Side by side

CoffeeScript vs Google Web Toolkit

Both stand on code transpilers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

CoffeeScript

Free plan APILinuxMac+2

CoffeeScript provides a compile-to-JavaScript workflow with command-line and compiler API options. Check its runtime requirements and transpilation needs for the JavaScript features you plan to use.

Visit CoffeeScript

GWT combines Java development with browser-oriented compilation and a set of documented development tools. Developers should note the deprecated webAppCreator utility and the periodic timestamp and version telemetry.

Visit Google Web Toolkit

The facts

	CoffeeScript	Google Web Toolkit
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	API, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows	Extension, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Not published	Free or on request
Plans published	None	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	coffeescript.org	gwtproject.org
On code transpilers	#8 of 28	#4 of 28

CoffeeScript: what it does well

Compiles to JavaScript without a runtime interpreter.
Includes a command-line REPL and compiler.
Can generate inline or external source maps.
Core compiler can run in a browser.

What to know first

Command-line utility requires Node 6 or later.
JSX output always requires transpilation.
Users must account for runtime support of modern features.

Google Web Toolkit: what it does well

Free under the Apache 2.0 license.
Compiles Java applications into JavaScript and HTML.
Supports asynchronous communication through GWT RPC or JSON.
Eclipse plugin offers IDE and SDK support.
Documentation includes testing and security guidance.

What to know first

webAppCreator is deprecated starting with version 2.11.0.
Development mode and compiler periodically send product data to Google.
Version 2.13.1 lists Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

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