Best Code Linters & Formatters 2026
Discover the best code linters and formatters of 2026. Compare ESLint, Biome, Prettier, and more to ensure code quality and enforce consistent code style.
At MG Software we combine Biome for linting and formatting in new projects thanks to its speed and simplicity. For existing projects with extensive ESLint configurations, we add oxlint as a fast first lint pass.
Linters and formatters are the backbone of code quality in any development team. They catch bugs early, enforce consistent code style, and reduce code review discussions about formatting. The latest generation of tools is blazing fast thanks to Rust.
How do we evaluate these tools?
- Speed of linting and formatting
- Scope and quality of available rules
- Plugin ecosystem and extensibility
- Ease of configuration and migration
1. ESLint
The most widely used JavaScript/TypeScript linter with an extensive plugin ecosystem and fully configurable rules. The industry standard since 2013.
Pros
- +Largest plugin ecosystem in the JavaScript landscape
- +Fully configurable and extensible rules
- +Flat config (eslint.config.js) simplifies setup
Cons
- -Slower than Rust-based alternatives
- -Configuration can become complex with many plugins
- -No built-in formatter — requires Prettier separately
2. Biome
All-in-one linter and formatter written in Rust. Successor to Rome, combining linting and formatting in one blazing fast tool.
Pros
- +Extremely fast — 10-100x faster than ESLint
- +Linter + formatter in one tool
- +Zero configuration needed for standard use
Cons
- -Smaller rule set than ESLint
- -Limited plugin ecosystem
- -Supports fewer languages than Prettier
3. Prettier
Opinionated code formatter that enforces a consistent style for JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, HTML, and many other languages.
Pros
- +Supports 20+ languages and file formats
- +Zero debate about style — opinionated by design
- +Massive adoption and editor integration
Cons
- -Formatting only — no linting
- -Limited configuration options by design
- -Slower than Rust-based formatters
4. dprint
Blazing fast code formatter written in Rust with a plugin system for multiple languages including TypeScript, JSON, and Markdown.
Pros
- +10-30x faster than Prettier
- +Plugin architecture for language support
- +Configurable — less opinionated than Prettier
Cons
- -Smaller ecosystem than Prettier
- -Less widely adopted
- -Some language plugins still in development
5. oxlint
Ultra-fast JavaScript/TypeScript linter written in Rust, part of the Oxc toolchain. 50-100x faster than ESLint.
Pros
- +50-100x faster than ESLint
- +Drop-in usable alongside ESLint
- +No configuration needed for basic use
Cons
- -Fewer rules available than ESLint
- -No plugin system (yet)
- -Relatively new — API may change
Which tool does MG Software recommend?
At MG Software we combine Biome for linting and formatting in new projects thanks to its speed and simplicity. For existing projects with extensive ESLint configurations, we add oxlint as a fast first lint pass.
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