date-fns vs dayjs vs moment vs luxon vs date-fns-tz vs js-joda: Which is Better JavaScript Date Manipulation Libraries?

Package	Downloads	Stars	Size	Issues	Publish	License

date-fns	21,598,876	34,614	22.6 MB	744	18 days ago	MIT
dayjs	20,891,206	46,782	670 kB	1,009	a month ago	MIT
moment	20,775,742	47,964	4.35 MB	255	9 months ago	MIT
luxon	9,269,427	15,324	4.48 MB	182	2 months ago	MIT
date-fns-tz	3,336,175	1,060	218 kB	67	5 days ago	MIT
js-joda	24,080	1,617	-	17	5 years ago	BSD-3-Clause

Package

Downloads

Stars

Size

Issues

Publish

License

date-fns

21,598,876

34,614

22.6 MB

744

18 days ago

MIT

dayjs

20,891,206

46,782

670 kB

1,009

a month ago

MIT

moment

20,775,742

47,964

4.35 MB

255

9 months ago

MIT

luxon

9,269,427

15,324

4.48 MB

182

2 months ago

MIT

date-fns-tz

3,336,175

1,060

218 kB

5 days ago

MIT

js-joda

24,080

1,617

5 years ago

BSD-3-Clause

Modularity

date-fns: date-fns is designed with a modular architecture, allowing developers to import only the functions they need. This results in smaller bundle sizes and improved performance, making it ideal for modern web applications.
dayjs: dayjs is also modular, offering plugins for additional features. This allows developers to keep the core library small while extending functionality as needed, making it a flexible choice for various projects.
moment: moment is a monolithic library that includes a wide range of features out of the box. While it offers convenience, it can lead to larger bundle sizes and is less modular compared to newer libraries.
luxon: luxon is a more monolithic library but offers built-in support for time zones and localization. It provides a rich API that covers most use cases without needing additional plugins or modules.
date-fns-tz: date-fns-tz builds on the modularity of date-fns, adding time zone functionalities while maintaining a lightweight footprint. It allows for selective imports, ensuring that only necessary features are included.
js-joda: js-joda is not as modular as others but provides a comprehensive API that covers all aspects of date and time manipulation. It is designed for precision and consistency, making it suitable for complex applications.

Time Zone Handling

date-fns: date-fns does not handle time zones natively, but with date-fns-tz, you can easily manage time zone conversions, making it a good choice for applications that require this functionality.
dayjs: dayjs has a plugin for time zone support, allowing for basic time zone manipulation. However, it may not be as comprehensive as date-fns-tz for complex time zone scenarios.
moment: moment has built-in time zone support through the moment-timezone plugin, but it is heavier and less efficient compared to newer libraries like date-fns-tz and luxon.
luxon: luxon provides extensive time zone support built into its core, leveraging the Intl API for accurate time zone conversions and formatting, making it a strong candidate for international applications.
date-fns-tz: date-fns-tz excels in time zone handling, providing functions to convert dates between time zones and format them accordingly. This makes it essential for applications that operate across multiple regions.
js-joda: js-joda offers robust time zone support based on the ISO-8601 standard, making it suitable for applications that require precise date and time calculations across different time zones.

Performance

date-fns: date-fns is optimized for performance due to its modular nature, allowing developers to use only the necessary functions, resulting in faster execution and smaller bundle sizes.
dayjs: dayjs is designed for speed and efficiency, with a small footprint that allows for quick operations. It is particularly well-suited for performance-critical applications.
moment: moment is known for its ease of use but can suffer from performance issues due to its size and complexity. It is generally recommended to use lighter alternatives for new projects.
luxon: luxon is built on the Intl API, providing efficient date and time handling. While it may not be as lightweight as others, it balances performance with comprehensive features.
date-fns-tz: date-fns-tz maintains the performance benefits of date-fns while adding time zone capabilities, ensuring that applications remain efficient even when handling complex date manipulations.
js-joda: js-joda is built for precision and performance, especially in applications that require complex date and time calculations. Its adherence to the ISO-8601 standard ensures reliable results.

Learning Curve

date-fns: date-fns has a relatively low learning curve, especially for developers familiar with functional programming concepts. Its straightforward API makes it easy to get started with date manipulation.
dayjs: dayjs is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with a familiar API for those who have used Moment.js. Its simplicity makes it accessible for beginners.
moment: moment is widely known and has extensive documentation, making it easy to learn for many developers. However, its complexity can be overwhelming for newcomers.
luxon: luxon offers a rich API that may take some time to learn, but its clear documentation and modern design make it approachable for developers looking for advanced date handling capabilities.
date-fns-tz: date-fns-tz builds on the familiarity of date-fns, making it easy for existing users to adopt time zone handling without a steep learning curve.
js-joda: js-joda has a steeper learning curve due to its comprehensive API and adherence to the ISO-8601 standard. It may require more time to master for those unfamiliar with date and time concepts.

Localization

date-fns: date-fns provides localization support through its functions, allowing developers to format dates in various locales, making it suitable for international applications.
dayjs: dayjs supports localization through plugins, allowing developers to format dates according to different locales, although it may require additional setup.
moment: moment has extensive localization support built-in, making it easy to format dates in multiple languages. However, its size and complexity can be a drawback for new projects.
luxon: luxon excels in localization, leveraging the Intl API to provide robust support for various locales and formatting options, making it ideal for global applications.
date-fns-tz: date-fns-tz inherits localization capabilities from date-fns, ensuring that time zone conversions can also respect local formatting rules.
js-joda: js-joda offers localization features based on the ISO-8601 standard, making it suitable for applications that need consistent date formatting across different locales.

date-fns: Choose date-fns if you prefer a lightweight, modular approach to date manipulation with a functional programming style. It offers a comprehensive set of functions without the overhead of a large library.

dayjs: Select dayjs for a minimalistic and modern alternative to Moment.js, especially if you want a small footprint with a similar API. It is ideal for projects that require fast performance and simplicity.

moment: Select moment if you are working on a legacy project that already uses it, as it has a large ecosystem and community support. However, be aware that it is heavier and has been superseded by lighter alternatives.

luxon: Choose luxon if you want a comprehensive solution that includes time zone support, localization, and formatting capabilities. It is built on the Intl API and is well-suited for applications that need to manage dates and times in various locales.

date-fns-tz: Opt for date-fns-tz if you need to handle time zones specifically, as it extends date-fns with time zone support, making it suitable for applications that require accurate time zone conversions.

js-joda: Use js-joda if you need a robust date and time library that adheres to the ISO-8601 standard. It is particularly useful for applications that require precise date and time calculations, such as financial applications.

import { compareAsc, format } from "date-fns"; format(new Date(2014, 1, 11), "yyyy-MM-dd"); //=> '2014-02-11' const dates = [ new Date(1995, 6, 2), new Date(1987, 1, 11), new Date(1989, 6, 10), ]; dates.sort(compareAsc); //=> [ // Wed Feb 11 1987 00:00:00, // Mon Jul 10 1989 00:00:00, // Sun Jul 02 1995 00:00:00 // ]