Which is Better JavaScript Date Manipulation Libraries?
date-fns vs dayjs vs luxon vs moment-timezone
1 Year
date-fnsdayjsluxonmoment-timezoneSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Date Manipulation Libraries?

JavaScript date manipulation libraries provide developers with tools to handle date and time operations more efficiently than the native Date object. They simplify tasks such as formatting, parsing, and manipulating dates while addressing common pitfalls like time zone handling and localization. These libraries enhance productivity by offering a more intuitive API and reducing boilerplate code, making it easier to work with dates in web applications.

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date-fns22,050,96134,83522.6 MB7602 months agoMIT
dayjs20,645,57346,962670 kB1,0253 months agoMIT
luxon9,371,90115,4114.48 MB1833 months agoMIT
moment-timezone8,768,7443,8292.86 MB74a month agoMIT
Feature Comparison: date-fns vs dayjs vs luxon vs moment-timezone

Modularity

  • date-fns: date-fns is highly modular, allowing you to import only the functions you need. This reduces the overall size of your application, as you can avoid including unnecessary code, making it a great choice for performance-sensitive applications.
  • dayjs: dayjs is designed to be minimalistic and modular, but it does not offer the same level of tree-shaking as date-fns. However, it still maintains a small footprint, making it suitable for projects where size is a concern.
  • luxon: Luxon is not modular in the same way as date-fns, as it is a single package. However, it provides a comprehensive API that covers a wide range of date and time functionalities, which can be beneficial for complex applications.
  • moment-timezone: moment-timezone is an extension of Moment.js and is not modular. It includes all of Moment.js's features, which can lead to larger bundle sizes. If you are using Moment.js, you will need to include moment-timezone to handle time zones.

Time Zone Support

  • date-fns: date-fns has limited time zone support, relying on the native Date object for time zone conversions. It is not ideal for applications that require extensive time zone manipulation.
  • dayjs: dayjs has a plugin for time zone support, but it is not as comprehensive as Luxon or moment-timezone. It is suitable for basic time zone needs but may fall short for complex scenarios.
  • luxon: Luxon excels in time zone support, built on the Intl API. It allows for easy manipulation and formatting of dates in different time zones, making it ideal for applications that require accurate time zone handling.
  • moment-timezone: moment-timezone provides robust time zone support as an extension of Moment.js. It allows for easy manipulation of dates across various time zones, making it suitable for applications with complex time zone requirements.

Localization

  • date-fns: date-fns offers localization support through its functions, allowing you to format dates according to different locales. However, it may require additional setup for complete localization.
  • dayjs: dayjs supports localization with its built-in locale features, making it easy to format dates in various languages. It is straightforward to use and integrates well with its API.
  • luxon: Luxon provides extensive localization support, leveraging the Intl API for formatting dates and times in different locales. It is particularly strong in handling internationalization, making it suitable for global applications.
  • moment-timezone: moment-timezone supports localization through Moment.js's features, allowing for easy formatting in different languages. However, it may not be as modern or efficient as Luxon.

Performance

  • date-fns: date-fns is designed for performance, as it allows for tree-shaking and includes only the necessary functions. This results in smaller bundle sizes and faster execution times compared to larger libraries.
  • dayjs: dayjs is lightweight and optimized for performance, making it one of the fastest libraries for date manipulation. Its small size and efficient API contribute to quick operations.
  • luxon: Luxon is more feature-rich, which can lead to slightly larger bundle sizes and potentially slower performance compared to lighter libraries. However, it is still efficient for most applications, especially those requiring complex date handling.
  • moment-timezone: moment-timezone is the heaviest of the options, as it includes all of Moment.js's features along with time zone support. This can result in slower performance and larger bundle sizes, making it less ideal for performance-sensitive applications.

Learning Curve

  • date-fns: date-fns has a relatively low learning curve due to its functional programming style and straightforward API. Developers familiar with JavaScript will find it easy to pick up and use effectively.
  • dayjs: dayjs is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, especially for those familiar with Moment.js. Its API is similar, making it easy to transition for existing users.
  • luxon: Luxon has a moderate learning curve due to its rich feature set and reliance on the Intl API. While it is powerful, developers may need to invest time in understanding its more complex functionalities.
  • moment-timezone: moment-timezone has a steeper learning curve, particularly for new users unfamiliar with Moment.js. Its extensive features can be overwhelming, but it is well-documented.
How to Choose: date-fns vs dayjs vs luxon vs moment-timezone
  • date-fns: Choose date-fns if you prefer a modular approach with a functional programming style. It allows you to import only the functions you need, reducing bundle size and improving performance. It's ideal for projects that require lightweight date manipulation without the overhead of a full library.
  • dayjs: Select dayjs for a lightweight, modern alternative to Moment.js that offers a similar API. It is particularly useful if you need a simple, fast library with a small footprint and are looking for a drop-in replacement for Moment.js without the bloat.
  • luxon: Opt for Luxon if you need robust support for time zones and internationalization. It is built on the modern Intl API and provides a rich set of features for working with dates and times in various locales, making it suitable for applications that require complex date handling and formatting.
  • moment-timezone: Use moment-timezone if your project already relies on Moment.js and you need to handle time zones. It extends Moment.js with time zone support, but be aware of its larger size and performance overhead compared to more modern alternatives.
README for date-fns

🔥️ NEW: date-fns v4.0 with first-class time zone support is out!

date-fns

date-fns provides the most comprehensive, yet simple and consistent toolset for manipulating JavaScript dates in a browser & Node.js

👉 Documentation

👉 Blog


It's like Lodash for dates

  • It has 200+ functions for all occasions.
  • Modular: Pick what you need. Works with webpack, Browserify, or Rollup and also supports tree-shaking.
  • Native dates: Uses existing native type. It doesn't extend core objects for safety's sake.
  • Immutable & Pure: Built using pure functions and always returns a new date instance.
  • TypeScript: The library is 100% TypeScript with brand-new handcrafted types.
  • I18n: Dozens of locales. Include only what you need.
  • and many more benefits
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
// ]

The library is available as an npm package. To install the package run:

npm install date-fns --save

Docs

See date-fns.org for more details, API, and other docs.


License

MIT © Sasha Koss