Bulma vs. Bootstrap
By SW Habitation
Bulma
Bootstrap
You know how building a website can feel like a lot, especially when you’re trying to style every little thing yourself? Buttons, forms, layouts… it adds up fast. That’s where UI frameworks really save the day. They give you a bunch of premade design elements that you can just drop in and go. It’s like having a design starter pack that helps your site look clean and professional, without spending forever tweaking the details.
What is Bulma?
Bulma is a modern, open-source CSS framework based entirely on Flexbox. Unlike Bootstrap or Foundation, Bulma is a pure CSS framework, it doesn’t come with JavaScript components, which makes it lightweight, simple, and easy to use.
Bulma is especially loved by developers who want a minimalist yet responsive framework for quickly building prototypes, small projects, and clean modern websites.
Key Features of Bulma
- Lightweight: Small file size and fast performance.
- Clean Syntax: Readable, intuitive class naming convention.
- Customizable with Sass: Use Sass variables to easily adjust themes and styles.
- Flexbox-based Grid: Fully powered by Flexbox for responsive and modern layouts.
- Responsive Modifiers: Easy-to-use breakpoints for mobile, tablet, desktop, and widescreen.
- Pure CSS: No JavaScript dependencies — works with any JS framework or vanilla JS.
- Utility Classes: Includes helper classes for spacing, colors, display, typography, and more.
Advantages of Bulma
- Responsive by Default: Built-in responsive utilities.
- Fast Prototyping: Perfect for quick MVPs and small apps.
- Lightweight: No extra JavaScript, only CSS.
- Modern Layouts: Built entirely on Flexbox.
- Cross-Browser Consistency: Works well across modern browsers.
- Beginner-Friendly: Super easy to learn and use.
Disadvantages of Bulma
- Not Ideal for Enterprises: May not scale as well for very large applications.
- No JavaScript Plugins: Requires manual integration for modals, dropdowns, or carousels.
- Smaller Ecosystem: Fewer themes, templates, and community add-ons compared to Bootstrap.
- Limited Components: Doesn’t have as many prebuilt components as Bootstrap or Foundation.
What is Bootstrap ?
Bootstrap is the most popular CSS Framework for developing responsive and mobile-first websites. Do you know it was originally developed by Twitter now X and is now maintained by a large community of developers. Bootstrap provides a collection of pre-designed HTML, CSS, and JavaScript components that can be used to build websites quickly and easily.
Key Features of Bootstrap
- Responsive Grid: 12-column Flexbox grid with multiple breakpoints.
- Prebuilt Components: Includes modals, tooltips, carousels, navbars, etc.
- JavaScript Plugins: Native JS components — no jQuery dependency now.
- Sass Source: Source code in Sass for easy customization.
- Utility Classes: Tons of helper classes for spacing, colors, displays.
- Theming Support: Customizable via Sass variables.
Advantages of Bootstrap
- Fast Setup: Quickly spin up pages with minimal styling needed.
- Consistency Across Browsers: Ensures uniform UI elements.
- Large Ecosystem: Thousands of themes, templates, starters available
- Modular: Easily import only needed components via Sass.
- Strong Community: Longstanding support and wide adoption.
Disadvantages of Bootstrap
- Learning Curve: Advanced customization requires more expertise
- Overuse of Classes: Cluttered HTML, harder to maintain.
- Heavy File Size: Includes unnecessary CSS/JS, increasing load times.
- Limited Customization: Hard to deeply customize without overriding defaults.
- Uniform Design: Sites can look similar unless customized heavily.
Comparison Between Bulma vs Bootstrap
Use Cases of Bulma
- Prototyping: Developers can spin up layouts rapidly.
- Projects with JS Frameworks: Works seamlessly with React, Vue, Angular, or vanilla JS since it’s pure CSS.
- Portfolios & Blogs: Great for personal projects with minimal setup.
- Startups & MVPs: Perfect for small projects that need quick, clean UI.
Use Cases of Bootstrap
- Projects where consistency outweighs custom design
- Legacy apps or CMS integration
- Quick MVPs and prototypes
- Dashboard templates, admin panels
Other Resources
Conclusion
UI frameworks make building a polished website way easier. Whether you're working on something simple or a big project, they help you get things looking just right without having to stress over every little design decision. With ready-to-use components, responsive layouts, and modern styles, you can build faster and smarter.
So, pick one that works for you, and start creating a site that looks amazing from the get-go.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bulma better than Bootstrap?
Bulma is simpler and lighter, great for small projects. Bootstrap is more feature-rich, with JavaScript plugins and a larger ecosystem, making it better for complex apps.
Does Bulma use Flexbox?
Yes, Bulma is 100% built with Flexbox, which makes it modern and responsive out of the box.
Can I use Bulma with React or Vue?
Absolutely! Since Bulma is pure CSS, it integrates easily with any JavaScript framework.
Does Bulma support dark mode?
Not natively, but you can customize Bulma with Sass or community add-ons to implement dark mode.
Is Bulma good for beginners?
Yes, Bulma is one of the most beginner-friendly CSS frameworks due to its clean syntax and simple utility classes.
Can I use Bootstrap without JavaScript libraries?
Yes, Bootstrap 5 bundles native JS components and doesn’t require jQuery.
Is Bootstrap responsive?
Yes, built mobile-first using its Flexbox grid and responsive utilities.
Do I need to know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to use Bootstrap?
Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS is enough to get started. However, knowing JavaScript helps if you want to customize components or use advanced features.
How does Bootstrap help with mobile responsiveness?
Bootstrap uses a grid system and media queries to make websites automatically adjust to different screen sizes, ensuring good user experience across devices.