TailwindCSS or Vanilla CSS? PRONS AND CONS
Tags: programming, frontend
Published: 2024-06-29 01:32:45

**Introduction:**

TailwindCSS is a utility-first CSS framework that provides low-level utility classes for building custom designs without leaving your HTML. Vanilla CSS refers to writing raw CSS without any frameworks or pre-processors, allowing full control over the styling.

**Purpose**:

The purpose of this article to influence software developer/engineer in choosing the best styling method which helps to improve efficiency and proficient code system

**Outline**:

in this article we will be covering the following point 👇

Definition and features of Tailwind CSS and Vanilla CSS

Comparing Tailwind CSS and Vanilla CSS

Best use cases

Conclusion

**Introduction to Tailwind CSS**

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that streamlines web development by a set of pre-designed utility classes. These classes enable rapid styling without writing custom CSS, promoting consistency and scalability. Tailwind's approach shifts focus from traditional CSS components to functional classes, empowering developers to efficiently build responsive and visually appealing interfaces with minimal effort.

Features:

The faster ui building process

It is a utility-first css framework which means we can use utility classes to build custom designs without writing CSS as in the traditional approach.

**Introduction to VanillaCSS:**

CSS is a declarative programming language allows web designers, developer, bloggers, and so forth to make websites unique and attractive. CSS gives us the opportunity to play with a page layout, adjust colors and fonts, add effects to images, etc.

**Comparing TailwindCSS and VanillaCSS:**

**Performance:**

Performance is an important aspect when writing a codebase. Tailwind CSS helps to optimizes performance by keeping its CSS file as small as possible and is well-optimized for high-traffic sites. Additionally, Using pre-made classes in Tailwind CSS can increase efficiency in development process, sometimes making it more faster than starting from scratch with traditional CSS.

Tailwind CSS is best suitable for performance efficiency due to the following reasons:

Easy and understandable code practices

JIT compilation

Support for CDNs

Optimization in build process

These reasons helps contribute to a more easy and understandable codebase and faster-loading website.

**Learning curve:**

Learning a new CSS framework or tool can be challenging, and the learning curve changes from person to another . The process involved in learning Tailwind CSS primarily revolves around understanding its utility classes. Beginners might face issues such as dealing with the learning curve, handling of customization, and needing to basic foundation in CSS.

Averagely , it takes a few months to learn Tailwind CSS if you are already familiar with the basics of CSS. In contrast, Vanilla CSS takes longer month and a deeper understanding of it's properties which could make it slightly tougher for beginners compared to Tailwind CSS

**Responsive design**

In the aspect of responsive design, Tailwind CSS is considered to be the best due to the fact it is easy to create responsive layouts by providing utility classes that apply styles based on screen sizes.

In Tailwind CSS you can easily achieve this:

The ‘sm:’ and ‘lg:’ classes, which can be used to make your design responsive across various screen size

Grid or flex layouts, which can be easily achieved with specific classes in Tailwind CSS

Text resizing, which is also easily achievable with specific classes in Tailwind CSS

Using Vanilla CSS to create responsive design involves writing custom and hard-coding rules for elements and media-screens. While this provides more control, it also demands a greater understanding of CSS principles and involves of a lot of time to achieve this. Depending on the project’s needs and the developer’s comfort with CSS, either Tailwind CSS or Vanilla CSS can be used to provide responsive layout and are effective.

At hng internship you get the opportunity to compare between Tailwind CSS and Vanilla CSS.

**Best Use cases:**

Project complexity:

Tailwind CSS:

Best used in cases where the projects is complex and with numerous components and styles example social media app, e-commerce

Vanilla CSS:

Best used in cases where the projects is not complex and has fewer components and styles for example landing page

Project size:

Tailwind CSS:

Excellent for smaller projects or quick prototypes.

Vanilla CSS:

Better for larger projects with extensive styling needs.

At [hng internship](https://hng.tech/internship) you get the opportunity to compare between Tailwind CSS and Vanilla CSS

Best Use cases:

Project complexity:

Tailwind CSS:

Best used in cases where the projects is complex and with numerous components and styles example social media app, e-commerce

Vanilla CSS:

Best used in cases where the projects is not complex and has fewer components and styles for example landing page

Project size:

Tailwind CSS:

Excellent for smaller projects or quick prototypes.

Vanilla CSS:

Better for larger projects with extensive styling needs.

At [hng internship](https://hng.tech/internship) you get the opportunity to compare between Tailwind CSS and Vanilla CSSip get the opportunity to experience the best use cases first hand

**Conclusion**:

Ultimately, the choice of a CSS framework depends on the your efficiency and at [hng internship](https://hng.tech/internship) you will be given a task and limited time.

I hope this article helps you to pick the best styling method.