Node.js Zip Libraries Comparison
archiver vs jszip vs adm-zip vs zip-a-folder vs zip-lib vs node-zip
1 Year
archiverjszipadm-zipzip-a-folderzip-libnode-zipSimilar Packages:
What's Node.js Zip Libraries?

These libraries provide functionalities for creating, reading, and manipulating ZIP files in Node.js applications. They are essential for tasks such as compressing files for storage or transmission, packaging assets for web applications, and managing archives. Each library has its unique features and use cases, catering to different developer needs and preferences.

NPM Package Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
archiver9,941,4852,83743.1 kB1499 months agoMIT
jszip8,974,1549,843762 kB420-(MIT OR GPL-3.0-or-later)
adm-zip5,582,5172,066121 kB1404 months agoMIT
zip-a-folder171,51571107 kB02 months agoMIT
zip-lib90,2493250.6 kB12 months agoMIT
node-zip79,564217-2010 years ago-
Feature Comparison: archiver vs jszip vs adm-zip vs zip-a-folder vs zip-lib vs node-zip

Ease of Use

  • archiver:

    archiver has a slightly steeper learning curve due to its extensive feature set, but it provides detailed documentation and examples, making it manageable for developers willing to invest a bit more time.

  • jszip:

    jszip offers a straightforward API for creating and manipulating ZIP files, making it easy for developers to use in both Node.js and browser environments. Its design is user-friendly, especially for those familiar with JavaScript.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip is designed for simplicity, allowing developers to quickly read and write ZIP files with minimal setup. Its API is intuitive, making it easy to integrate into projects without a steep learning curve.

  • zip-a-folder:

    zip-a-folder is extremely easy to use, requiring just a few lines of code to zip entire folders, making it an excellent choice for developers who need quick and efficient solutions.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib has a more complex API due to its advanced features, but it is well-documented, allowing developers to leverage its capabilities effectively.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip is lightweight and easy to use, providing basic functionalities for ZIP file operations without unnecessary complexity. It is ideal for developers looking for quick solutions.

Compression Options

  • archiver:

    archiver provides various compression formats, including gzip and deflate, allowing developers to choose the best option for their use case. This flexibility is beneficial for optimizing file sizes.

  • jszip:

    jszip uses the standard DEFLATE algorithm for compression, which is effective for most use cases but does not offer alternative compression methods.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip supports standard ZIP compression but does not offer multiple compression algorithms, making it less flexible for specific performance needs.

  • zip-a-folder:

    zip-a-folder uses standard compression methods, focusing on ease of use rather than offering multiple options, which is sufficient for most general applications.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib supports various compression algorithms and allows for fine-tuning of compression levels, making it ideal for applications that require performance optimization.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip primarily supports standard ZIP compression without advanced options, making it suitable for basic needs but limiting for performance optimization.

Streaming Support

  • archiver:

    archiver excels in streaming support, allowing developers to pipe data directly to and from ZIP files. This is particularly useful for handling large datasets or files without consuming excessive memory.

  • jszip:

    jszip does not support streaming natively, focusing instead on in-memory operations, which may not be suitable for very large files.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip does not support streaming, which may limit its use for large files or when memory efficiency is a concern.

  • zip-a-folder:

    zip-a-folder does not provide streaming support, focusing instead on simplicity and ease of use for smaller tasks.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib supports streaming, making it suitable for applications that need to handle large files efficiently without loading everything into memory.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip lacks streaming capabilities, making it less efficient for large file operations compared to other libraries.

Performance

  • archiver:

    archiver is optimized for performance, especially with large files, thanks to its streaming capabilities and support for multiple compression formats.

  • jszip:

    jszip performs well for small to medium-sized files but can become slower with very large files due to its in-memory operations.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip is generally efficient for small to medium-sized ZIP files but may struggle with very large files due to its in-memory processing.

  • zip-a-folder:

    zip-a-folder is efficient for zipping folders quickly but may not handle large files as well as other libraries that support streaming.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib is designed for performance, particularly with large files, and offers features that help optimize processing speed.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip is lightweight and performs adequately for basic tasks, but it may not be the best choice for performance-critical applications.

Advanced Features

  • archiver:

    archiver includes advanced features like file streaming, multiple compression formats, and the ability to create ZIP files from streams, making it a versatile choice for complex applications.

  • jszip:

    jszip focuses on basic ZIP file manipulation without advanced features such as encryption or password protection, making it suitable for general use cases.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip offers basic functionalities without advanced features such as password protection or file encryption, making it less suitable for secure applications.

  • zip-a-folder:

    zip-a-folder is straightforward and lacks advanced features, focusing on ease of use rather than complexity.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib offers advanced features such as password protection, file streaming, and the ability to handle large files efficiently, making it a powerful choice for secure applications.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip provides basic ZIP functionalities without advanced features, limiting its use in more complex scenarios.

How to Choose: archiver vs jszip vs adm-zip vs zip-a-folder vs zip-lib vs node-zip
  • archiver:

    Select archiver if you require advanced features such as streaming support, multiple compression formats, and fine control over the output. It is ideal for creating large archives efficiently and supports various output streams.

  • jszip:

    Opt for jszip if you need a pure JavaScript solution for creating and reading ZIP files in the browser or Node.js. It is particularly useful for client-side applications where you want to manipulate ZIP files directly in the browser.

  • adm-zip:

    Choose adm-zip if you need a simple and straightforward solution for reading and writing ZIP files without additional dependencies. It is suitable for basic use cases and quick implementations.

  • zip-a-folder:

    Choose zip-a-folder if you need a straightforward way to zip entire directories with minimal configuration. It is particularly useful for packaging assets or backups quickly and efficiently.

  • zip-lib:

    Select zip-lib if you require a library with a focus on performance and advanced features like password protection and file streaming. It is suitable for applications that need to handle large files or complex ZIP structures.

  • node-zip:

    Use node-zip if you want a lightweight library that allows for simple ZIP file creation and extraction. It is easy to use and integrates well with other Node.js applications, making it a good choice for basic tasks.

README for archiver

Archiver

A streaming interface for archive generation

Visit the API documentation for a list of all methods available.

Install

npm install archiver --save

Quick Start

// require modules
const fs = require('fs');
const archiver = require('archiver');

// create a file to stream archive data to.
const output = fs.createWriteStream(__dirname + '/example.zip');
const archive = archiver('zip', {
  zlib: { level: 9 } // Sets the compression level.
});

// listen for all archive data to be written
// 'close' event is fired only when a file descriptor is involved
output.on('close', function() {
  console.log(archive.pointer() + ' total bytes');
  console.log('archiver has been finalized and the output file descriptor has closed.');
});

// This event is fired when the data source is drained no matter what was the data source.
// It is not part of this library but rather from the NodeJS Stream API.
// @see: https://nodejs.org/api/stream.html#stream_event_end
output.on('end', function() {
  console.log('Data has been drained');
});

// good practice to catch warnings (ie stat failures and other non-blocking errors)
archive.on('warning', function(err) {
  if (err.code === 'ENOENT') {
    // log warning
  } else {
    // throw error
    throw err;
  }
});

// good practice to catch this error explicitly
archive.on('error', function(err) {
  throw err;
});

// pipe archive data to the file
archive.pipe(output);

// append a file from stream
const file1 = __dirname + '/file1.txt';
archive.append(fs.createReadStream(file1), { name: 'file1.txt' });

// append a file from string
archive.append('string cheese!', { name: 'file2.txt' });

// append a file from buffer
const buffer3 = Buffer.from('buff it!');
archive.append(buffer3, { name: 'file3.txt' });

// append a file
archive.file('file1.txt', { name: 'file4.txt' });

// append files from a sub-directory and naming it `new-subdir` within the archive
archive.directory('subdir/', 'new-subdir');

// append files from a sub-directory, putting its contents at the root of archive
archive.directory('subdir/', false);

// append files from a glob pattern
archive.glob('file*.txt', {cwd:__dirname});

// finalize the archive (ie we are done appending files but streams have to finish yet)
// 'close', 'end' or 'finish' may be fired right after calling this method so register to them beforehand
archive.finalize();

Formats

Archiver ships with out of the box support for TAR and ZIP archives.

You can register additional formats with registerFormat.

You can check if format already exists before to register a new one with isRegisteredFormat.