Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Babel VS WP-CLI

Compare Babel VS WP-CLI and see what are their differences

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Babel logo Babel

Babel is a compiler for writing next generation JavaScript.

WP-CLI logo WP-CLI

WP-CLI is the command-line interface for WordPress.
  • Babel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-02
  • WP-CLI Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-10

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.

WP-CLI features and specs

  • Efficient Management
    WP-CLI allows users to manage WordPress sites using command-line, providing quicker and more efficient access to tasks than traditional dashboards.
  • Automation Capabilities
    It supports scripting and automation, enabling users to automate repetitive tasks like updates and backups, which can save time and reduce human error.
  • Resource Lightweight
    WP-CLI operates without a graphical user interface, making it less resource-intensive and faster, particularly beneficial for remote servers or large-scale operations.
  • Extensibility
    Developers can extend WP-CLI by creating custom commands, tailoring the tool to specific workflows or project requirements.
  • Programmatic Access
    It enables developers to interact with WordPress programmatically, which can be useful for integrating WordPress with other systems or tools.

Possible disadvantages of WP-CLI

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Users unfamiliar with command-line interfaces may find WP-CLI challenging to learn and use effectively without prior experience or training.
  • Limited Visual Feedback
    Since it is a command-line tool, WP-CLI does not provide graphical feedback, which can make it harder for users to visualize the changes they are making.
  • Potential for Human Error
    The precision required in command-line syntax can lead to potentially severe mistakes if commands are entered incorrectly.
  • Partial Plugin Support
    Not all WordPress plugins or themes offer full support for WP-CLI, which might limit its usefulness in certain scenarios.
  • Compatibility Constraints
    WP-CLI may require certain server configurations or dependencies, which can create compatibility issues or require additional setup effort.

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.

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

WP-CLI videos

wp-cli - WordPress from the command line

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Babel and WP-CLI)
Development Tools
100 100%
0% 0
VPS
0 0%
100% 100
Javascript UI Libraries
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Hosting
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Babel should be more popular than WP-CLI. 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 🌍 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

WP-CLI mentions (34)

  • Power of WP-CLI: Streamline Your WordPress Workflow
    Installation: Follow the simple steps on https://wp-cli.org/ to install it on your operating system. - Source: dev.to / 30 days ago
  • Getting Started with WP-CLI: A Powerful Tool for WordPress Developers
    If WP-CLI is not installed on your system or hosting environment, you can manually install it by following the instructions above or on the official WP-CLI website. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Migrate from Thinkific to WordPress. #5 Other adaptations and conclusions
    WP-CLI is a very powerful and flexible tool that can be helpful in many situations like these migrations. I recommend it every time I have the chance; I've used it in dozens of projects, and each time, I've successfully accomplished everything I needed with it. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Mastering WordPress CLI: A Comprehensive Guide to Boost Your Productivity
    As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the list of WordPress CLI commands may have expanded or changed. It's always a good idea to check the official WP-CLI documentation for the most up-to-date information. Here's a list of common WP-CLI commands as of my last update:. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Docker environment for WordPress development
    Is a Docker WordPress Environment focused on the development of WordPress plugins and themes, supports WP-CLI, phpMyAdmin, Xdebug and WordPress Coding Standards - WPCS. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Babel and WP-CLI, you can also consider the following products

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

SlickStack - SlickStack is a free LEMP stack automation script written in Bash designed to enhance and simplify WordPress provisioning, performance, and security.

React Native - A framework for building native apps with React

ServerPilot.io - Centralized hosting control panel for Wordpress and PHP web sites

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

CloudStick.io - CloudStick is an All-in-one cloud-based control panel designed to manage servers from Digital Ocean, Linode, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, or any KVM or Dedicated servers you prefer. Let's deploy together!