Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Browserlink.vim VS Live.js

Compare Browserlink.vim VS Live.js and see what are their differences

Browserlink.vim logo Browserlink.vim

Live browser editing for Vim. Contribute to jaxbot/browserlink.vim development by creating an account on GitHub.

Live.js logo Live.js

Live. js. one script closer to designing in the browser. Say goodbye to Alt-Tab. Live.
  • Browserlink.vim Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-09
  • Live.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

Browserlink.vim features and specs

  • Live Reload
    Browserlink.vim provides live reloading capabilities, allowing developers to see their changes in the browser instantly without the need to manually refresh, thus improving development speed and efficiency.
  • Workflow Integration
    It seamlessly integrates with Vim, a popular text editor among developers, enhancing the workflow by providing in-editor capabilities to interact with the browser.
  • Cross-browser Support
    The tool works with multiple browsers, which means developers don’t have to switch tools based on the browser they are targeting, ensuring a more unified development experience.

Possible disadvantages of Browserlink.vim

  • Setup Complexity
    Initial setup might be complex for beginners not familiar with Vim or development tool configurations, potentially creating a learning curve.
  • Dependency on Environment
    Since it is a Vim plugin, its functionality depends on the developer using Vim as their code editor, which may not apply to users who prefer other editors.
  • Limited Features
    While providing live reloading capabilities, it might lack some advanced features available in standalone live reload tools that are designed specifically for complex web development environments.

Live.js features and specs

  • Automatic Reload
    Live.js automatically reloads web pages whenever HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files are modified, which enhances developer productivity by immediately reflecting changes without manual refreshing.
  • Easy Setup
    The setup process for Live.js is straightforward, requiring minimal configuration. Developers only need to include a single script tag to start using it.
  • No Build Tools Required
    Live.js does not require any build tools or server environment, making it a lightweight option for quickly setting up live reload functionality without the complexity of integrating with other toolchains.
  • Real-time Preview
    Provides real-time preview of changes, which is beneficial for rapid prototyping and design iterations, improving the workflow for front-end developers.

Possible disadvantages of Live.js

  • Limited Feature Set
    Live.js offers basic functionality focused mainly on live reloading. It may not cover more advanced use cases or features that comprehensive development tools provide.
  • Inefficient for Large Projects
    For larger projects with many files, Live.js can become inefficient as it reloads the entire page, which might interrupt development flow and increase wait times.
  • Not Suitable for Production
    Live.js is meant for development environments and should not be used in production as it can expose internal file structures and is not optimized for performance.
  • No Customization
    Offers little to no options for customization or configuration, which might be a drawback for developers who need more control over the development environment behavior.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Browserlink.vim and Live.js)
Developer Tools
55 55%
45% 45
Image Optimisation
42 42%
58% 58
Browser Testing
73 73%
27% 27
Design Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Live.js seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 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.

Browserlink.vim mentions (0)

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

Live.js mentions (3)

  • Can I skip the system checks?
    There's a crusty old script out there called Live.js. IIRC it sends a request to the server every second or so and if it detects a different content-length header it reloads the page. It's like a poor man's version of hot reloading. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Are there any lesser-known tools you use a lot in your work?
    Live.js - automatically refreshes the page when we edit the sources. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Is there a way to see your webpage while your edit it?
    Livejs (not tested it myself) looks like what your are looking for. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Browserlink.vim and Live.js, you can also consider the following products

Browsersync - Browsersync makes your tweaking and testing faster by synchronising file changes and interactions...

CodeKit - CodeKit allows you to optimize the performance of your website by automatically and efficiently compiling a variety of popular languages.

LiveReload - LiveReload 2 proudly presents… The Web Developer Wonderland. (a happy land where browsers don't need a Refresh button). CSS edits and image changes apply live. CoffeeScript, SASS, LESS and others just work.

Ghostlab - Ghostlab allows you to test out a newly developed website on a variety of browsers and mobile devices at the same time. To get started, simply drag the web address to the Ghostlab system and press the play button. Read more about Ghostlab.

Prepros - Compile Less, Sass, Scss, Stylus, Jade, Coffeescript, Haml and Markdown with live browser refresh.

Scout-App - Process Sass files into CSS without any knowledge of the command line.