csv-stringify vs papaparse vs fast-csv vs csv-parser vs csvtojson vs node-csv
CSV Parsing and Stringifying Libraries Comparison
1 Year
csv-stringifypapaparsefast-csvcsv-parsercsvtojsonnode-csvSimilar Packages:
What's CSV Parsing and Stringifying Libraries?

These libraries provide various functionalities for parsing CSV (Comma-Separated Values) data and converting it into usable formats, as well as stringifying objects into CSV format. They are essential for handling data in web applications, especially when dealing with data import/export functionalities, data manipulation, and integration with other systems. Each library has its own strengths, performance characteristics, and use cases, making it important to choose the right one based on specific project requirements.

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csv-stringify4,445,6374,111916 kB513 months agoMIT
papaparse3,587,37812,805263 kB207a month agoMIT
fast-csv2,499,9561,6967.03 kB544 months agoMIT
csv-parser1,202,9771,44229.5 kB56a month agoMIT
csvtojson891,4872,023-1266 years agoMIT
node-csv15,429---13 years ago-
Feature Comparison: csv-stringify vs papaparse vs fast-csv vs csv-parser vs csvtojson vs node-csv

Performance

  • csv-stringify:

    csv-stringify is optimized for converting data to CSV quickly, making it suitable for applications that need to generate CSV files rapidly without sacrificing performance.

  • papaparse:

    papaparse is optimized for client-side performance, allowing for fast parsing of large CSV files without blocking the main thread, thanks to its use of web workers.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv is built for speed and can handle large datasets efficiently, both for parsing and stringifying, making it ideal for real-time data processing applications.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser is designed for high performance, especially with large files, as it streams data and processes it on-the-fly, minimizing memory usage and maximizing speed.

  • csvtojson:

    csvtojson is efficient in converting CSV to JSON, but its performance can vary based on the complexity of the CSV structure and the transformations applied during conversion.

  • node-csv:

    node-csv provides a balance of performance and flexibility, but may not be as fast as specialized libraries for specific tasks like streaming or bulk processing.

Streaming Support

  • csv-stringify:

    csv-stringify also supports streaming, enabling you to generate CSV output incrementally, which is useful for large datasets or when integrating with other data streams.

  • papaparse:

    papaparse supports streaming for parsing large files, allowing you to handle data in chunks, which is beneficial for client-side applications.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv provides robust streaming capabilities for both parsing and stringifying, making it an excellent choice for applications that require real-time data processing.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser supports streaming, allowing you to process large CSV files line by line without loading the entire file into memory, which is crucial for handling big data.

  • csvtojson:

    csvtojson supports streaming input, making it efficient for converting large CSV files to JSON format without excessive memory usage, but it does not support streaming output.

  • node-csv:

    node-csv supports both parsing and stringifying in a streaming manner, but it may require additional configuration to optimize for large datasets.

Ease of Use

  • csv-stringify:

    csv-stringify offers a simple and intuitive API for converting data to CSV, making it easy to implement in projects without a steep learning curve.

  • papaparse:

    papaparse is known for its simplicity and ease of use, especially in client-side applications, making it a favorite among developers for quick implementations.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv strikes a good balance between usability and functionality, offering a clear API that is easy to work with while still providing advanced features for more complex use cases.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser has a straightforward API that is easy to use for basic CSV parsing tasks, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.

  • csvtojson:

    csvtojson provides a user-friendly interface for converting CSV to JSON, with options for customization that are easy to understand and apply.

  • node-csv:

    node-csv has a more extensive API that may require a bit more time to learn, but it offers great flexibility and control over CSV processing.

Feature Set

  • csv-stringify:

    csv-stringify is dedicated to converting data to CSV format, providing a rich set of options for formatting and customizing the output.

  • papaparse:

    papaparse offers a rich feature set for parsing, including support for headers, dynamic typing, and error handling, making it suitable for a variety of use cases.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv offers both parsing and stringifying capabilities, along with a variety of configuration options, making it a comprehensive solution for CSV handling.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser focuses on efficient parsing and does not include stringifying capabilities, making it specialized for reading CSV data.

  • csvtojson:

    csvtojson excels in converting CSV to JSON and includes features like custom delimiters and transformation functions, making it versatile for various data formats.

  • node-csv:

    node-csv provides a wide range of features for both parsing and stringifying, including support for custom delimiters and advanced parsing options, making it highly configurable.

Community and Support

  • csv-stringify:

    csv-stringify benefits from a strong community and extensive documentation, providing ample resources for developers.

  • papaparse:

    papaparse has a large community and extensive documentation, making it easy to find examples and support for various use cases.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv has an active community and is well-maintained, ensuring that developers can find help and updates as needed.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser has a growing community and is well-documented, making it easy to find support and resources for troubleshooting.

  • csvtojson:

    csvtojson has a decent community and documentation, but may not be as extensive as some of the more popular libraries.

  • node-csv:

    node-csv has a solid user base and documentation, but may not have as many active contributors as some other libraries.

How to Choose: csv-stringify vs papaparse vs fast-csv vs csv-parser vs csvtojson vs node-csv
  • csv-stringify:

    Select csv-stringify if you need to convert JavaScript objects or arrays into CSV format. It offers a straightforward API and is particularly useful for generating CSV files from data structures.

  • papaparse:

    Choose papaparse for its versatility and ease of use, especially in client-side applications. It provides features like web worker support for parsing large files without blocking the UI.

  • fast-csv:

    Use fast-csv for a balanced approach that offers both parsing and stringifying capabilities with a focus on performance. It is suitable for processing large CSV files in a streaming manner, making it efficient for real-time applications.

  • csv-parser:

    Choose csv-parser for its simplicity and performance when you need a fast and efficient way to parse CSV files into JavaScript objects. It is ideal for large datasets and streaming data processing.

  • csvtojson:

    Opt for csvtojson if you require a robust solution that can handle various CSV formats and convert them directly into JSON. It supports advanced features like custom delimiters and transformation functions.

  • node-csv:

    Consider node-csv if you need a comprehensive library that provides both parsing and stringifying functionalities along with extensive configuration options. It is well-suited for complex CSV handling scenarios.

README for csv-stringify

CSV stringifier for Node.js and the web

Build Status NPM NPM

The csv-stringify package is a stringifier converting records into a CSV text and implementing the Node.js stream.Transform API. It also provides the easier synchronous and callback-based APIs for conveniency. It is both extremely easy to use and powerful. It was first released in 2010 and is tested against big data sets by a large community.

Documentation

Main features

  • Follow the Node.js streaming API
  • Simplicity with the optional callback API
  • Support for custom formatters, delimiters, quotes, escape characters and header
  • Support big datasets
  • Complete test coverage and samples for inspiration
  • Only 1 external dependency
  • to be used conjointly with csv-generate, csv-parse and stream-transform
  • MIT License

Usage

Run npm install csv to install the full CSV module or run npm install csv-stringify if you are only interested by the CSV stringifier.

The module is built on the Node.js Stream API. Use the callback and sync APIs for simplicity or the stream based API for scalability.

Example

The API is available in multiple flavors. This example illustrates the sync API.

import { stringify } from "csv-stringify/sync";
import assert from "assert";

const output = stringify([
  ["1", "2", "3", "4"],
  ["a", "b", "c", "d"],
]);

assert.equal(output, "1,2,3,4\na,b,c,d\n");

Development

Tests are executed with mocha. To install it, run npm install followed by npm test. It will install mocha and its dependencies in your project "node_modules" directory and run the test suite. The tests run against the CoffeeScript source files.

To generate the JavaScript files, run npm run build.

The test suite is run online with Travis. See the Travis definition file to view the tested Node.js version.

Contributors

The project is sponsored by Adaltas, an Big Data consulting firm based in Paris, France.