express-rate-limit vs rate-limiter-flexible vs express-slow-down vs express-brute vs express-limiter
Express Middleware for Rate Limiting
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express-rate-limitrate-limiter-flexibleexpress-slow-downexpress-bruteexpress-limiterSimilar Packages:
Express Middleware for Rate Limiting

These npm packages provide various methods for rate limiting in Express applications, helping to protect against abuse and ensuring fair usage of resources. They implement different strategies for limiting the number of requests a client can make to a server within a specified timeframe, which is crucial for maintaining application performance and security. Each package offers unique features and configurations to suit different use cases and requirements.

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express-rate-limit9,597,1893,194141 kB8a month agoMIT
rate-limiter-flexible1,307,1863,437191 kB164 days agoISC
express-slow-down58,40629238.2 kB0a month agoMIT
express-brute13,153568-219 years agoBSD
express-limiter12,156423-218 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: express-rate-limit vs rate-limiter-flexible vs express-slow-down vs express-brute vs express-limiter

Configuration Flexibility

  • express-rate-limit:

    Express-rate-limit provides straightforward configuration options for defining limits based on IP addresses, making it easy to implement without extensive setup. It supports custom message responses and headers for feedback.

  • rate-limiter-flexible:

    Rate-limiter-flexible offers a high degree of configuration flexibility, supporting various rate limiting strategies (like sliding window) and allowing for custom handling of exceeded limits, making it ideal for complex systems.

  • express-slow-down:

    Express-slow-down allows you to configure both the rate limit and the delay for responses, giving you control over how to handle excessive requests while still allowing access to legitimate users.

  • express-brute:

    Express-brute allows extensive configuration options, enabling developers to define custom rate limits, group users, and choose different storage backends. This flexibility makes it suitable for complex applications with varying rate limiting needs.

  • express-limiter:

    Express-limiter offers basic configuration options, focusing on simplicity. It allows you to set a fixed number of requests per time window but lacks advanced features for customization.

Storage Options

  • express-rate-limit:

    Express-rate-limit uses in-memory storage by default but can be extended to use Redis or other storage solutions for persistence and scalability.

  • rate-limiter-flexible:

    Rate-limiter-flexible supports various storage options, including in-memory, Redis, and MongoDB, making it versatile for both single-instance and distributed applications.

  • express-slow-down:

    Express-slow-down also relies on in-memory storage, making it easy to implement but potentially limiting in distributed systems without additional configuration.

  • express-brute:

    Express-brute supports multiple storage backends, including in-memory, Redis, and MongoDB, allowing for persistence and scalability in rate limiting across different environments.

  • express-limiter:

    Express-limiter primarily uses in-memory storage, which is simple but may not be suitable for distributed applications where persistence is required.

Performance Impact

  • express-rate-limit:

    Express-rate-limit is designed to be lightweight and efficient, ensuring that it does not significantly impact application performance even under moderate load.

  • rate-limiter-flexible:

    Rate-limiter-flexible is optimized for performance and can handle high traffic loads efficiently, especially when using Redis or other fast storage solutions.

  • express-slow-down:

    Express-slow-down can introduce additional latency for users exceeding the rate limit, which can be beneficial for mitigating attacks but may affect user experience if not configured properly.

  • express-brute:

    Express-brute can introduce some overhead due to its flexibility and storage options, but it is generally efficient for most applications. Performance may vary based on the chosen backend.

  • express-limiter:

    Express-limiter has minimal performance impact due to its simplicity, making it suitable for applications with light traffic.

Use Case Suitability

  • express-rate-limit:

    Express-rate-limit is a good choice for most applications needing basic rate limiting based on IP addresses, making it versatile for various use cases.

  • rate-limiter-flexible:

    Rate-limiter-flexible is perfect for complex applications that require advanced rate limiting features and support for distributed systems, making it highly suitable for microservices architectures.

  • express-slow-down:

    Express-slow-down is particularly useful for applications that need to mitigate brute force attacks while still allowing legitimate users access, making it suitable for login endpoints.

  • express-brute:

    Express-brute is ideal for applications requiring complex rate limiting logic, such as those with different user roles or varying limits based on user behavior.

  • express-limiter:

    Express-limiter is best suited for simple applications where basic rate limiting is sufficient, such as small APIs or websites with low traffic.

Community and Support

  • express-rate-limit:

    Express-rate-limit has a large community and extensive documentation, making it easy to find support and examples for implementation.

  • rate-limiter-flexible:

    Rate-limiter-flexible has a growing community and is well-supported, with comprehensive documentation and examples available for various use cases.

  • express-slow-down:

    Express-slow-down has a moderate level of community support, with documentation available but fewer examples compared to more popular packages.

  • express-brute:

    Express-brute has a smaller community compared to some other options, but it is well-documented and actively maintained, providing sufficient support for users.

  • express-limiter:

    Express-limiter has a minimal community presence, which may limit available resources and examples for implementation.

How to Choose: express-rate-limit vs rate-limiter-flexible vs express-slow-down vs express-brute vs express-limiter
  • express-rate-limit:

    Opt for express-rate-limit if you need a simple yet effective middleware that provides basic rate limiting functionality with minimal setup. It is widely used and well-documented, making it a good choice for most applications needing basic rate limiting based on IP addresses.

  • rate-limiter-flexible:

    Choose rate-limiter-flexible for advanced rate limiting features, including support for multiple strategies (like sliding window) and the ability to handle distributed systems. It is highly configurable and suitable for applications that require more sophisticated rate limiting mechanisms.

  • express-slow-down:

    Use express-slow-down when you want to not only limit requests but also slow down responses for clients that exceed the rate limit. This can be particularly useful for mitigating brute force attacks while still allowing legitimate users to access your application without being completely blocked.

  • express-brute:

    Choose express-brute if you need a flexible and customizable rate limiting solution that can handle various backends for storing rate limit data, such as memory, Redis, or MongoDB. It allows for complex configurations, including grouping users and applying different limits based on user roles.

  • express-limiter:

    Select express-limiter for a straightforward and minimalistic approach to rate limiting. It is easy to set up and works well for simple use cases where you want to limit requests based on IP addresses without complex configurations or additional dependencies.

Similar Npm Packages to express-rate-limit

express-rate-limit is a middleware for Express.js that helps to limit repeated requests to public APIs and endpoints. It is particularly useful for preventing abuse and ensuring fair usage of resources by controlling the rate at which clients can make requests. By implementing rate limiting, developers can protect their applications from denial-of-service attacks and reduce the load on their servers.

While express-rate-limit is a popular choice for rate limiting in Express applications, there are several alternatives that offer different features and capabilities. Here are a few notable options:

  • express-brute is a robust rate-limiting middleware for Express.js that provides more advanced features compared to express-rate-limit. It allows you to define complex rate-limiting strategies, including support for different stores (like memory, Redis, etc.) and customizable error messages. If you need a more flexible and powerful solution for rate limiting that can handle various scenarios, express-brute is a great choice.

  • express-slow-down is another middleware for Express.js that focuses on slowing down responses instead of outright blocking requests. This can be particularly useful in situations where you want to deter abusive behavior without completely denying access. By introducing delays for repeated requests, express-slow-down can help mitigate the impact of abusive clients while still allowing them to access the service.

  • rate-limiter-flexible is a flexible and powerful rate-limiting library that can be used with various frameworks, including Express.js. It supports a wide range of features, such as different storage backends (Redis, MongoDB, etc.), dynamic limits based on user roles, and more. If you need a highly configurable rate-limiting solution that can adapt to different requirements, rate-limiter-flexible is an excellent option.

To explore how these packages compare, check out the following link: Comparing express-brute vs express-rate-limit vs express-slow-down vs rate-limiter-flexible.

Similar Npm Packages to rate-limiter-flexible

rate-limiter-flexible is a powerful and flexible rate-limiting library for Node.js applications. It allows developers to implement rate-limiting strategies to control the number of requests a user can make to an API or service within a specified time frame. This is particularly useful for protecting APIs from abuse, ensuring fair usage, and maintaining performance under high load. The library supports various storage backends, including in-memory, Redis, and MongoDB, making it adaptable to different application architectures.

While rate-limiter-flexible is a robust solution, there are several alternatives available in the Node.js ecosystem that also provide rate-limiting capabilities. Here are a few notable ones:

  • bottleneck is a powerful rate-limiting library that allows you to control the rate of function execution. It provides features such as concurrency control, priority queues, and scheduling, making it suitable for scenarios where you need to manage the execution of asynchronous tasks. If your application requires more than just simple request limiting and you need to manage the execution of functions or tasks, bottleneck is an excellent choice.

  • express-rate-limit is a middleware for Express applications that provides basic rate-limiting functionality. It is easy to set up and configure, making it a popular choice for developers using the Express framework. If you are looking for a straightforward solution to limit the number of requests to your Express routes, express-rate-limit is a simple and effective option.

  • limiter is another lightweight rate-limiting library for Node.js. It provides a simple API for limiting the rate of function calls and can be easily integrated into existing applications. If you need a minimalistic approach to rate limiting without the overhead of more complex libraries, limiter can be a suitable choice.

To compare these libraries and see how they stack up against each other, check out the comparison: Comparing bottleneck vs express-rate-limit vs limiter vs rate-limiter-flexible.

Similar Npm Packages to express-slow-down

express-slow-down is an Express middleware that helps mitigate brute-force attacks by slowing down responses to repeated requests from the same IP address. It works by introducing a delay in the response time for requests that exceed a specified limit, effectively discouraging malicious users from overwhelming your server with rapid requests. This package is particularly useful for protecting login routes or sensitive endpoints in your Express applications.

While express-slow-down is effective, there are several alternatives that provide similar functionality for rate limiting and request management. Here are a few notable options:

  • express-brute is a simple and flexible rate-limiting middleware for Express applications. It allows developers to define custom strategies for handling brute-force attacks, including in-memory storage, Redis, or MongoDB. With express-brute, you can easily configure how many requests are allowed from a single IP address within a specified timeframe, making it a robust choice for protecting your application from abuse.

  • express-rate-limit is another popular middleware for rate limiting in Express applications. It provides a straightforward way to limit repeated requests to public APIs and endpoints. With express-rate-limit, you can set a maximum number of requests per IP address within a given timeframe, and it comes with built-in support for handling exceeded limits gracefully. This package is widely used and well-documented, making it a reliable choice for developers looking to implement rate limiting.

  • rate-limiter-flexible is a highly flexible rate-limiting library that can be used with various storage backends, including Redis, MongoDB, and in-memory storage. It allows for advanced configurations such as different limits for different routes, dynamic limits based on user roles, and more. This package is ideal for applications that require fine-grained control over rate limiting and need to support complex use cases.

To explore how express-slow-down compares with express-brute, express-rate-limit, and rate-limiter-flexible, check out the comparison: Comparing express-brute vs express-rate-limit vs express-slow-down vs rate-limiter-flexible.

Similar Npm Packages to express-brute

express-brute is a middleware for Express.js that provides a simple way to implement brute-force protection for your applications. It helps prevent abuse by limiting the number of requests a client can make to your server within a specified time frame. This is particularly useful for protecting sensitive endpoints, such as login routes, from automated attacks. With its customizable options, express-brute allows developers to define their own strategies for handling requests and responses, making it a flexible choice for rate limiting.

While express-brute is a robust option for rate limiting, there are several alternatives available in the Express ecosystem that also provide similar functionalities:

  • express-limiter is a simple rate-limiting middleware for Express applications. It allows developers to define limits on the number of requests a client can make over a specified time period. express-limiter is straightforward to use and can be easily integrated into existing Express applications, making it a good choice for projects that require basic rate-limiting functionality without additional complexity.

  • express-rate-limit is another popular middleware for rate limiting in Express applications. It provides a more feature-rich solution compared to express-limiter, allowing for advanced configurations such as custom error messages, dynamic limits based on request properties, and more. express-rate-limit is widely used and well-documented, making it a reliable choice for developers looking to implement rate limiting in their applications.

  • express-slow-down is a middleware that complements rate limiting by slowing down responses for clients that exceed specified request limits. Instead of outright blocking requests, express-slow-down introduces a delay for subsequent requests, which can help mitigate abuse while still allowing legitimate users to access the application. This can be particularly useful for protecting endpoints from brute-force attacks without completely denying access.

  • rate-limiter-flexible is a powerful and flexible rate-limiting library that can be used with various Node.js frameworks, including Express. It supports a wide range of storage options, including in-memory, Redis, and MongoDB, making it suitable for applications that require scalability and persistence. rate-limiter-flexible offers advanced features such as dynamic limits, multiple strategies, and custom error handling, making it an excellent choice for complex applications.

To see how express-brute compares with express-limiter, express-rate-limit, express-slow-down, and rate-limiter-flexible, check out the comparison: Comparing express-brute vs express-limiter vs express-rate-limit vs express-slow-down vs rate-limiter-flexible.

Similar Npm Packages to express-limiter

express-limiter is a middleware for Express applications that helps manage and limit the rate of incoming requests. It is designed to protect your application from abuse and ensure fair usage of resources by controlling how many requests a user can make in a given timeframe. By implementing rate limiting, developers can enhance the security and performance of their applications, preventing issues such as denial-of-service attacks and excessive resource consumption. While express-limiter is a solid choice for rate limiting, there are several alternatives available in the Express ecosystem. Here are a few notable ones:

  • express-brute is a robust rate-limiting middleware that provides a flexible way to protect your Express application from brute-force attacks. It allows you to configure various strategies for storing and managing request counts, such as in-memory, Redis, or MongoDB. With its customizable options, express-brute is ideal for applications that require fine-tuned control over rate limiting and the ability to handle different types of attacks effectively.

  • express-rate-limit is a popular middleware for rate limiting in Express applications. It is simple to set up and provides a straightforward way to limit repeated requests to your API. With features like customizable message responses and the ability to define different limits for different routes, express-rate-limit is a great choice for developers looking for an easy-to-use solution that integrates seamlessly with their existing Express setup.

  • express-slow-down is a middleware that slows down responses to requests from clients that exceed a specified rate limit. Instead of blocking requests outright, express-slow-down introduces a delay in response times, which can deter abusive behavior while still allowing users to access the application. This approach can be particularly useful for applications that want to maintain user experience while implementing rate limiting.

  • rate-limiter-flexible is a versatile and powerful rate-limiting library that can be used with various Node.js frameworks, including Express. It supports multiple storage backends, such as Redis, MongoDB, and in-memory storage, and offers advanced features like dynamic limits, multiple strategies, and flexible configurations. If your application requires a more comprehensive and adaptable rate-limiting solution, rate-limiter-flexible is an excellent choice.

For a detailed comparison of these packages, check out: Comparing express-brute vs express-limiter vs express-rate-limit vs express-slow-down vs rate-limiter-flexible.

README for express-rate-limit

express-rate-limit

tests npm version npm downloads license

Basic rate-limiting middleware for Express. Use to limit repeated requests to public APIs and/or endpoints such as password reset. Plays nice with express-slow-down and ratelimit-header-parser.

Usage

The full documentation is available on-line.

import { rateLimit } from 'express-rate-limit'

const limiter = rateLimit({
	windowMs: 15 * 60 * 1000, // 15 minutes
	limit: 100, // Limit each IP to 100 requests per `window` (here, per 15 minutes).
	standardHeaders: 'draft-8', // draft-6: `RateLimit-*` headers; draft-7 & draft-8: combined `RateLimit` header
	legacyHeaders: false, // Disable the `X-RateLimit-*` headers.
	ipv6Subnet: 56, // Set to 60 or 64 to be less aggressive, or 52 or 48 to be more aggressive
	// store: ... , // Redis, Memcached, etc. See below.
})

// Apply the rate limiting middleware to all requests.
app.use(limiter)

Data Stores

The rate limiter comes with a built-in memory store, and supports a variety of external data stores.

Configuration

All function options may be async. Click the name for additional info and default values.

OptionTypeRemarks
windowMsnumberHow long to remember requests for, in milliseconds.
limitnumber | functionHow many requests to allow.
messagestring | json | functionResponse to return after limit is reached.
statusCodenumberHTTP status code after limit is reached (default is 429).
handlerfunctionFunction to run after limit is reached (overrides message and statusCode settings, if set).
legacyHeadersbooleanEnable the X-Rate-Limit header.
standardHeaders'draft-6' | 'draft-7' | 'draft-8'Enable the Ratelimit header.
identifierstring | functionName associated with the quota policy enforced by this rate limiter.
storeStoreUse a custom store to share hit counts across multiple nodes.
passOnStoreErrorbooleanAllow (true) or block (false, default) traffic if the store becomes unavailable.
keyGeneratorfunctionIdentify users (defaults to IP address).
ipv6Subnetnumber (32-64) | function | falseHow many bits of IPv6 addresses to use in default keyGenerator
requestPropertyNamestringAdd rate limit info to the req object.
skipfunctionReturn true to bypass the limiter for the given request.
skipSuccessfulRequestsbooleanUncount 1xx/2xx/3xx responses.
skipFailedRequestsbooleanUncount 4xx/5xx responses.
requestWasSuccessfulfunctionUsed by skipSuccessfulRequests and skipFailedRequests.
validateboolean | objectEnable or disable built-in validation checks.

Thank You

Sponsored by Zuplo a fully-managed API Gateway for developers. Add dynamic rate-limiting, authentication and more to any API in minutes. Learn more at zuplo.com

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Thanks to Mintlify for hosting the documentation at express-rate-limit.mintlify.app

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Finally, thank you to everyone who's contributed to this project in any way! 🫶

Issues and Contributing

If you encounter a bug or want to see something added/changed, please go ahead and open an issue! If you need help with something, feel free to start a discussion!

If you wish to contribute to the library, thanks! First, please read the contributing guide. Then you can pick up any issue and fix/implement it!

License

MIT © Nathan Friedly, Vedant K

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