archiver vs zip-stream vs jszip vs adm-zip vs yazl vs zip-lib
Node.js Zip Libraries Comparison
1 Year
archiverzip-streamjszipadm-zipyazlzip-libSimilar Packages:
What's Node.js Zip Libraries?

These libraries are designed for creating, reading, and manipulating ZIP files in Node.js applications. They provide various functionalities such as compression, extraction, and streaming of ZIP files, catering to different use cases and performance requirements. Each library has its own strengths, making them suitable for different scenarios in web development, such as file uploads, downloads, and data archiving.

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archiver5,005,8692,83943.1 kB14910 months agoMIT
zip-stream4,956,8001559.33 kB252 months agoMIT
jszip4,431,7029,851762 kB420-(MIT OR GPL-3.0-or-later)
adm-zip2,977,3752,067121 kB1404 months agoMIT
yazl381,66534358.7 kB19a month agoMIT
zip-lib23,8223250.6 kB22 months agoMIT
Feature Comparison: archiver vs zip-stream vs jszip vs adm-zip vs yazl vs zip-lib

Compression Options

  • archiver:

    archiver provides multiple compression methods, including gzip and deflate, allowing developers to choose the best option for their needs. This flexibility is beneficial for optimizing file sizes based on specific requirements.

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream uses the standard ZIP compression method and is optimized for streaming, allowing for efficient handling of large files without excessive memory usage.

  • jszip:

    jszip uses the standard DEFLATE compression algorithm and does not offer alternative methods. It focuses on compatibility and ease of use rather than extensive compression options.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip supports basic compression but does not offer advanced options. It uses standard ZIP compression, making it suitable for simple use cases where performance is not a critical factor.

  • yazl:

    yazl is designed for performance and uses the standard ZIP compression method. It is lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for applications where speed is essential.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib offers standard compression options and is designed for ease of use, making it a good choice for developers who want to quickly implement ZIP functionality without delving into complex configurations.

Streaming Support

  • archiver:

    archiver supports streaming, allowing developers to create ZIP files on-the-fly and send them directly to a response. This is particularly useful for web applications that need to handle large datasets efficiently.

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream is specifically designed for streaming ZIP files, making it ideal for server-side applications that need to handle large files without loading them entirely into memory.

  • jszip:

    jszip does not offer streaming capabilities as it is primarily designed for in-memory operations. It is best suited for smaller files or when working in the browser.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip does not support streaming, which can be a limitation for applications dealing with large files or requiring efficient memory usage.

  • yazl:

    yazl does not support streaming, focusing instead on fast ZIP file creation in memory. It is suitable for applications that can handle file sizes without streaming requirements.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib does not provide streaming support, making it less suitable for scenarios where large files need to be processed efficiently.

Ease of Use

  • archiver:

    archiver has a slightly steeper learning curve due to its more extensive features, but it is still user-friendly for those familiar with Node.js streams. It provides clear documentation to assist developers.

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream has a more complex API due to its streaming nature, which may require a bit more understanding of Node.js streams. However, it is well-documented for those who need to implement streaming ZIP functionality.

  • jszip:

    jszip offers a clean and intuitive API, making it easy to manipulate ZIP files in both Node.js and browser environments. Its documentation is comprehensive, aiding developers in implementation.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great choice for beginners or for quick tasks involving ZIP files. Its API is straightforward and requires minimal setup.

  • yazl:

    yazl is designed to be lightweight and easy to use, with a simple API for creating ZIP files. It is suitable for developers looking for a straightforward solution without unnecessary complexity.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib provides a user-friendly API that simplifies common ZIP operations, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels. Its documentation is clear and helpful for quick integration.

Performance

  • archiver:

    archiver is optimized for performance, especially when creating large ZIP files on-the-fly. It efficiently manages memory usage and is suitable for applications requiring high throughput.

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream is designed for performance when streaming large files, allowing for efficient handling of data without excessive memory consumption.

  • jszip:

    jszip performs well for small to medium-sized files but may not be the best choice for very large files due to its in-memory processing approach.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip is not optimized for performance with large files and may consume more memory than necessary, making it less suitable for high-performance applications.

  • yazl:

    yazl is highly efficient and optimized for performance, making it a great choice for applications that need to create ZIP files quickly without significant overhead.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib offers reasonable performance for general use cases, but it may not be as fast as specialized libraries like yazl or archiver for large files.

Documentation and Community Support

  • archiver:

    archiver has extensive documentation and a strong community, making it easy to find help and examples for various use cases. It is well-maintained and frequently updated.

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream has good documentation and an active community, making it easier for developers to implement streaming ZIP functionality and find solutions to common problems.

  • jszip:

    jszip has comprehensive documentation and a supportive community, making it easy for developers to find solutions and examples for manipulating ZIP files.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip has decent documentation, but the community support is limited compared to more popular libraries. It is suitable for simple tasks but may lack resources for complex issues.

  • yazl:

    yazl has good documentation, but its community support is smaller compared to more established libraries. It is suitable for straightforward use cases but may lack extensive resources for troubleshooting.

  • zip-lib:

    zip-lib offers clear documentation and examples, making it accessible for developers. Its community support is growing, providing helpful resources for common issues.

How to Choose: archiver vs zip-stream vs jszip vs adm-zip vs yazl vs zip-lib
  • archiver:

    Select archiver if you need a robust solution for creating ZIP files with streaming support and a variety of compression options. It is ideal for generating large ZIP files on-the-fly and supports multiple formats.

  • zip-stream:

    Opt for zip-stream if you need to stream ZIP files directly to a response, making it suitable for large files or when you want to avoid loading everything into memory. It is particularly useful for server-side applications.

  • jszip:

    Opt for jszip if you require a pure JavaScript solution that works in both Node.js and the browser. It is useful for manipulating ZIP files directly in the client-side code and offers a comprehensive API for file manipulation.

  • adm-zip:

    Choose adm-zip if you need a simple and straightforward library for basic ZIP file operations. It is easy to use for quick tasks like creating and extracting ZIP files without requiring complex configurations.

  • yazl:

    Choose yazl for a lightweight and efficient library focused on creating ZIP files. It is optimized for performance and is suitable for applications that require minimal overhead and fast ZIP file creation.

  • zip-lib:

    Select zip-lib if you need a library that supports both creating and extracting ZIP files with a focus on ease of use and flexibility. It provides a simple API for common tasks and is well-documented.

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.