Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Rainbow (Syntax Highlighting) VS Chroma (Syntax Highlighter)

Compare Rainbow (Syntax Highlighting) VS Chroma (Syntax Highlighter) and see what are their differences

Rainbow (Syntax Highlighting) logo Rainbow (Syntax Highlighting)

Simple syntax highlighting library written in JavaScript.

Chroma (Syntax Highlighter) logo Chroma (Syntax Highlighter)

Chroma takes source code and other structured text and converts it into syntax highlighted HTML, ANSI-coloured text, etc.
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Rainbow (Syntax Highlighting) features and specs

  • Improved Code Readability
    Rainbow enhances code readability by applying distinct colors to different syntax elements, making it easier for developers to parse and understand the code structure quickly.
  • Customization
    Rainbow offers customizable themes, allowing developers to choose or create color schemes that suit their preferences and improve their coding experience.
  • Wide Language Support
    Rainbow supports a broad range of programming languages, making it versatile for developers working in multiple languages or projects.
  • No Dependencies
    The library does not rely on external dependencies, which simplifies integration into projects and reduces potential conflicts or load times.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source library, Rainbow allows developers to contribute to its development or modify it for personal use, promoting a collaborative and flexible environment.

Possible disadvantages of Rainbow (Syntax Highlighting)

  • Limited Customization Options
    While it offers theme customization, Rainbow may have limited configuration options compared to other more feature-rich syntax highlighting tools, particularly for users with specific needs.
  • Performance Overhead
    Similar to other client-side libraries, Rainbow adds some performance overhead, especially noticeable in large files or documents with extensive code snippets.
  • Maintenance and Updates
    Depending on its community and contributors, there might be delays in receiving updates or improvements compared to more actively maintained syntax highlighters.
  • Learning Curve
    For developers unfamiliar with integrating JavaScript libraries, there might be a slight learning curve to effectively implement and customize Rainbow in their projects.
  • Browser Compatibility
    Though a minor issue, there might be variances in how syntax highlighting appears across different web browsers, potentially affecting consistency.

Chroma (Syntax Highlighter) features and specs

  • Language Support
    Chroma offers extensive support for many programming languages, making it a versatile choice for syntax highlighting in diverse projects.
  • Go Implementation
    Implemented in Go, Chroma ensures fast performance and seamless integration in Go-based projects, benefiting developers working in the Go ecosystem.
  • Ease of Use
    Chroma is designed with simplicity in mind, allowing users to easily implement syntax highlighting in their applications without a steep learning curve.
  • Compatibility
    It's compatible with styles from popular syntax highlighters, such as Pygments, which eases the transition for users migrating from those tools.
  • Playground Feature
    The Chroma Playground allows users to test and experiment with syntax highlighting in real-time, facilitating easier customization and evaluation of results.

Possible disadvantages of Chroma (Syntax Highlighter)

  • Limited Ecosystem
    Compared to some long-established syntax highlighters, Chroma's ecosystem of plugins and community contributions is more limited, potentially affecting feature richness.
  • Go Dependency
    For projects not using Go, incorporating Chroma might introduce an additional dependency, which could be cumbersome for some development environments.
  • Less Community Support
    Being a relatively newer tool, Chroma might not have as extensive community support or documentation as older, more established syntax highlighters.
  • Customization Complexity
    While it offers many styles, deeply customizing these styles may require more effort and understanding of its workings than some other highlighters.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rainbow (Syntax Highlighting) and Chroma (Syntax Highlighter))
Customer Feedback
43 43%
57% 57
App Reviews
45 45%
55% 55
Marketing Tools
49 49%
51% 51
Documentation
38 38%
62% 62

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Rainbow (Syntax Highlighting) and Chroma (Syntax Highlighter), you can also consider the following products

highlight.js - Highlight.js is a syntax highlighter written in JavaScript. It works in the browser as well as on the server.

Shiki - A beautiful syntax highlighter based on TextMate grammar, accurate and powerful.

prism.js - Prism is a lightweight, extensible syntax highlighter, built with modern web standards in mind.

starry-night - This package is an open source version of GitHubโ€™s closed-source PrettyLights project (more on that later).

Torchlight.dev - Torchlight is a VS Code-compatible syntax highlighter that requires no JavaScript, supports every language, every VS Code theme, line highlighting, git diffing, and more.

Re-Highlight - Re-Highlight is a powerful text syntax highlighting library.