ESLint vs Trunk: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between ESLint and Trunk comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: ESLint wins this matchup. Ruff is our overall Code Review pick. Ruff is our free Code Review pick. Pick Trunk if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
ESLint
Pluggable JavaScript and TypeScript linter
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Trunk requires payment)
- • You want industry standard
- • You want highly configurable
Trunk
Code quality and developer experience tools
Best for you if:
- • You want all-in-one linting
- • You want good defaults
| At a Glance | ESLint | Trunk |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.5/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose ESLint or Trunk?
Choose ESLint if
Pluggable JavaScript and TypeScript linter
- You want a fully free tool (Trunk requires payment)
- You want industry standard
- You want highly configurable
Choose Trunk if
Code quality and developer experience tools
- You want all-in-one linting
- You want good defaults
| Feature | ESLint | Trunk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 1,200 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Developer ToolsCode Review | Developer ToolsCode Review |
In-Depth Analysis
ESLint
Pluggable JavaScript and TypeScript linter
ESLint's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- +Industry standard
- +Highly configurable
- +Great ecosystem
Weaknesses
- -Configuration complexity
- -Can be slow on large codebases
- -Plugin version conflicts
Key features
Trunk
Code quality and developer experience tools
Trunk's pricing model is quite generous, offering a robust free tier for small teams and individual developers working on private repositories.
Watch out
Potential seat minimums for Team tier.
Strengths
- +All-in-one linting
- +Good defaults
- +Active development
- +Good documentation
- +Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- -Newer tool
- -Learning curve
- -Feature gaps
- -Vendor lock-in
- -Still maturing
Key features
Pricing: ESLint vs Trunk
| Plan | ESLint | Trunk |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | Custom Team |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ESLint pricing and Trunk pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
ESLint is free. Trunk is freemium.
Go with: ESLint
Want the highest-rated option?
ESLint is rated 4.5/5. Trunk has no ratings yet.
Go with: ESLint
Value user reviews?
ESLint: 1,200 reviews (4.5/5). Trunk: no ratings yet.
Go with: ESLint
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
ESLint is free. Trunk is freemium. Go with ESLint if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are developer tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
ESLint is rated 4.5/5; Trunk has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
ESLint
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Trunk
- Choose if you want code quality and developer experience tools
The Bottom Line
ESLint wins this matchup. Ruff is our overall Code Review pick. Ruff is our free Code Review pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ESLint or Trunk better?
ESLint is rated in our evaluation. ESLint is free and Trunk is freemium.
What are ESLint and Trunk used for?
ESLint: Pluggable JavaScript and TypeScript linter. Trunk: Code quality and developer experience tools.
What does ESLint cost vs Trunk?
ESLint is completely free. Trunk is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.