Software Alternatives & Startups

Preact.js VS ShaderGradient

Compare Preact.js VS ShaderGradient and see what are their differences

Preact.js

Preact is a fast 3kB alternative to React with the same modern API. Components & Virtual DOM.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
ShaderGradient

Create beautiful moving gradients for Framer and Figma

No screenshot yet
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Preact.js seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 98 times since March 2021.

social mentions
98 vs 0
Javascript UI Libraries popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
190 vs 51

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Preact.js
ShaderGradient
Website preactjs.com shadergradient.co
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Preact.js 5 features
ShaderGradient 4 features
  • Size
    Preact is very small in size (about 3KB gzipped), which makes it easy to load and faster to execute, resulting in improved performance and quicker load times.
  • Compatibility
    Preact is largely compatible with React, allowing developers to switch to Preact with minimal code changes. This makes it easier to adopt for projects already using React.
  • Performance
    Due to its small size and efficient design, Preact offers excellent performance, especially on low-powered devices and in applications with heavy user interactions.
  • Ecosystem
    Preact can work with many tools and libraries that are designed for React, giving developers access to a rich ecosystem of resources.
  • Community
    Preact has an active and growing community that provides support, plugins, and third-party tools, making it easier for developers to find solutions and share knowledge.

Possible disadvantages

  • Feature Set
    While Preact covers most of the core React features, it lacks some of the advanced functionality present in React, which may require additional workarounds or third-party libraries.
  • Learning Curve
    For developers coming from a non-React background, learning Preact might involve a learning curve, particularly because of its similarities and subtle differences with React.
  • Tooling Compatibility
    Although many tools designed for React can work with Preact, some might not be directly compatible, requiring additional configuration or patches.
  • Community Size
    While Preact has a supportive community, it is smaller compared to the massive React community, which can result in fewer available resources and third-party packages.
  • Maturity
    Preact, being newer and less widely adopted than React, might not have the same level of battle-tested reliability for all use cases, especially for large scale applications.
  • Versatile Design Tool
    ShaderGradient provides a versatile range of options to create complex and visually appealing gradients that can be adjusted to fit various design needs, offering a unique tool for designers looking to create standout graphics.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform boasts a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of gradient creation, making it accessible even to those who may not have extensive experience with shader programming.
  • Customization Flexibility
    With a robust set of customization features, ShaderGradient allows users to fine-tune shader settings to achieve precise control over the final visual output.
  • Efficient Workflow
    ShaderGradient enhances workflow efficiency by providing immediate visual feedback and easy adjustment options, enabling rapid iterations and creative experimentation.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly design, newcomers to shader programming might face a learning curve when trying to fully exploit the advanced features of ShaderGradient.
  • Resource Intensive
    Some users may find that running ShaderGradient, especially with complex designs, can be resource-intensive, requiring significant computational power and potentially affecting performance on lower-end systems.
  • Limited Integrations
    ShaderGradient may have limited direct integrations with other popular design software, which could hinder seamless workflow integration for users relying on multiple design tools.
  • Subscription Cost
    Users may consider the subscription cost a disadvantage, as ongoing expenses could add up, particularly for freelancers or small businesses with limited budgets.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Preact.js
ShaderGradient

Overall verdict

  • Preact.js is a strong option for projects where performance and load time are critical, or where a light footprint is necessary. Its compatibility with React makes it a flexible and efficient alternative in scenarios where React may be overkill due to its larger size.

Why this product is good

  • Preact.js is known for its small size and high performance, making it an excellent choice for developers who need a lightweight alternative to React without sacrificing functionality. It offers a familiar API for React developers, ensuring an easy transition, and is highly efficient in terms of rendering performance. Preact also offers excellent compatibility with existing React tools and ecosystems, meaning many React packages work seamlessly with Preact.

Recommended for

    Preact.js is recommended for developers building applications with stringent performance requirements, those needing to optimize for fast loading times in environments with limited bandwidth or resources, or those looking to integrate React-like architecture in smaller projects without introducing the full weight of the React library.

Overall verdict

  • ShaderGradient is a well-crafted, free tool that makes it easy to create stunning animated 3D gradients for websites and design projects, offering strong value for creators who want dynamic visuals without deep technical knowledge.

Why this product is good

  • Free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone from hobbyists to professionals
  • Intuitive visual editor lets you customize colors, animation, shapes, and lighting in real time
  • Exports easily to React, Framer, and other frameworks for smooth integration
  • Produces high-quality, GPU-accelerated animated gradients that look modern and polished
  • Great for adding eye-catching motion and depth to otherwise flat web designs

Recommended for

  • Web designers and developers wanting animated hero backgrounds
  • Framer and React users looking for plug-and-play gradient components
  • Creators building modern, visually engaging landing pages
  • Designers who want customizable 3D gradient visuals without coding from scratch
  • Startups and portfolios aiming for a contemporary, dynamic aesthetic

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Preact.js 1 video + Add
ShaderGradient 0 videos + Add

JS frameworks are replaceable

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Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Preact.js
ShaderGradient
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Preact.js and ShaderGradient. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Preact.js no reviews yet
ShaderGradient no reviews yet
  • Top JavaScript Frameworks in 2025
    solguruz.com · Nov 2024

    PreactJS is a JavaScript library that is said to be the fast 3Kb alternative to ReactJS using the same modern API. It implements the fastest virtual DOM compared to other frameworks in the market. Moreover, it is one...

  • 20 Next.js Alternatives Worth Considering
    tms-outsource.com · Apr 2024

    Preact is like React’s little sibling, smaller in size but with the same familiar moves. It’s cutting down the fluff and zipping through tasks with less overhead. When performance budgets are tight, Preact wiggles in...

  • 20 Best JavaScript Frameworks For 2023
    www.lambdatest.com · Feb 2023

    Preact is built with the same core principle of React – A component-based approach with Virtual DOM while completely compatible with React. It can even use React packages without compromising on speed, performance,...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Preact.js 98 mentions
ShaderGradient 0 mentions
  • How I put my Copilot agents in my pocket: zero servers, end-to-end encryption and one nasty iOS bug
    The phone app is plain ES modules with no bundler: Preact and htm, marked and DOMPurify for Markdown, highlight.js, jsQR and a QR code generator. Each file is vendored and pinned by its SHA-256 in a lock file that a script verifies. - Source: dev.to / 13 days ago
  • How to Convert Supplier CSVs to Shopify/Amazon/WooCommerce Without Uploading to a Server
    eBay: 30+ fields (item specifics, variations, shipping) Each schema is a JSON file defining field names, data types, and validation rules. The mapper walks source → target assignments and applies type coercion (string → number, date... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Can Claude Code migrate VanillaJS/HTML/CSS to Preact/Tailwind?
    First of all, I was concerned that React would add a lot of overhead for a Chrome Extension, which should be pretty light and quick. So I decided to use Preact, which, as its homepage states, is a "fast 3kB alternative to React with the... - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago

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Tracking ShaderGradient since May 2023.

Alternatives to Preact.js and ShaderGradient

When comparing Preact.js and ShaderGradient, you can also consider the following products.