Node.js Zip Libraries Comparison
zip-stream vs jszip vs adm-zip vs node-zip
1 Year
zip-streamjszipadm-zipnode-zipSimilar Packages:
What's Node.js Zip Libraries?

Node.js zip libraries are essential tools for handling zip file creation, extraction, and manipulation in server-side applications. They provide developers with the ability to compress files for storage or transmission, as well as to extract and read files from existing zip archives. These libraries vary in features, performance, and ease of use, making it important to choose the right one based on specific project requirements. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each library can significantly enhance the efficiency and maintainability of your code when dealing with zip files.

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zip-stream6,931,7021559.33 kB252 months agoMIT
jszip6,152,5649,847762 kB420-(MIT OR GPL-3.0-or-later)
adm-zip3,977,4762,067121 kB1404 months agoMIT
node-zip58,286217-2010 years ago-
Feature Comparison: zip-stream vs jszip vs adm-zip vs node-zip

Ease of Use

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream is designed for streaming zip file creation, which can be less intuitive for beginners. However, once understood, it provides powerful capabilities for handling large data efficiently.

  • jszip:

    jszip has a slightly steeper learning curve due to its extensive feature set, but it offers comprehensive documentation and examples that help ease the learning process. It supports both synchronous and asynchronous operations, catering to various use cases.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip is known for its straightforward API, making it easy for developers to quickly implement zip file operations without extensive configuration. Its methods are intuitive, allowing for rapid development and prototyping.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip provides a simple interface for basic zip operations, but it may not be as user-friendly as adm-zip for more complex tasks. Its minimalistic approach can be beneficial for straightforward applications.

Performance

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream excels in performance, especially for large files or when generating zip files on-the-fly. Its streaming capabilities allow for efficient memory usage and faster processing, making it ideal for high-performance applications.

  • jszip:

    jszip is optimized for performance and can handle large files efficiently. It supports streaming, which allows for better memory management and faster processing times, making it a preferred choice for applications dealing with large datasets.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip is suitable for smaller files and quick operations, but it may not perform as well with large datasets due to its in-memory processing. This can lead to increased memory usage and slower performance when handling large zip files.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip is lightweight and performs adequately for basic zip operations, but it may struggle with larger files or complex zip structures due to its limited feature set.

Feature Set

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream is designed for creating zip files on-the-fly and supports streaming, which is a significant advantage for applications that need to generate large zip files dynamically. However, it may not offer as many features for reading existing zip files.

  • jszip:

    jszip boasts a rich feature set, including support for various compression methods, password protection, and the ability to read and write zip files in both synchronous and asynchronous modes. This makes it highly versatile for complex applications.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip offers basic zip file creation and extraction functionalities, but it lacks advanced features like streaming or password protection. It's best suited for simple use cases where these features are not required.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip focuses on essential zip functionalities, providing a minimal feature set that may be sufficient for basic projects but lacks advanced capabilities like streaming or encryption.

Documentation and Community Support

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream has good documentation, but its community is smaller. While it provides essential examples, developers may find fewer resources compared to more popular libraries.

  • jszip:

    jszip has extensive documentation and a large community, making it easier to find resources, examples, and support. This is beneficial for developers looking for guidance or troubleshooting assistance.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip has decent documentation, but the community support is relatively smaller compared to other libraries. This might make finding solutions to specific issues more challenging.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip has limited documentation and community support, which can be a drawback for developers needing help or examples. Its simplicity may mitigate this issue for straightforward use cases.

Use Case Suitability

  • zip-stream:

    zip-stream is perfect for applications that need to create zip files dynamically, especially when dealing with large datasets or streaming data. It's well-suited for server-side applications that require efficient zip file generation.

  • jszip:

    jszip is highly suitable for applications that need advanced zip functionalities, including handling large files, password protection, and streaming. It's a great choice for web applications that require dynamic zip file creation and manipulation.

  • adm-zip:

    adm-zip is best suited for small to medium-sized projects where quick and simple zip operations are needed without complex requirements. It's ideal for applications that do not require extensive zip manipulation.

  • node-zip:

    node-zip is appropriate for lightweight applications that require basic zip functionalities without the need for advanced features. It's ideal for simple file compression tasks.

How to Choose: zip-stream vs jszip vs adm-zip vs node-zip
  • zip-stream:

    Opt for zip-stream if you need to create zip files on-the-fly, especially for large datasets or when streaming data. It's designed for performance and efficiency, making it a great choice for applications that require dynamic zip file generation.

  • jszip:

    Select jszip if you need a robust and versatile library that supports a wide range of zip file features, including streaming and large file handling. It's ideal for applications requiring extensive zip manipulation and is well-documented, making it a good choice for both beginners and experienced developers.

  • adm-zip:

    Choose adm-zip for its simplicity and ease of use, especially if you need a quick solution for basic zip file operations without complex requirements. It's suitable for small to medium-sized projects where performance is not a critical concern.

  • node-zip:

    Use node-zip for a lightweight solution that focuses on basic zip file creation and extraction. It's suitable for projects where minimalism is key, but it may lack some advanced features found in other libraries.

README for zip-stream

ZipStream

zip-stream is a streaming zip archive generator based on the ZipArchiveOutputStream prototype found in the compress-commons project.

It was originally created to be a successor to zipstream.

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

Install

npm install zip-stream --save

You can also use npm install https://github.com/archiverjs/node-zip-stream/archive/master.tar.gz to test upcoming versions.

Usage

This module is meant to be wrapped internally by other modules and therefore lacks any queue management. This means you have to wait until the previous entry has been fully consumed to add another. Nested callbacks should be used to add multiple entries. There are modules like async that ease the so called "callback hell".

If you want a module that handles entry queueing and much more, you should check out archiver which uses this module internally.

import { ZipStream } from "zip-stream":
const archive = new ZipStream(); // OR new ZipStream(options)

archive.on("error", function (err) {
  throw err;
});

// pipe archive where you want it (ie fs, http, etc)
// listen to the destination's end, close, or finish event

archive.entry("string contents", { name: "string.txt" }, function (err, entry) {
  if (err) throw err;
  archive.entry(null, { name: "directory/" }, function (err, entry) {
    if (err) throw err;
    archive.finish();
  });
});

Credits

Concept inspired by Antoine van Wel's zipstream module, which is no longer being updated.