[handlebars.js] What are the differences between Mustache.js and Handlebars.js?

Mustache pros:

  • Very popular choice with a large, active community.
  • Server side support in many languages, including Java.
  • Logic-less templates do a great job of forcing you to separate presentation from logic.
  • Clean syntax leads to templates that are easy to build, read, and maintain.

Mustache cons:

  • A little too logic-less: basic tasks (e.g. label alternate rows with different CSS classes) are difficult.
  • View logic is often pushed back to the server or implemented as a "lambda" (callable function).
  • For lambdas to work on client and server, you must write them in JavaScript.

Handlebars pros:

  • Logic-less templates do a great job of forcing you to separate presentation from logic.
  • Clean syntax leads to templates that are easy to build, read, and maintain.
  • Compiled rather than interpreted templates.
  • Better support for paths than mustache (ie, reaching deep into a context object).
  • Better support for global helpers than mustache.

Handlebars cons:

  • Requires server-side JavaScript to render on the server.

Source: The client-side templating throwdown: mustache, handlebars, dust.js, and more