pbkdf2 vs crypto-js vs bcrypt vs scrypt-js
Password Hashing and Encryption Libraries Comparison
1 Year
pbkdf2crypto-jsbcryptscrypt-jsSimilar Packages:
What's Password Hashing and Encryption Libraries?

Password hashing and encryption libraries provide developers with tools to securely handle sensitive information such as passwords and data encryption. These libraries implement various cryptographic algorithms to ensure data integrity and confidentiality. Utilizing these libraries is essential for protecting user credentials and sensitive data against unauthorized access and breaches. Each library offers unique features and use cases, making it crucial for developers to choose the right one based on their specific needs and security requirements.

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pbkdf29,123,372193-244 years agoMIT
crypto-js8,470,19016,018487 kB274a year agoMIT
bcrypt2,012,6397,574111 kB492 years agoMIT
scrypt-js1,115,807142-125 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: pbkdf2 vs crypto-js vs bcrypt vs scrypt-js

Hashing Algorithm

  • pbkdf2:

    PBKDF2 is a key derivation function that applies a pseudorandom function to the input password along with a salt and iterates the process to produce a derived key. This makes it suitable for securely storing passwords.

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-js provides a variety of hashing algorithms, including SHA-1, SHA-256, and HMAC, allowing developers to choose the best fit for their needs. However, it does not focus specifically on password hashing.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt uses a strong adaptive hashing algorithm that incorporates a salt to protect against rainbow table attacks. It is designed to be computationally intensive, making brute-force attacks more difficult.

  • scrypt-js:

    Scrypt is designed to be memory-intensive, making it difficult for attackers to use specialized hardware to crack passwords. It combines both CPU and memory hardness, providing a high level of security.

Performance

  • pbkdf2:

    PBKDF2 performance can be tuned by adjusting the iteration count, allowing developers to balance security and speed based on their application's requirements. Higher iterations increase security but also slow down the process.

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-js is lightweight and optimized for performance, making it suitable for applications that require fast encryption and hashing without heavy computational overhead.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt is slower than many other hashing algorithms by design, which enhances security but may impact performance for high-volume applications. It is recommended to balance security and performance based on the application's needs.

  • scrypt-js:

    Scrypt-js is more resource-intensive than bcrypt and PBKDF2 due to its memory-hard nature, which can impact performance but significantly increases resistance to brute-force attacks.

Ease of Use

  • pbkdf2:

    PBKDF2 has a clear API for key derivation, making it easy to use for developers who need to securely store passwords or derive keys from them.

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-js offers a flexible API that can be slightly more complex due to its support for multiple algorithms, but it is still manageable for developers familiar with cryptography.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt is straightforward to implement with simple APIs for hashing and verifying passwords, making it user-friendly for developers.

  • scrypt-js:

    Scrypt-js has a more complex setup compared to bcrypt, as it requires more parameters to be configured, which may pose a learning curve for new users.

Security Features

  • pbkdf2:

    PBKDF2's strength lies in its ability to use a salt and a configurable number of iterations, which enhances security against brute-force attacks.

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-js supports various encryption modes and padding schemes, allowing developers to implement secure encryption practices, but it requires careful configuration to avoid vulnerabilities.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt automatically handles salting and includes a cost factor to adjust the hashing complexity, providing strong security against various attack vectors.

  • scrypt-js:

    Scrypt-js is designed to be resistant to hardware attacks by requiring significant memory resources, making it a strong choice for secure password hashing.

Community and Support

  • pbkdf2:

    PBKDF2 is a well-established standard with solid community backing, and many libraries implement it, ensuring good support and resources.

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-js is widely used and has a good amount of community support, although its documentation may not be as comprehensive as others.

  • bcrypt:

    Bcrypt has a large community and extensive documentation, making it easy to find resources and support for implementation.

  • scrypt-js:

    Scrypt-js has a smaller community compared to bcrypt, but it is gaining traction due to its unique security features, and resources are available for developers.

How to Choose: pbkdf2 vs crypto-js vs bcrypt vs scrypt-js
  • pbkdf2:

    Opt for pbkdf2 if you want a password-based key derivation function that is highly configurable, allowing you to adjust iterations and output length for enhanced security. It is suitable for applications that need to derive cryptographic keys from passwords.

  • crypto-js:

    Select crypto-js if you require a versatile library for both encryption and hashing that supports multiple algorithms (e.g., AES, SHA-1, SHA-256). It is ideal for applications needing lightweight encryption for data transmission or storage.

  • bcrypt:

    Choose bcrypt if you need a widely adopted and robust password hashing solution that automatically handles salting and is designed to be slow to resist brute-force attacks. It is particularly suitable for applications where password security is paramount.

  • scrypt-js:

    Choose scrypt-js if you need a password hashing function that is memory-hard, making it resistant to GPU-based attacks. It is particularly useful for applications where high security against brute-force attacks is essential.

README for pbkdf2

pbkdf2

NPM Package Build Status Dependency status

js-standard-style

This library provides the functionality of PBKDF2 with the ability to use any supported hashing algorithm returned from crypto.getHashes()

Usage

var pbkdf2 = require('pbkdf2')
var derivedKey = pbkdf2.pbkdf2Sync('password', 'salt', 1, 32, 'sha512')

...

For more information on the API, please see the relevant Node documentation.

For high performance, use the async variant (pbkdf2.pbkdf2), not pbkdf2.pbkdf2Sync, this variant has the oppurtunity to use window.crypto.subtle when browserified.

Credits

This module is a derivative of cryptocoinjs/pbkdf2-sha256, so thanks to JP Richardson for laying the ground work.

Thank you to FangDun Cai for donating the package name on npm, if you're looking for his previous module it is located at fundon/pbkdf2.