SolidStart
- Rollup vs TanStack Start
- Rollup vs Alpine.js
- Rollup vs Astro