Pros of Vimium

• More extensive feature set, including custom search engines and link hints
• Supports multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
• Larger and more active community, resulting in frequent updates and improvements

Cons of Vimium

• Can be more resource-intensive due to its broader feature set
• May have a steeper learning curve for new users
• Some features might conflict with built-in browser functionalities

Code Comparison

VimFx:

export function enterMode(mode) {
  currentMode = mode;
  updateStatusLine();
}

Vimium:

enterMode: (mode) ->
  @setMode(mode)
  @HUD.show("-- #{mode.toUpperCase()} --", 1000)

Both projects use similar approaches for entering different modes, but Vimium includes an additional step to display the mode change to the user through a heads-up display (HUD).

Summary

Vimium offers a more comprehensive set of features and broader browser support, making it suitable for power users who want extensive customization. However, this comes at the cost of potentially higher resource usage and a steeper learning curve. VimFx, while more lightweight, may be preferable for users who prioritize simplicity and performance.

Pros of Tridactyl

• More comprehensive Vim-like functionality, including ex commands
• Actively maintained and regularly updated
• Supports custom themes and user-defined commands

Cons of Tridactyl

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex features
• May feel overwhelming for users seeking a simpler Vim-like experience
• Requires more system permissions to function fully

Code Comparison

VimFx:

vimfx.set('custom.mode.normal.j', 'scrollDown')
vimfx.set('custom.mode.normal.k', 'scrollUp')
vimfx.set('custom.mode.normal.gg', 'scrollToTop')

Tridactyl:

bind j scrollline 5
bind k scrollline -5
bind gg scrollto 0
bind G scrollto 100
set smoothscroll true

The code snippets show how both extensions allow for custom key bindings, but Tridactyl offers more granular control over scrolling behavior and additional settings like smooth scrolling.

Pros of Surfingkeys

• Cross-browser compatibility (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
• More extensive feature set, including visual mode and omnibar
• Active development and regular updates

Cons of Surfingkeys

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex configuration
• Potentially heavier resource usage with additional features

Code Comparison

VimFx (JavaScript):

vimfx.set('custom.mode.normal.j', 'scrollDown')
vimfx.set('custom.mode.normal.k', 'scrollUp')

Surfingkeys (JavaScript):

mapkey('j', 'Scroll down', 'Normal.scroll("down")')
mapkey('k', 'Scroll up', 'Normal.scroll("up")')
api.map('J', 'd')
api.map('K', 'u')

Summary

VimFx is a lightweight, Firefox-specific extension that provides Vim-like keyboard shortcuts for browsing. It's simple to use and configure but limited to Firefox.

Surfingkeys offers a more comprehensive set of features across multiple browsers, including Chrome and Safari. It provides advanced functionality like visual mode and an omnibar, but may require more setup and resources.

Both extensions aim to enhance browsing efficiency through keyboard shortcuts, with Surfingkeys offering more flexibility and features at the cost of increased complexity.

Pros of chromium-vim

• More extensive customization options for key mappings and settings
• Supports a wider range of Vim-like commands and features
• Active development with frequent updates and bug fixes

Cons of chromium-vim

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex configuration
• May have a higher performance impact on browser speed
• Limited to Chromium-based browsers, reducing cross-browser compatibility

Code Comparison

VimFx (JavaScript):

vimfx.set('custom.mode.normal.j', 'scrollDown')
vimfx.set('custom.mode.normal.k', 'scrollUp')
vimfx.set('custom.mode.normal.gg', 'scrollToTop')

chromium-vim (JavaScript):

map('j', 'scrollDown')
map('k', 'scrollUp')
map('gg', 'scrollToTop')
imap('<C-[>', '<Esc>')
set('smoothscroll', true)

Both extensions allow for custom key mappings, but chromium-vim offers more granular control and additional settings. VimFx's configuration is simpler, while chromium-vim provides more advanced options for power users. The code examples demonstrate the difference in syntax and complexity between the two projects.

Pros of Vimperator

• More comprehensive Vim-like experience with a command-line interface
• Extensive customization options through .vimperatorrc file
• Broader range of commands and features for power users

Cons of Vimperator

• Heavier and potentially more resource-intensive
• Steeper learning curve for new users
• Less frequently updated, potentially leading to compatibility issues

Code Comparison

VimFx:

export const commands = {
  'scroll_left': scrollLeft,
  'scroll_right': scrollRight,
  'scroll_up': scrollUp,
  'scroll_down': scrollDown,
};

Vimperator:

commands.add(["scrolll[eft]", "sl"], "Scroll left",
    function (args) { buffer.scrollByHorizontalAmount(-args.count); });
commands.add(["scrollr[ight]", "sr"], "Scroll right",
    function (args) { buffer.scrollByHorizontalAmount(args.count); });

The code snippets show different approaches to implementing scrolling commands. VimFx uses a more concise, modern JavaScript syntax with an object literal for command definitions. Vimperator employs a more verbose method, adding commands individually with separate function definitions.

VimFx's approach is more maintainable and easier to read at a glance, while Vimperator's method allows for more detailed command descriptions and custom argument handling.