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TL;DR - Snowpack
- A fast frontend build tool leveraging native ESM.
- Offered instant startup and HMR for rapid development.
- No longer actively maintained; consider alternatives like Vite.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely fast development server startup
- Efficient caching mechanism for builds
- Instant feedback with HMR and Fast Refresh
- Native ESM utilization for modern web development
- Extensible with a plugin system
Cons
- No longer actively maintained
- Not recommended for new projects
- Requires migration to alternative tools for ongoing support
Key Features
Instant startup (50ms or less)Build once, cache foreverHot Module Replacement (HMR) with Fast Refresh for React, Preact & SvelteOut-of-the-box support for JSX, TypeScript, React, Preact, CSS ModulesBuilt-in optimizations for production buildsPlugin system for integrating with other build tools
Pricing
Free
Snowpack is completely free to use with no hidden costs.
About Snowpack
By Toolradar Team·
Snowpack was a frontend build tool designed to accelerate web development by leveraging JavaScript's native module system (ESM). It aimed to provide a faster alternative to traditional bundlers like webpack or Parcel, particularly for large projects. By avoiding unnecessary bundling during development, Snowpack offered instant startup times and maintained speed as projects grew.
The tool was built for developers working with modern web technologies, offering out-of-the-box support for JSX, TypeScript, React, Preact, CSS Modules, and more. It included features like Hot Module Replacement (HMR) with Fast Refresh for popular frameworks, ensuring instant reflection of code changes in the browser. For production, Snowpack provided built-in optimizations and a plugin system to integrate with other build tools and bundlers.
However, as of April 20, 2022, Snowpack is no longer actively maintained and is not recommended for new projects. Developers are advised to consider alternatives like Vite, esbuild, or Parcel.
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Snowpack FAQ
What is Snowpack?
Snowpack was a lightning-fast frontend build tool that used JavaScript's native module system (ESM) to provide instant startup times and rapid development, serving as an alternative to traditional bundlers. It is no longer actively maintained.
How much does Snowpack cost?
Snowpack was an open-source tool, meaning it was free to use.
Is Snowpack free?
Yes, Snowpack was a free, open-source project.
Who is Snowpack for?
Snowpack was designed for frontend developers building modern web applications, especially those looking for faster development workflows than traditional bundlers could offer. It supported frameworks like React, Preact, and Svelte, and technologies like TypeScript and CSS Modules.
Source: snowpack.dev