bcryptjs vs bcrypt vs argon2 vs bcrypt-nodejs
Password Hashing Libraries Comparison
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What's Password Hashing Libraries?

Password hashing libraries are essential tools in web development for securely storing user passwords. They provide algorithms that transform plaintext passwords into hashed values, making it difficult for attackers to retrieve the original passwords even if they gain access to the database. Each library has its own strengths, weaknesses, and use cases, which can significantly impact the security and performance of an application. Choosing the right library is crucial for maintaining user trust and data integrity in any web application.

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bcryptjs2,614,9503,606112 kB288 days agoBSD-3-Clause
bcrypt1,968,3847,573111 kB492 years agoMIT
argon2372,5141,937866 kB36 months agoMIT
bcrypt-nodejs55,564---12 years ago-
Feature Comparison: bcryptjs vs bcrypt vs argon2 vs bcrypt-nodejs

Security Strength

  • bcryptjs:

    Bcryptjs is a pure JavaScript implementation of Bcrypt, providing similar security features. However, it may not be as fast as native implementations, which could be a concern for applications with high hashing demands.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt is a strong hashing algorithm that incorporates a work factor, allowing you to adjust the computational cost of hashing. While it is secure, it is not as resistant to modern attacks as Argon2, especially against brute-force attacks using specialized hardware.

  • argon2:

    Argon2 is considered the most secure password hashing algorithm as it won the Password Hashing Competition in 2015. It is designed to be resistant to various attack vectors, including GPU and ASIC attacks, and allows for customizable memory and time costs to enhance security.

  • bcrypt-nodejs:

    Bcrypt-nodejs offers the same security features as Bcrypt, but being a pure JavaScript implementation, it may not be as optimized for performance. It is still secure but may lag behind native implementations in speed.

Performance

  • bcryptjs:

    Bcryptjs, being a pure JavaScript implementation, is slower than native alternatives. It is suitable for smaller applications or those where performance is not the primary concern, but may struggle under high demand.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt is generally slower than other algorithms due to its computational cost, which is a feature designed to enhance security. However, its performance is adequate for most applications, and the work factor can be adjusted to balance security and performance.

  • argon2:

    Argon2 is designed for performance and can be tuned to use more memory and processing time, which can slow down brute-force attacks. However, this configurability means it can be optimized for different environments and use cases, potentially leading to better performance in secure applications.

  • bcrypt-nodejs:

    Bcrypt-nodejs may have performance issues compared to native Bcrypt implementations, as it is not optimized for speed. This can lead to slower hashing times, especially under heavy load or in high-traffic applications.

Ease of Use

  • bcryptjs:

    Bcryptjs is also easy to use and integrate, especially for projects that avoid native dependencies. Its simplicity makes it a good choice for developers looking for a lightweight solution.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt is easy to use with a simple API, and its widespread adoption means that many developers are familiar with it. It has extensive documentation and community support, making implementation straightforward.

  • argon2:

    Argon2 has a straightforward API, but its advanced features may require a deeper understanding of hashing parameters. It is well-documented, making it easier for developers to implement securely.

  • bcrypt-nodejs:

    Bcrypt-nodejs is easy to integrate due to its pure JavaScript nature, which eliminates the need for native bindings. However, it may require additional considerations for performance in production environments.

Community and Support

  • bcryptjs:

    Bcryptjs has a decent community and is well-documented, but it may not have the same level of support as Bcrypt. It is still a viable option for developers looking for a pure JavaScript solution.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt has a large community and extensive documentation, making it one of the most supported password hashing libraries available. There are numerous resources, tutorials, and community contributions that can help developers implement it effectively.

  • argon2:

    Argon2 is gaining popularity and has a growing community, but it may not have as extensive support as older libraries. Its modern approach means that resources and examples are increasing but may still be limited compared to more established libraries.

  • bcrypt-nodejs:

    Bcrypt-nodejs has a smaller community compared to Bcrypt, but it is still supported by many developers. However, resources and examples may not be as plentiful as those for Bcrypt.

Compatibility

  • bcryptjs:

    Bcryptjs is compatible with any JavaScript environment, including Node.js and browsers. Its pure JavaScript nature allows for easy integration without worrying about native dependencies.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt is widely compatible across different platforms and programming languages, making it a safe choice for most applications. It has been integrated into many frameworks and libraries, ensuring broad support.

  • argon2:

    Argon2 is compatible with modern environments and is supported by various programming languages. However, it may require additional libraries or dependencies in some cases, depending on the implementation.

  • bcrypt-nodejs:

    Bcrypt-nodejs is designed to work in environments where native bindings are not feasible, making it a good choice for JavaScript-only projects. However, its performance may vary depending on the environment.

How to Choose: bcryptjs vs bcrypt vs argon2 vs bcrypt-nodejs
  • bcryptjs:

    Choose Bcryptjs if you need a pure JavaScript implementation of Bcrypt that is lightweight and easy to integrate into your project. It is suitable for applications where you want to avoid native dependencies, but it may be slower than native alternatives.

  • bcrypt:

    Choose Bcrypt if you are looking for a widely adopted and well-tested solution that has been around for years. It is suitable for most applications and provides a good balance between security and performance, although it may not be as resistant to certain types of attacks as Argon2.

  • argon2:

    Choose Argon2 if you need the most secure and modern hashing algorithm available. It is designed to resist GPU-based attacks and is highly configurable, allowing you to adjust memory usage and execution time to balance security and performance.

  • bcrypt-nodejs:

    Choose Bcrypt-nodejs if you prefer a pure JavaScript implementation of Bcrypt that does not require native bindings, making it easier to use in environments where native compilation is not feasible. However, it may have performance drawbacks compared to native implementations.

Similar Npm Packages to bcryptjs

bcryptjs is a popular library for hashing passwords in JavaScript applications. It is a pure JavaScript implementation of the bcrypt hashing algorithm, which is widely used for securely storing passwords. bcryptjs allows developers to easily hash and compare passwords, providing a robust solution for user authentication. While bcryptjs is a solid choice for password hashing, there are several alternatives available in the ecosystem. Here are a few notable ones:

  • argon2 is a modern password hashing algorithm that is designed to be secure against various types of attacks, including GPU-based attacks. It is the winner of the Password Hashing Competition and offers features such as configurable memory and time cost, making it a highly adaptable option for different security needs. If you are looking for a cutting-edge solution for password hashing that prioritizes security and performance, argon2 is an excellent choice.
  • bcrypt is the original C implementation of the bcrypt hashing algorithm. It is widely used in many applications and offers a strong level of security for password storage. While it requires native bindings, it is known for its efficiency and performance. If you are comfortable with native modules and want to leverage the original implementation of bcrypt, this library is a great option.
  • bcrypt-nodejs is another JavaScript implementation of the bcrypt hashing algorithm. It is similar to bcryptjs but is designed to work without native bindings, making it easier to install and use in environments where native modules may pose challenges. While it may not be as actively maintained as other options, it can still serve as a viable alternative for password hashing in JavaScript applications.

For a comprehensive comparison of these libraries, check out the following link: Comparing argon2 vs bcrypt vs bcrypt-nodejs vs bcryptjs.

Similar Npm Packages to bcrypt

bcrypt is a popular library used for hashing passwords in Node.js applications. It provides a robust and secure way to store passwords by applying a hashing algorithm that makes it difficult for attackers to retrieve the original password, even if they gain access to the hashed values. The library is widely used in authentication systems to ensure that user credentials are stored securely.

While bcrypt is a reliable choice for password hashing, there are alternatives that developers might consider:

  • bcrypt-nodejs is a pure JavaScript implementation of the bcrypt password hashing function. It was created to provide a solution for environments where native bindings for bcrypt are not available. While it offers similar functionality, it may not be as performant as the original bcrypt library, especially in production environments. However, it can be a good choice for projects that require a purely JavaScript solution without the need for native compilation.

  • bcryptjs is another pure JavaScript implementation of bcrypt. It is designed to be lightweight and easy to use, making it a popular choice for developers who want to avoid the complexities of native bindings. bcryptjs provides a similar API to the original bcrypt library, allowing for seamless integration into existing projects. It is particularly useful in environments where native modules are not supported, such as serverless functions or certain frontend frameworks.

To see how bcrypt compares with bcrypt-nodejs and bcryptjs, check out the comparison: Comparing bcrypt vs bcrypt-nodejs vs bcryptjs.

Similar Npm Packages to argon2

argon2 is a modern password-hashing function that is designed to be secure against various types of attacks, including brute-force attacks and side-channel attacks. It is the winner of the Password Hashing Competition and is widely regarded as one of the best options for securely hashing passwords. Argon2 offers configurable parameters such as memory usage, time cost, and parallelism, allowing developers to tailor the hashing process to their specific security needs. Its resistance to GPU-based attacks and its ability to adapt to increasing hardware capabilities make it a strong choice for applications that prioritize security.

However, there are other well-established alternatives for password hashing that developers can consider:

  • bcrypt is one of the most popular password hashing libraries. It uses the Blowfish cipher and incorporates a work factor that can be adjusted to increase the computational cost of hashing, making it more resistant to brute-force attacks. Bcrypt has been around for a long time and is widely supported, making it a reliable choice for many applications. While it may not offer the same level of configurability as Argon2, its proven track record and ease of use make it a solid option for password hashing.

  • pbkdf2 (Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2) is another widely used password hashing function. It applies a pseudorandom function (such as HMAC) to the password along with a salt and iterates this process multiple times to produce a derived key. PBKDF2 is part of the RSA Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS) and is supported by many libraries and frameworks. While it is effective for password hashing, it may not be as resistant to certain types of attacks compared to Argon2 and bcrypt, particularly in terms of memory-hardness.

To explore how argon2 compares with bcrypt and pbkdf2, check out the comparison: Comparing argon2 vs bcrypt vs pbkdf2.

Similar Npm Packages to bcrypt-nodejs

bcrypt-nodejs is a library for hashing passwords in Node.js applications. It is a pure JavaScript implementation of the bcrypt hashing algorithm, which is widely used for securely storing passwords. While bcrypt-nodejs provides a straightforward way to hash and compare passwords, there are other libraries that offer similar functionalities. Here are a couple of alternatives:

  • bcrypt is a popular library that provides bindings to the native bcrypt library, offering better performance than pure JavaScript implementations. It is widely used in production applications for hashing passwords due to its speed and security features. bcrypt is ideal for developers who are looking for a robust and efficient solution for password hashing and are comfortable using native modules in their Node.js applications. It also includes features like salting and customizable hashing rounds, making it a comprehensive choice for password management.
  • bcryptjs is another pure JavaScript implementation of the bcrypt hashing algorithm. It is designed to be a lightweight alternative to bcrypt-nodejs and is compatible with both Node.js and browser environments. bcryptjs is a great choice for developers who prefer a pure JavaScript solution without the need for native bindings. It offers similar functionality to bcrypt-nodejs, making it easy to integrate into applications that require password hashing without the overhead of native dependencies.

For a detailed comparison of these libraries, check out the link: Comparing bcrypt vs bcrypt-nodejs vs bcryptjs.

README for bcryptjs

bcrypt.js

Optimized bcrypt in JavaScript with zero dependencies, with TypeScript support. Compatible to the C++ bcrypt binding on Node.js and also working in the browser.

Build Status Publish Status npm

Security considerations

Besides incorporating a salt to protect against rainbow table attacks, bcrypt is an adaptive function: over time, the iteration count can be increased to make it slower, so it remains resistant to brute-force search attacks even with increasing computation power. (see)

While bcrypt.js is compatible to the C++ bcrypt binding, it is written in pure JavaScript and thus slower (about 30%), effectively reducing the number of iterations that can be processed in an equal time span.

The maximum input length is 72 bytes (note that UTF-8 encoded characters use up to 4 bytes) and the length of generated hashes is 60 characters. Note that maximum input length is not implicitly checked by the library for compatibility with the C++ binding on Node.js, but should be checked with bcrypt.truncates(password) where necessary.

Usage

The package exports an ECMAScript module with an UMD fallback.

$> npm install bcryptjs

import bcrypt from "bcryptjs";

Usage with a CDN

  • From GitHub via jsDelivr:
    https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/dcodeIO/bcrypt.js@TAG/index.js (ESM)
  • From npm via jsDelivr:
    https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bcryptjs@VERSION/index.js (ESM)
    https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bcryptjs@VERSION/umd/index.js (UMD)
  • From npm via unpkg:
    https://unpkg.com/bcryptjs@VERSION/index.js (ESM)
    https://unpkg.com/bcryptjs@VERSION/umd/index.js (UMD)

Replace TAG respectively VERSION with a specific version or omit it (not recommended in production) to use latest.

When using the ESM variant in a browser, the crypto import needs to be stubbed out, for example using an import map. Bundlers should omit it automatically.

Usage - Sync

To hash a password:

const salt = bcrypt.genSaltSync(10);
const hash = bcrypt.hashSync("B4c0/\/", salt);
// Store hash in your password DB

To check a password:

// Load hash from your password DB
bcrypt.compareSync("B4c0/\/", hash); // true
bcrypt.compareSync("not_bacon", hash); // false

Auto-gen a salt and hash:

const hash = bcrypt.hashSync("bacon", 10);

Usage - Async

To hash a password:

const salt = await bcrypt.genSalt(10);
const hash = await bcrypt.hash("B4c0/\/", salt);
// Store hash in your password DB

bcrypt.genSalt(10, (err, salt) => {
  bcrypt.hash("B4c0/\/", salt, function (err, hash) {
    // Store hash in your password DB
  });
});

To check a password:

// Load hash from your password DB
await bcrypt.compare("B4c0/\/", hash); // true
await bcrypt.compare("not_bacon", hash); // false

// Load hash from your password DB
bcrypt.compare("B4c0/\/", hash, (err, res) => {
  // res === true
});
bcrypt.compare("not_bacon", hash, (err, res) => {
  // res === false
});

Auto-gen a salt and hash:

await bcrypt.hash("B4c0/\/", 10);
// Store hash in your password DB

bcrypt.hash("B4c0/\/", 10, (err, hash) => {
  // Store hash in your password DB
});

Note: Under the hood, asynchronous APIs split an operation into small chunks. After the completion of a chunk, the execution of the next chunk is placed on the back of the JS event queue, efficiently yielding for other computation to execute.

Usage - Command Line

Usage: bcrypt <input> [rounds|salt]

API

Callback types

  • Callback<T>: (err: Error | null, result?: T) => void
    Called with an error on failure or a value of type T upon success.

  • ProgressCallback: (percentage: number) => void
    Called with the percentage of rounds completed (0.0 - 1.0), maximally once per MAX_EXECUTION_TIME = 100 ms.

  • RandomFallback: (length: number) => number[]
    Called to obtain random bytes when both Web Crypto API and Node.js crypto are not available.

Functions

  • bcrypt.genSaltSync(rounds?: number): string
    Synchronously generates a salt. Number of rounds defaults to 10 when omitted.

  • bcrypt.genSalt(rounds?: number): Promise<string>
    Asynchronously generates a salt. Number of rounds defaults to 10 when omitted.

  • bcrypt.genSalt([rounds: number, ]callback: Callback<string>): void
    Asynchronously generates a salt. Number of rounds defaults to 10 when omitted.

  • bcrypt.truncates(password: string): boolean
    Tests if a password will be truncated when hashed, that is its length is greater than 72 bytes when converted to UTF-8.

  • bcrypt.hashSync(password: string, salt?: number | string): string Synchronously generates a hash for the given password. Number of rounds defaults to 10 when omitted.

  • bcrypt.hash(password: string, salt: number | string): Promise<string>
    Asynchronously generates a hash for the given password.

  • bcrypt.hash(password: string, salt: number | string, callback: Callback<string>, progressCallback?: ProgressCallback): void
    Asynchronously generates a hash for the given password.

  • bcrypt.compareSync(password: string, hash: string): boolean
    Synchronously tests a password against a hash.

  • bcrypt.compare(password: string, hash: string): Promise<boolean>
    Asynchronously compares a password against a hash.

  • bcrypt.compare(password: string, hash: string, callback: Callback<boolean>, progressCallback?: ProgressCallback)
    Asynchronously compares a password against a hash.

  • bcrypt.getRounds(hash: string): number
    Gets the number of rounds used to encrypt the specified hash.

  • bcrypt.getSalt(hash: string): string
    Gets the salt portion from a hash. Does not validate the hash.

  • bcrypt.setRandomFallback(random: RandomFallback): void
    Sets the pseudo random number generator to use as a fallback if neither Web Crypto API nor Node.js crypto are available. Please note: It is highly important that the PRNG used is cryptographically secure and that it is seeded properly!

Building

Building the UMD fallback:

$> npm run build

Running the tests:

$> npm test

Credits

Based on work started by Shane Girish at bcrypt-nodejs, which is itself based on javascript-bcrypt (New BSD-licensed).

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