Base64 Encoding/Decoding Libraries Comparison
base64-js vs atob vs js-base64 vs btoa
1 Year
base64-jsatobjs-base64btoaSimilar Packages:
What's Base64 Encoding/Decoding Libraries?

Base64 encoding and decoding libraries are essential tools in web development for converting binary data into a text format that can be easily transmitted over media that are designed to deal with textual data. These libraries provide methods to encode and decode data, making it suitable for data transfer in various contexts such as HTTP headers, email attachments, and data URIs. They help ensure that binary data remains intact without modification during transport, which is crucial for web applications that handle images, files, or any binary data.

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base64-js43,298,3398699.62 kB54 years agoMIT
atob12,459,081---6 years ago(MIT OR Apache-2.0)
js-base645,479,1894,28138.6 kB910 months agoBSD-3-Clause
btoa3,734,624---7 years ago(MIT OR Apache-2.0)
Feature Comparison: base64-js vs atob vs js-base64 vs btoa

Encoding/Decoding Support

  • base64-js:

    base64-js offers robust support for encoding and decoding binary data, including ArrayBuffers and Uint8Arrays, making it suitable for applications that require handling binary formats.

  • atob:

    atob provides a simple way to decode Base64 encoded strings, but it is limited to UTF-16 encoded strings and may not handle binary data effectively.

  • js-base64:

    js-base64 supports both encoding and decoding of Base64 strings, including UTF-8 strings, providing a more comprehensive solution for various data types.

  • btoa:

    btoa is a straightforward method for encoding strings to Base64, but it only supports ASCII characters, which can lead to issues with non-ASCII input.

Browser Compatibility

  • base64-js:

    base64-js is a standalone library that works in both Node.js and browser environments, ensuring compatibility across different platforms.

  • atob:

    atob is a native function available in most modern browsers, making it widely compatible, but it may not work in older browsers or non-browser environments.

  • js-base64:

    js-base64 is designed for cross-platform compatibility, working seamlessly in both Node.js and browser environments.

  • btoa:

    btoa is also a native function in browsers, but like atob, it may not be supported in older browsers or non-browser contexts.

Performance

  • base64-js:

    base64-js is lightweight and efficient, designed specifically for performance when dealing with binary data, making it a good choice for performance-critical applications.

  • atob:

    atob is optimized for performance as a built-in browser function, but its limitations in handling binary data can affect overall performance in certain scenarios.

  • js-base64:

    js-base64 is efficient and performs well for both encoding and decoding operations, making it suitable for applications that require frequent Base64 transformations.

  • btoa:

    btoa is fast for encoding ASCII strings, but its performance can degrade with non-ASCII characters due to the need for error handling.

Ease of Use

  • base64-js:

    base64-js provides a straightforward API for encoding and decoding, making it user-friendly for developers working with binary data.

  • atob:

    atob is very easy to use for simple decoding tasks, but its limitations may require additional handling for binary data.

  • js-base64:

    js-base64 offers a comprehensive API that is easy to use for both encoding and decoding, making it a flexible choice for various use cases.

  • btoa:

    btoa is simple to use for encoding strings, but its ASCII limitation may complicate usage for non-ASCII data.

Error Handling

  • base64-js:

    base64-js includes error handling for invalid Base64 strings, making it more robust for production use.

  • atob:

    atob does not provide built-in error handling for invalid input, which can lead to runtime exceptions if the input is not properly formatted.

  • js-base64:

    js-base64 provides error handling for both encoding and decoding processes, ensuring that invalid inputs are managed gracefully.

  • btoa:

    btoa throws an error if the input contains characters outside the ASCII range, requiring additional handling for non-ASCII data.

How to Choose: base64-js vs atob vs js-base64 vs btoa
  • base64-js:

    Select base64-js for a lightweight, efficient library that provides both encoding and decoding of Base64 data with support for binary data, making it ideal for handling ArrayBuffers and Uint8Arrays.

  • atob:

    Choose atob if you need a simple, built-in method for decoding Base64 strings in browsers, but note that it only works with UTF-16 encoded strings and may not handle binary data well.

  • js-base64:

    Opt for js-base64 when you need a versatile library that supports both encoding and decoding, handles UTF-8 strings, and is compatible with both Node.js and browsers, making it ideal for cross-platform applications.

  • btoa:

    Use btoa for a straightforward, built-in function to encode strings to Base64 in browsers. However, it is limited to ASCII characters and may throw errors with non-ASCII input.

README for base64-js

base64-js

base64-js does basic base64 encoding/decoding in pure JS.

build status

Many browsers already have base64 encoding/decoding functionality, but it is for text data, not all-purpose binary data.

Sometimes encoding/decoding binary data in the browser is useful, and that is what this module does.

install

With npm do:

npm install base64-js and var base64js = require('base64-js')

For use in web browsers do:

<script src="base64js.min.js"></script>

Get supported base64-js with the Tidelift Subscription

methods

base64js has three exposed functions, byteLength, toByteArray and fromByteArray, which both take a single argument.

  • byteLength - Takes a base64 string and returns length of byte array
  • toByteArray - Takes a base64 string and returns a byte array
  • fromByteArray - Takes a byte array and returns a base64 string

license

MIT