Updated April 13, 2023
Difference Between Gulp vs Webpack
Gulp is the toolkit developed to use in streaming in the front-end development written in JavaScript. It is a task runner where developers can automate most of the development tasks. Files are considered as streams, and these are transferred as different tasks. Plugins are used to run the tasks, and codes are written for the tasks. Webpack is also written in JavaScript, but this is a bundler, basically. Front end tasks such as CSS, HTML can be modified when proper inputs and loaders are given. It works cross-platform and has modules with dependencies in the system.
Head to Head Comparison between Gulp vs Webpack (Infographics)
Below are the top 8 differences between Gulp vs Webpack:
Key Differences between Gulp vs Webpack
Following are the key differences between Gulp vs Webpack:
- The basic difference is Gulp is a task runner, whereas Webpack is a bundler. Hence, Webpack can run the majority of functions by itself without the help of any other applications. In the bundle, there are provisions for running tasks, minification and source maps in the system. Therefore, react community use Webpack alone instead of using both to run in their system.
- Also, Webpack can be used as middleware, which helps to oversee the system’s tasks. This is done with a server’s help in the development environment called webpack-dev-server that manages reloading in the software. Both live reloading and hot reloading is done in the system. These loaders also help in processing in the system. When considering Gulp, it does not have any of these facilities, and all the work is divided into tasks. This runs the software and helps to manage the system. Hence, it is not as powerful as Webpack.
- There can be errors in both the applications, but finding those errors is difficult in Gulp than in Webpack. In Webpack, it is easy to find the codes that are not running and eliminating them if they are not needed. This makes the code bug free and can make the application worthy of use with less space occupied. This is called dead code elimination of the application. But this feature is not available in Gulp. Hence, it is not easy to sort out the error and to eliminate the codes, not in use.
- As Webpack is a bundler, it bundles up the codes for the users. When the user is in need of only an application, it provides only those Java Scripts to the users rather than providing them with the entire scripts for use. This makes the application to work freely with less load and works well. While considering Gulp, it is a task runner, and it is assigned only with tasks of an entire application and not a different application. Hence, Java Scripts of the entire tasks will be in Gulp, and it provides the same to the user. They are not isolated in the application.
- Webpack is considered an advanced build system where file changes are managed, and tasks are re-running if they do not work in the first attempt. CSS and HTML files are used, and it finds the code easily in the entire application. Gulp can manage only a single application, and it is never a replacement for Webpack, whereas Webpack can be used as a replacement for Gulp. As both uses JavaScript, users will not feel different while migrating from Gulp to Webpack.
Gulp vs Webpack Comparison Table
Let us discuss the top comparison between Gulp vs Webpack:
| Gulp | Webpack |
| It is not easy to rerun Gulp tasks, and we have to write codes separately to rerun the tasks if anything goes wrong for the first time. | It is easy to rerun tasks in Webpack as all the files are loaded, and it knows where it has failed. This makes the system to rerun easily. |
| It is effortless to configure Gulp’s application as the features are less and manage only for a single application. We have to configure Gulp by installing it locally and globally in the system. | The configuration process is difficult in Webpack as its features are advanced, and it is difficult to parse the configuration file in the application. The entire process is a mess if not managed properly. |
| The code required is less, and with the fewer plugins, it manages the tasks and handles the application in a better manner. | Code required is more, and plugins for every task make it more complicated in the system. |
| The application is simple, and hence the syntax is also simple. We can do the task easily in a gulp. Plugins are not used much, and hence this application takes only less memory. | The application is complex with complex processes in the system. This makes the task also complicated, even if they are simple with the complex features available in the application. All the simple things are done with the help of plugins, and hence it takes time. |
| It has good efficiency and faster performance due to the fact that all the tasks are handled by in-memory and processed. | The performance is not faster while comparing with other applications. But as this handles more applications within itself, it cannot keep the tasks in-memory. |
| Gulp is used less, and the users do not prefer much the application. | Webpack is preferred by the users and is older than Gulp. The community support is also good for Webpack. |
| The process flow is controlled well in the system, and the user will have more clarity of the processes. | The process flow is not controlled well, and as the process is complex, the user will not understand the activities easily. |
| Gulp is a stable application, and it will not crash while working due to less memory needed and a smaller number of plugins used. | Webpack cannot be trusted in a stable application group as it may crash in between due to the heavy load in the application. |
Conclusion
Though Gulp can be made to do the tasks handled by Webpack, Gulp is not designed to do so, and hence the application may not work well. Hence, it is good to used Webpack if there are many applications to be run though it must be noted about the presence of plugins and advanced features in the bundler.
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