Summernote vs Trix
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 JavaScript library that adds a simple rich-text (WYSIWYG) editor to web pages.
Open source · MIT
A rich text editor web component for writing messages, comments, and articles in web apps.
The short answer
Choose Summernote if you need…
- Web developers adding a simple formatted-text editor to an existing site
- Teams already using jQuery or Bootstrap who want a drop-in editor
- Admin panels or CMS-style forms where users write formatted content
- Projects that need an MIT-licensed editor with no fees
Choose Trix if you need…
- Developers adding a rich text box to a Rails or other web app
- Teams that want simple, consistent HTML output for comments or messages
- Projects that need embedded attachments inside text
- Developers who want control over editor behavior instead of browser contenteditable quirks
Side-by-side
| Summernote | Trix | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 11.8k | 20k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 7 months ago | 10 days ago |
What each one is
Summernote
Summernote is a JavaScript library that lets a website show a rich-text editor, the kind with bold, lists and formatting buttons, in place of a plain text box. You add a script and a stylesheet to a page, place an empty div, and call one function to turn it into an editor. It is built on jQuery and works with Bootstrap 3, 4 and 5.
Trix
Trix is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) text editor that you add to a web page so users can format text with bold, lists, quotes and links. It is built from standard web components and produces simple, consistent HTML. It comes from 37signals, the company behind Basecamp, and is used there.
Best for
Summernote
- Web developers adding a simple formatted-text editor to an existing site
- Teams already using jQuery or Bootstrap who want a drop-in editor
- Admin panels or CMS-style forms where users write formatted content
- Projects that need an MIT-licensed editor with no fees
Trix
- Developers adding a rich text box to a Rails or other web app
- Teams that want simple, consistent HTML output for comments or messages
- Projects that need embedded attachments inside text
- Developers who want control over editor behavior instead of browser contenteditable quirks
Strengths
Summernote
- Simple setup: include JS and CSS, add a div, and initialize it
- MIT licensed and free to use
- Works with Bootstrap 3, 4 and 5 and has a plugin ecosystem listed in a companion repository
Trix
- Built on standard web APIs such as Custom Elements and Element Internals
- Treats contenteditable as an input device, giving consistent behavior across browsers
- Produces terse, consistent HTML output
Not ideal for
Summernote
- Projects that do not use jQuery, since the README says Summernote is built on it and that adds a dependency
- Anyone needing built-in server-side HTML sanitizing, since the README warns that the server must filter the HTML itself
- Non-developers looking for a finished writing app; this is a component to embed, not a standalone program
Trix
- Non-developers looking for a ready-made app; Trix is a component to integrate, not a standalone product
- Projects needing complex document features like tables or heavy page layout, which the README does not describe
- Sites that must support old browsers, since it targets evergreen desktop and mobile browsers
Trade-offs
Summernote
- Depends on jQuery, which may be unwanted in modern projects
- The README warns that user-entered HTML can contain scripts, so you must sanitize content on the server
Trix
- The README describes only basic editing; advanced features are not detailed in the excerpt
- Requires JavaScript integration work and some HTML knowledge to set up forms and toolbars
- Trix content must be sanitized carefully when loaded from untrusted sources
Getting started
Summernote
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/summernote/summernote.gitTrix
Include from npm CDN (simplest)
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://unpkg.com/trix@2.0.8/dist/trix.css"> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://unpkg.com/trix@2.0.8/dist/trix.umd.min.js"></script>Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Summernote and Trix?
Summernote: A JavaScript library that adds a simple rich-text (WYSIWYG) editor to web pages. Trix: A rich text editor web component for writing messages, comments, and articles in web apps. Summernote suits web developers adding a simple formatted-text editor to an existing site, while Trix suits developers adding a rich text box to a rails or other web app.
Are Summernote and Trix free?
Summernote: Free and open source. Trix: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Summernote or Trix?
Summernote is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Trix is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Summernote or Trix more popular?
Trix has more GitHub stars (20k) than Summernote (11.8k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Summernote and Trix?
Other options people compare them with include wangEditor, Tiptap, pell, Milkdown, Lexical.
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.