shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Rollup?

compile JS code - rollupjs.org

Depends. Use Rollup if you're bundling a JavaScript library — it's free, open source, and the community standard for that job. If you're building an app or want zero config, Vite or esbuild will save you the friction.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 12 public sources. Most 'Rollup' search results were unrelated products (Salesforce Rollup Helper, Ethereum L2 rollups, awnings, AI tools) and were excluded; pricing is public category knowledge, marked as guess.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo support evidence found
  • Security posture

Pricing

Free

Guess: Open source

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes

Best for

  • JavaScript library authors
  • Tree-shaking-critical builds
  • ESM-first codebases
  • Teams comparing bundlers for package publishing

Not for

  • App teams wanting dev server and HMR out of the box
  • Zero-config buyers — plugin setup is real work
  • Anyone who found this via search — most 'Rollup' results are unrelated products
  • Non-JavaScript stacks

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

CVE-2026-27606: CVSS 9.8 arbitrary file write via path traversal; patched in 2.80.0 — update immediately

medium

Earlier cross-site scripting flaw (CVE-2024-47068) is also on record

low

Name collides with Salesforce 'Rollup Helper' and Ethereum rollups, polluting reviews and pricing data

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Seen as advantageous for bundling JavaScript libraries versus other bundlers
  • React reportedly uses it instead of Webpack for builds
  • Plugin system with beginner-level tutorials available
  • Actively compared and adopted; 73 stacks tracked on StackShare

Cons

  • One 2024 Reddit thread is bluntly titled 'Rollup sucks. So much.'
  • Users report trouble getting it working versus Webpack
  • Critical CVSS 9.8 path-traversal CVE affected Rollup 4

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/21/2026 - 12 sources - Two CVEs: a critical CVSS 9.8 path traversal (fixed in 2.80.0) and an earlier XSS.

official x1review x8security x3
  • CVE-2026-27606 — Arbitrary file write via path traversal, CVSS 9.8; affects Rollup 4 versions prior to 2.80.0 per the advisory feed; patched.
  • CVE-2024-47068 — Cross-site scripting (XSS), XSS vulnerability in affected rollup versions, tracked by Snyk.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • Free

    Starting price

  • 12

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Free, open-source bundler
  • Ease of use: 2/5. Recurring configuration-friction complaints
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Community standard for library bundling
  • Support quality. No support evidence found
  • Security posture: 2/5. CVSS 9.8 path traversal plus prior XSS
  • Free Price Guess: open-source npm package, no paid tiers
  • 73 stacks StackShare adoption 9 followers
  • 9.8 CVSS Top CVE severity CVE-2026-27606, fixed in 2.80.0

Pricing

Guess: Open source

Free

  • Guess: community plugin ecosystem, no SLA

Security

Two CVEs: a critical CVSS 9.8 path traversal (fixed in 2.80.0) and an earlier XSS.

  • CVE-2026-27606 — Arbitrary file write via path traversalCVSS 9.8; affects Rollup 4 versions prior to 2.80.0 per the advisory feed; patched.⁸
  • CVE-2024-47068 — Cross-site scripting (XSS)XSS vulnerability in affected rollup versions, tracked by Snyk.10

What users say

Reddit sentiment splits: developers value Rollup for library bundling but repeatedly report configuration pain and one bluntly negative 2024 thread.

“Rollup sucks. So much.”
Reddit, r/webdev
“When to use Rollup instead of Webpack?”
Reddit, r/javascript
“Advantages of Rollup over other bundlers for creating libraries?”
Reddit, r/javascript

Alternatives

Compare Rollup with each alternative.

  • Vite

    Guess: app-first tooling with dev server; far less config

  • Webpack

    The usual comparison point for complex application bundling

    Rollup vs Webpack

  • esbuild

    Guess: extremely fast bundler when build speed matters most

Companies that use it

  • React (reported by community discussion)⁵
Full analysis

Based on 12 public sources. Most 'Rollup' search results were unrelated products (Salesforce Rollup Helper, Ethereum L2 rollups, awnings, AI tools) and were excluded; pricing is public category knowledge, marked as guess.

Free JS bundler that excels for libraries; app devs should pick Vite or esbuild. Watch the 9.8-CVSS CVE — patched.

Methodology

Based on 12 public sources. Most 'Rollup' search results were unrelated products (Salesforce Rollup Helper, Ethereum L2 rollups, awnings, AI tools) and were excluded; pricing is public category knowledge, marked as guess.

Sources

  1. Rollup (official site)rollupjs.org
    official
  2. AskJS: Advantages of Rollup over other bundlers for creating libraries?reddit.com
    review
  3. When to use Rollup instead of Webpack?reddit.com
    review
  4. Rollup sucks. So much.reddit.com
    review
  5. Why does this article say React uses Rollup instead of Webpack?reddit.com
    review
  6. Rollup Alternatives - JavaScript Bundlers | LibHuntjs.libhunt.com
    review
  7. What are some alternatives to rollup? | StackSharestackshare.io
    review
  8. GHSA-mw96-cpmx-2vgc: Rollup Arbitrary File Write via Path Traversalgithub.com
    security
  9. CVE-2026-27606 feed — CVSS 9.8, versions prior to 2.80.0feedly.com
    security
  10. Cross-site Scripting (XSS) in rollup | CVE-2024-47068 | Snyksecurity.snyk.io
    security
  11. Rollup Plugins for Absolute Beginnerselliotclyde.nz
    review
  12. Using Rollup to package a library for TypeScript and JavaScript | LogRocketblog.logrocket.com
    review

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