Super-fast TypeScript/JavaScript compiler
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Reviews onSourceForge
1 review trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Very fast compilation
Biggest con
Plugin ecosystem smaller
TL;DR - SWC
- SWC is an extremely fast JavaScript/TypeScript compiler written in Rust
- It replaces Babel with 20x faster compilation for modern JavaScript
- Completely free and open-source
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is SWC?
SWC compiles JavaScript with Rust speed. Fast compiler for modern JavaScript-transformation at remarkable speed.
The speed transforms workflows. The Rust base enables performance. The adoption is growing.
JavaScript build tools increasingly use SWC for compilation speed.
Available on: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very fast compilation
- Rust-based
- Babel compatible
- Next.js default
- Active development
Cons
- Plugin ecosystem smaller
- Some Babel features missing
- Debugging harder
- Learning curve
- Config different
Ratings Across the Web
5(1 reviews)
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
JS/TS compilerRust-basedSuper fastBabel alternativeMinificationOpen source
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Jul 10, 2026
Free
Free
- Open source (Apache/MIT)
- 20x faster than Babel
- TypeScript/JavaScript compiler
- Used by Next.js, Deno
Reviews
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SWC FAQ
How does SWC improve continuous integration and deployment workflows?
SWC improves CI/CD workflows by offering very fast compilation of JavaScript and TypeScript code. Its Rust-based architecture enables rapid transformation of modern JavaScript, which can significantly reduce build times in automated pipelines.
How does SWC compare to esbuild for JavaScript compilation?
SWC, like esbuild, is known for its very fast compilation speeds, leveraging a Rust-based architecture for performance. While both are high-performance compilers, SWC is Babel compatible and is the default compiler for Next.js.
What are the main trade-offs when adopting SWC?
The main trade-offs when adopting SWC include a smaller plugin ecosystem compared to more established tools and some Babel features being absent. Additionally, users might experience a learning curve due to its different configuration and potentially harder debugging.
Which teams would benefit most from using SWC?
Teams focused on modern JavaScript development, especially those using Next.js or seeking to accelerate their build and testing processes, would benefit most from SWC. Its speed makes it ideal for environments where rapid compilation is critical, such as in CI/CD pipelines.
How is SWC priced?
SWC is free to use, meaning there is no paid plan required to utilize its features. It is available without any licensing costs, making it accessible for all developers and organizations.
Can SWC be used as a drop-in replacement for Babel?
SWC is Babel compatible, allowing it to handle many of the same JavaScript transformations. However, it's important to note that some specific Babel features might be missing, and its configuration differs from Babel's.
Does SWC support TypeScript compilation?
Yes, SWC is designed to compile TypeScript in addition to JavaScript. It offers super-fast compilation for both languages, leveraging its Rust-based architecture for performance.
Source: swc.rs