SWC vs esbuild: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between SWC 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:
SWC
Super-fast TypeScript/JavaScript compiler
Best for you if:
- • SWC is an extremely fast JavaScript/TypeScript compiler written in Rust
- • It replaces Babel with 20x faster compilation for modern JavaScript
esbuild
Extremely fast JavaScript bundler
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.8/10)
- • 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 |  SWC |  esbuild |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 88/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | SWC | esbuild |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools |
How SWC and esbuild Compare
SWC
Super-fast TypeScript/JavaScript compiler
Free · 88/100 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: SWC
Want the highest-rated option?
SWC: 88/100. 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 88/100.
Key Takeaways
esbuild
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 88
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
SWC
The Bottom Line
esbuild (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SWC or esbuild better?
esbuild scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are SWC and esbuild used for?
SWC: Super-fast TypeScript/JavaScript compiler. esbuild: Extremely fast JavaScript bundler.
What does SWC cost vs esbuild?
SWC is completely free. esbuild is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.