Tailwind CSS VS Bootstrap

Tailwind CSS and Bootstrap are both popular CSS frameworks, but they have distinct approaches to web development. In this article, we’ll explore their differences, advantages, and use cases.

Table of content

• What is Tailwind CSS?
• What is Bootstrap?
• can you use Tailwind CSS with Bootstrap?
• Difference Between Tailwind CSS Vs Bootstrap
• Adding Tailwind CSS with Bootstrap
• Conclusion

What is Tailwind CSS?

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework. Instead of writing custom CSS rules, developers create UI components by applying utility classes directly to HTML elements. Tailwind doesn’t provide pre-designed components like Bootstrap, allowing for more flexibility in design.

What is Bootstrap?

Bootstrap, introduced in 2011, is a component-based framework maintained by a group of developers. It offers a set of pre-styled components, making it easy to create responsive websites. Bootstrap includes JavaScript plugins and covers fundamental HTML elements.

Key Difference Between Tailwind CSS and Bootstrap

1. Pre-designed widgets

• Tailwind CSS: Provides utility classes for custom designs without predefined components.

• Bootstrap: Offers pre-styled components, resulting in a consistent look across Bootstrap-based websites.

2. Use of Preprocessor

• Tailwind CSS: Uses post-CSS and a config file for customization.

• Bootstrap: Utilizes Sass, a popular CSS preprocessor.

3. Framework Size

• Tailwind CSS: Requires only the base stylesheet (up to 27kb).

• Bootstrap: Includes multiple files (308.5kb), including Bootstrap JS, main CSS, jQuery, and Popper.js.

4. Community

• Tailwind CSS: Growing community, gaining popularity.

• Bootstrap: Established community due to its longer presence.

5. Design Philosophy

• Bootstrap: Pre-designed UI components for quick development.

• Tailwind CSS: Low-level utility classes for custom designs.

6. Customizability

• Tailwind CSS: Highly customizable; include only needed utility classes.

• Bootstrap: Pre-designed components may limit customization.

7. Learning Curve

• Bootstrap: Easier to learn due to pre-designed components.

• Tailwind CSS: Requires deeper understanding of CSS and HTML.

8. Performance

• Tailwind CSS: JIT compiler generates optimized CSS based on utility classes.

• Bootstrap: Large CSS file may impact performance.

Using Tailwind CSS with Bootstrap

• You can combine both frameworks in your projects.

• Manually create a tailwind.config.js file or use npx tailwindcss init.

• Set a prefix on Tailwind utility classes to avoid duplicate class names.

• Customize Tailwind breakpoints to match Bootstrap’s.

Conclusion

Both frameworks have strengths and weaknesses. Tailwind CSS suits developers seeking flexibility, while Bootstrap is ideal for quick, responsive designs. Choose based on your project’s needs and your preferred development approach.