crypto-js vs sjcl vs libsodium vs tweetnacl vs tweetnacl-ts
JavaScript Cryptography Libraries
crypto-jssjcllibsodiumtweetnacltweetnacl-tsSimilar Packages:

JavaScript Cryptography Libraries

JavaScript cryptography libraries provide developers with tools to implement cryptographic algorithms and protocols in web applications. These libraries enable secure data transmission, encryption, decryption, and hashing, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality. Each library has its own strengths, weaknesses, and use cases, making it essential to choose the right one based on specific project requirements and security needs.

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crypto-js15,729,94216,389487 kB2782 years agoMIT
sjcl267,5967,2202.24 MB117a month ago(BSD-2-Clause OR GPL-2.0-only)
libsodium01,1291.23 MB1a day agoISC
tweetnacl01,919-66 years agoUnlicense
tweetnacl-ts013-27 years agoUNLICENSED

Feature Comparison: crypto-js vs sjcl vs libsodium vs tweetnacl vs tweetnacl-ts

Security Features

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-JS provides a variety of cryptographic algorithms, including AES, SHA-1, SHA-256, and HMAC. However, it is important to note that while it is easy to use, it may not be as secure as other libraries due to potential vulnerabilities in its implementation and reliance on JavaScript's native features.

  • sjcl:

    SJCL offers a range of cryptographic functions, including encryption, decryption, and hashing. It is designed to be secure and efficient, but its security relies on the proper implementation of its APIs. SJCL is suitable for applications that require a balance between usability and security.

  • libsodium:

    Libsodium is designed with security in mind, implementing modern cryptographic primitives and best practices. It includes features like authenticated encryption, secure key generation, and resistance to side-channel attacks, making it one of the most secure options available for cryptographic operations.

  • tweetnacl:

    TweetNaCl focuses on providing a minimalistic approach to cryptography, implementing a small set of well-tested algorithms for public-key cryptography. It is designed to be secure and efficient, making it a good choice for applications that need reliable cryptographic operations without unnecessary complexity.

  • tweetnacl-ts:

    TweetNaCl-TS inherits the security features of TweetNaCl while adding TypeScript support. This allows developers to leverage the security of TweetNaCl with the added benefits of type safety, making it suitable for TypeScript projects that require strong cryptographic capabilities.

Performance

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-JS is relatively fast for basic cryptographic operations, but performance can vary depending on the algorithm used. It is not optimized for high-performance applications and may not be suitable for scenarios requiring extensive cryptographic processing.

  • sjcl:

    SJCL is designed to be efficient in both speed and memory usage, making it suitable for web applications that perform cryptographic operations in the browser. However, its performance may not match that of more specialized libraries like libsodium.

  • libsodium:

    Libsodium is optimized for performance, providing fast cryptographic operations even on lower-end devices. Its design ensures that it can handle large volumes of cryptographic tasks efficiently, making it ideal for performance-sensitive applications.

  • tweetnacl:

    TweetNaCl is known for its high performance and low overhead, making it one of the fastest options for public-key cryptography. Its minimalistic design allows for quick execution of cryptographic operations, which is beneficial for real-time applications.

  • tweetnacl-ts:

    TweetNaCl-TS maintains the performance characteristics of TweetNaCl while providing TypeScript support. This ensures that TypeScript projects can benefit from fast cryptographic operations without sacrificing performance.

Ease of Use

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-JS is straightforward to use, with a simple API that allows developers to quickly implement cryptographic functions. Its ease of integration into existing JavaScript projects makes it a popular choice for those needing basic cryptographic capabilities.

  • sjcl:

    SJCL provides a relatively easy-to-use API, but its complexity can increase with advanced features. Developers may need to invest time in understanding its functionalities to implement them correctly, especially for secure applications.

  • libsodium:

    Libsodium is designed to be user-friendly, with a clear API that abstracts complex cryptographic operations. Its documentation is comprehensive, making it easier for developers to implement secure cryptographic solutions without deep cryptographic knowledge.

  • tweetnacl:

    TweetNaCl is minimalistic and straightforward, making it easy to use for developers familiar with public-key cryptography. Its simplicity allows for quick implementation, but it may require a deeper understanding of cryptographic principles for optimal use.

  • tweetnacl-ts:

    TweetNaCl-TS offers the same ease of use as TweetNaCl while providing TypeScript type definitions. This enhances the development experience by enabling type checking and autocompletion, making it easier for developers to work with cryptographic functions.

Community and Support

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-JS has a large user base and community support, with many resources available online, including tutorials and documentation. However, its maintenance and updates may not be as frequent as some other libraries.

  • sjcl:

    SJCL has a smaller community compared to some other libraries, but it is still actively maintained. Documentation is available, though it may not be as comprehensive as that of libsodium or Crypto-JS.

  • libsodium:

    Libsodium has a strong community and is actively maintained, with extensive documentation and support available. Its focus on security and performance has garnered a dedicated following among developers.

  • tweetnacl:

    TweetNaCl has a focused community due to its minimalistic design, but it is well-regarded for its performance and security. Support and documentation are available, though it may not be as extensive as larger libraries.

  • tweetnacl-ts:

    TweetNaCl-TS benefits from the community around TweetNaCl while providing TypeScript support. This has attracted developers who prefer TypeScript, leading to a growing community and resources for TypeScript-specific implementations.

Compatibility

  • crypto-js:

    Crypto-JS is compatible with various JavaScript environments, including Node.js and browsers. Its wide compatibility makes it a versatile choice for many web applications.

  • sjcl:

    SJCL is designed to work in browser environments, making it suitable for client-side cryptography. However, it can also be used in Node.js with some adjustments, though it is primarily focused on web applications.

  • libsodium:

    Libsodium is available for both Node.js and browser environments, making it a flexible choice for developers working across different platforms. Its compatibility ensures that it can be used in a variety of applications.

  • tweetnacl:

    TweetNaCl is compatible with both Node.js and browser environments, allowing developers to use it in various applications. Its minimalistic design ensures that it can be easily integrated into different projects.

  • tweetnacl-ts:

    TweetNaCl-TS is compatible with TypeScript projects, providing type definitions that enhance compatibility with TypeScript's type system. This makes it a great choice for developers looking to implement cryptography in TypeScript applications.

How to Choose: crypto-js vs sjcl vs libsodium vs tweetnacl vs tweetnacl-ts

  • crypto-js:

    Choose Crypto-JS if you need a simple and straightforward library for basic cryptographic functions like hashing and encryption. It is easy to use and integrates well with existing JavaScript projects, making it suitable for quick implementations without complex dependencies.

  • sjcl:

    Choose SJCL if you are looking for a library that balances performance and security with a focus on usability. It offers a range of cryptographic functions and is particularly well-suited for web applications that need to perform cryptographic operations in the browser without heavy dependencies.

  • libsodium:

    Choose libsodium if you require a modern, high-level cryptographic library with a focus on security and performance. It is designed to be easy to use and provides robust features for encryption, decryption, and secure key management, making it ideal for applications that prioritize security.

  • tweetnacl:

    Choose TweetNaCl if you need a minimalistic and highly efficient library for public-key cryptography. It is designed for performance and simplicity, making it suitable for applications that require fast cryptographic operations without unnecessary overhead.

  • tweetnacl-ts:

    Choose TweetNaCl-TS if you prefer TypeScript support while using the TweetNaCl library. It provides the same performance benefits as TweetNaCl but with type definitions that enhance development experience and reduce runtime errors in TypeScript projects.

README for crypto-js

crypto-js

JavaScript library of crypto standards.

Discontinued

Active development of CryptoJS has been discontinued. This library is no longer maintained.

Nowadays, NodeJS and modern browsers have a native Crypto module. The latest version of CryptoJS already uses the native Crypto module for random number generation, since Math.random() is not crypto-safe. Further development of CryptoJS would result in it only being a wrapper of native Crypto. Therefore, development and maintenance has been discontinued, it is time to go for the native crypto module.

Node.js (Install)

Requirements:

  • Node.js
  • npm (Node.js package manager)
npm install crypto-js

Usage

ES6 import for typical API call signing use case:

import sha256 from 'crypto-js/sha256';
import hmacSHA512 from 'crypto-js/hmac-sha512';
import Base64 from 'crypto-js/enc-base64';

const message, nonce, path, privateKey; // ...
const hashDigest = sha256(nonce + message);
const hmacDigest = Base64.stringify(hmacSHA512(path + hashDigest, privateKey));

Modular include:

var AES = require("crypto-js/aes");
var SHA256 = require("crypto-js/sha256");
...
console.log(SHA256("Message"));

Including all libraries, for access to extra methods:

var CryptoJS = require("crypto-js");
console.log(CryptoJS.HmacSHA1("Message", "Key"));

Client (browser)

Requirements:

  • Node.js
  • Bower (package manager for frontend)
bower install crypto-js

Usage

Modular include:

require.config({
    packages: [
        {
            name: 'crypto-js',
            location: 'path-to/bower_components/crypto-js',
            main: 'index'
        }
    ]
});

require(["crypto-js/aes", "crypto-js/sha256"], function (AES, SHA256) {
    console.log(SHA256("Message"));
});

Including all libraries, for access to extra methods:

// Above-mentioned will work or use this simple form
require.config({
    paths: {
        'crypto-js': 'path-to/bower_components/crypto-js/crypto-js'
    }
});

require(["crypto-js"], function (CryptoJS) {
    console.log(CryptoJS.HmacSHA1("Message", "Key"));
});

Usage without RequireJS

<script type="text/javascript" src="path-to/bower_components/crypto-js/crypto-js.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
    var encrypted = CryptoJS.AES(...);
    var encrypted = CryptoJS.SHA256(...);
</script>

API

See: https://cryptojs.gitbook.io/docs/

AES Encryption

Plain text encryption

var CryptoJS = require("crypto-js");

// Encrypt
var ciphertext = CryptoJS.AES.encrypt('my message', 'secret key 123').toString();

// Decrypt
var bytes  = CryptoJS.AES.decrypt(ciphertext, 'secret key 123');
var originalText = bytes.toString(CryptoJS.enc.Utf8);

console.log(originalText); // 'my message'

Object encryption

var CryptoJS = require("crypto-js");

var data = [{id: 1}, {id: 2}]

// Encrypt
var ciphertext = CryptoJS.AES.encrypt(JSON.stringify(data), 'secret key 123').toString();

// Decrypt
var bytes  = CryptoJS.AES.decrypt(ciphertext, 'secret key 123');
var decryptedData = JSON.parse(bytes.toString(CryptoJS.enc.Utf8));

console.log(decryptedData); // [{id: 1}, {id: 2}]

List of modules

  • crypto-js/core
  • crypto-js/x64-core
  • crypto-js/lib-typedarrays

  • crypto-js/md5
  • crypto-js/sha1
  • crypto-js/sha256
  • crypto-js/sha224
  • crypto-js/sha512
  • crypto-js/sha384
  • crypto-js/sha3
  • crypto-js/ripemd160

  • crypto-js/hmac-md5
  • crypto-js/hmac-sha1
  • crypto-js/hmac-sha256
  • crypto-js/hmac-sha224
  • crypto-js/hmac-sha512
  • crypto-js/hmac-sha384
  • crypto-js/hmac-sha3
  • crypto-js/hmac-ripemd160

  • crypto-js/pbkdf2

  • crypto-js/aes
  • crypto-js/tripledes
  • crypto-js/rc4
  • crypto-js/rabbit
  • crypto-js/rabbit-legacy
  • crypto-js/evpkdf

  • crypto-js/format-openssl
  • crypto-js/format-hex

  • crypto-js/enc-latin1
  • crypto-js/enc-utf8
  • crypto-js/enc-hex
  • crypto-js/enc-utf16
  • crypto-js/enc-base64

  • crypto-js/mode-cfb
  • crypto-js/mode-ctr
  • crypto-js/mode-ctr-gladman
  • crypto-js/mode-ofb
  • crypto-js/mode-ecb

  • crypto-js/pad-pkcs7
  • crypto-js/pad-ansix923
  • crypto-js/pad-iso10126
  • crypto-js/pad-iso97971
  • crypto-js/pad-zeropadding
  • crypto-js/pad-nopadding

Release notes

4.2.0

Change default hash algorithm and iteration's for PBKDF2 to prevent weak security by using the default configuration.

Custom KDF Hasher

Blowfish support

4.1.1

Fix module order in bundled release.

Include the browser field in the released package.json.

4.1.0

Added url safe variant of base64 encoding. 357

Avoid webpack to add crypto-browser package. 364

4.0.0

This is an update including breaking changes for some environments.

In this version Math.random() has been replaced by the random methods of the native crypto module.

For this reason CryptoJS might not run in some JavaScript environments without native crypto module. Such as IE 10 or before or React Native.

3.3.0

Rollback, 3.3.0 is the same as 3.1.9-1.

The move of using native secure crypto module will be shifted to a new 4.x.x version. As it is a breaking change the impact is too big for a minor release.

3.2.1

The usage of the native crypto module has been fixed. The import and access of the native crypto module has been improved.

3.2.0

In this version Math.random() has been replaced by the random methods of the native crypto module.

For this reason CryptoJS might does not run in some JavaScript environments without native crypto module. Such as IE 10 or before.

If it's absolute required to run CryptoJS in such an environment, stay with 3.1.x version. Encrypting and decrypting stays compatible. But keep in mind 3.1.x versions still use Math.random() which is cryptographically not secure, as it's not random enough.

This version came along with CRITICAL BUG.

DO NOT USE THIS VERSION! Please, go for a newer version!

3.1.x

The 3.1.x are based on the original CryptoJS, wrapped in CommonJS modules.