papaparse vs csv-parser vs csvtojson vs convert-csv-to-json
CSV Parsing Libraries for Node.js Comparison
1 Year
papaparsecsv-parsercsvtojsonconvert-csv-to-jsonSimilar Packages:
What's CSV Parsing Libraries for Node.js?

CSV parsing libraries are essential tools in web development that facilitate the conversion of CSV (Comma-Separated Values) data into JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format, which is more suitable for web applications. These libraries help developers handle data import/export tasks efficiently, enabling the integration of CSV data into applications for processing, analysis, or storage. Each library offers unique features and capabilities, catering to different use cases and developer preferences.

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papaparse3,523,77312,725263 kB20621 days agoMIT
csv-parser1,238,0421,44229.5 kB5620 days agoMIT
csvtojson894,7372,022-1246 years agoMIT
convert-csv-to-json52,83322982.8 kB112 months agoGPL-3.0
Feature Comparison: papaparse vs csv-parser vs csvtojson vs convert-csv-to-json

Performance

  • papaparse:

    Provides a balance between performance and usability, with features like web worker support for asynchronous parsing, ensuring smooth performance even with large files.

  • csv-parser:

    Designed for performance, csv-parser streams data, allowing for processing of large CSV files without loading them entirely into memory, which is crucial for applications handling big datasets.

  • csvtojson:

    Offers efficient parsing with built-in optimizations for handling large files, allowing for both synchronous and asynchronous operations, making it a robust choice for performance-sensitive applications.

  • convert-csv-to-json:

    This package is optimized for simplicity and speed in converting small to medium-sized CSV files to JSON, making it suitable for quick tasks without heavy resource consumption.

Ease of Use

  • papaparse:

    Known for its intuitive API and extensive documentation, papaparse is easy to use for both beginners and experienced developers, making it a popular choice for client-side and server-side applications.

  • csv-parser:

    While slightly more complex due to its streaming nature, csv-parser is straightforward for developers familiar with Node.js streams, providing a clear API for parsing CSV data efficiently.

  • csvtojson:

    Offers a rich API with various options for customization, which may require a learning curve but provides flexibility for complex CSV structures and transformations.

  • convert-csv-to-json:

    This library is user-friendly, requiring minimal setup and configuration, making it an excellent choice for developers looking for a quick and easy solution to convert CSV to JSON.

Flexibility

  • papaparse:

    Offers extensive configuration options, including support for different delimiters, header parsing, and error handling, making it adaptable to various CSV formats and use cases.

  • csv-parser:

    Provides flexibility through its streaming API, allowing developers to handle data as it is parsed, which is beneficial for processing large files or integrating with other data sources.

  • csvtojson:

    Highly flexible, supporting various CSV formats, custom delimiters, and advanced parsing options, making it suitable for a wide range of use cases and data structures.

  • convert-csv-to-json:

    This package is primarily focused on conversion, lacking advanced features for handling different CSV formats or custom parsing rules, making it less flexible for complex scenarios.

Community and Support

  • papaparse:

    One of the most popular CSV libraries with a large community, extensive documentation, and numerous examples available, ensuring strong support and resources for developers.

  • csv-parser:

    Well-established with a solid community, csv-parser has good documentation and community support, making it easier to find solutions and examples for common use cases.

  • csvtojson:

    Has a growing community and comprehensive documentation, providing ample resources for developers to troubleshoot and implement advanced features effectively.

  • convert-csv-to-json:

    This package has a smaller community and fewer resources available, which may limit support options for troubleshooting or advanced use cases.

Error Handling

  • papaparse:

    Provides built-in error handling and validation features, allowing developers to manage parsing errors gracefully, which is particularly useful for client-side applications.

  • csv-parser:

    Offers robust error handling through event listeners, allowing developers to catch and manage parsing errors effectively during the streaming process.

  • csvtojson:

    Includes comprehensive error handling features, allowing for detailed feedback and customization of error responses, making it suitable for complex data scenarios.

  • convert-csv-to-json:

    Basic error handling capabilities, primarily focused on conversion; may not provide detailed feedback for malformed CSV files.

How to Choose: papaparse vs csv-parser vs csvtojson vs convert-csv-to-json
  • papaparse:

    Use papaparse if you need a versatile library that works both in Node.js and the browser, offering features like asynchronous parsing, progress tracking, and error handling, making it suitable for both client-side and server-side applications.

  • csv-parser:

    Opt for csv-parser if you require a fast, streaming parser for large CSV files, allowing you to process data on-the-fly without loading the entire file into memory, making it suitable for performance-critical applications.

  • csvtojson:

    Select csvtojson for its rich feature set, including support for various CSV formats, customizable parsing options, and the ability to handle large datasets efficiently, making it ideal for complex data transformations.

  • convert-csv-to-json:

    Choose this package if you need a straightforward solution for converting CSV files to JSON with minimal configuration, especially if you are dealing with simple CSV structures.

README for papaparse

Parse CSV with JavaScript

Papa Parse is the fastest in-browser CSV (or delimited text) parser for JavaScript. It is reliable and correct according to RFC 4180, and it comes with these features:

  • Easy to use
  • Parse CSV files directly (local or over the network)
  • Fast mode
  • Stream large files (even via HTTP)
  • Reverse parsing (converts JSON to CSV)
  • Auto-detect delimiter
  • Worker threads to keep your web page reactive
  • Header row support
  • Pause, resume, abort
  • Can convert numbers and booleans to their types
  • Optional jQuery integration to get files from <input type="file"> elements
  • One of the only parsers that correctly handles line-breaks and quotations

Papa Parse has no dependencies - not even jQuery.

Install

papaparse is available on npm. It can be installed with the following command:

npm install papaparse

If you don't want to use npm, papaparse.min.js can be downloaded to your project source.

Usage

import Papa from 'papaparse';

Papa.parse(file, config);
    
const csv = Papa.unparse(data[, config]);

Homepage & Demo

To learn how to use Papa Parse:

The website is hosted on Github Pages. Its content is also included in the docs folder of this repository. If you want to contribute on it just clone the master of this repository and open a pull request.

Papa Parse for Node

Papa Parse can parse a Readable Stream instead of a File when used in Node.js environments (in addition to plain strings). In this mode, encoding must, if specified, be a Node-supported character encoding. The Papa.LocalChunkSize, Papa.RemoteChunkSize , download, withCredentials and worker config options are unavailable.

Papa Parse can also parse in a node streaming style which makes .pipe available. Simply pipe the Readable Stream to the stream returned from Papa.parse(Papa.NODE_STREAM_INPUT, options). The Papa.LocalChunkSize, Papa.RemoteChunkSize , download, withCredentials, worker, step, and complete config options are unavailable. To register a callback with the stream to process data, use the data event like so: stream.on('data', callback) and to signal the end of stream, use the 'end' event like so: stream.on('end', callback).

Get Started

For usage instructions, see the homepage and, for more detail, the documentation.

Tests

Papa Parse is under test. Download this repository, run npm install, then npm test to run the tests.

Contributing

To discuss a new feature or ask a question, open an issue. To fix a bug, submit a pull request to be credited with the contributors! Remember, a pull request, with test, is best. You may also discuss on Twitter with #PapaParse or directly to me, @mholt6.

If you contribute a patch, ensure the tests suite is running correctly. We run continuous integration on each pull request and will not accept a patch that breaks the tests.