Head-to-Head: Got vs Superagent Analysis

got

v14.4.2(3 days ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are provided via a separate npm package: @types/gotNumber of direct dependencies: 11Monthly npm downloads

Got is a human-friendly and powerful HTTP request library for Node.js. It provides a simple and intuitive API for making HTTP requests with support for promises, streams, and async/await syntax. Got offers features like automatic retries, timeouts, and request cancellation, making it suitable for building robust and reliable network communication in Node.js applications.

Alternatives:
axios+
node-fetch+
ky+
superagent+
bent+
needle+
isomorphic-fetch+
wreck+
make-fetch-happen+
simple-get+

Tags: node.jshttprequestpromiseasync/await

superagent

v9.0.2(3 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are provided via a separate npm package: @types/superagentNumber of direct dependencies: 9Monthly npm downloads

Superagent is a lightweight and flexible HTTP client library for Node.js and browsers, designed for making HTTP requests in a simple and intuitive way. It supports all HTTP methods, file uploads, custom headers, cookies, and more. Superagent also provides features like request and response serialization, timeout handling, and automatic parsing of JSON responses.

Alternatives:
axios+
got+
node-fetch+
ky+
isomorphic-fetch+
fetch-h2+
bent+
needle+
wreck+
simple-get+

Tags: httpclientnode.jsbrowserrequests

Fight!

Popularity

Both Got and Superagent are popular npm packages for making HTTP requests in Node.js and browsers. Superagent has been around for longer and has gained wide adoption. Got, on the other hand, has gained popularity in recent years due to its simplicity, performance, and powerful features.

API Design

Superagent follows a traditional callback-based API design, where requests are made using chained method calls. Got, on the other hand, provides a promise-based API design that leverages modern JavaScript features like async/await, making the code more concise and readable.

Features

Both packages provide similar features such as GET, POST, and other HTTP methods, sending headers, handling cookies, and handling redirects. Got, however, offers additional features out-of-the-box, including request retries, timeouts, automatic decompression, request cancellation, and more.

Error Handling

Got has a built-in mechanism for handling and throwing error responses, making it easier to handle and distinguish different response types. Superagent, on the other hand, requires more manual error handling and checking for non-successful responses.

File Uploads

Superagent provides built-in support for file uploads, allowing you to easily upload files as part of your HTTP requests. Got, on the other hand, requires additional dependencies or manual handling to perform file uploads.

Middleware Support

Superagent has a middleware system that allows you to extend its functionality with custom plugins. Got, on the other hand, does not have a built-in middleware system but provides a more flexible approach by leveraging the Node.js fetch API for customization and extending its features.

Browser Support

Superagent is designed to work in both Node.js and browsers, offering cross-environment compatibility. Got, on the other hand, focuses primarily on Node.js but provides a browser version called 'got-browser' that can be used with bundlers like Webpack or Rollup.