Head-to-Head: Request (deprecated) vs Superagent Analysis
request
v2.88.2(almost 5 years ago)
Request is a popular and versatile HTTP client library for Node.js, designed to simplify making HTTP requests and handling responses. It supports various HTTP methods, including GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and more, and provides features like streaming, cookies, and authentication. Request allows for easy customization of headers, query parameters, and request body, making it suitable for a wide range of use cases.
Alternatives:
axios-+
node-fetch-+
got-+
superagent-+
needle-+
ky-+
undici-+
fetch-+
axios-fetch-+
isomorphic-fetch-+
Tags: node.jshttpclientrequestdeprecated
superagent
v10.1.1(2 months ago)
Superagent is a lightweight and flexible HTTP client library for Node.js and browsers. It provides an intuitive API for making HTTP requests, handling responses, and working with streams. Superagent supports various HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and more, along with features like setting headers, handling cookies, and managing timeouts.
Alternatives:
axios-+
got-+
node-fetch-+
axios-fetch-+
request-promise-native-+
undici-+
needle-+
ky-+
fetch-h2-+
wretch-+
Tags: node.jshttp-clientrequestresponsestream
Fight!
Popularity
Both Request and Superagent are popular npm packages for making HTTP requests in Node.js and browsers. Request has been around for longer and has a larger user base, but Superagent has gained popularity in recent years and is widely used as well.
API Design
Request follows a callback-based API design, where you pass a callback function to handle the response. Superagent, on the other hand, uses a promise-based API design, which allows for more readable and concise code. It also supports async/await syntax for handling asynchronous requests.
Flexibility
Both packages provide a wide range of options and flexibility for making HTTP requests. Request offers more configuration options and supports additional features like cookie handling and multipart/form-data uploads. Superagent focuses on simplicity and ease of use, providing a more streamlined API.
Browser Support
Superagent is designed to work in both Node.js and browsers, making it a suitable choice for universal JavaScript applications. Request, on the other hand, is primarily targeted for Node.js and may require additional configuration or polyfills to work in the browser.
Community Support
Both packages have active communities and receive regular updates. Request has a larger community and a longer history, which means it has more resources and community support available. Superagent has a smaller but dedicated community and is actively maintained.
Additional Features
Request provides additional features like streaming, gzip compression, and automatic JSON parsing. Superagent focuses on the core functionality of making HTTP requests but provides plugins that can be used to extend its capabilities.
