date-fns vs luxon vs @js-joda/core
JavaScript Date Libraries Comparison
1 Year
date-fnsluxon@js-joda/coreSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Date Libraries?

JavaScript date libraries provide developers with tools to handle date and time manipulation more effectively than the native Date object. They offer various functionalities such as formatting, parsing, and manipulating dates, which are essential for building applications that require precise date handling. These libraries aim to simplify common date-related tasks, enhance performance, and improve code readability, making them invaluable for web development.

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date-fns30,586,41035,63422.6 MB8067 months agoMIT
luxon13,034,48915,8224.51 MB18515 days agoMIT
@js-joda/core1,575,6031,6417.72 MB1715 days agoBSD-3-Clause
Feature Comparison: date-fns vs luxon vs @js-joda/core

Immutability

  • date-fns:

    date-fns does not enforce immutability, as it primarily operates on native Date objects. Functions return new Date instances, but the original Date can still be modified, which may lead to side effects if not managed carefully.

  • luxon:

    Luxon provides immutable date-time objects, ensuring that any operations performed on a date-time instance return a new instance rather than modifying the original. This feature promotes safer and more predictable date-time manipulation.

  • @js-joda/core:

    @js-joda/core emphasizes immutability, meaning once a date-time object is created, it cannot be altered. This prevents unintended side effects in your code and enhances predictability when working with date-time values.

Time Zone Support

  • date-fns:

    date-fns offers limited time zone support. While it can handle UTC and local time, it lacks comprehensive time zone manipulation features, making it less suitable for applications that require extensive time zone handling.

  • luxon:

    Luxon excels in time zone support, providing a straightforward API for working with different time zones. It allows easy conversion between time zones and includes methods for displaying date-time values in a user's local time.

  • @js-joda/core:

    @js-joda/core has built-in support for time zones, allowing developers to work with date-time values across different zones easily. It adheres to the IANA time zone database for accurate conversions and calculations.

Localization

  • date-fns:

    date-fns offers excellent localization capabilities, allowing developers to format dates in various locales easily. It provides a wide range of formatting options and supports multiple languages, making it versatile for international applications.

  • luxon:

    Luxon provides robust localization features, enabling developers to format date-time values according to different locales. It includes built-in support for internationalization, making it suitable for applications targeting a global audience.

  • @js-joda/core:

    @js-joda/core has limited localization features, focusing primarily on date-time calculations rather than formatting. Developers may need to implement additional logic for localization.

Learning Curve

  • date-fns:

    date-fns is relatively easy to learn due to its functional programming style and modular approach. Developers can quickly grasp its usage by focusing on individual functions, making it accessible for beginners.

  • luxon:

    Luxon has a steeper learning curve compared to date-fns but offers a rich set of features. Developers may need time to familiarize themselves with its API, especially when dealing with advanced date-time operations.

  • @js-joda/core:

    @js-joda/core has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers familiar with Java's Joda-Time library. Its API is designed to be intuitive for those who understand date-time concepts but may require some time to master for newcomers.

Performance

  • date-fns:

    date-fns is lightweight and modular, allowing developers to import only the necessary functions. This modularity can lead to better performance in applications where bundle size is critical, as it avoids loading unnecessary code.

  • luxon:

    Luxon is performant for most use cases, but its comprehensive feature set may introduce overhead compared to lighter libraries. However, its advanced capabilities often justify the performance trade-offs in applications requiring extensive date-time manipulation.

  • @js-joda/core:

    @js-joda/core is optimized for performance, especially in applications that require complex date-time calculations. Its immutable design and adherence to standards contribute to efficient processing of date-time values.

How to Choose: date-fns vs luxon vs @js-joda/core
  • date-fns:

    Choose date-fns if you prefer a lightweight, modular approach to date manipulation. It offers a functional programming style and allows you to import only the functions you need, making it suitable for projects where bundle size is a concern.

  • luxon:

    Choose Luxon if you require advanced features like time zone support and localization. It is built on top of the native DateTime API and provides a rich API for working with dates and times, making it perfect for applications that need comprehensive date handling.

  • @js-joda/core:

    Choose @js-joda/core if you need a library that adheres to the ISO 8601 standard and offers immutable date-time objects. It is ideal for applications that require a strong focus on time zones and precise date-time calculations.

README for date-fns

🔥️ NEW: date-fns v4.0 with first-class time zone support is out!

date-fns

date-fns provides the most comprehensive, yet simple and consistent toolset for manipulating JavaScript dates in a browser & Node.js

👉 Documentation

👉 Blog


It's like Lodash for dates

  • It has 200+ functions for all occasions.
  • Modular: Pick what you need. Works with webpack, Browserify, or Rollup and also supports tree-shaking.
  • Native dates: Uses existing native type. It doesn't extend core objects for safety's sake.
  • Immutable & Pure: Built using pure functions and always returns a new date instance.
  • TypeScript: The library is 100% TypeScript with brand-new handcrafted types.
  • I18n: Dozens of locales. Include only what you need.
  • and many more benefits
import { compareAsc, format } from "date-fns";

format(new Date(2014, 1, 11), "yyyy-MM-dd");
//=> '2014-02-11'

const dates = [
  new Date(1995, 6, 2),
  new Date(1987, 1, 11),
  new Date(1989, 6, 10),
];
dates.sort(compareAsc);
//=> [
//   Wed Feb 11 1987 00:00:00,
//   Mon Jul 10 1989 00:00:00,
//   Sun Jul 02 1995 00:00:00
// ]

The library is available as an npm package. To install the package run:

npm install date-fns --save

Docs

See date-fns.org for more details, API, and other docs.


License

MIT © Sasha Koss