Class vs media dark mode is one of the most common decision points we see. Here is the honest breakdown.
The short version#
User-controlled vs OS-controlled schemes.
Point by point#
| Aspect | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Control | class: in-app toggle persisted; media: follows OS |
| JS | class needs a few lines; media needs none |
| Hybrid | Default to OS, allow override (recommended SaaS pattern) |
| 3.1 | Also selector strategy for scoped schemes |
Bottom line#
Pick based on your constraint, not ideology — and remember the comparison pages link to hands-on recipes so you can verify the claim in your own project within minutes.
Related comparisons#
comparisons/index|All comparisons