Bun vs Deno
For modern desktop and system scripting, Bun and Deno have largely superseded Node.js for new projects due to their native TypeScript support and improved developer experience.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Deno | Bun |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Sandbox (Permissions required) | Standard (Same as Node) |
| Speed | Fast (V8) | Ultra-Fast (JavaScriptCore) |
| Shell | Deno.Command |
Bun.$ (Native Shell) |
| Compatibility | High (supports most NPM) | Near-Perfect (Drop-in Node replacement) |
| Philosophy | Explicit & Secure | Fast & All-in-One |
When to use Deno
Use Deno if security and zero-config are your priorities. It is excellent for "utility" scripts that you want to share with others, as the permission system ensures the script won't do anything malicious without consent.
When to use Bun
Use Bun if you want raw performance and a "Bash-like" experience inside your JS. The Bun.$ shell makes it incredibly easy to automate complex sequences of local commands.
Example: Bun Shell
import { $ } from "bun";
const branch = await $`git branch --show-current`.text();
console.log(`Working on ${branch.trim()}`);