bowser vs ua-parser-js vs platform vs detect-browser vs mobile-detect vs device
Browser Detection Libraries Comparison
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What's Browser Detection Libraries?

Browser detection libraries are tools used in web development to identify the user's browser and device characteristics. They help developers tailor web applications to provide optimal user experiences based on the capabilities and limitations of different browsers and devices. These libraries can detect various aspects such as browser type, version, operating system, and device type, enabling developers to implement conditional logic and enhance compatibility across diverse environments.

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bowser14,798,8435,540-944 years agoMIT
ua-parser-js14,671,0779,4841.2 MB1817 days agoAGPL-3.0-or-later
platform1,522,7633,233-345 years agoMIT
detect-browser1,223,08769427 kB433 years agoMIT
mobile-detect184,3044,135-134 years agoMIT
device23,82179-54 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: bowser vs ua-parser-js vs platform vs detect-browser vs mobile-detect vs device

Browser Detection

  • bowser:

    Bowser provides detailed browser detection capabilities, identifying not only the browser name and version but also the engine and platform. It can recognize modern browsers and their specific features, which is essential for progressive web applications that leverage new web technologies.

  • ua-parser-js:

    UA-Parser.js provides comprehensive user agent parsing, extracting detailed information about the browser, engine, OS, and device type. This level of detail is beneficial for analytics and reporting, allowing developers to understand their user base better.

  • platform:

    Platform specializes in identifying the operating system and platform, providing insights into whether the user is on Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile OS. This is useful for tailoring content or functionality based on the OS.

  • detect-browser:

    Detect Browser offers a simple API to identify the browser name and version. It is straightforward and effective for basic use cases where detailed feature detection is not necessary, making it a good choice for lightweight applications.

  • mobile-detect:

    Mobile Detect excels in distinguishing mobile devices from desktops. It allows developers to implement specific styles or features for mobile users, enhancing the mobile experience without affecting desktop users.

  • device:

    Device focuses on detecting whether the user is on a mobile, tablet, or desktop device. It helps in creating responsive designs and ensuring that the application behaves appropriately across different device types.

Performance

  • bowser:

    Bowser is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for performance-critical applications. Its small footprint ensures that it does not significantly impact load times, which is crucial for user experience.

  • ua-parser-js:

    UA-Parser.js is a bit heavier due to its comprehensive parsing capabilities, but it is optimized for performance. It balances detail with speed, making it suitable for applications that require in-depth analysis without compromising on performance.

  • platform:

    Platform is lightweight and performs well in detecting the operating system without adding significant overhead. It is efficient for applications that need to tailor experiences based on the OS.

  • detect-browser:

    Detect Browser is also lightweight and performs well, but it may not provide as much detail as other libraries. It is quick to implement and can be used effectively in applications where performance is a priority over comprehensive detection.

  • mobile-detect:

    Mobile Detect is optimized for quick checks between mobile and non-mobile devices, ensuring minimal performance overhead. It is particularly effective in scenarios where rapid detection is needed for responsive design.

  • device:

    Device is efficient in its detection process, but its performance may vary based on the complexity of the detection logic implemented. It is generally fast for basic device type checks.

Ease of Use

  • bowser:

    Bowser has a straightforward API that is easy to integrate into projects. Its clear documentation makes it accessible for developers of all skill levels, allowing for quick implementation.

  • ua-parser-js:

    UA-Parser.js has a slightly steeper learning curve due to its comprehensive nature, but it is well-documented. Once understood, it provides powerful capabilities for user agent parsing.

  • platform:

    Platform offers a straightforward API for OS detection, making it easy to implement in applications. Its simplicity allows developers to quickly adapt their applications based on the user's platform.

  • detect-browser:

    Detect Browser is extremely easy to use, with a minimal setup required. Its simplicity makes it an excellent choice for developers looking for quick browser detection without the need for extensive configuration.

  • mobile-detect:

    Mobile Detect is designed for ease of use, with a simple API that allows developers to quickly check device types. Its focus on mobile detection makes it intuitive for responsive design scenarios.

  • device:

    Device provides a simple interface for detecting device types, making it user-friendly for developers. Its clear methods and properties allow for quick integration into existing projects.

Community and Support

  • bowser:

    Bowser has a strong community and is actively maintained, ensuring that it stays up-to-date with the latest browser changes and features. This support is crucial for developers relying on accurate browser detection.

  • ua-parser-js:

    UA-Parser.js has a large community and is actively maintained, providing regular updates and improvements. Its popularity ensures that developers can find support and resources easily.

  • platform:

    Platform has a smaller community but is stable and well-documented. It provides adequate support for developers looking to implement OS detection in their applications.

  • detect-browser:

    Detect Browser has a smaller community but is still actively maintained. Its simplicity means that it requires less frequent updates, making it a stable choice for basic detection needs.

  • mobile-detect:

    Mobile Detect has a dedicated user base and is actively maintained. Its focus on mobile detection ensures that it remains relevant as mobile technology evolves.

  • device:

    Device has a moderate community and offers decent support. While it may not be as widely used as other libraries, it provides sufficient documentation for developers to get started.

Feature Detection

  • bowser:

    Bowser excels in feature detection, allowing developers to not only identify the browser but also understand its capabilities. This is essential for progressive enhancement strategies in web applications.

  • ua-parser-js:

    UA-Parser.js provides detailed feature detection alongside browser and OS identification. It is ideal for applications that require comprehensive insights into the user's environment.

  • platform:

    Platform does not offer feature detection but focuses on identifying the operating system. This is useful for tailoring experiences based on the OS rather than the browser's capabilities.

  • detect-browser:

    Detect Browser focuses primarily on browser identification rather than feature detection. It is suitable for projects where knowing the browser type is sufficient without needing detailed feature support information.

  • mobile-detect:

    Mobile Detect is primarily for device type detection and does not provide extensive feature detection capabilities. It is best used in scenarios where mobile-specific content is needed without deep analysis of device features.

  • device:

    Device does not focus on feature detection but rather on identifying the type of device. It is useful for responsive design but does not provide insights into specific capabilities of the device.

How to Choose: bowser vs ua-parser-js vs platform vs detect-browser vs mobile-detect vs device
  • bowser:

    Choose Bowser if you need a lightweight and fast library that provides detailed information about the browser and its capabilities, including support for modern features. It is particularly useful for projects where performance is critical and you want to minimize the size of your dependencies.

  • ua-parser-js:

    Select UA-Parser.js for a robust solution that parses user agent strings to extract detailed information about the browser, engine, OS, and device. It is ideal for applications that require in-depth analysis and reporting of user agent data.

  • platform:

    Choose Platform if you want a library that focuses on detecting the operating system and platform rather than the browser. It is beneficial for applications that need to tailor experiences based on the user's OS, such as providing specific instructions or features for Windows, macOS, or Linux users.

  • detect-browser:

    Select Detect Browser for a straightforward and easy-to-use solution that focuses on detecting the browser name and version. It is ideal for projects that require quick and simple browser detection without the overhead of additional features or complexity.

  • mobile-detect:

    Use Mobile Detect when you specifically need to differentiate between mobile and non-mobile devices. It is particularly useful for responsive design scenarios where you want to serve different content or styles based on the device type.

  • device:

    Opt for Device if you need a library that provides a comprehensive detection of device types, including mobile, tablet, and desktop. It is suitable for applications that need to adapt their layout or functionality based on the type of device being used.

Similar Npm Packages to bowser

bowser is a lightweight JavaScript library that helps developers detect the browser and platform information of users. It provides a simple API to identify the user's browser, version, and operating system, making it easier to tailor web applications for different environments. This can be particularly useful for optimizing user experiences and handling browser-specific quirks.

While bowser is a popular choice for browser detection, there are alternatives available that also serve similar purposes. Here are a couple of noteworthy alternatives:

  • platform is a JavaScript library that provides a simple way to detect the user's platform, including the browser, operating system, and device type. It offers a straightforward API and is designed to work seamlessly across various environments. If you need a lightweight solution for platform detection without the additional features that bowser provides, platform is a solid choice. It is especially useful for applications that require basic platform information without the overhead of a more comprehensive library.

  • ua-parser-js is another powerful library for parsing user agent strings. It provides detailed information about the browser, engine, OS, CPU, and device type. ua-parser-js is particularly useful for applications that require in-depth analysis of user agent strings and need to extract detailed information about the user's environment. If your project demands a more granular level of detail regarding user agents, ua-parser-js is an excellent alternative.

To see how bowser compares with platform and ua-parser-js, check out the comparison: Comparing bowser vs platform vs ua-parser-js.

Similar Npm Packages to ua-parser-js

ua-parser-js is a lightweight JavaScript library that helps developers parse user agent strings to extract useful information about the user's device, browser, and operating system. This library is particularly useful for web applications that need to tailor their content or functionality based on the user's environment. By providing a straightforward API, ua-parser-js allows developers to easily identify the characteristics of the client's device, enabling better user experiences.

While ua-parser-js is a popular choice for user agent parsing, there are several alternatives that developers can consider:

  • device-detector-js is a powerful library that provides detailed information about the user's device, including its type, brand, model, and operating system. It is designed to be fast and efficient, making it suitable for applications that require real-time device detection. device-detector-js is particularly useful for applications that need to provide tailored experiences based on device characteristics, such as responsive design or feature availability.

  • express-useragent is a middleware for Express.js that parses the user agent string and provides an easy-to-use interface for accessing device information. It integrates seamlessly with Express applications, allowing developers to access user agent data directly from the request object. If you are building an Express application and need a simple way to handle user agent parsing, express-useragent is an excellent choice.

To compare these libraries and see how they stack up against each other, check out the following link: Comparing device-detector-js vs express-useragent vs ua-parser-js.

Similar Npm Packages to platform

platform is a JavaScript library that helps developers identify the user's platform, browser, and operating system. It provides a simple API to retrieve information about the user's environment, which can be useful for tailoring experiences or debugging issues that may arise due to platform-specific behavior. By using the platform library, developers can easily access details such as the browser name, version, and the operating system, allowing for better compatibility and user experience.

While platform is a solid choice for detecting user environments, there are other libraries that offer similar functionality. Here are a few alternatives:

  • bowser is a lightweight and fast JavaScript library for browser detection. It provides detailed information about the user's browser, including its name, version, and platform. Bowser is particularly useful for developers who need to implement browser-specific features or workarounds. Its small size and performance make it an excellent choice for projects where minimizing bundle size is a priority. Bowser's straightforward API allows for easy integration into any JavaScript application, making it a popular choice among developers.

  • ua-parser-js is another powerful library for parsing user agent strings. It can detect a wide range of browsers, operating systems, and devices. ua-parser-js is particularly useful for applications that require detailed information about the user's environment, such as analytics or feature detection. With its extensive capabilities, ua-parser-js can help developers make informed decisions based on the user's device and browser characteristics. Its comprehensive parsing capabilities make it a robust alternative for those who need more than just basic platform detection.

To see how platform compares with bowser and ua-parser-js, check out the comparison: Comparing bowser vs platform vs ua-parser-js.

Similar Npm Packages to detect-browser

detect-browser is a lightweight JavaScript library that allows developers to easily detect the user's browser and its version. This can be particularly useful for tailoring user experiences based on the browser being used, enabling developers to implement browser-specific features or fixes. While detect-browser is a solid choice for browser detection, there are several alternatives available that offer similar functionalities. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • bowser is a powerful and feature-rich browser detection library that provides detailed information about the user's browser, including its name, version, and platform. Bowser is known for its accuracy and comprehensive detection capabilities, making it a popular choice among developers who need to support a wide range of browsers and devices. It can also parse user agent strings and provide insights into the browser's capabilities, which can be beneficial for feature detection and compatibility checks.

  • ua-parser-js is another popular library for parsing user agent strings and extracting information about the browser, engine, OS, and device. It is designed to be lightweight and fast, making it suitable for performance-sensitive applications. ua-parser-js offers a straightforward API and can be used in both client-side and server-side environments. If you need a comprehensive solution for user agent parsing with a focus on performance, ua-parser-js is an excellent choice.

  • useragent is a library that provides a simple interface for parsing user agent strings. It is designed to be easy to use and offers a range of features for detecting browsers, operating systems, and devices. While it may not be as feature-rich as some other options, useragent is a solid choice for developers looking for a straightforward solution for user agent parsing without the overhead of more complex libraries.

To see how detect-browser compares with bowser, ua-parser-js, and useragent, check out the comparison: Comparing bowser vs detect-browser vs ua-parser-js vs useragent.

Similar Npm Packages to device

device is a lightweight JavaScript library that helps developers detect the type of device a user is using to access their web application. It provides an easy way to determine whether the user is on a mobile device, tablet, or desktop, allowing developers to tailor their applications for different environments. While device is a useful tool for device detection, there are several alternatives available in the JavaScript ecosystem that offer similar functionalities. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • bowser is a browser detection library that not only identifies the browser type but also provides information about the operating system and device type. It is lightweight and easy to use, making it a popular choice for developers who need detailed information about the user's environment. Bowser can help you implement browser-specific features or optimizations in your application.
  • detect-browser is another simple library for detecting the user's browser. It provides a straightforward API to determine the browser name, version, and whether the user is on a mobile device. If you need a quick and easy way to identify the browser without the overhead of a larger library, detect-browser is a solid choice.
  • mobile-detect is a library specifically designed for mobile device detection. It can identify mobile devices, tablets, and their specific characteristics. Mobile-detect is particularly useful for applications that need to adapt their UI or functionality based on the type of device being used.
  • platform is a library that provides a simple way to detect the platform (browser, operating system, etc.) on which the application is running. It offers a clean API and can be used to differentiate between various platforms, making it a versatile tool for developers looking to optimize their applications for different environments.
  • ua-parser-js is a powerful library for parsing user agent strings. It can extract detailed information about the user's browser, engine, OS, CPU, and device. If you require comprehensive device and browser information, ua-parser-js is a robust option that can provide you with the data you need.

For a comprehensive comparison of these libraries, check out the following link: Comparing bowser vs detect-browser vs device vs mobile-detect vs platform vs ua-parser-js.

README for bowser

Bowser

A small, fast and rich-API browser/platform/engine detector for both browser and node.

  • Small. Use plain ES5-version which is ~4.8kB gzipped.
  • Optimized. Use only those parsers you need — it doesn't do useless work.
  • Multi-platform. It's browser- and node-ready, so you can use it in any environment.

Don't hesitate to support the project on Github or OpenCollective if you like it ❤️ Also, contributors are always welcome!

Financial Contributors on Open Collective Build Status Greenkeeper badge Coverage Status Downloads

Contents

Overview

The library is made to help to detect what browser your user has and gives you a convenient API to filter the users somehow depending on their browsers. Check it out on this page: https://bowser-js.github.io/bowser-online/.

⚠️ Version 2.0 breaking changes ⚠️

Version 2.0 has drastically changed the API. All available methods are on the docs page.

For legacy code, check out the 1.x branch and install it through npm install bowser@1.9.4.

Use cases

First of all, require the library. This is a UMD Module, so it will work for AMD, TypeScript, ES6, and CommonJS module systems.

const Bowser = require("bowser"); // CommonJS

import * as Bowser from "bowser"; // TypeScript

import Bowser from "bowser"; // ES6 (and TypeScript with --esModuleInterop enabled)

By default, the exported version is the ES5 transpiled version, which do not include any polyfills.

In case you don't use your own babel-polyfill you may need to have pre-built bundle with all needed polyfills. So, for you it's suitable to require bowser like this: require('bowser/bundled'). As the result, you get a ES5 version of bowser with babel-polyfill bundled together.

You may need to use the source files, so they will be available in the package as well.

Browser props detection

Often we need to pick users' browser properties such as the name, the version, the rendering engine and so on. Here is an example how to do it with Bowser:

const browser = Bowser.getParser(window.navigator.userAgent);

console.log(`The current browser name is "${browser.getBrowserName()}"`);
// The current browser name is "Internet Explorer"

or

const browser = Bowser.getParser(window.navigator.userAgent);
console.log(browser.getBrowser());

// outputs
{
  name: "Internet Explorer"
  version: "11.0"
}

or

console.log(Bowser.parse(window.navigator.userAgent));

// outputs
{
  browser: {
    name: "Internet Explorer"
    version: "11.0"
  },
  os: {
    name: "Windows"
    version: "NT 6.3"
    versionName: "8.1"
  },
  platform: {
    type: "desktop"
  },
  engine: {
    name: "Trident"
    version: "7.0"
  }
}

Filtering browsers

You could want to filter some particular browsers to provide any special support for them or make any workarounds. It could look like this:

const browser = Bowser.getParser(window.navigator.userAgent);
const isValidBrowser = browser.satisfies({
  // declare browsers per OS
  windows: {
    "internet explorer": ">10",
  },
  macos: {
    safari: ">10.1"
  },

  // per platform (mobile, desktop or tablet)
  mobile: {
    safari: '>=9',
    'android browser': '>3.10'
  },

  // or in general
  chrome: "~20.1.1432",
  firefox: ">31",
  opera: ">=22",

  // also supports equality operator
  chrome: "=20.1.1432", // will match particular build only

  // and loose-equality operator
  chrome: "~20",        // will match any 20.* sub-version
  chrome: "~20.1"       // will match any 20.1.* sub-version (20.1.19 as well as 20.1.12.42-alpha.1)
});

Settings for any particular OS or platform has more priority and redefines settings of standalone browsers. Thus, you can define OS or platform specific rules and they will have more priority in the end.

More of API and possibilities you will find in the docs folder.

Browser names for .satisfies()

By default you are supposed to use the full browser name for .satisfies. But, there's a short way to define a browser using short aliases. The full list of aliases can be found in the file.

Similar Projects

  • Kong - A C# port of Bowser.

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License

Licensed as MIT. All rights not explicitly granted in the MIT license are reserved. See the included LICENSE file for more details.

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