Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

RequireJS VS Webpack

Compare RequireJS VS Webpack and see what are their differences

Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

RequireJS logo RequireJS

RequireJS is a JavaScript file and module loader.

Webpack logo Webpack

Webpack is a module bundler. Its main purpose is to bundle JavaScript files for usage in a browser, yet it is also capable of transforming, bundling, or packaging just about any resource or asset.
  • RequireJS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-19
  • Webpack Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-13

RequireJS features and specs

  • Modularization
    RequireJS encourages a modular approach to development by allowing developers to define dependencies between JavaScript files. This modularization leads to cleaner code and easier maintenance.
  • Asynchronous Loading
    Scripts are loaded asynchronously, which can lead to improved performance. This non-blocking nature ensures that the web page remains responsive while scripts are still being loaded.
  • Dependency Management
    RequireJS automatically manages dependencies, ensuring that each module is loaded in the correct order. This reduces the risk of runtime errors caused by missing or incorrectly ordered scripts.
  • AMD Standard
    It implements the Asynchronous Module Definition (AMD) API, which promotes compatibility between different JavaScript libraries that conform to this standard.
  • Optimization Tools
    RequireJS includes optimization tools that can concatenate and minify JavaScript files, reducing the number of HTTP requests and file size for production environments.

Possible disadvantages of RequireJS

  • Learning Curve
    For developers not familiar with AMD or module loaders, RequireJS can introduce complexity and have a steep learning curve compared to simpler script-loading methods.
  • Not ES6 Module Compatible
    RequireJS is designed around the AMD pattern and does not natively support ES6 module syntax, which has become the standard in modern JavaScript development.
  • Overhead
    Although it offers powerful features, RequireJS introduces some initial setup and configuration overhead, which can be cumbersome for small projects or scripts.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some older libraries or scripts might not be compatible with RequireJS without modifications, leading to potential integration issues when using certain third-party libraries.
  • Declining Popularity
    With the adoption of native ES6 modules and modern build tools like Webpack and Parcel, RequireJS is less commonly used, potentially reducing community support and resources.

Webpack features and specs

  • Modular Bundling
    Webpack efficiently bundles all your modules (JavaScript, CSS, images, etc.) into manageable chunks, minimizing HTTP requests and enhancing load performance.
  • Code Splitting
    It allows splitting your codebase into 'chunks' which can be loaded on demand. This leads to faster initial page loads as only necessary chunks are loaded initially.
  • Hot Module Replacement (HMR)
    HMR allows you to update modules without needing a full refresh. This improves development speed and efficiency as live changes are instantly reflected in the application.
  • Advanced Configuration
    Webpack is highly configurable, accommodating various needs from simple setups to complex, custom configurations, making it versatile for different projects.
  • Strong Plugin Ecosystem
    There is a rich ecosystem of plugins available to extend Webpack's capabilities, such as minification, asset management, and more.
  • Tree Shaking
    Webpack supports tree shaking, a method to eliminate dead code from your bundle, resulting in more efficient, smaller output files.
  • Dependency Management
    It handles dependencies among modules effectively, automatically managing module load order and avoiding conflicts.

Possible disadvantages of Webpack

  • Complex Configuration
    Its extensive configuration options can be overwhelming, particularly for beginners, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Build Time
    Complex configurations and large projects can result in slower build times, impacting development speed.
  • Documentation Issues
    Despite improvements, there are instances where Webpack's documentation might lack clarity, making it harder to find solutions for specific configurations.
  • Overhead for Simple Projects
    For small and simple projects, Webpack might be overkill, adding unnecessary complexity and setup time.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Occasionally, Webpack updates can lead to breaking changes, which may require significant adjustments to your configuration and codebase.

RequireJS videos

+ Add

Optimize Your CSS With RequireJS

More videos:

  • Review - RequireJS and Magento2
  • Review - Yeoman 1.0 Backbone RequireJS - Video 2

Webpack videos

+ Add

Learn Webpack - Full Tutorial for Beginners

More videos:

  • Review - Core Concepts of Webpack
  • Review - Learn Webpack Pt. 6: Cache Busting and Plugins

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to RequireJS and Webpack)

RequireJS

Webpack

JS Build Tools
15 15%
JS Build Tools
85% 85
Web Application Bundler
9 9%
Web Application Bundler
91% 91
Front End Package Manager
100 100%
Front End Package Manager
0% 0
Developer Tools
0 0%
Developer Tools
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using RequireJS and Webpack. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare RequireJS and Webpack

RequireJS Reviews

We have no reviews of RequireJS yet.
Be the first one to post

Webpack Reviews

Rollup v. Webpack v. Parcel
Tool Prod Build Time One Prod Build Time Two Prod Build Time Three Prod Build Time Avg Parcel 738.509 s 35.364 s 35.592 s 269.82 avg s Rollup 0.712 s 0.665 s 0.714 s 0.697 avg s Webpack 3.636 s 3.805 s 4.305 s 3.915 avg s
Source: x-team.com
If you’ve ever configured Webpack, Parcel will blow your mind!
document.body.className = document.body.className.replace(/(^|\s)is-noJs(\s|$)/, "$1is-js$2")HomepageHomepageJavascriptBecome a memberSign inGet startedIf you’ve ever configured Webpack, Parcel will blow your mind!And how to hit the ground running with Parcel.Ibrahim ButtBlockedUnblockFollowFollowingMar 16, 2018Click here to share this article on LinkedIn »Zero...
Source: medium.com
First impressions with Parcel JS
From first impressions and experience, my take currently would be as follows. Webpack is generally going to be more flexible. It also places a bit more power in the developers hands to make bundling happen exactly as desired. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use Parcel though. Where Parcel excels is the fact you don’t configure it. You will still need to configure plugins for...
Source: codeburst.io
Parcel vs webpack - Jakob Lind
Webpack is the stable choice. You will not get fired for picking webpack. But you don’t get as much stuff for free such as optimized bundles, and code splitting.
Source: blog.jakoblind.no

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Webpack seems to be a lot more popular than RequireJS. While we know about 243 links to Webpack, we've tracked only 12 mentions of RequireJS. 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.

RequireJS mentions (12)

  • Why hasn't JavaScript implemented namespaces yet?
    There is a library called requirejs (https://requirejs.org/) that accomplishes what I am referring to. However, this is essentially similar to the situation in PHP prior to version 5.3 - a solution implemented at the level of a separate library rather than at the language level. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Getting Started With Parcel.js: A Web Application Bundler in 2022
    Webpack is the most popular bundler and it followed on the heels of Require.js, Rollup, and similar solutions. But the learning curve for a tool like webpack is steep. Getting started with webpack isn’t easy due to its complex configurations. As a result, in recent years another solution has emerged. This tool is not necessarily a front-runner, but an easier-to-digest alternative on the front-end module bundler... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • RequireJS: How to define modules that contain a single "class"?
    I have a number of JavaScript "classes" each implemented in its own JavaScript file. For development those files are loaded individually, and for production they are concatenated, but in both cases I have to manually define a loading order, making sure that B comes after A if B uses A. I am planning to use RequireJS as an implementation of CommonJS Modules/AsynchronousDefinition to solve this problem for me... Source: about 3 years ago
  • When to use Requirejs and when to use bundled javascript?
    This may be a dumb question for web guys. But I am a little confused over this. Now, I have an application where I am using a couple of Javascript files to perform different tasks. Now, I am using Javascript bundler to combine and minify all the files. So, at runtime there will be only one app.min.js file. Now, Requirejs is used to load modules or files at runtime. So, the question is if I already have all things... Source: about 3 years ago
  • JavaScript Module Formats and Tools
    AMD (Asynchronous Module Definition), is a pattern to define and consume module. It is implemented by RequireJS library. AMD provides a define function to define module, which accepts the module name, dependent modules’ names, and a factory function:. - Source: dev.to / about 3 years ago
View more

Webpack mentions (243)

  • Dark Souls CRUD Arena - The Prisoner Approach
    To then serve to the browser. If I was using something like Vite or Webpack I would have gotten this handling for free. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • You Don’t Know JS Yet: My Weekly Journey Through JavaScript Mastery
    The JS code gets transpiled by tools like Babel, then bundled (often by Webpack) into a single or few files (like bundle.js). This optimizes the website to load faster, as the browser can fetch everything from one file instead of multiple. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Webpack 5: The Next Generation Module Bundler
    Remember that Webpack is highly configurable, and this article only scratches the surface of what's possible. Be sure to check the official Webpack documentation for more detailed information and advanced configurations. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Discover the power of microfrontends: A revolution in frontend development
    With Webpack 5, a new feature has helped microfrontends proliferate: Module Federation. Module Federation allows JavaScript code to be loaded — synchronously or asynchronously — at runtime. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Which JavaScript Bundler Is Right for You? A Deep Dive into Webpack, Vite, and More
    Webpack is one of the oldest and most widely used bundlers in web development, created by Tobias Koppers in 2012. It gained popularity after Browserify and RequireJS and has become the go-to choice for managing complex projects. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing RequireJS and Webpack, you can also consider the following products

JSPM - Front End Package Manager, Frontend Development, and Javascript

rollup.js - Rollup is a module bundler for JavaScript which compiles small pieces of code into a larger piece such as application.

JSHint - New JSHint website. Anton Kovalyov Oct 1st, 2013. For the last couple of weeks I've been working on a new homepage for JSHint and today I'm proud to announce the new jshint. com! JSHint Website.

Parcel - Blazing fast, zero configuration web application bundler

Babel - Babel is a compiler for writing next generation JavaScript.

npm - npm is a package manager for Node.

Loading...