Pros of proselint

• Focuses specifically on prose and writing style, offering more specialized advice for writers
• Lightweight and easy to integrate into existing workflows
• Provides explanations and references for its suggestions, enhancing learning

Cons of proselint

• Less actively maintained compared to Vale
• Limited customization options for rules and checks
• Fewer integrations with other tools and platforms

Code Comparison

proselint:

def check(text):
    """Run checks against text."""
    return lint(text, checks=checks.all)

Vale:

func (c *Config) Lint(files ...string) ([]core.File, error) {
    var linted []core.File
    for _, file := range files {
        // Lint individual file
    }
    return linted, nil
}

Vale is more flexible and customizable, allowing users to define their own rules and styles. It supports multiple markup formats and integrates well with various text editors and CI/CD pipelines. proselint, on the other hand, is more focused on writing quality and style, making it particularly useful for authors and content creators. While Vale offers broader functionality, proselint provides deeper insights into prose-specific issues.

Pros of write-good

• Lightweight and easy to integrate into existing workflows
• Focuses on common writing issues and style improvements
• Can be used as a command-line tool or Node.js module

Cons of write-good

• Limited customization options compared to Vale
• Fewer built-in rules and less extensive documentation
• Not as actively maintained or updated as Vale

Code Comparison

write-good:

var writeGood = require('write-good');
var suggestions = writeGood('So the cat was stolen.');
console.log(suggestions);

Vale:

StylesPath = styles
MinAlertLevel = suggestion

Packages = Google, proselint, write-good

[*]
BasedOnStyles = Vale, Google, proselint, write-good

Summary

write-good is a simpler, more focused tool for improving writing style, while Vale offers a more comprehensive and customizable approach to content linting. write-good is easier to set up and use quickly, but Vale provides more extensive features and flexibility for larger projects or teams with specific style requirements. Vale's active development and broader rule set make it a more robust choice for long-term use, especially in professional environments.

Pros of Alex

• Focused specifically on identifying insensitive, inconsiderate writing
• Easier to set up and use with minimal configuration
• Integrates well with popular text editors and CI/CD pipelines

Cons of Alex

• Limited scope compared to Vale's broader style checking capabilities
• Less customizable and extensible than Vale
• Fewer output format options for reporting issues

Code Comparison

Alex usage:

const alex = require('alex');
const report = alex('He's pretty set in his ways.');
console.log(report);

Vale usage:

StylesPath = styles
MinAlertLevel = suggestion

[*]
BasedOnStyles = Vale

Summary

Alex is a specialized tool for catching insensitive language, while Vale is a more comprehensive style checker. Alex is easier to set up and use out of the box, but Vale offers greater customization and broader style checking capabilities. Both tools can be valuable additions to a writing workflow, depending on specific needs and preferences.

Pros of textlint

• More extensive plugin ecosystem with a wide range of rules and formatters
• Supports multiple programming languages and file formats
• Highly customizable with the ability to create custom rules using JavaScript

Cons of textlint

• Steeper learning curve due to its flexibility and extensive configuration options
• Slower performance compared to Vale, especially with multiple rules enabled

Code Comparison

textlint configuration example:

{
  "rules": {
    "no-todo": true,
    "max-comma": {
      "max": 3
    },
    "spellcheck-tech-word": true
  }
}

Vale configuration example:

StylesPath = styles
MinAlertLevel = suggestion

[*.md]
BasedOnStyles = Vale, proselint

Both Vale and textlint are powerful linting tools for natural language text. Vale focuses on simplicity and speed, with a straightforward configuration and fast performance. It uses YAML-based rules and is particularly well-suited for technical documentation.

textlint, on the other hand, offers more flexibility and extensibility. It supports a wider range of languages and file formats, and allows for custom rule creation using JavaScript. However, this flexibility comes at the cost of a steeper learning curve and potentially slower performance.

The choice between the two depends on specific project requirements, team expertise, and the desired balance between simplicity and customization.