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Babel VS PublicAPIs

Compare Babel VS PublicAPIs and see what are their differences

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Babel logo Babel

Babel is a compiler for writing next generation JavaScript.

PublicAPIs logo PublicAPIs

Explore the largest API directory in the galaxy
  • Babel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-02
Not present

Babel features and specs

  • JavaScript Version Compatibility
    Babel allows developers to write code using the latest JavaScript features and syntax, and transpile it into a version of JavaScript that can run on older browsers. This ensures greater compatibility across different environments.
  • Future-Proof Code
    With Babel, developers can start using upcoming JavaScript features today. This means that codebases can stay modern and developers can take advantage of new functionalities without waiting for full browser support.
  • Ecosystem and Plugins
    Babel has a rich ecosystem of plugins and presets that can extend its capabilities, making it highly adaptable to different project needs. This modularity allows for customization and enhancement of the build process.
  • Integration with Modern Development Tools
    Babel integrates well with various development tools such as Webpack, making it easier to include in existing build processes and workflows. This helps streamline development and maintain efficient workflows.
  • Community and Support
    Babel has a large and active community, which means extensive documentation, tutorials, and support forums. This can be particularly useful for troubleshooting and staying updated with best practices.

Possible disadvantages of Babel

  • Performance Overhead
    Transpiling code with Babel introduces a performance overhead during the build process. This can slow down development workflows, especially for large codebases with many files.
  • Configuration Complexity
    Setting up Babel can be complex, particularly for beginners. The numerous options and plugins available can sometimes be overwhelming and require significant time to configure correctly.
  • Source Map Issues
    Generating accurate source maps can sometimes be tricky with Babel, leading to difficulties in debugging. Misconfigured source maps can make it harder to track down issues within the original source code.
  • Dependency Bloat
    Including Babel in a project can add a significant number of dependencies. This dependency bloat can increase the size of the project and potentially introduce maintenance challenges or security vulnerabilities.
  • Learning Curve
    There is a learning curve associated with Babel, especially for developers who are new to modern JavaScript tooling. Understanding how Babel works and how to effectively use its features can take time and effort.

PublicAPIs features and specs

  • Wide Variety
    PublicAPIs provides access to a broad range of APIs across different categories, making it easier for developers to find the APIs they need for various applications.
  • Centralized Resource
    Having a centralized resource for public APIs helps developers save time by not having to search multiple sources to find the API they need.
  • Free Access
    Many of the APIs listed on PublicAPIs are free to use, making it accessible for developers who may be working with limited budgets or on hobby projects.
  • API Documentation
    PublicAPIs often includes links to detailed documentation for each API, providing developers with the information they need to integrate and utilize the APIs effectively.
  • Community Contributions
    PublicAPIs allows for community contributions, enabling a mechanism for the API repository to grow and stay up-to-date with the latest APIs.

Possible disadvantages of PublicAPIs

  • Quality Variability
    The quality of APIs listed can vary significantly, with some being well-maintained and others potentially outdated or lacking comprehensive documentation.
  • Limited Support
    PublicAPIs itself does not usually offer support for the APIs listed, which can be a disadvantage if developers encounter issues and need assistance.
  • Dependency on Third-Party Reliability
    Developers depend on third-party providers' reliability and uptime, which can affect the performance and stability of their own applications.
  • Potential Security Risks
    Using third-party APIs can introduce security vulnerabilities, especially if the APIs are not from trusted sources or if they do not follow best security practices.
  • Rate Limits
    Many public APIs impose rate limits, which can restrict the number of API calls a developer can make within a given time frame, potentially impacting application performance.

Analysis of Babel

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Babel is widely considered a good tool for modern JavaScript development. It eases the use of cutting-edge JavaScript features and ensures broader compatibility, which is crucial for many projects. Its active community and continuous updates reflect its standing as a reliable and well-supported choice.

Why this product is good

  • Babel is a popular JavaScript compiler that allows developers to use the latest JavaScript features while maintaining compatibility with older environments that may not support these features natively. It transforms modern JavaScript code into a version that can run in current and older browsers or environments. Babel is highly configurable and has a rich ecosystem of plugins and presets that enable developers to tailor it to their specific needs, making development smoother and more efficient.

Recommended for

    Babel is recommended for web developers who want to write modern JavaScript but need to ensure that their code remains functional across different environments and older browsers. It is also valuable for projects where developers aspire to use the latest ECMAScript features without waiting for broad native support.

Analysis of PublicAPIs

Overall verdict

  • PublicAPIs is generally considered good due to its wide selection of APIs, ease of access, and the ability to discover new tools and services. Its open-access nature encourages creativity and rapid prototyping.

Why this product is good

  • PublicAPIs is a beneficial resource as it provides a curated list of freely available APIs for developers. It helps accelerate development by offering access to a diverse range of APIs, from weather and finance to gaming and machine learning. This can be particularly useful for both learning purposes and developing projects without the need for substantial investment in proprietary APIs.

Recommended for

  • Developers looking for free or open APIs to integrate into their projects.
  • Students and educators who need practical API examples for teaching and learning.
  • Startups and hobbyists seeking to build prototypes without incurring additional costs.

Babel videos

Babel - Movie Review

More videos:

  • Review - Day 16 | Babel Review | 365 Films
  • Review - Worth The Hype? - BABEL Review
  • Review - Book CommuniTEA: Is BABEL a rac1st mani!fest0? [you should know the answer]
  • Review - Babel is a Masterpiece, And Here's Why

PublicAPIs videos

No PublicAPIs videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Babel and PublicAPIs)
Development Tools
100 100%
0% 0
APIs
0 0%
100% 100
Javascript UI Libraries
100 100%
0% 0
Web App
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Babel seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 147 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Babel mentions (147)

  • Valentine’s Day Breakup: React Dumps Create React App
    Create React App (CRA) is a command-line interface tool that allows developers to set up a React project easily. It primarily serves as a project scaffolding tool, allowing you to create a new project with a single command: npx create-react-app . CRA comes with tools like Webpack and Babel, which handle the bundling and transpiling of code. The tools are pre-configured. It comes with a development server that... - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • #wecode Landing Page - WeCoded Challenge March 2025
    @vitejs/plugin-react uses Babel for Fast Refresh. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • You Don’t Know JS Yet: My Weekly Journey Through JavaScript Mastery
    For new and incompatible syntax, the solution is transpiling—converting newer JS syntax to older syntax that can run on older engines. The most popular transpiler? Babel. This process ensures modern JS code can still reach a wide audience, even on legacy systems. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Desktop apps for Windows XP in 2025
    Fortunately we have tools like PostCSS and Babel, that let you target your specific Browser version, and they'll do their best to transpile and polyfill your code to work with that version. This alone will do a lot of the heavy lifting for you if you are working with a lot of code. However, if you are just writing out a few HTML, CSS, and JS files, then that would be overkill and you can just figure out what code... - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • The Tools and APIs That Made My GeoGuessr šŸŒ Project Possible
    Cross-Browser Compatibility: Some features worked differently across browsers. I used Babel to transpile my JavaScript code, ensuring it worked consistently everywhere. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
View more

PublicAPIs mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PublicAPIs yet. Tracking of PublicAPIs recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Babel and PublicAPIs, you can also consider the following products

jQuery - The Write Less, Do More, JavaScript Library.

API List - A collective list of APIs. Build something.

React Native - A framework for building native apps with React

The Unsplash API - No-limits, do-what-you-want API for access to 200K+ HD pics.

Composer - Composer is a tool for dependency management in PHP.

Abstract APIs - Simple, powerful APIs for everyday dev tasks