Rollup vs esbuild: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Rollup and esbuild 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Rollup
JavaScript module bundler
Best for you if:
- • Rollup is a module bundler for JavaScript that uses ES modules
- • It creates optimized bundles for libraries and applications
esbuild
Extremely fast JavaScript bundler
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • esbuild is an extremely fast JavaScript bundler and minifier written in Go
- • It compiles TypeScript and JSX with 10-100x faster build times than alternatives
| At a Glance |  Rollup |  esbuild |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 84/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Rollup | esbuild |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAPI Tools | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools |
How Rollup and esbuild Compare
Rollup
JavaScript module bundler
Free · 84/100 score
esbuild
Extremely fast JavaScript bundler
Free · 90/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Rollup
Want the highest-rated option?
Rollup: 84/100. esbuild: 90/100.
Go with: esbuild
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: esbuild
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
esbuild scores higher: 90/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
esbuild
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 84
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Rollup
The Bottom Line
esbuild (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rollup or esbuild better?
esbuild scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Rollup and esbuild used for?
Rollup: JavaScript module bundler. esbuild: Extremely fast JavaScript bundler.
What does Rollup cost vs esbuild?
Rollup is completely free. esbuild is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.