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Web Development · head to head

Rollup vs Vite

Rollup logo

Rollup

Web Development

JavaScript module bundler built for libraries

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vite logo

Vite

Developer Tools

Next generation frontend tooling

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Rollup slower than the Go and Rust bundlers that followed it, since it is written in JavaScript; Vite does not support Node.js built-in polyfills, requiring manual configuration for CommonJS libraries

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Rollup and Vite actually diverge.

Attributes where Rollup and Vite differ
AttributeRollupVite
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeUnknown
PlatformsLinux, macOS, WindowsNode.js, Deno, Bun
CategoryWeb DevelopmentDeveloper Tools
FoundedUnknown2020

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 Rollup

  • Tree shaking
  • Clean output
  • Multiple output formats
  • Plugin API

Only in Vite

Nothing recorded that Rollup does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Rollup

  • Publishing a JavaScript library in several module formatsnot Vite
  • Builds where output size and cleanliness matter more than build speednot Vite
  • Producing ES module output for consumers who will bundle it themselvesnot Vite

Vite

  • Developers speeding up hot module replacement during React developmentnot Rollup
  • Vue.js teams reducing rebuild times in large monorepo codebasesnot Rollup
  • Teams building with TypeScript without additional tooling configurationnot Rollup
  • Open-source contributors testing code changes in sub-second feedbacknot Rollup

Where each one falls short

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

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

Vite

  • Does not support Node.js built-in polyfills, requiring manual configuration for CommonJS libraries
  • File watching fails on Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 in certain conditions
  • Smaller ecosystem and community compared to webpack
  • Ampersands in Windows project paths cause module resolution failures

Pricing, plan by plan

Rollup

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

Vite

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Vite review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Rollup if

  • You need tree shaking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want clean output.
Rollup review

Choose Vite if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Deno, Bun.
Vite review

Questions people ask

Is Rollup or Vite better?
Neither clearly leads. Rollup starts at Free and Vite at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Rollup or Vite?
Rollup starts at Free and Vite at Free.
Does Rollup or Vite run on more platforms?
Rollup runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. Vite runs on Node.js, Deno, Bun.
Can I use Rollup for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Rollup best used for?
Rollup is most often used for publishing a javascript library in several module formats, builds where output size and cleanliness matter more than build speed, producing es module output for consumers who will bundle it themselves. Of those, publishing a javascript library in several module formats and builds where output size and cleanliness matter more than build speed are not what Vite is typically brought in for.
What can Rollup do that Vite cannot?
Rollup covers Tree shaking, Clean output, Multiple output formats, Plugin API.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Rollup: Is Rollup free?

Yes, open source under the MIT licence.

Vite: Does Vite support CommonJS dependencies?

Vite automatically converts CommonJS dependencies to ES modules during pre-bundling using esbuild, but it does not support Node.js built-in polyfills. For projects requiring Node builtins, additional configuration may be needed.

Source
Rollup: 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.

Vite: Can Vite work offline?

Vite requires internet for initial dependency pre-bundling with esbuild. Once dependencies are pre-bundled and cached, development can continue with local file serving, but full offline development is not supported.

Source
Rollup: Do I need Rollup if I use Vite?

Not directly. Vite uses Rollup for production builds, so you already benefit from it.

Vite: What are Vite's system requirements on Windows?

Vite can run on Windows, but WSL2 users may experience file watching issues where Vite cannot detect file changes in certain conditions. Windows users with project paths containing ampersands may encounter module resolution failures with npm.

Source
Vite: Does Vite support TypeScript, JSX, and CSS out of the box?

Yes. Vite natively supports TypeScript, JSX, CSS, and WebAssembly without additional configuration needed for basic use.

Source
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