Bun vs. Node.js Who is Winner? | 매거진에 참여하세요

If you’re a web developer, chances are you’ve worked with Node.js at some point.

Since its launch in 2009, Node revolutionized backend development by bringing JavaScript to the server.

But in 2023, a new contender stepped onto the stage—Bun.

With the official launch of its 1.0 version, Bun isn’t just another runtime

—it’s aiming to replace Node.js with a faster, cleaner, and more integrated development experience.

So, what is Bun? And should you be paying attention?

What Is Bun?

Bun is a modern JavaScript runtime built from scratch in Zig,

a relatively new systems programming language. By choosing Zig, Bun emphasizes both memory safety and performance optimization.

Bun’s goals are clear:

• - Speed: Accelerate everything—from JS execution to package installs and server startup

• - All-in-one Dev Tooling: Bundler, test runner, and package manager—baked in

• - Node Compatibility: Seamlessly support most Node.js APIs and npm packages

Why Zig Matters?

Zig allows Bun to sidestep many of the performance and safety limitations associated with JS and C++ (Node's base language).

What Makes Bun Stand Out?

1. Blazing Performance

Bun uses the V8 engine, like Node, but optimizes execution further

bun install is benchmarked to be 20x faster than npm install

Includes its own bundler, transpiler, and test runner—no need for Webpack, Babel, or Jest

2. Unified Developer Experience

Integrated tools: bundler, test runner, HTTP server, and package manager

Skip the endless *.config.js files and just start building

3. Node-Compatible by Design

Supports core Node modules like fs, path, http, etc.

Many npm packages work with no modifications

4. TypeScript Support Built In

Run .ts and .tsx files directly—no need for ts-node

While Bun skips type-checking, it compiles TypeScript out of the box

5. Lightweight HTTP Server

bun serve lets you spin up high-performance servers without Express

Great for edge environments like Vercel or Cloudflare Workers

Bun vs. Node.js: Head-to-Head

Where Bun Still Falls Short

Not 100% Node-Compatible

Some legacy packages—especially those using native C++ add-ons—may not work properly in Bun.

It’s not a complete drop-in replacement just yet.

Ecosystem Still Growing

Compared to npm, Bun’s ecosystem is small. Docs and Stack Overflow threads are limited, and not every edge case is covered.

Debugging Gaps

VS Code and Chrome DevTools offer deep Node.js integration. Bun doesn’t yet match this tooling power.

Hosting Support

Platforms like AWS Lambda and Google Cloud Functions are Node-native. Bun may require custom configuration or direct deployment.

When Should You Use Bun?

✅ MVPs & Startups

Bun offers an incredibly fast feedback loop, making it ideal for prototyping and small product teams.

✅ Internal Tools / CLI Apps

Fast bundling and native runtime speed make it perfect for command-line tools and automation scripts.

✅ Lightweight Frontend Setups

Skip the heavy lifting of configuring Webpack or Next.js—Bun’s built-in tools are often enough for modern SPAs.

Will Bun Replace Node.js?

Not immediately—but it definitely has momentum.

Bun offers a fresh take on JS runtimes: faster, simpler, and more integrated.

But the reality is, Node’s ecosystem is massive, mature, and deeply entrenched.

Most developers won’t fully “switch”—they’ll start by using Bun for new projects or internal tools

where the performance benefits are most obvious.

Final Thoughts

Bun is not just a faster Node.js. It's a rethinking of how we develop with JavaScript—from the tooling to the runtime itself.

But here’s the catch:
- The very strengths of Bun (Zig, manual memory, rigid structure) may be the reason it never fully replaces Node.js.

• - The convenience of JavaScript’s loose nature is hard to beat—especially for scripting-heavy, fast-moving web development.

• - Still, for those who value performance and streamlined tooling, Bun might just be the best thing to happen to JavaScript since… well, Node.js.

Curious to try Bun? Start with a small tool or internal project

—you might be surprised how much you can accomplish without ever touching npm again.