Metals vs Scalameta

Developers should use Metals when working on Scala projects in lightweight editors to gain advanced language intelligence without switching to a full IDE like IntelliJ IDEA meets developers should learn scalameta when building tools that require deep analysis or manipulation of scala code, such as custom linters, code formatters, or refactoring tools. Here's our take.

Metals

Nice Pick

Developers should use Metals when working on Scala projects in lightweight editors to gain advanced language intelligence without switching to a full IDE like IntelliJ IDEA

Pros

• It is particularly useful for large codebases where features like find references and rename refactoring save significant time
• Related to: scala, language-server-protocol

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Scalameta

Developers should learn Scalameta when building tools that require deep analysis or manipulation of Scala code, such as custom linters, code formatters, or refactoring tools

Pros

• It is particularly useful for metaprogramming tasks, enabling compile-time code generation and static analysis in Scala projects, making it essential for tooling and library development in the Scala ecosystem
• Related to: scala, metaprogramming

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Metals if: You want it is particularly useful for large codebases where features like find references and rename refactoring save significant time and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Scalameta if: You prioritize it is particularly useful for metaprogramming tasks, enabling compile-time code generation and static analysis in scala projects, making it essential for tooling and library development in the scala ecosystem over what Metals offers.

The Bottom Line

Metals wins

Developers should use Metals when working on Scala projects in lightweight editors to gain advanced language intelligence without switching to a full IDE like IntelliJ IDEA