At a first glance, Grunt and Gulp don’t seem to differ much from one another in their basic functions; both automation tools are available under the MIT license, so the source code is open and freely available. Both applications can be controlled from the command line and have their own interface installed along with it. The task runners also use the same package manager, npm. Thanks to their large plugin directories, Grunt and Gulp can both easily automate a huge number of tasks. If there are no extensions for the desired process, they can be programmed with both tools, although due to the complex structure, both task runners require knowledge of JavaScript and node.js.
However, while Gulp is primarily based on the node.js module stream, Grunt mainly uses the fs (file system) module, which highlights one of the most important differences between the two tools: Grunt is strictly file-oriented and creates temporary local files during the execution of the tasks. Gulp, on the other hand, handles the processes via the memory and writes them in the target file immediately, giving the program a speed advantage.
A second distinguishing feature is the respective concept of the two solutions. Grunt’s programming and structure gives users some direction; completed tasks located there are already defined and must then simply be configured. In comparison, Gulp allows far more space for independent programming by providing only the individual modules. While on the one hand, this makes it easier to understand the backgrounds and contexts, it also demands much more from the user. The bigger a project is, the more Gulp’s strengths come into play, which is why the new task runner is now the first choice for many people. Thanks to the lower requirements, however, Grunt is still a valuable tool for smaller, manageable projects.