ua-parser-js vs react-device-detect vs useragent vs express-useragent
User-Agent Parsing Libraries Comparison
1 Year
ua-parser-jsreact-device-detectuseragentexpress-useragentSimilar Packages:
What's User-Agent Parsing Libraries?

User-Agent parsing libraries are essential tools in web development that help identify the characteristics of a user's device, browser, and operating system based on the User-Agent string sent by the browser. These libraries enable developers to tailor the user experience according to the device capabilities, optimize performance, and provide device-specific features. By analyzing the User-Agent string, developers can implement responsive designs, enhance accessibility, and improve overall user engagement by delivering content that is best suited for the user's environment.

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ua-parser-js15,023,8919,4921.2 MB2022 days agoAGPL-3.0-or-later
react-device-detect978,0112,84849.6 kB712 years agoMIT
useragent675,008897-747 years agoMIT
express-useragent197,044647-465 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: ua-parser-js vs react-device-detect vs useragent vs express-useragent

Parsing Accuracy

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js is known for its high accuracy and ability to parse a wide variety of User-Agent strings, providing detailed information about the browser, engine, OS, and device type. It is a robust choice for applications that require precise detection across different environments.

  • react-device-detect:

    react-device-detect excels in detecting device types (mobile, tablet, desktop) and specific browsers, making it highly effective for React applications. However, it may not provide in-depth details about the operating system or browser versions compared to more comprehensive libraries.

  • useragent:

    useragent offers extensive parsing capabilities with a focus on accuracy and detail. It can handle a wide range of User-Agent strings, including those from legacy browsers, and provides features like version comparison, making it one of the most comprehensive options available.

  • express-useragent:

    express-useragent provides a simple and effective way to parse User-Agent strings, focusing primarily on Express.js applications. While it offers decent accuracy, it may not cover all edge cases or provide as detailed information as some other libraries.

Integration Ease

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js can be used in various environments (both client and server-side), but may require more initial setup compared to express-useragent or react-device-detect. Its versatility makes it suitable for diverse applications, but it might be slightly more complex to implement.

  • react-device-detect:

    react-device-detect is straightforward to integrate into React applications, allowing developers to easily conditionally render components based on device detection. It requires minimal setup and is user-friendly for those familiar with React.

  • useragent:

    useragent can be integrated into Node.js applications with ease, but it may require more configuration than express-useragent. Its extensive feature set can be beneficial for developers needing detailed parsing, but it may introduce additional complexity.

  • express-useragent:

    express-useragent is designed specifically for Express.js, making it easy to integrate into existing middleware. Its lightweight nature allows for quick setup and minimal configuration, ideal for developers already using Express.

Performance

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js is designed for performance and can handle parsing efficiently. However, performance may be impacted if used excessively in high-frequency scenarios, such as on every render in a React component.

  • react-device-detect:

    react-device-detect is efficient for client-side detection, but performance may vary based on the number of device checks performed in a React application, especially if used extensively in rendering logic.

  • useragent:

    useragent is generally performant but can become slower with complex User-Agent strings or when handling a large volume of requests. Optimization strategies may be needed in high-load scenarios.

  • express-useragent:

    express-useragent is lightweight and optimized for performance within Express applications, ensuring minimal overhead when parsing User-Agent strings during request handling.

Community and Maintenance

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js boasts a large community and is widely used, ensuring regular updates and support. Its popularity contributes to its reliability and ongoing maintenance.

  • react-device-detect:

    react-device-detect has a growing community and is actively maintained, making it a reliable choice for React developers looking for device detection solutions.

  • useragent:

    useragent has a stable community and is actively maintained, but its popularity is less than that of ua-parser-js. It remains a solid choice for developers needing detailed parsing capabilities.

  • express-useragent:

    express-useragent has a smaller community compared to more popular libraries, but it is actively maintained and sufficient for basic use cases within Express applications.

Documentation and Learning Curve

  • ua-parser-js:

    ua-parser-js provides comprehensive documentation, but the learning curve may be steeper for developers unfamiliar with User-Agent parsing concepts. However, once understood, it offers powerful capabilities.

  • react-device-detect:

    react-device-detect offers clear documentation and examples, making it beginner-friendly for React developers. The learning curve is low, especially for those with React experience.

  • useragent:

    useragent has detailed documentation, but the learning curve can be moderate due to its extensive feature set. Developers may need time to fully leverage its capabilities.

  • express-useragent:

    express-useragent has straightforward documentation, making it easy for developers familiar with Express.js to get started quickly. The learning curve is minimal for those already using Express.

How to Choose: ua-parser-js vs react-device-detect vs useragent vs express-useragent
  • ua-parser-js:

    Opt for ua-parser-js if you need a versatile and standalone User-Agent parser that can be used in both client-side and server-side environments, providing detailed information about the browser, engine, OS, and device type, making it suitable for various applications beyond just Express or React.

  • react-device-detect:

    Select react-device-detect if you are building a React application and require a straightforward way to conditionally render components based on the user's device type, such as mobile or desktop, without needing to manage User-Agent strings manually.

  • useragent:

    Use useragent if you want a comprehensive library that provides detailed parsing capabilities and supports a wide range of User-Agent strings, including legacy browsers, while also offering additional features like version comparison and device type detection.

  • express-useragent:

    Choose express-useragent if you are working within an Express.js application and need a lightweight solution to parse User-Agent strings directly from the request object, making it easy to implement device detection in your middleware.

README for ua-parser-js

https://uaparser.dev https://uaparser.dev https://uaparser.dev https://uaparser.dev

UAParser.js

The most comprehensive, compact, & up-to-date isomorphic JavaScript library to detect user's Browser, Engine, OS, CPU, and Device type/model. Runs either in browser (client-side) or node.js (server-side).

Demo

  • Live demo: https://uaparser.dev

Documentation

  • version 1.x : https://github.com/faisalman/ua-parser-js/tree/1.0.x#documentation
  • version 2.x : https://docs.uaparser.dev

Before upgrading from v0.7 / v1.0, please read CHANGELOG to see what's new & breaking.

License Options

Open-Source EditionsPRO / Commercial Editions
License optionsMIT (v0.7~v1.0)AGPL (>=v2.0)PRO PersonalPRO BusinessPRO Enterprise
Browser detection⚠️
CPU detection⚠️
Device detection⚠️
Engine detection⚠️
OS detection⚠️
Bot detection
AI Bot detection
Extras (Apps, Libs, Emails, Media Players, etc) detection
Enhanced detection result
Client Hints support
CommonJS support
ES modules support
npm module
TypeScript declarations⚠️
Allows commercial use
Permissive (non-copyleft) license
Unlimited use per 1 license
1-year product support
Lifetime updates
PriceFREE (License)FREE (License)$14 (License)$29 (License)$599 (License)

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Development

Contributors

Please read CONTRIBUTING guide first for the instruction details.

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