CSS Scan Pro vs PurifyCSS: What are the differences?

Comparing CSS Scan Pro and PurifyCSS

1. Setup and Installation: CSS Scan Pro is a browser extension that can quickly scan and extract CSS from any website. It requires installation on each browser individually. On the other hand, PurifyCSS is a stand-alone library that needs to be installed using package managers like npm. It can be easily integrated into projects and used across multiple websites or applications.

2. Scope of CSS Analysis: CSS Scan Pro focuses on extracting CSS directly from websites, allowing users to see the used styles and test out modifications in real-time. It provides a browser-specific analysis of CSS properties being used. In contrast, PurifyCSS is designed to optimize CSS files by removing unused styles during the build process. It scans the source code and builds a new CSS file that only includes the styles used within the specified HTML or JavaScript files.

3. Performance and Efficiency: Due to its browser-specific nature, CSS Scan Pro is optimized for providing real-time analysis and styling updates. It excels in quickly identifying CSS properties being used on specific elements within a website, making it suitable for developers who need to inspect styles during development. On the other hand, PurifyCSS is more focused on streamlining the production process by removing unused styles from the final CSS file. It improves page load times and reduces the overall file size.

4. Support and Compatibility: CSS Scan Pro is supported on popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It provides comprehensive CSS analysis and works well with modern CSS features. PurifyCSS, being a stand-alone library, can be used with any JavaScript project and is compatible with most package managers. It can be integrated into build systems like Webpack, Gulp, or Grunt.

5. Customization and Configuration: CSS Scan Pro offers limited customization options, primarily focusing on analyzing and modifying existing styles. Users can modify and apply new styles directly within the browser console, making it suitable for quick tweaks. In contrast, PurifyCSS provides extensive configuration options, allowing users to specify their own HTML or JavaScript files for analysis, exclude specific stylesheets or elements, and customize the output CSS file as needed.

6. Use Cases: CSS Scan Pro is primarily intended for developers who want to inspect and modify CSS styles in real-time during development. It can be useful for debugging, testing different color schemes, or quickly trying out design changes. On the other hand, PurifyCSS is targeted at optimizing production CSS files. It helps developers create leaner, more performant websites by removing unused styles and reducing file size, thereby improving page loading speed.

In summary, CSS Scan Pro is a browser extension that provides real-time analysis and editability of CSS styles on specific websites, whereas PurifyCSS is a library used during the build process to remove unused styles and optimize CSS files for production websites.