passport-jwt vs express-jwt vs express-jwt-authz vs express-jwt-permissions vs jsonwebtoken
JWT Authentication Middleware for Node.js
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passport-jwtexpress-jwtexpress-jwt-authzexpress-jwt-permissionsjsonwebtokenSimilar Packages:
JWT Authentication Middleware for Node.js

These packages provide various functionalities for handling JSON Web Tokens (JWT) in Node.js applications, particularly for securing routes and managing user authentication. They help developers implement authentication strategies that protect APIs and manage permissions effectively. Each package has its unique features and use cases, making it essential to understand their differences to choose the right one for your application.

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passport-jwt2,082,3291,98252 kB41-MIT
express-jwt613,2704,51528.5 kB64a year agoMIT
express-jwt-authz38,584997.75 kB6-MIT
express-jwt-permissions16,78652219.9 kB9-MIT
jsonwebtoken018,11843.4 kB1855 days agoMIT
Feature Comparison: passport-jwt vs express-jwt vs express-jwt-authz vs express-jwt-permissions vs jsonwebtoken

Token Validation

  • passport-jwt:

    passport-jwt integrates token validation into the Passport authentication flow, allowing you to validate JWTs as part of a broader authentication strategy, making it easier to manage user sessions.

  • express-jwt:

    express-jwt provides a simple middleware to validate JWTs in incoming requests. It checks the token's signature and expiration, ensuring that only valid tokens can access protected routes.

  • express-jwt-authz:

    While express-jwt-authz builds on express-jwt, it focuses more on authorization rather than just validation. It ensures that the user has the necessary permissions based on the claims in the JWT after validation is done.

  • express-jwt-permissions:

    express-jwt-permissions offers a more detailed approach to permission checks after validating the token. It allows you to define and check specific permissions, making it suitable for applications with complex access control requirements.

  • jsonwebtoken:

    jsonwebtoken does not handle validation directly in the middleware context but provides functions to verify tokens and check their validity. It is essential for creating and managing JWTs but does not integrate as middleware.

Authorization Capabilities

  • passport-jwt:

    passport-jwt does not directly handle authorization; it focuses on validating the JWT as part of the Passport strategy. You will need to implement authorization checks based on the authenticated user.

  • express-jwt:

    express-jwt does not provide built-in authorization capabilities; it focuses solely on token validation. You will need to implement your own authorization logic after validation.

  • express-jwt-authz:

    express-jwt-authz adds authorization capabilities to express-jwt, allowing you to check user roles and permissions directly based on the claims in the JWT, making it easier to manage access control.

  • express-jwt-permissions:

    express-jwt-permissions allows for fine-grained permission checks, enabling you to define specific permissions that users must have to access certain routes, which is ideal for complex applications.

  • jsonwebtoken:

    jsonwebtoken does not provide authorization capabilities; it is primarily focused on token creation and verification. You will need to implement authorization logic separately.

Ease of Use

  • passport-jwt:

    passport-jwt is easy to use if you are already using Passport.js. It integrates seamlessly into the Passport authentication flow, but may require more setup if you are new to Passport.

  • express-jwt:

    express-jwt is easy to use and integrate into existing Express applications. It requires minimal setup and provides clear error handling for invalid tokens.

  • express-jwt-authz:

    express-jwt-authz is also straightforward to use, especially if you are already familiar with express-jwt. It extends the functionality without adding significant complexity.

  • express-jwt-permissions:

    express-jwt-permissions may require more initial setup to define permissions, but it provides a powerful way to manage access control once configured.

  • jsonwebtoken:

    jsonwebtoken is simple to use for creating and verifying tokens, but it requires additional code to integrate with Express middleware for validation.

Integration with Other Libraries

  • passport-jwt:

    passport-jwt is specifically designed to work with Passport.js, allowing for easy integration with other Passport strategies.

  • express-jwt:

    express-jwt integrates well with Express.js but does not have built-in support for other libraries or frameworks.

  • express-jwt-authz:

    express-jwt-authz is designed to work with express-jwt, making it a natural choice for applications that need both validation and authorization.

  • express-jwt-permissions:

    express-jwt-permissions can be used alongside express-jwt or express-jwt-authz, providing flexibility in how you manage permissions and access control.

  • jsonwebtoken:

    jsonwebtoken is a standalone library that can be used with any framework or library, but it requires additional code to integrate with Express.

Community and Support

  • passport-jwt:

    passport-jwt benefits from the extensive Passport.js community, providing a wealth of resources and support for developers.

  • express-jwt:

    express-jwt has a strong community and is widely used in the Node.js ecosystem, ensuring good support and regular updates.

  • express-jwt-authz:

    express-jwt-authz is less widely used than express-jwt but still has a supportive community, especially among those implementing role-based access control.

  • express-jwt-permissions:

    express-jwt-permissions has a smaller community, but it is gaining traction for applications requiring detailed permission management.

  • jsonwebtoken:

    jsonwebtoken has a large user base and is well-documented, making it easy to find support and examples for implementation.

How to Choose: passport-jwt vs express-jwt vs express-jwt-authz vs express-jwt-permissions vs jsonwebtoken
  • passport-jwt:

    Choose passport-jwt if you are already using Passport.js for authentication in your application. This strategy integrates JWT authentication into the Passport framework, allowing you to leverage Passport's extensive ecosystem for managing user authentication.

  • express-jwt:

    Choose express-jwt if you need a straightforward middleware for validating JWTs in your Express.js applications. It is suitable for applications that require basic token validation without additional authorization logic.

  • express-jwt-authz:

    Opt for express-jwt-authz if you need to implement role-based access control (RBAC) in your application. This package extends express-jwt by adding authorization capabilities based on the claims in the JWT, making it ideal for applications with complex permission requirements.

  • express-jwt-permissions:

    Select express-jwt-permissions if your application requires a more flexible and granular permission management system. This package allows you to define permissions based on the claims in the JWT and provides a simple way to check for specific permissions in your routes.

  • jsonwebtoken:

    Use jsonwebtoken if you need to create, sign, and verify JWTs manually. This package is essential for generating tokens and handling token expiration, making it a core component for any application that implements JWT-based authentication.

Similar Npm Packages to passport-jwt

passport-jwt is a Passport strategy for authenticating with JSON Web Tokens (JWT) in Node.js applications. It allows developers to easily implement JWT-based authentication in their Express applications, providing a straightforward way to secure routes and manage user sessions. By using passport-jwt, developers can ensure that only authenticated users can access certain resources, enhancing the security of their applications.

While passport-jwt is a robust solution for JWT authentication, there are other libraries that can also help manage JWTs in Node.js applications. Here are a few alternatives:

  • express-jwt is a middleware for Express applications that validates JWTs and automatically handles authentication. It checks the incoming requests for a valid JWT and denies access if the token is missing or invalid. express-jwt is a great choice for developers looking for a simple and effective way to secure their Express routes without the additional overhead of a full authentication framework like Passport. It is particularly useful for applications that require straightforward JWT validation without the need for user session management.

  • jsonwebtoken is a library that allows developers to sign, verify, and decode JSON Web Tokens. While it does not handle authentication directly, it provides the tools necessary to create and manage JWTs. Developers can use jsonwebtoken to generate tokens upon user login and verify them in subsequent requests. This library is ideal for those who want more control over the JWT lifecycle and prefer to implement their own authentication logic without relying on middleware.

To see how passport-jwt compares with express-jwt and jsonwebtoken, check out the comparison: Comparing express-jwt vs jsonwebtoken vs passport-jwt.

Similar Npm Packages to express-jwt

express-jwt is a middleware for Express.js that allows you to authenticate JSON Web Tokens (JWT) in your Node.js applications. It simplifies the process of securing your API endpoints by verifying the token sent in the request headers and ensuring that the user is authenticated before granting access to protected resources. This package is particularly useful in applications that require user authentication and authorization, making it a popular choice among developers.

However, there are several alternatives to express-jwt that also provide JWT authentication and authorization capabilities:

  • express-jwt-authz is an authorization middleware for Express.js that works in conjunction with express-jwt. While express-jwt handles authentication by verifying the token, express-jwt-authz focuses on authorization by checking if the authenticated user has the necessary permissions to access specific resources. This package is ideal for applications that require fine-grained access control based on user roles and permissions.

  • jsonwebtoken is a widely-used library for creating and verifying JWTs. While it is not a middleware like express-jwt, it provides the core functionality needed to generate and decode JWTs. Developers often use jsonwebtoken in conjunction with express-jwt to create and verify tokens, making it a fundamental part of the JWT ecosystem in Node.js applications.

  • jwt-simple is another lightweight library for encoding and decoding JWTs. It provides a simple API for working with JWTs, making it easy to integrate into your applications. While it lacks some of the advanced features of jsonwebtoken, jwt-simple is a good choice for developers looking for a minimalistic solution for handling JWTs.

  • koa-jwt is a middleware for Koa.js, similar to express-jwt but specifically designed for the Koa framework. It provides JWT authentication capabilities for Koa applications, allowing developers to secure their APIs with ease. If you are using Koa instead of Express, koa-jwt is the go-to option for handling JWT authentication.

  • passport-jwt is a strategy for the Passport authentication middleware that allows you to authenticate users using JWTs. It integrates seamlessly with the Passport framework, making it a suitable choice for applications that already use Passport for authentication. This package provides a robust solution for managing user authentication with JWTs in a modular way.

To explore how express-jwt compares with its alternatives, check out the comparison: Comparing express-jwt vs express-jwt-authz vs jsonwebtoken vs jwt-simple vs koa-jwt vs passport-jwt.

Similar Npm Packages to express-jwt-authz

express-jwt-authz is a middleware for Express.js that simplifies the process of authorizing requests based on JSON Web Tokens (JWT). It allows developers to enforce access control by checking user permissions against the claims present in the JWT. This package is particularly useful for building secure APIs where user roles and permissions are essential for determining access to various resources.

While express-jwt-authz provides a robust solution for JWT-based authorization, there are several alternatives that can also be used for managing authentication and authorization in Express applications. Here are a few notable options:

  • express-jwt is a middleware that helps protect routes by validating JWTs. It ensures that incoming requests contain a valid token and can automatically handle token expiration. While express-jwt focuses on authentication, it does not handle authorization directly, making it a good companion to express-jwt-authz for complete security solutions.
  • express-jwt-permissions is an extension of express-jwt that provides a more granular approach to permissions management. It allows developers to define specific permissions for different routes and resources, making it easier to implement role-based access control (RBAC) in applications. This package can be used alongside express-jwt to create a comprehensive authentication and authorization strategy.
  • jsonwebtoken is a library for creating and verifying JSON Web Tokens. While it does not provide middleware for Express directly, it is often used in conjunction with other packages like express-jwt to handle token creation and verification. Developers can use jsonwebtoken to generate tokens that include user claims and roles, which can then be validated by express-jwt or express-jwt-authz.
  • passport-jwt is a Passport.js strategy for authenticating with JWTs. It integrates seamlessly with the Passport authentication middleware, allowing developers to use JWTs alongside other authentication strategies. This package is particularly useful for applications that require a flexible authentication system with multiple strategies, as it can be combined with other Passport strategies for comprehensive user authentication.

To see how these packages compare, check out the comparison: Comparing express-jwt vs express-jwt-authz vs express-jwt-permissions vs jsonwebtoken vs passport-jwt.

Similar Npm Packages to jsonwebtoken

jsonwebtoken is a widely-used library for creating and verifying JSON Web Tokens (JWT) in Node.js applications. JWTs are a compact, URL-safe means of representing claims to be transferred between two parties. The jsonwebtoken library provides a simple API for signing and verifying tokens, making it a popular choice for authentication and authorization in web applications. It supports various algorithms for signing tokens and allows developers to easily manage user sessions and secure API endpoints.

While jsonwebtoken is a robust solution for handling JWTs, there are alternatives that cater to different needs:

  • jwt-decode is a lightweight library that focuses solely on decoding JWTs. Unlike jsonwebtoken, which can both sign and verify tokens, jwt-decode is used to extract the payload from a JWT without validating its signature. This can be useful when you need to read the claims contained in a token without requiring the secret key. If your application needs to read JWTs but does not require signing or verifying them, jwt-decode is a great choice.
  • jwt-simple is another library that provides a simple way to encode and decode JSON Web Tokens. It offers a minimalist API for creating and verifying tokens, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. While it does not support as many features as jsonwebtoken, such as advanced signature algorithms or token expiration handling, it can be a good option for projects that require a straightforward implementation of JWTs without the overhead of a more complex library.

To compare these libraries, check out the following link: Comparing jsonwebtoken vs jwt-decode vs jwt-simple.

README for passport-jwt

passport-jwt

Build Status Code Climate

A Passport strategy for authenticating with a JSON Web Token.

This module lets you authenticate endpoints using a JSON web token. It is intended to be used to secure RESTful endpoints without sessions.

Supported By

If you want to quickly add secure token-based authentication to Node.js apps, feel free to check out Auth0's Node.js SDK and free plan at auth0.com/developers Auth0 Logo

Install

npm install passport-jwt

Usage

Configure Strategy

The JWT authentication strategy is constructed as follows:

new JwtStrategy(options, verify)

options is an object literal containing options to control how the token is extracted from the request or verified.

  • secretOrKey is a string or buffer containing the secret (symmetric) or PEM-encoded public key (asymmetric) for verifying the token's signature. REQUIRED unless secretOrKeyProvider is provided.
  • secretOrKeyProvider is a callback in the format function secretOrKeyProvider(request, rawJwtToken, done), which should call done with a secret or PEM-encoded public key (asymmetric) for the given key and request combination. done accepts arguments in the format function done(err, secret). Note it is up to the implementer to decode rawJwtToken. REQUIRED unless secretOrKey is provided.
  • jwtFromRequest (REQUIRED) Function that accepts a request as the only parameter and returns either the JWT as a string or null. See Extracting the JWT from the request for more details.
  • issuer: If defined the token issuer (iss) will be verified against this value.
  • audience: If defined, the token audience (aud) will be verified against this value.
  • algorithms: List of strings with the names of the allowed algorithms. For instance, ["HS256", "HS384"].
  • ignoreExpiration: if true do not validate the expiration of the token.
  • passReqToCallback: If true the request will be passed to the verify callback. i.e. verify(request, jwt_payload, done_callback).
  • jsonWebTokenOptions: passport-jwt is verifying the token using jsonwebtoken. Pass here an options object for any other option you can pass the jsonwebtoken verifier. (i.e maxAge)

verify is a function with the parameters verify(jwt_payload, done)

  • jwt_payload is an object literal containing the decoded JWT payload.
  • done is a passport error first callback accepting arguments done(error, user, info)

An example configuration which reads the JWT from the http Authorization header with the scheme 'bearer':

var JwtStrategy = require('passport-jwt').Strategy,
    ExtractJwt = require('passport-jwt').ExtractJwt;
var opts = {}
opts.jwtFromRequest = ExtractJwt.fromAuthHeaderAsBearerToken();
opts.secretOrKey = 'secret';
opts.issuer = 'accounts.examplesoft.com';
opts.audience = 'yoursite.net';
passport.use(new JwtStrategy(opts, function(jwt_payload, done) {
    User.findOne({id: jwt_payload.sub}, function(err, user) {
        if (err) {
            return done(err, false);
        }
        if (user) {
            return done(null, user);
        } else {
            return done(null, false);
            // or you could create a new account
        }
    });
}));

Extracting the JWT from the request

There are a number of ways the JWT may be included in a request. In order to remain as flexible as possible the JWT is parsed from the request by a user-supplied callback passed in as the jwtFromRequest parameter. This callback, from now on referred to as an extractor, accepts a request object as an argument and returns the encoded JWT string or null.

Included extractors

A number of extractor factory functions are provided in passport-jwt.ExtractJwt. These factory functions return a new extractor configured with the given parameters.

  • fromHeader(header_name) creates a new extractor that looks for the JWT in the given http header
  • fromBodyField(field_name) creates a new extractor that looks for the JWT in the given body field. You must have a body parser configured in order to use this method.
  • fromUrlQueryParameter(param_name) creates a new extractor that looks for the JWT in the given URL query parameter.
  • fromAuthHeaderWithScheme(auth_scheme) creates a new extractor that looks for the JWT in the authorization header, expecting the scheme to match auth_scheme.
  • fromAuthHeaderAsBearerToken() creates a new extractor that looks for the JWT in the authorization header with the scheme 'bearer'
  • fromExtractors([array of extractor functions]) creates a new extractor using an array of extractors provided. Each extractor is attempted in order until one returns a token.

Writing a custom extractor function

If the supplied extractors don't meet your needs you can easily provide your own callback. For example, if you are using the cookie-parser middleware and want to extract the JWT in a cookie you could use the following function as the argument to the jwtFromRequest option:

var cookieExtractor = function(req) {
    var token = null;
    if (req && req.cookies) {
        token = req.cookies['jwt'];
    }
    return token;
};
// ...
opts.jwtFromRequest = cookieExtractor;

Authenticate requests

Use passport.authenticate() specifying 'JWT' as the strategy.

app.post('/profile', passport.authenticate('jwt', { session: false }),
    function(req, res) {
        res.send(req.user.profile);
    }
);

Include the JWT in requests

The method of including a JWT in a request depends entirely on the extractor function you choose. For example, if you use the fromAuthHeaderAsBearerToken extractor, you would include an Authorization header in your request with the scheme set to bearer. e.g.

Authorization: bearer JSON_WEB_TOKEN_STRING.....

Migrating

Read the Migration Guide for help upgrading to the latest major version of passport-jwt.

Tests

npm install
npm test

To generate test-coverage reports:

npm install -g istanbul
npm run-script testcov
istanbul report

License

The MIT License

Copyright (c) 2015 Mike Nicholson

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