Head-to-Head: Axios vs ky Analysis

axios

v1.7.2(2 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 3Monthly npm downloads

Axios is a popular promise-based HTTP client for the browser and Node.js. It provides an easy-to-use API for making HTTP requests and handling responses, supporting features like interceptors, request and response transformations, and automatic JSON data parsing. Axios allows for efficient handling of asynchronous operations and simplifies the process of working with REST APIs.

Alternatives:
got+
node-fetch+
ky+
superagent+
fetch-h2+
bent+
make-fetch-happen+
isomorphic-fetch+
wretch+
needle+

Tags: javascripthttpclientpromise-basedrest-api

ky

v1.5.0(1 day ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 0Monthly npm downloads

Ky is a lightweight and modern HTTP client for the browser and Node.js. It offers a simple and intuitive API for making HTTP requests with features like automatic JSON parsing, request cancellation, and support for browser-specific features like progress events and aborting requests. Ky focuses on providing a minimalistic and efficient solution for handling HTTP requests without unnecessary overhead.

Alternatives:
axios+
got+
node-fetch+
superagent+
isomorphic-fetch+
wretch+
bent+
make-fetch-happen+
unfetch+
fetch-h2+

Tags: httpclientbrowsernode.jsmodern

Fight!

Popularity

Axios is a widely popular HTTP client library for JavaScript and has been around for a long time. It has a large user base and is extensively used in many projects. Ky, on the other hand, is a relatively newer library and is gaining popularity slowly. It has a smaller user base compared to Axios.

Size

Ky is a lightweight library and has a smaller package size compared to Axios. It is designed to be minimalistic and efficient, making it suitable for projects where file size is a concern. Axios, although larger in size, provides additional features and flexibility.

Features and Functionality

Both Axios and Ky provide similar core features for making HTTP requests such as handling different request methods, interceptors, and response handling. Axios, being more mature and widely used, offers a wider range of features including automatic JSON parsing, support for browser and Node.js environments, cancellation tokens, and request cancellation. Ky, on the other hand, focuses on a simpler and more modern API with a minimalistic approach, and provides features like automatic retries and browser-specific features.

Compatibility

Axios is compatible with both browsers and Node.js, making it suitable for universal JavaScript applications. It has built-in support for XSRF protection, progress tracking, and easy integration with other JavaScript frameworks like React. Ky is also compatible with both browsers and Node.js, but its primary focus is on modern browsers. It provides better support for newer browser features like the Fetch API and offers a more modern API design.

Developer Experience

Both libraries have good documentation and are relatively easy to use. Axios has a larger community and more extensive documentation, making it easier to find resources and community support. Ky, while having a smaller community, still provides comprehensive documentation with examples and guides to help developers get started. Additionally, Axios has been around for longer, so it has more mature tooling and better TypeScript support compared to Ky.

Maintenance

Both Axios and Ky are actively maintained by their respective communities. Axios has a large user base and a dedicated team of maintainers, which ensures regular updates and bug fixes. Ky, being a newer library, may have a smaller team of maintainers but still provides regular updates and bug fixes. Overall, both libraries have good maintenance practices and can be considered reliable choices.