Comparin i18n libraries in SvelteKit: svelte-i18n, sveltekit-i18n and

Based on my learnings from localizing applications in SvelteKit with svelte-i18n, sveltekit-i18n and typesafe-i18n, I've come up with advantages and limitations of each of these libraries.

svelte-i18n

Features

It is a simple and minimalistic library that uses formatjs for localizing messages and supports the ICU message syntax.
It offers to load translations in a synchronous as well as asynchronous manner as per requirement.
Provides a decent number of options for formatting and pluralization.

Ease of Use

Since this library uses native Svelte stores for implementing localization, it feels like part of the ecosystem and hence very easy to get started with!
If you have a simple requirement of changing translations based on a given locale with limited formatting, this should be your go-to library.

Size

As of v3.7.0, the size of the svelte-i18n package is 48.3 kB in the minified form and 14.2 kB in minified + gzipped form. (source)

Community Support

It has 29,978 downloads/week as of the time of writing this article.
The only downside is, this library is not actively managed. Several issues are on the rise and resolution is almost zero.

Limitations

There are very less options available for formatting and pluralization.
As mentioned before, the library is not actively managed.

sveltekit-i18n

Features

It is built for SvelteKit and has good SSR support.
We can load translations from API, database and local file system.
The translations are loaded for visited pages only. (and only once!)
Component-scoped translations: you can create multiple instances with custom definitions.
It provides good TS support and has no external dependencies.
Supports ICU syntax + provides a native parsing engine as well.

Ease of Use

It is very easy to use. I found it even easier while working with the ICU parser (instead of the default parser).

Size

As of v2.4.2, the size of the sveltekit-i18n package is 14 kB in the minified form and 4.6 kB in minified + gzipped form. (source)

Community Support

It has 3,052 downloads/week as of the time of writing this article.
Even though the number of downloads is less than the svelte-i18n but good news is that this library is actively maintained.

Limitations

While working with pluralization, understanding the syntax of the default parser could be a bit challenging at the start.

typesafe-i18n

Features

It is a lightweight, easy-to-use syntax and has no external dependencies.
Because of its strong typings, it prevents you from making mistakes (also in plain JavaScript projects).
Unlike the other two libraries, typesafe-i18n can be used with any framework and supports both TypeScript and JavaScript.
Creates boilerplate code for you which ensures the well-structured flow of i18n in your codebase.
Supports plural rules and allows formatting of values e.g. locale-dependent date or number formats.
It also supports switch-case statements e.g. for gender-specific output.
Provides an option for asynchronous loading of locales.
It supports SSR (Server-Side Rendering) and can be used for frontend, backend and API projects.
Import and Export translations from/to files or services.

Ease of Use

It has some initial learning curve but as soon as we become familiar with the typesafe-i18n ecosystem, this library is not only easy to use but super convenient as well!
Personally, this is my go-to library for i18n.

Size

As of v5.26.0, the size of the typesafe-i18n package is 2.8 kB in the minified form and 1.3 kB in minified + gzipped form. (source)

Community Support

It has 13,588 downloads/week as of the time of writing this article.
This library is actively maintained.

Limitations

It has a huge eco-system (generators, detectors, importers, exporters etc.) and hence learning curve is a bit steep.

Comparing i18n libraries in SvelteKit: svelte-i18n, sveltekit-i18n and typesafe-i18n

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svelte-i18n

Features

Ease of Use

Size

Community Support

Limitations

sveltekit-i18n

Features

Ease of Use

Size

Community Support

Limitations

typesafe-i18n

Features

Ease of Use

Size

Community Support

Limitations

Command Palette

Comments

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More from this blog

svelte-i18n

Features

Ease of Use

Size

Community Support

Limitations

sveltekit-i18n

Features

Ease of Use

Size

Community Support

Limitations

typesafe-i18n

Features

Ease of Use

Size

Community Support

Limitations