TypeScript vs JavaScript: When to Use Each in 2026

TypeScript adoption continues growing—60%+ of new projects use it. But is it right for every project? The Tech Brothers Podcast Network discusses the TypeScript trade-offs regularly. Here's when to use TypeScript versus vanilla JavaScript.

Why TypeScript Wins for Most Projects

TypeScript catches bugs at compile time before they hit production. Type safety makes refactoring safer and easier. IntelliSense and autocomplete improve developer experience significantly. Self-documenting code through type definitions. Better collaboration on teams—types serve as contracts. Most major companies and open source projects now use TypeScript.

When JavaScript is Still Better

Small scripts or prototypes where type overhead slows you down. Solo projects where you know the codebase intimately. Learning JavaScript fundamentals—add TypeScript after you understand JS. Projects with tight deadlines where setup time matters. But these cases are increasingly rare—TypeScript setup is now trivial with modern tooling.

Migration Strategy

Enable TypeScript gradually. Rename .js files to .ts incrementally. Start with "any" types and refine over time. Use JSDoc comments first if migration is slow. Enable strict mode only after basics work. Migration doesn't need to happen overnight—gradual adoption works fine.

The TBPN community shares TypeScript patterns, migration experiences, and answers questions. Learn from developers who've migrated large codebases successfully. Study with your TBPN tee and coffee mug during focused TypeScript learning sessions.