Base64 Encoding Libraries Comparison
base64-js vs js-base64 vs btoa vs base-64
1 Year
base64-jsjs-base64btoabase-64Similar Packages:
What's Base64 Encoding Libraries?

Base64 encoding libraries are essential in web development for encoding binary data into ASCII string format, which is useful for data transmission over media that are designed to deal with textual data. These libraries facilitate the encoding and decoding process, ensuring that binary data can be safely transmitted over protocols that may not support raw binary data. Each library offers unique features, performance characteristics, and compatibility options, making them suitable for various use cases in web applications.

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base64-js43,294,6098699.62 kB54 years agoMIT
js-base645,450,8964,28138.6 kB910 months agoBSD-3-Clause
btoa3,717,743---7 years ago(MIT OR Apache-2.0)
base-642,644,727514-124 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: base64-js vs js-base64 vs btoa vs base-64

Encoding and Decoding

  • base64-js:

    Base64-js focuses on encoding and decoding ArrayBuffer objects efficiently. It is optimized for performance, particularly for applications that require handling large binary data, such as images or files.

  • js-base64:

    Js-base64 offers a robust API for encoding and decoding both strings and binary data. It supports URL-safe Base64 encoding, making it suitable for web applications that need to transmit data safely.

  • btoa:

    Btoa is a native JavaScript function that encodes a string to Base64. It is limited to ASCII characters and does not handle binary data directly, making it less versatile for complex encoding needs.

  • base-64:

    Base-64 provides a simple API for encoding and decoding strings into Base64 format. It is designed for straightforward use cases where minimal overhead is desired, making it suitable for quick encoding tasks.

Performance

  • base64-js:

    Base64-js is optimized for performance, especially with large binary data. It minimizes memory usage and processing time, making it ideal for applications that require high efficiency.

  • js-base64:

    Js-base64 balances performance and functionality, providing good speed for both small and large data sets while offering additional features.

  • btoa:

    Btoa is efficient for small strings but can become a bottleneck for larger data due to its limitations in handling non-ASCII characters.

  • base-64:

    Base-64 is lightweight and performs well for basic encoding and decoding tasks. However, it may not be the best choice for large binary data due to its simplicity.

Browser Compatibility

  • base64-js:

    Base64-js is designed for modern JavaScript environments and may not support older browsers without polyfills, but it is widely compatible with current standards.

  • js-base64:

    Js-base64 is compatible with both Node.js and browsers, providing a consistent API across different environments.

  • btoa:

    Btoa is a built-in function in browsers, making it highly compatible. However, it is not available in Node.js, limiting its use to client-side applications.

  • base-64:

    Base-64 works seamlessly in both Node.js and browser environments, making it a versatile choice for web applications.

Ease of Use

  • base64-js:

    Base64-js requires a bit more understanding of ArrayBuffer and typed arrays, which may introduce a learning curve for beginners.

  • js-base64:

    Js-base64 provides a user-friendly API with comprehensive documentation, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.

  • btoa:

    Btoa is straightforward to use for basic string encoding, but its limitations can lead to confusion when dealing with binary data.

  • base-64:

    Base-64 offers a simple API that is easy to use for developers looking for quick encoding solutions without complex configurations.

Additional Features

  • base64-js:

    Base64-js is specialized for binary data and does not provide additional features beyond its core functionality.

  • js-base64:

    Js-base64 includes features like URL-safe encoding and supports both binary and string data, making it a more versatile choice for complex applications.

  • btoa:

    Btoa is limited to basic string encoding without any additional features, making it suitable for simple use cases only.

  • base-64:

    Base-64 focuses primarily on encoding and decoding, lacking advanced features such as URL-safe encoding or handling binary data directly.

How to Choose: base64-js vs js-base64 vs btoa vs base-64
  • base64-js:

    Select base64-js if you are working with ArrayBuffer and need efficient encoding and decoding of binary data. It is optimized for performance and is particularly useful in applications that handle large binary data.

  • js-base64:

    Opt for js-base64 when you need a comprehensive solution that supports both encoding and decoding of strings and binary data, with additional features like URL-safe encoding. It is versatile and works in both Node.js and browser environments.

  • btoa:

    Use btoa if you are looking for a built-in browser function for encoding strings to Base64. It is simple to use for small strings but limited to ASCII characters, making it less suitable for binary data.

  • base-64:

    Choose base-64 for a lightweight and straightforward solution that works well in both Node.js and browser environments. It is ideal for simple encoding and decoding tasks without additional dependencies.

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