When it comes to CSS frameworks, developers often find themselves debating between Tailwind CSS and Bootstrap. While both frameworks have their merits, this blog post aims to shed light on why Tailwind CSS stands out as a superior choice over Bootstrap. We will explore the unique advantages and features of Tailwind CSS that make it an appealing option for modern web development projects.
What is Tailwind CSS
Tailwind CSS was developed by Adam Wathan. Tailwind CSS is a utility-first and lowlevel framework of CSS. It offers single-purpose classes which can be directly used within the webpage to style an element. It enables the developers to rapidly create customised user interfaces. Tailwind CSS is one of the most popular utility-first CSS libraries.
What is Bootstrap
Bootstrap is a free open-source CSS framework used for creating responsive web and mobile applications. It is a mobile-first front end development framework. It contains HTML, CSS and JavaScript templates for various components. Bootstrap was developed by Mark Otto and Jacob Thorton. It is one of the most popular frameworks. It is one of the most popular open-source frameworks.
Here are some reasons why some developers prefer Tailwind CSS over Bootstrap:
Smaller file size:
Tailwind CSS is renowned for having minimal files. It offers a selection of utility classes that you may utilise in your HTML to selectively include only the styles you require, resulting in lower CSS file sizes. Your web pages may function better and load more quickly as a result. On the other side, Bootstrap has a bigger selection of built-in styles and elements, which could increase the size of the CSS file.
Style Overrides:
You might need to override some styles in Bootstrap or change a component's default behaviour in certain circumstances. Sometimes, this can cause CSS conflicts or necessitate the use of additional custom CSS. On the other side, Tailwind CSS concentrates on offering a collection of low-level utility classes that minimise the necessity for overriding styles.
No Predefined Styles:
Tailwind CSS does not impose a particular design language, in contrast to Bootstrap, which includes a collection of predefined components and styles. More creative freedom and the ability to create designs that are not constrained by the Bootstrap default look and feel are made possible by this.
Modular and Scalable:
Tailwind CSS is made to be extremely scalable and modular. Because its utility classes may be merged and utilised across several components, managing and maintaining complicated projects with a huge codebase is made simpler.
Scalability:
As your project grows, Tailwind CSS can be more scalable compared to Bootstrap. With Tailwind CSS, you can reuse utility classes and compose them together to create new components. This can help maintain consistency across your project and make it easier to manage and update styles as needed.
Easier maintenance:
Through the use of utility classes, Tailwind CSS allows the styles for each component to be specified directly in the markup. It is simpler to comprehend and manage the styles for individual components using this inline technique, especially in more complex projects with several developers.
Lght/Dark Mode:
dark mode variant classes are available by default
Customization:
With a focus on functionality, tailwind CSS offers a framework that is very adaptable. You can rapidly style your components using its extensive selection of utility classes. As a result, your website's appearance is more flexible and under your control, allowing you to build it in a way that is specifically tailored to your needs. On the other hand, Bootstrap adopts a less flexible pre-designed approach and takes a more opinionated approach.
The version of Tailwind CSS is 2.2.19. Here are some noteworthy functions that Tailwind CSS introduced.
tailwind css latest features
Difference between Tailwind CSS and Bootstrap
| Aspect | Bootstrap | Tailwind CSS |
|---|---|---|
| Approach and Philosophy | Component-based approach; provides pre-built UI components with predefined styling and structure | Utility-first approach; extensive collection of utility classes for granular control over styling |
| Customization | Limited customization options through variables and mixins | Extensive customization capabilities; allows for fine-tuning of colors, spacing, typography, etc. |
| File Size and Performance | Larger file size due to pre-built components and feature set | Smaller file size with lean codebase primarily consisting of utility classes |
| Learning Curve | Relatively straightforward; extensive documentation and community resources available | Steeper learning curve; requires understanding of utility classes and configuration options |
| Design and Styling | Distinct visual style; cohesive design language out of the box | No specific visual style imposed; provides flexibility for unique and customized designs |
| Community and Ecosystem | Mature and extensive community support; abundant resources, themes, and plugins | Rapidly growing community; evolving ecosystem with documentation, plugins, and starter templates |
Tailwind CSS's utility-first approach, unparalleled customizability, improved performance, and simpler learning curve make it a superior choice over Bootstrap for many modern web development projects. Embrace the power of Tailwind CSS and revolutionize your web development projects with its modern and dynamic approach.
