Prism vs Shiki
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A small JavaScript library that colors source code syntax on web pages.
Open source · MIT
A syntax highlighter for code, based on TextMate grammars, published as an npm package.
The short answer
Choose Prism if you need…
- Web developers who want to show code snippets on a website
- Documentation writers who need readable code blocks
- Developers who want to extend highlighting with custom language definitions or plugins
Choose Shiki if you need…
- Developers building documentation or blog sites that show code samples
- Teams that want highlighting that matches TextMate or VS Code grammar rules
- TypeScript or JavaScript projects that already use npm
Side-by-side
| Prism | Shiki | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 13.1k | 13.9k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 22 days ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
Prism
Prism is a syntax highlighting library: it takes code snippets and adds color to keywords, strings, and other parts so they are easier to read. It is a spin-off of the Dabblet project and is described in the README as lightweight, robust, and elegant. Website authors and developers use it to display code in documentation and blogs.
Shiki
Shiki colors source code so it is easier to read, using the same kind of grammar files that the TextMate and VS Code editors use. The README describes it as accurate and powerful, and it is published on npm as the package shiki. Developers typically use it to show highlighted code in documentation sites, blogs, or web pages.
Best for
Prism
- Web developers who want to show code snippets on a website
- Documentation writers who need readable code blocks
- Developers who want to extend highlighting with custom language definitions or plugins
Shiki
- Developers building documentation or blog sites that show code samples
- Teams that want highlighting that matches TextMate or VS Code grammar rules
- TypeScript or JavaScript projects that already use npm
Strengths
Prism
- Described by its authors as lightweight and extensible
- Released under the permissive MIT license
- Has an active public project with a documented extension system
Shiki
- The README says it is based on TextMate grammars, so it follows a widely used grammar format
- It is published as an npm package with documentation at shiki.style
- It is released under the MIT license, which permits broad reuse
Not ideal for
Prism
- People who only want a finished editor or IDE, since Prism is a highlighting library, not an editing tool
- Teams that need new feature development right now, because the README says only security-relevant PRs are being accepted while Prism v2 is in progress
Shiki
- People who only need to edit code: the README describes a highlighter, not an editor
- Projects that cannot use npm or JavaScript, since the README only documents the npm package
- Users looking for a ready-made app: the README does not describe a standalone program
Trade-offs
Prism
- The README states that only security-relevant pull requests are being accepted while Prism v2 is being worked on, so new features may be slow to arrive
- The README notes that the maintainer's time is limited, so reviews of larger changes may take a long time
- Contributors who add a language definition become responsible for its bug reports
Shiki
- The README is short and points to external documentation for usage details
- The README does not list specific language counts or themes, so those details are unverified here
- Major versions are split across branches, so users must pick the right version (the README lists v0 through v4)
Getting started
Prism
Install dependencies for contributing (from README)
npm ciBuild Prism (from README)
npm run buildFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Prism and Shiki?
Prism: A small JavaScript library that colors source code syntax on web pages. Shiki: A syntax highlighter for code, based on TextMate grammars, published as an npm package. Prism suits web developers who want to show code snippets on a website, while Shiki suits developers building documentation or blog sites that show code samples.
Are Prism and Shiki free?
Prism: Free and open source. Shiki: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Prism or Shiki?
Prism is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Shiki is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Prism or Shiki more popular?
Shiki has more GitHub stars (13.9k) than Prism (13.1k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Prism and Shiki?
Other options people compare them with include Rich, Linguist.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.