TailwindCSS vs. Bootstrap: A CSS Frameworks Comparison
This article will provide a mildly thorough comparison of TailwindCSS vs. Bootstrap to help you determine the more suitable framework for your web development needs. TailwindCSS: As a utility-first CSS framework, TailwindCSS enables developers to construct custom designs without writing bespoke CSS. It provides low-level utility classes that can be combined to create any design directly in the HTML. Bootstrap: As one of the most widely-used CSS frameworks, Bootstrap offers pre-designed components and a grid system. It is designed to aid developers in rapidly creating responsive and consistent web interfaces. With a basic understanding of TailwindCSS and Bootstrap , let's dive deeper into the comparison. Bootstrap Example: Customizing styles in Bootstrap often requires overriding existing styles, which can be tedious. In the following example, a custom CSS class custom-btn is created to override Bootstrap's default button styles. TailwindCSS Example: TailwindCSS allows for customization directly in the HTML using utility classes. In this example, the bg-tomato class applies a custom color defined in the Tailwind config file, obviating the need for additional CSS. Bootstrap Example: Including the entire bootstrap.min.css file, even if only a fraction of its styles are used, can increase file sizes. TailwindCSS Example: TailwindCSS features the ability to purge unused styles from the final build, thus reducing file size. By configuring the purge option in the Tailwind config file, only the used styles are included in the final CSS. Bootstrap Example: Maintaining consistency with custom styles in Bootstrap might require additional classes or modifications. In this example, the default font for card titles is overridden with a custom CSS class. TailwindCSS Example: TailwindCSS promotes design consistency through utility classes. In this example, the font-custom class applies the custom font consistently, defined in the Tailwind config file. Bootstrap Example: Bootstrap's predefined classes are straightforward for beginners. In this example, the navbar is created using predefined classes like navbar , navbar-expand-lg , and navbar-light . TailwindCSS Example: TailwindCSS requires an understanding of utility classes, which might present a steeper learning curve for beginners. However, it offers powerful customization options. In this example, the navbar is created using utility classes like flex , items-center , and justify-between . Bootstrap Example: Bootstrap's predefined components can limit custom designs. In this example, a primary button is created using Bootstrap's predefined classes. TailwindCSS Example: TailwindCSS offers extensive design freedom with utility classes. In this example, a primary button is created using utility classes for easy customization. Bootstrap Example: The entire Bootstrap CSS file includes styles for all components, even those not used in your project. This can result in CSS bloat and larger file sizes. TailwindCSS Example: TailwindCSS removes unused styles to minimize CSS bloat. By configuring the purge option, only the used styles are included in the final CSS, reducing bloat. This comparison explores the key differences between TailwindCSS and Bootstrap . TailwindCSS offers significant advantages in terms of customization flexibility, file size reduction, design consistency, design freedom, and CSS bloat minimization. Its utility-first approach offers more granular control and efficiency, making it a potent alternative to Bootstrap for modern web development. However, it's important to remember that TailwindCSS is just one part of the bigger web development picture. To build a full-stack web application, you need to consider other technologies and frameworks that complement TailwindCSS . These may include NodeJS , React , TypeScript , tRPC , PostgreSQL , Koa , and Knex . When effectively combined, these technologies can enhance type safety, code quality, and developer productivity. For those interested in learning more about full-stack application development with TailwindCSS , TypeScript, and other modern technologies, we highly recommend the course Fullstack Typescript with TailwindCSS and tRPC Using Modern Features of PostgreSQL by Kristian Dupont . This course covers the setup of a full architecture, database migration using raw SQL, API development with tRPC, and automated testing. Choosing the right CSS framework and leveraging the power of modern technologies can elevate your web development skills, enabling you to create robust, efficient, and visually appealing web applications.