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Preact vs Turbopack

Preact logo

Preact

Web Development

3kB alternative to React with the same modern API

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Turbopack logo

Turbopack

Web Development

Incremental bundler for JavaScript written in Rust

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Preact compatibility through preact/compat is good but not total, and some React libraries break in ways that are hard to diagnose; Turbopack effectively coupled to Next.js; using it standalone is not the supported path
  • They diverge on capability: Preact covers 3kB runtime, Turbopack covers Incremental computation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Preact and Turbopack actually diverge.

Attributes where Preact and Turbopack differ
AttributePreactTurbopack
PlatformsWebLinux, macOS, Windows

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Open source, no licence fee), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Web Development).

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 Preact

  • 3kB runtime
  • preact/compat
  • Same modern API
  • Fast rendering

Only in Turbopack

  • Incremental computation
  • Written in Rust
  • Next.js integration
  • Fast refresh

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Preact

  • Embedded widgets that load inside someone else’s page and must stay smallnot Turbopack
  • Marketing and content sites where JavaScript payload affects Core Web Vitalsnot Turbopack
  • Applications targeting low-bandwidth or low-powered devicesnot Turbopack

Turbopack

  • Large Next.js applications where rebuild time is the daily costnot Preact
  • Teams already on Vercel’s stack wanting faster local feedbacknot Preact
  • Migrating off webpack within Next.js without changing frameworksnot Preact

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Preact

  • Compatibility through preact/compat is good but not total, and some React libraries break in ways that are hard to diagnose
  • Behavioural differences from React exist in edge cases, particularly around event handling
  • A much smaller community, so unusual problems have fewer existing answers than React

Turbopack

  • Effectively coupled to Next.js; using it standalone is not the supported path
  • Younger than the alternatives, and ecosystem plugin support is narrower than webpack’s
  • Benchmark claims have been contested publicly, so measure on your own project rather than trusting headline numbers
  • Being Vercel-driven ties its roadmap to one company’s framework priorities

Pricing, plan by plan

Preact

Free
  • PreactFree
    • Full library
    • Commercial use permitted
    • No usage limits

Turbopack

Free
  • TurbopackFree
    • Full functionality
    • Commercial use permitted
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Preact if

  • You need 3kb runtime.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want preact/compat.
Preact review

Choose Turbopack if

  • You need incremental computation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want written in rust.
Turbopack review

Questions people ask

Is Preact or Turbopack better?
Neither clearly leads. Preact starts at Free and Turbopack at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Preact or Turbopack?
Preact starts at Free and Turbopack at Free.
Does Preact or Turbopack run on more platforms?
Preact runs on Web. Turbopack runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Preact for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Preact best used for?
Preact is most often used for embedded widgets that load inside someone else’s page and must stay small, marketing and content sites where javascript payload affects core web vitals, applications targeting low-bandwidth or low-powered devices. Of those, embedded widgets that load inside someone else’s page and must stay small and marketing and content sites where javascript payload affects core web vitals are not what Turbopack is typically brought in for.
What can Preact do that Turbopack cannot?
Preact covers 3kB runtime, preact/compat, Same modern API, Fast rendering. Turbopack covers Incremental computation, Written in Rust, Next.js integration, Fast refresh.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Preact: Is Preact free?

Yes, open source under the MIT licence.

Turbopack: Is Turbopack free?

Yes, open source from Vercel.

Preact: Can I use React libraries with Preact?

Most, through the preact/compat layer. Compatibility is good but not complete, so libraries relying on React internals can break.

Turbopack: Can I use Turbopack without Next.js?

Not really. It is developed as the Next.js bundler, and standalone use is not the supported path.

Preact: Why choose Preact over React?

Bundle size, almost always. If payload is not a binding constraint, React’s ecosystem is usually the better trade.

Turbopack: Is Turbopack faster than Vite?

It depends on the project, and published comparisons have been disputed by both sides. Measure on your own codebase rather than relying on headline figures.

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