Pug vs Handlebars

Developers should learn Pug when building Node meets developers should learn handlebars when building dynamic web applications that require reusable html templates, such as in single-page applications (spas) or server-side rendering with node. Here's our take.

Pug

Nice Pick

Developers should learn Pug when building Node

Pros

• js-based web applications, especially with frameworks like Express
• Related to: node-js, express-js

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Handlebars

Developers should learn Handlebars when building dynamic web applications that require reusable HTML templates, such as in single-page applications (SPAs) or server-side rendering with Node

Pros

• js
• Related to: javascript, ember-js

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Pug is a template engine while Handlebars is a library. We picked Pug based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Pug wins

Based on overall popularity. Pug is more widely used, but Handlebars excels in its own space.