After nearly a decade of using Bootstrap in my web development projects, I recently started exploring Tailwind. As a developer who prioritises performance and efficient resource loading, I’ve been comparing these two frameworks to see how they stack up. In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on Bootstrap vs. Tailwind, focusing on performance, the learning curve, and how each framework might fit into future projects at Clook.
1. The Bootstrap Comfort Zone: Bootstrap has served me well over the years. It’s reliable, with a solid set of components and a familiar structure that makes building responsive sites straightforward. However, with that ease of use comes some trade-offs, particularly when it comes to loading unnecessary resources. This can affect performance, something I’m particularly mindful of as I strive to keep our site running at peak efficiency.
“Tailwind’s utility-first approach is a game-changer for performance-focused developers.”
2. Tailwind’s Utility-First Approach: Tailwind has been a refreshing change. Unlike Bootstrap, it’s utility-first, meaning you start with minimal CSS and only add what you need. For someone who’s laser-focused on performance, this is a big win. The ability to keep styles lean and efficient directly contributes to faster load times – a crucial factor in maintaining high scores on Lighthouse and Google Page Speed.
I’m leaning towards Tailwind for future Clook projects – early tests show clear performance gains.
3. Not Quite in Production Yet: I should note that I haven’t tested Tailwind in a full production environment yet, but it’s definitely something I’m considering for Clook, especially as we look to future projects. The early results have been promising, and I’m leaning toward making the switch for new builds.
4. CLI and Compiling: A New Challenge: One thing to keep in mind with Tailwind is that it requires getting your head around CLI (Command Line Interface) and compiling the styles. It takes a little bit of time, setting it up through the terminal, which might be a hurdle if you’re not familiar with it. However, it’s also a great introduction to using the CLI, something that’s becoming increasingly important in modern web development.
Getting your head around CLI and compiling Tailwind is a small hurdle, but it’s worth it for the performance boost.
5. Performance Gains and Future Prospects: Even though I haven’t fully implemented Tailwind in a live environment, the performance gains during my tests were clear. The pages felt faster, and the code was cleaner. Tailwind’s ability to purge unused styles is particularly beneficial, and it’s an approach I’m excited to bring into Clook’s future projects.
6. The Right Tool for the Job: Bootstrap still has its place, especially for projects where speed of development is key. However, for those of us who are obsessed with squeezing out every bit of performance, Tailwind offers a compelling alternative. It’s not just about lighter CSS – it’s about having more control and customisation right from the start.
I’m curious to hear what others think. Have you tried both frameworks? Are you considering a switch?
