mdBook vs VuePress

mdBook and VuePress are both open source static site generators. mdBook is written in Rust and VuePress is written in JavaScript.

Property mdBook VuePress
Language Rust JavaScript
Templates Handlebars Vue
License MPL-2.0 MIT

mdBook benefits

Create book or documentation from markdown files as with GitBook.

Highlights:

  • Handlebars templates
  • Math equations through MathJax
  • Can be used as a library
  • Runnable Rust code snippet using Rust Playpen

Used by "The Rust Programming Language" book.

VuePress benefits

Simplicity First

Minimal setup with markdown-centered project structure helps you focus on writing.

Vue-Powered

Enjoy the dev experience of Vue + webpack, use Vue components in markdown, and develop custom themes with Vue.

Performant

VuePress generates pre-rendered static HTML for each page, and runs as an SPA once a page is loaded.

As Easy as 1, 2, 3

# install
npm install -g vuepress

# create a markdown file
echo "# Hello VuePress" > README.md

# start writing
vuepress dev

# build to static files
vuepress build