ua-parser-js vs bowser vs detect-browser vs useragent
Browser Detection Libraries Comparison
1 Year
ua-parser-jsbowserdetect-browseruseragentSimilar Packages:
What's Browser Detection Libraries?

Browser detection libraries are tools that help developers identify the user's browser and its capabilities. This is crucial for delivering tailored experiences, ensuring compatibility, and optimizing performance across different environments. These libraries parse the User-Agent string sent by the browser to determine the browser type, version, and platform, allowing developers to implement conditional logic based on the detected environment. Each library has its unique features, performance characteristics, and ease of use, making the choice of library dependent on specific project requirements and developer preferences.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
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Package
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ua-parser-js19,083,4919,7321.23 MB224 days agoAGPL-3.0-or-later
bowser17,938,5815,593-975 years agoMIT
detect-browser1,483,87869627 kB434 years agoMIT
useragent1,084,589901-747 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: ua-parser-js vs bowser vs detect-browser vs useragent

Lightweight Design

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js is more comprehensive and slightly heavier than Bowser and detect-browser. It provides detailed information about the browser, engine, OS, and device type, making it a good choice for applications that need in-depth analysis.

  • bowser:

    Bowser is designed to be lightweight, with a small footprint that makes it ideal for performance-sensitive applications. It focuses solely on browser detection without additional features, which keeps the library size minimal.

  • detect-browser:

    Detect-browser is also lightweight but offers a slightly larger footprint than Bowser. It provides a simple API for detecting browser types and versions, making it suitable for projects that require basic detection without extra overhead.

  • useragent:

    useragent is designed for server-side detection and is heavier than the others. It provides extensive parsing capabilities and is suitable for applications that require detailed user-agent information.

Feature Detection

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js excels in both browser detection and feature detection. It can identify specific features and capabilities of the browser, making it a versatile choice for applications that need to adapt based on browser capabilities.

  • bowser:

    Bowser focuses primarily on browser detection rather than feature detection. It can identify the browser and version but does not provide extensive capabilities for checking specific features or capabilities of the browser.

  • detect-browser:

    detect-browser is similar to Bowser in that it primarily detects the browser type and version, but it lacks advanced feature detection capabilities. It is best used for basic browser identification.

  • useragent:

    useragent provides extensive user-agent parsing, allowing for detailed feature detection. It is particularly useful for server-side applications where understanding the client's capabilities is crucial.

Ease of Use

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js has a slightly more complex API due to its comprehensive features, but it is still manageable for developers familiar with JavaScript. It may require a bit more time to understand its full capabilities.

  • bowser:

    Bowser has a straightforward API that is easy to use, making it suitable for developers who want quick and simple browser detection without a steep learning curve.

  • detect-browser:

    detect-browser offers a simple API as well, making it easy to implement. It's user-friendly for developers looking for basic browser detection functionality.

  • useragent:

    useragent has a more complex setup and API, making it less beginner-friendly. It is best suited for developers who need detailed user-agent parsing and are comfortable with more intricate implementations.

Browser Compatibility

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js has extensive support for different browsers and platforms, making it a robust choice for applications that require detailed compatibility checks.

  • bowser:

    Bowser supports a wide range of browsers, including modern and legacy versions, making it a reliable choice for applications that need to cater to diverse user bases.

  • detect-browser:

    detect-browser also supports various browsers but may not cover as many legacy versions as Bowser. It is suitable for most modern web applications.

  • useragent:

    useragent is designed for server-side applications and supports a wide range of browsers, but its primary focus is on detailed user-agent information rather than broad compatibility.

Community and Maintenance

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js has a strong community and is well-maintained, with frequent updates to keep up with new browser versions and features.

  • bowser:

    Bowser has an active community and is regularly maintained, ensuring that it stays up-to-date with the latest browser changes and improvements.

  • detect-browser:

    detect-browser is also actively maintained, but its community is smaller compared to Bowser. It receives updates but may not be as frequently maintained as Bowser.

  • useragent:

    useragent has a dedicated user base but may not receive updates as frequently as the others. It is essential to check the maintenance status before choosing it for long-term projects.

How to Choose: ua-parser-js vs bowser vs detect-browser vs useragent
  • bowser:

    Choose Bowser if you need a lightweight library with a simple API for detecting browsers and their versions, and if you want to avoid the overhead of a larger library. Bowser is particularly useful for projects that require minimal footprint and straightforward browser detection.

README for ua-parser-js

https://uaparser.dev https://uaparser.dev https://uaparser.dev https://uaparser.dev

UAParser.js

The most comprehensive, compact, & up-to-date isomorphic JavaScript library to detect user's Browser, Engine, OS, CPU, and Device type/model. Runs either in browser (client-side) or node.js (server-side).

Demo

  • Live demo: https://uaparser.dev

Documentation

  • version 1.x : https://github.com/faisalman/ua-parser-js/tree/1.0.x#documentation
  • version 2.x : https://docs.uaparser.dev

Before upgrading from v0.7 / v1.0, please read CHANGELOG to see what's new & breaking.

License Options

Open-Source EditionsPRO / Commercial Editions
License optionsMIT (v0.7~v1.0)AGPL (>=v2.0)PRO PersonalPRO BusinessPRO Enterprise
Browser detection⚠️
CPU detection⚠️
Device detection⚠️
Engine detection⚠️
OS detection⚠️
Bot detection
AI Bot detection
Extras (Apps, Libs, Emails, Media Players, etc) detection
Enhanced detection result
Client Hints support
CommonJS support
ES modules support
npm module
TypeScript declarations⚠️
Allows commercial use
Permissive (non-copyleft) license
Unlimited use per 1 license
1-year product support
Lifetime updates
PriceFREE (License)FREE (License)$14 (License)$29 (License)$599 (License)

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Development

Contributors

Please read CONTRIBUTING guide first for the instruction details.

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Backers & Sponsors

You can support the open-source editions of UAParser.js through one of the following options:

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