Which is Better Rate Limiting Libraries for Node.js?
p-limit vs limiter vs bottleneck vs express-rate-limit vs rate-limiter-flexible vs ratelimiter
1 Year
p-limitlimiterbottleneckexpress-rate-limitrate-limiter-flexibleratelimiterSimilar Packages:
What's Rate Limiting Libraries for Node.js?

Rate limiting libraries are essential tools in web development that help control the amount of incoming requests to a server or service. They prevent abuse by limiting the number of requests a user can make in a given timeframe, thus protecting resources and ensuring fair usage. These libraries can be used to implement various strategies for rate limiting, such as fixed window, sliding window, token bucket, and leaky bucket algorithms, each suited for different use cases and performance requirements.

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p-limit139,524,2582,0428.23 kB75 months agoMIT
limiter6,537,7361,510-204 years agoMIT
bottleneck3,630,6361,836-865 years agoMIT
express-rate-limit1,341,8882,920117 kB52 months agoMIT
rate-limiter-flexible730,1313,077141 kB19a month agoISC
ratelimiter412,160719-105 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: p-limit vs limiter vs bottleneck vs express-rate-limit vs rate-limiter-flexible vs ratelimiter

Configuration Flexibility

  • p-limit: p-limit allows you to set the maximum number of concurrent promises, providing a straightforward way to manage asynchronous operations, but does not offer extensive configuration options beyond concurrency limits.
  • limiter: Limiter has minimal configuration options, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. It is suitable for projects that do not require advanced settings or custom behaviors.
  • bottleneck: Bottleneck offers extensive configuration options, allowing developers to customize limits based on various criteria such as user ID, request type, or time intervals. This flexibility makes it suitable for applications with diverse rate limiting needs.
  • express-rate-limit: express-rate-limit provides basic configuration options such as windowMs and max, but is less flexible compared to Bottleneck. It is designed for straightforward use cases where complex configurations are not necessary.
  • rate-limiter-flexible: rate-limiter-flexible provides a wide range of configuration options, including different rate limiting strategies and the ability to set limits based on various criteria. This makes it highly adaptable to different use cases.
  • ratelimiter: ratelimiter offers basic configuration options, making it easy to set up but lacking the advanced flexibility found in more complex libraries.

Integration with Frameworks

  • p-limit: p-limit is a standalone utility that can be used in any JavaScript environment, making it versatile for various applications, but it does not provide framework-specific features.
  • limiter: Limiter is framework-agnostic and can be used in any Node.js application, but it does not offer specific integrations with popular frameworks.
  • bottleneck: Bottleneck can be integrated into various frameworks and libraries, making it versatile for different types of applications beyond just web servers, including background jobs and API clients.
  • express-rate-limit: express-rate-limit is specifically designed for Express.js applications, providing seamless integration as middleware, which simplifies implementation for Express developers.
  • rate-limiter-flexible: rate-limiter-flexible can be integrated with various Node.js frameworks and supports multiple storage backends, making it suitable for complex applications that require flexibility in implementation.
  • ratelimiter: ratelimiter is a simple library that can be used in any Node.js application but does not provide specific integrations with frameworks.

Performance

  • p-limit: p-limit is designed to manage concurrency effectively, ensuring that performance remains optimal even when limiting the number of concurrent operations.
  • limiter: Limiter is lightweight and performs well for simple rate limiting tasks, making it suitable for applications with low to moderate traffic.
  • bottleneck: Bottleneck is optimized for performance, allowing for efficient management of concurrent requests and minimizing the overhead associated with rate limiting. It is suitable for high-throughput applications.
  • express-rate-limit: express-rate-limit is efficient for basic rate limiting needs but may introduce some overhead in high-traffic applications due to its middleware nature.
  • rate-limiter-flexible: rate-limiter-flexible is designed for high performance and can handle large volumes of requests efficiently, especially when using Redis or other optimized storage backends.
  • ratelimiter: ratelimiter is simple and performs adequately for basic rate limiting tasks, but may not be suitable for high-performance applications.

Use Cases

  • p-limit: p-limit is perfect for managing concurrent asynchronous operations, such as making multiple API calls or processing large datasets without overwhelming the server.
  • limiter: Limiter is suitable for simple applications that require basic rate limiting without additional features, such as limiting requests to a single endpoint.
  • bottleneck: Bottleneck is ideal for applications that require complex rate limiting scenarios, such as API clients that need to respect rate limits imposed by third-party services while managing multiple requests concurrently.
  • express-rate-limit: express-rate-limit is best suited for web applications that need to limit requests from users to prevent abuse, such as login attempts or API calls.
  • rate-limiter-flexible: rate-limiter-flexible is designed for applications with complex rate limiting needs, such as e-commerce platforms or social media applications that require dynamic rate limits based on user behavior.
  • ratelimiter: ratelimiter is suitable for applications that require basic rate limiting without the need for advanced features or configurations.

Learning Curve

  • p-limit: p-limit has a simple API, making it easy to learn for developers familiar with promises and asynchronous programming in JavaScript.
  • limiter: Limiter is straightforward and easy to understand, making it suitable for developers who need quick implementation without complex configurations.
  • bottleneck: Bottleneck has a moderate learning curve due to its extensive features and configuration options, but it provides detailed documentation to assist developers.
  • express-rate-limit: express-rate-limit is easy to learn and implement, especially for developers familiar with Express.js, making it a great choice for beginners.
  • rate-limiter-flexible: rate-limiter-flexible has a steeper learning curve due to its advanced features and configurations, but it offers comprehensive documentation to help users understand its capabilities.
  • ratelimiter: ratelimiter is simple to use, with a low learning curve, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.
How to Choose: p-limit vs limiter vs bottleneck vs express-rate-limit vs rate-limiter-flexible vs ratelimiter
  • p-limit: Use p-limit when you need to limit the number of concurrent promises in your application. This is particularly useful for managing asynchronous operations and ensuring that your application does not overwhelm resources with too many simultaneous requests.
  • limiter: Opt for Limiter if you require a lightweight solution that provides basic rate limiting features without additional dependencies. It is suitable for applications that need minimal setup and straightforward functionality.
  • bottleneck: Choose Bottleneck if you need a highly configurable and flexible rate limiter that allows for complex scheduling and prioritization of tasks. It is ideal for managing concurrent requests and can handle both rate limiting and queuing effectively.
  • express-rate-limit: Select express-rate-limit if you are building an Express.js application and need a straightforward middleware solution for basic rate limiting. It is easy to set up and integrates seamlessly with Express, making it suitable for simple use cases.
  • rate-limiter-flexible: Choose rate-limiter-flexible if you need a powerful and flexible rate limiting solution that supports various storage backends (like Redis, MongoDB, etc.) and advanced features such as different rate limiting strategies and dynamic limits. It is ideal for applications with complex rate limiting requirements.
  • ratelimiter: Select ratelimiter for a simple and effective rate limiting solution that is easy to implement. It is suitable for applications that require basic rate limiting without the overhead of more complex libraries.
README for p-limit

p-limit

Run multiple promise-returning & async functions with limited concurrency

Works in Node.js and browsers.

Install

npm install p-limit

Usage

import pLimit from 'p-limit';

const limit = pLimit(1);

const input = [
	limit(() => fetchSomething('foo')),
	limit(() => fetchSomething('bar')),
	limit(() => doSomething())
];

// Only one promise is run at once
const result = await Promise.all(input);
console.log(result);

API

pLimit(concurrency)

Returns a limit function.

concurrency

Type: number
Minimum: 1
Default: Infinity

Concurrency limit.

limit(fn, ...args)

Returns the promise returned by calling fn(...args).

fn

Type: Function

Promise-returning/async function.

args

Any arguments to pass through to fn.

Support for passing arguments on to the fn is provided in order to be able to avoid creating unnecessary closures. You probably don't need this optimization unless you're pushing a lot of functions.

limit.activeCount

The number of promises that are currently running.

limit.pendingCount

The number of promises that are waiting to run (i.e. their internal fn was not called yet).

limit.clearQueue()

Discard pending promises that are waiting to run.

This might be useful if you want to teardown the queue at the end of your program's lifecycle or discard any function calls referencing an intermediary state of your app.

Note: This does not cancel promises that are already running.

limit.concurrency

Get or set the concurrency limit.

FAQ

How is this different from the p-queue package?

This package is only about limiting the number of concurrent executions, while p-queue is a fully featured queue implementation with lots of different options, introspection, and ability to pause the queue.

Related

  • p-throttle - Throttle promise-returning & async functions
  • p-debounce - Debounce promise-returning & async functions
  • p-all - Run promise-returning & async functions concurrently with optional limited concurrency
  • More…