SASS vs. LESS — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 8, 2024
SASS is a feature-rich CSS preprocessor with SCSS and indented syntaxes, whereas LESS offers a simpler, JavaScript-based approach to enhance stylesheets. Both optimize CSS development but differ in syntax and feature sets.
Difference Between SASS and LESS
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
SASS (Syntactically Awesome Stylesheets) provides two syntaxes: SCSS (similar to standard CSS) and indented (more concise). LESS (Leaner Style Sheets), on the other hand, uses a syntax more akin to CSS.
SASS offers powerful features like control directives and nested rules. LESS, whereas, includes mixins and nested rules but implements fewer control directives.
SASS uses Ruby or Dart as its underlying implementation, while LESS relies on JavaScript, making it easier to integrate into existing JS-based projects.
SASS preprocessors can include advanced features such as modules and imports. LESS, meanwhile, allows importing external files but lacks the same modular capabilities.
SASS has wide compatibility with many tools due to its long history and active development. LESS has fewer features and focuses more on ease of use and lightweight configuration.
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Comparison Chart
Syntax
SCSS and indented
CSS-like
Implementation
Ruby or Dart
JavaScript
Features
Advanced control directives
Mixins, simpler control
Modular Support
Full support via @import
Imports with fewer features
Popularity
More established, larger community
Newer but popular among JS users
Compare with Definitions
Sass
The original syntax without braces or semicolons.
Container color: #fff
Less
LESS Variables: Centralized variables for reuse.
@primary-color: #333;
Sass
Custom functions to manage complex calculations.
@function calculate-grid-width($columns: 12) { @return 100% / $columns; } .column { width: calculate-grid-width(3); }
Less
LESS Mixins: Code blocks reused throughout stylesheets.
Rounded-corners(@radius) { border-radius: @radius; }
Sass
The newer syntax resembling CSS.
Container { color: #fff; @include mixin(); }
Less
Mixins that only apply styles if certain conditions are met.
Transition(@property, @duration) when (@duration > 0s) { transition: @property @duration ease-in-out; }
Sass
Modular CSS parts that can be included in other SASS files.
// _reset.scss partial file body { margin: 0; padding: 0; } // main style file @import 'reset';
Less
A way to group mixins or styles for better organization.
#utils { .border-radius(@radius) { border-radius: @radius; } } .button { #utils > .border-radius(4px); }
Sass
Conditional logic for styles.
@if $theme == dark { background-color: #000; }
Less
Functions that manipulate colors.
Color-theme { color: saturate(@base-color, 20%); }
Sass
Impertinent, disrespectful speech; back talk.
Less
Not as great in amount or quantity
Had less time to spend with the family.
Sass
To talk impudently to.
Less
Lower in importance, esteem, or rank
No less a person than the ambassador.
Sass
(US) Backtalk, cheek, sarcasm.
Less
Consisting of a smaller number.
Sass
(archaic) Vegetables used in making sauces.
Less
With the deduction of; minus
Five less two is three.
Sass
To talk, to talk back.
Less
To a smaller extent, degree, or frequency
Less happy.
Less expensive.
Sass
To speak insolently to.
Don’t sass your teachers!
Less
A smaller amount
She received less than she asked for.
Sass
An impudent or insolent rejoinder;
Don't give me any of your sass
Less
Something not as important as something else
People have been punished for less.
Sass
Answer back in an impudent or insolent manner;
Don't sass me!
The teacher punished the students who were sassing all morning
Less
Comparative of little
I slept even less last night than I did the night before.
I like him less each time I see him.
Less
Used for constructing syntactic diminutive comparatives of adjectives and adverbs.
Randal is less welcome than Rachel but as her spouse we should invite them both.
This gadget is less useful than I expected.
I'm not any less happy for being on my own.
Less
To a smaller extent or degree.
The grammar book was less than (that is, not at all) helpful.
That this is a positive one makes it no less a stereotype, and therefore unacceptable.
Less
(Now chiefly of numbers or dimensions) little; of inferior size, degree or extent; smaller, lesser.
Less
A smaller amount of; not as much.
No less than eight pints of beer.
I have less tea than coffee.
You have even less sense than an inanimate object.
Less
Fewer; a smaller number of.
There are less people here now.
Now there are three less green bottles hanging on the wall.
Less
Minus; not including
It should then tax all of that as personal income, less the proportion of the car's annual mileage demonstrably clocked up on company business.
Less
(archaic) To make less; to lessen.
Less
(archaic) Lesser; smaller.
Less
A smaller amount or quantity.
Less is better.
I have less to do today than yesterday.
Less
Unless
Less
Unless.
Less
Smaller; not so large or great; not so much; shorter; inferior; as, a less quantity or number; a horse of less size or value; in less time than before.
Thus in less [time] than a hundred years from the coming of Augustine, all England became Christian.
Less
Not so much; in a smaller or lower degree; as, less bright or loud; less beautiful.
Less
A smaller portion or quantity.
The children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
Less
The inferior, younger, or smaller.
The less is blessed of the better.
Less
To make less; to lessen.
Less
(comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree;
Of less importance
Less time to spend with the family
A shower uses less water
Less than three years old
Less
(usually preceded by `no') lower in quality;
No less than perfect
Less
(usually preceded by `no') lower in esteem;
No less a person than the king himself
Less
(nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer;
Less than three weeks
No less than 50 people attended
In 25 words or less
Less
Used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs;
Less interesting
Less expensive
Less quickly
Less
Comparative of little;
She walks less than she should
He works less these days
Common Curiosities
Can both preprocessors handle variables?
Yes, both SASS and LESS use variables for reuse across styles.
Do they offer similar modular features?
SASS provides modules via @use and @import, whereas LESS has simpler imports.
Which is more commonly supported in existing build tools?
SASS, due to its long-standing popularity and broad tool integration.
Is it necessary to install additional software for SASS or LESS?
Yes, both require additional software like Node.js for LESS or Dart for SASS.
How do mixins differ between SASS and LESS?
SASS and LESS both have mixins, but SASS mixins have more advanced features like default parameters.
What are the main syntactic differences between SASS and LESS?
SASS supports two syntaxes (SCSS and indented), whereas LESS uses a CSS-like syntax.
Do they support conditional logic in styles?
SASS has advanced control directives, while LESS includes basic conditional logic.
What programming languages are they implemented in?
SASS uses Ruby or Dart, while LESS is implemented in JavaScript.
Which preprocessor is easier to learn?
LESS is often easier due to its similarity to standard CSS.
Can they compile to regular CSS files?
Yes, both compile to CSS for browser compatibility.
Do they offer command-line tools?
Yes, both SASS and LESS have command-line tools for compiling stylesheets.
Do they work well with CSS frameworks like Bootstrap?
Yes, Bootstrap has supported both SASS and LESS, though recent versions focus more on SASS.
Can they be used with task runners like Gulp or Webpack?
Both preprocessors integrate with popular task runners.
Which preprocessor handles nesting better?
Both SASS and LESS allow nesting of styles, with SASS generally offering more flexibility.
Can either be used directly in web browsers?
LESS can be compiled directly in the browser, but it's generally recommended to precompile both.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
