Vite is an open-source frontend build tool that provides a very fast development server and optimized production builds for modern web projects.
Vite serves source code over native ES modules during development, so the dev server starts almost instantly and changes appear immediately through hot module replacement. It has become the default build tool for many frameworks and the foundation of tools such as Vitest.
Key features
- Near-instant dev server start using native ES modules
- Fast hot module replacement (HMR)
- Optimized production builds
- Out-of-the-box support for TypeScript, JSX and CSS
- Plugin API compatible with a large ecosystem
- Templates for React, Vue, Svelte, Solid, Preact and Lit
- Environment API and server-side rendering support
Who it's for
Vite is for frontend and full-stack developers building single-page apps, libraries and SSR apps, and for framework authors who need a fast build foundation.
Common use cases
- Starting a new React, Vue or Svelte project
- Migrating from Create React App or Webpack
- Bundling component libraries
- Powering framework dev servers
Pricing
Vite is free and open source under the MIT license.
Alternatives
- Webpack: long-standing JavaScript bundler
- Bun: all-in-one runtime with a built-in bundler
- Turbopack: Rust-based bundler from Vercel
FAQ
Is Vite free?
Yes. Vite is free and open source.
What is Vite used for?
Vite is used to run a fast development server and build optimized production bundles for web apps.
Vite vs Webpack: which is better?
Vite offers much faster startup and hot reload with less configuration, while Webpack is highly configurable and has a longer history.
Can I use Vite with React?
Yes. Vite has official React templates and plugins.
Is Vite a replacement for Create React App?
Yes. Many teams and the React community recommend Vite-based setups instead of Create React App.
Does Vite support server-side rendering?
Yes. Vite provides SSR support used by frameworks such as Nuxt, SvelteKit and Astro.