Comparison with Other Libraries

This page compares tinystructlog with other popular Python logging libraries to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

vs. loguru

loguru is a popular alternative to Python’s standard logging with a focus on simplicity and developer experience.

When to choose tinystructlog:

• Zero dependencies: tinystructlog has no runtime dependencies, making it ideal for environments where you want to minimize dependencies

• Simpler mental model: Single, focused API for context management using Python’s contextvars

• Minimal footprint: Smaller codebase focused purely on context-aware logging

• Standard logging integration: Works with Python’s standard logging, making it easier to integrate with existing logging infrastructure

When to choose loguru:

• Rich features: Built-in rotation, retention, compression, serialization

• Advanced error handling: Enhanced exception formatting with backtrace and diagnose

• More flexible output: Multiple sinks, custom handlers, structured JSON logging

• Broader ecosystem: More third-party integrations and community resources

Reproducing tinystructlog’s format in loguru:

from loguru import logger
import sys

# Remove default handler
logger.remove()

# Add handler with tinystructlog-like format
logger.add(
    sys.stdout,
    format="[{time:YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS}] [{level}] [{name}.{function}:{line}] {extra} {message}",
    colorize=True
)

# Context binding in loguru
context_logger = logger.bind(request_id="abc-def", user_id="12345")
context_logger.info("Processing request")

Key differences:

• Context management: tinystructlog uses contextvars for automatic thread/async isolation; loguru requires explicit binding via bind() or contextualize()

• Dependencies: tinystructlog has zero dependencies; loguru includes additional libraries for enhanced features

• Configuration: tinystructlog is pre-configured with sensible defaults; loguru requires removing default handlers and adding custom ones

• API surface: tinystructlog has 4 main functions; loguru has a larger API with many configuration options

vs. structlog

structlog is a feature-rich structured logging library with extensive customization options.

When to choose tinystructlog:

• Simplicity: Much smaller API surface and simpler mental model

• Zero dependencies: No external dependencies

• Immediate productivity: Works out of the box with sensible defaults

• Lighter weight: Minimal overhead for simple use cases

When to choose structlog:

• Advanced structured logging: Rich processors, formatters, and output options

• Complex pipelines: Need for sophisticated log processing chains

• Extensive customization: Highly configurable for specific requirements

• Industry standard: Well-established in production environments

vs. Standard logging

Python’s built-in logging module is the foundation of Python logging.

When to choose tinystructlog:

• Context management: Automatic context injection without manual filter setup

• Async/thread safety: Built on contextvars for proper isolation

• Developer experience: Colored output and sensible defaults out of the box

• Less boilerplate: No need to configure handlers, formatters, and filters manually

When to choose standard logging:

• No dependencies: Part of the standard library

• Maximum control: Full customization of every aspect

• Ecosystem compatibility: Works with all logging-compatible libraries

• Long-term stability: Part of Python’s core

Note: tinystructlog is built on top of standard logging, so you get compatibility with the standard logging ecosystem while gaining the convenience of automatic context management.

Summary Table

Feature	tinystructlog	loguru	structlog	standard logging
Dependencies	Zero	Yes	Yes	Zero (stdlib)
Context Management	Auto (contextvars)	Manual (bind)	Processors	Manual (filters)
Configuration	Zero config	Custom setup	Extensive	Manual setup
Async/Thread Safety	Built-in	Built-in	Built-in	Manual
API Complexity	Minimal (4 functions)	Medium	High	High
Colored Output	Yes (ANSI)	Yes	Yes (via processors)	No (manual)
JSON/Structured	Context only	Full support	Full support	Limited