http-proxy-agent vs http-proxy-middleware vs http-proxy vs express-http-proxy vs proxy-middleware
Node.js Proxy Middleware Packages Comparison
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http-proxy-agenthttp-proxy-middlewarehttp-proxyexpress-http-proxyproxy-middleware
What's Node.js Proxy Middleware Packages?

These packages provide various functionalities for creating HTTP proxies in Node.js applications. They help in routing requests to different servers, handling responses, and managing various aspects of HTTP communication. Each package has its own unique features and use cases, making them suitable for different scenarios in web development, such as API gateways, load balancing, and request forwarding.

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http-proxy-agent56,534,03498923.3 kB33a year agoMIT
http-proxy-middleware17,080,69310,87681.4 kB1124 months agoMIT
http-proxy16,573,82414,012-6125 years agoMIT
express-http-proxy588,2921,241137 kB1476 months agoMIT
proxy-middleware510,529144-209 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: http-proxy-agent vs http-proxy-middleware vs http-proxy vs express-http-proxy vs proxy-middleware

Integration with Express

  • http-proxy-agent:

    This package does not integrate directly with Express and is more of a utility for creating HTTP agents for use with other libraries.

  • http-proxy-middleware:

    This package is built as middleware for Express, making it very easy to set up and use for route-specific proxying.

  • http-proxy:

    While not specifically tied to Express, http-proxy can be used within Express applications, but requires more manual setup compared to express-http-proxy.

  • express-http-proxy:

    This package is designed specifically for use with Express.js, allowing you to seamlessly integrate proxying capabilities into your existing Express middleware stack.

  • proxy-middleware:

    This package can be used in any Node.js application, including Express, but is not specifically tailored for it.

Configuration Options

  • http-proxy-agent:

    Focuses on agent configuration options, allowing you to specify proxy settings and manage connection pooling, but does not handle request/response modification.

  • http-proxy-middleware:

    Includes options for path rewriting, filtering requests, and customizing response handling, making it versatile for middleware use.

  • http-proxy:

    Provides extensive options for customizing the proxy behavior, including handling websockets, modifying requests and responses, and error handling.

  • express-http-proxy:

    Offers a variety of configuration options such as handling timeouts, modifying headers, and logging requests, making it flexible for different use cases.

  • proxy-middleware:

    Offers basic configuration options, but is less feature-rich compared to the other packages.

Use Cases

  • http-proxy-agent:

    Useful for scenarios where you need to route outgoing requests through a proxy server, especially in environments with strict network policies.

  • http-proxy-middleware:

    Perfect for creating a proxy for specific routes in an Express application, such as when you want to forward requests to a microservice architecture.

  • http-proxy:

    Best suited for custom proxy solutions where you need complete control over the request and response lifecycle, such as building a custom load balancer.

  • express-http-proxy:

    Ideal for applications that need to proxy API requests to a backend server while maintaining the Express.js routing and middleware capabilities.

  • proxy-middleware:

    Great for lightweight proxying needs in any Node.js application, especially when you want to keep things simple.

Performance

  • http-proxy-agent:

    Performance depends on the underlying HTTP library, but it is generally efficient for managing outgoing requests through a proxy.

  • http-proxy-middleware:

    Performance is good for typical use cases, but may vary based on the complexity of the middleware logic you implement.

  • http-proxy:

    Highly performant and efficient, designed for low-level control, making it suitable for high-throughput applications.

  • express-http-proxy:

    Performance is generally good, but may introduce some overhead due to the additional middleware layer in Express.

  • proxy-middleware:

    Lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for simple proxying tasks without much overhead.

Community and Support

  • http-proxy-agent:

    Part of the broader HTTP agent ecosystem, with good documentation but less community focus compared to others.

  • http-proxy-middleware:

    Benefits from the popularity of Express, with a supportive community and many examples available.

  • http-proxy:

    Widely used and well-documented, with a large user base providing community support and contributions.

  • express-http-proxy:

    Has a strong community due to its integration with Express, with plenty of resources and examples available.

  • proxy-middleware:

    Smaller community compared to others, but still has adequate documentation and usage examples.

How to Choose: http-proxy-agent vs http-proxy-middleware vs http-proxy vs express-http-proxy vs proxy-middleware
  • http-proxy-agent:

    Opt for http-proxy-agent when you need to create an HTTP agent that can be used with other HTTP libraries, particularly when you want to route requests through a proxy server without modifying the request handling logic.

  • http-proxy-middleware:

    Use http-proxy-middleware if you want a simple middleware solution for Express that allows you to easily create a proxy for specific routes, with built-in support for various options like path rewriting and logging.

  • http-proxy:

    Select http-proxy for a low-level, flexible proxying solution that allows for fine-grained control over the proxying process, suitable for custom implementations where you need to handle requests and responses manually.

  • express-http-proxy:

    Choose express-http-proxy if you are working within an Express.js application and need a straightforward way to proxy requests to another server while maintaining the Express middleware structure.

  • proxy-middleware:

    Choose proxy-middleware for a lightweight solution that can be easily integrated into any Node.js application, especially when you need a simple way to proxy requests without the overhead of a full framework.

Similar Npm Packages to http-proxy-middleware

http-proxy-middleware is a middleware library for Node.js that allows you to create a proxy for your HTTP requests. It is commonly used in Express applications to route requests to different servers or APIs, enabling features like API aggregation, request forwarding, and handling CORS issues. With its flexible configuration options, http-proxy-middleware makes it easy to set up a proxy server that can handle various use cases in web applications.

There are several alternatives to http-proxy-middleware that also provide proxy capabilities. Here are a couple of notable options:

  • express-http-proxy is a middleware for Express that allows you to create a proxy for your HTTP requests. It is designed to be simple and straightforward, enabling you to forward requests to a target server with minimal configuration. express-http-proxy is particularly useful when you want to create a proxy for a specific route in your Express application without the additional features that http-proxy-middleware offers. If you need a lightweight solution for proxying requests in an Express app, express-http-proxy is a solid choice.

  • http-proxy is a more low-level library that provides a full-featured HTTP proxying solution. It is not tied to any specific framework, making it versatile for various Node.js applications. While it offers more control and customization options, it may require more setup and configuration compared to http-proxy-middleware or express-http-proxy. If you need fine-grained control over the proxying process and are comfortable with a more complex setup, http-proxy could be the right choice for your project.

To see how these packages compare, check out the comparison: Comparing express-http-proxy vs http-proxy vs http-proxy-middleware.

Similar Npm Packages to http-proxy

http-proxy is a powerful Node.js library that allows developers to create a proxy server. It enables the forwarding of HTTP requests to other servers, making it useful for various scenarios such as load balancing, API gateway implementations, and handling cross-origin requests. While http-proxy is a robust solution for proxying HTTP requests, there are several alternatives in the ecosystem that cater to different needs. Here are a few notable options:

  • express-http-proxy is a middleware for Express applications that simplifies the process of creating a proxy server. It allows developers to easily forward requests to another server while maintaining the original request's context. This library is particularly useful for integrating microservices or handling API requests in a seamless manner. If you are already using Express and need a straightforward way to set up a proxy, express-http-proxy is an excellent choice.
  • http-proxy-agent is a specialized library that provides an HTTP agent for proxying requests. It is particularly useful when you need to make HTTP requests through a proxy server, allowing you to specify proxy settings easily. This library is ideal for applications that require direct control over HTTP requests and need to route them through a proxy for security or network configuration reasons.
  • http-proxy-middleware is a middleware for Node.js applications that allows for easy integration of proxying capabilities into existing applications. It is designed to work seamlessly with Express and other frameworks, providing a simple API to create proxy endpoints. This library is particularly useful for applications that need to proxy requests to multiple backend services or APIs while maintaining a clean and organized codebase.
  • proxy-middleware is another lightweight middleware solution for handling HTTP proxying in Node.js applications. It provides a simple way to set up a proxy server and can be easily integrated into existing applications. This library is suitable for developers looking for a minimalistic approach to proxying without the overhead of more complex libraries.

For a detailed comparison of these packages, check out: Comparing express-http-proxy vs http-proxy vs http-proxy-agent vs http-proxy-middleware vs proxy-middleware.

Similar Npm Packages to express-http-proxy

express-http-proxy is a middleware for Express.js that allows you to create a proxy server easily. It enables you to forward HTTP requests from your Express application to another server, making it useful for scenarios like API aggregation, load balancing, or simply routing requests to a different backend service. With express-http-proxy, you can handle various aspects of the proxying process, including request and response transformations, error handling, and logging, all while maintaining a straightforward API.

While express-http-proxy is a robust choice for proxying requests in Express applications, there are other libraries available that provide similar functionality. Here are a couple of alternatives:

  • http-proxy is a full-featured HTTP proxy library for Node.js. It allows you to create a proxy server and handle various proxying scenarios, including WebSocket support. http-proxy is highly configurable and can be used in various contexts, not just with Express. If you need a more general-purpose proxy solution that can be integrated into different types of Node.js applications, http-proxy is an excellent choice.

  • http-proxy-middleware is another middleware for Node.js that is specifically designed to work with Express and Connect. It provides a simple way to create proxy middleware for your applications, allowing you to define routes that should be proxied to another server. http-proxy-middleware is particularly useful for setting up API proxies in development environments, as it can help you avoid CORS issues by routing requests through your server. If you are looking for a straightforward way to add proxy capabilities to your Express app, this library is a great option.

To see how express-http-proxy compares with http-proxy and http-proxy-middleware, check out the comparison: Comparing express-http-proxy vs http-proxy vs http-proxy-middleware.

README for http-proxy-agent

http-proxy-agent

An HTTP(s) proxy http.Agent implementation for HTTP

This module provides an http.Agent implementation that connects to a specified HTTP or HTTPS proxy server, and can be used with the built-in http module.

Note: For HTTP proxy usage with the https module, check out https-proxy-agent.

Example

import * as http from 'http';
import { HttpProxyAgent } from 'http-proxy-agent';

const agent = new HttpProxyAgent('http://168.63.76.32:3128');

http.get('http://nodejs.org/api/', { agent }, (res) => {
  console.log('"response" event!', res.headers);
  res.pipe(process.stdout);
});

API

new HttpProxyAgent(proxy: string | URL, options?: HttpProxyAgentOptions)

The HttpProxyAgent class implements an http.Agent subclass that connects to the specified "HTTP(s) proxy server" in order to proxy HTTP requests.

The proxy argument is the URL for the proxy server.

The options argument accepts the usual http.Agent constructor options, and some additional properties:

  • headers - Object containing additional headers to send to the proxy server in each request. This may also be a function that returns a headers object.

    NOTE: If your proxy does not strip these headers from the request, they will also be sent to the destination server.

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