Which is Better XML Parsing Libraries?
fast-xml-parser vs xml2js vs xml-js
1 Year
fast-xml-parserxml2jsxml-jsSimilar Packages:
What's XML Parsing Libraries?

XML parsing libraries are essential tools in web development that allow developers to convert XML data into JavaScript objects and vice versa. These libraries facilitate the manipulation and extraction of data from XML documents, which are commonly used in web services, configuration files, and data interchange formats. Each library offers unique features and performance characteristics, making them suitable for different use cases, such as speed, ease of use, and flexibility in handling XML structures.

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fast-xml-parser24,449,7782,542174 kB572 months agoMIT
xml2js21,808,3814,8863.44 MB243a year agoMIT
xml-js1,985,6441,282-1246 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: fast-xml-parser vs xml2js vs xml-js

Performance

  • fast-xml-parser: fast-xml-parser is designed for speed and efficiency, making it one of the fastest XML parsers available. It minimizes memory usage and optimizes parsing time, making it suitable for applications that require quick processing of large XML files.
  • xml2js: xml2js is generally slower than fast-xml-parser but offers more features and flexibility. It is suitable for applications where performance is important but not the primary concern, allowing for more complex XML handling.
  • xml-js: xml-js offers moderate performance, focusing more on simplicity and ease of use than on raw speed. While it may not be the fastest option for large XML files, it provides a good balance for smaller documents and straightforward use cases.

Ease of Use

  • fast-xml-parser: fast-xml-parser has a straightforward API but may require some initial configuration to get the best performance. It is user-friendly for those familiar with XML parsing but might have a slight learning curve for beginners.
  • xml2js: xml2js has a more complex API due to its extensive options and configurations. While it provides powerful features, it may require a deeper understanding of its API to utilize effectively.
  • xml-js: xml-js is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for developers who want to quickly convert XML to JSON and vice versa without dealing with complex configurations.

Flexibility

  • fast-xml-parser: fast-xml-parser offers limited flexibility in terms of customization compared to xml2js. It is optimized for performance, which may restrict some advanced parsing options.
  • xml2js: xml2js excels in flexibility, allowing developers to customize the parsing process extensively. It supports various options for handling attributes, namespaces, and other XML-specific features.
  • xml-js: xml-js provides basic flexibility for converting XML to JSON and back, but it lacks advanced features for handling complex XML structures or custom parsing rules.

Error Handling

  • fast-xml-parser: fast-xml-parser has basic error handling capabilities, focusing on performance. It may not provide detailed error messages, which can be a drawback for debugging complex XML documents.
  • xml2js: xml2js provides comprehensive error handling and validation features, making it ideal for applications that need to ensure the integrity of the XML data being processed.
  • xml-js: xml-js offers minimal error handling, primarily focusing on conversion without extensive validation or error reporting, making it less suitable for critical applications that require robust error management.

Community and Support

  • fast-xml-parser: fast-xml-parser has a growing community and is actively maintained, but it may not have as extensive documentation or community support as more established libraries.
  • xml2js: xml2js benefits from a large user base and extensive documentation, making it easier to find support, tutorials, and community-contributed resources.
  • xml-js: xml-js has a smaller community and limited support resources, which may pose challenges for developers seeking help or examples.
How to Choose: fast-xml-parser vs xml2js vs xml-js
  • fast-xml-parser: Choose fast-xml-parser if you need a lightweight and high-performance solution for parsing XML. It is particularly useful for applications where speed is critical and can handle large XML files efficiently.
  • xml2js: Opt for xml2js if you need a comprehensive and flexible solution with extensive configuration options. It is well-suited for complex XML structures and provides robust features for customizing the parsing process.
  • xml-js: Select xml-js if you require a simple and straightforward library that provides a clear and easy-to-use API for converting XML to JSON and back. It is ideal for projects that prioritize ease of use and readability over performance.
README for fast-xml-parser

fast-xml-parser

[![NPM quality][quality-image]][quality-url] Coverage Status Try me NPM total downloads

Validate XML, Parse XML to JS Object, or Build XML from JS Object without C/C++ based libraries and no callback.


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Users

more

The list of users are mostly published by Github or communicated directly. Feel free to contact if you find any information wrong.


Main Features

FXP logo
  • Validate XML data syntactically
  • Parse XML to JS Object
  • Build XML from JS Object
  • Compatible to node js packages, in browser, and in CLI (click try me button above for demo)
  • Faster than any other pure JS implementation.
  • It can handle big files (tested up to 100mb).
  • Controlled parsing using various options
  • XML Entities, HTML entities, and DOCTYPE entites are supported.
  • unpaired tags (Eg <br> in HTML), stop nodes (Eg <script> in HTML) are supported.
  • You can restore almost same XML from JSON
  • Supports comments
  • It can preserve Order of tags in JS object
  • You can control if a single tag should be parsed into array.
  • Supports parsing of PI (Processing Instruction) tags with XML declaration tags
  • And many more other features.

v5

I developed v5 in Apr 2023. And I didn't get the chance to complete all the features. I've ensured that new features don't impact performance. With v5, you have more control on parsing output. Check docs for syntax help and basic understanding.

Please leave a comment in discussion forum for your suggestions and if you really need v5.

How to use

To use as package dependency $ npm install fast-xml-parser or $ yarn add fast-xml-parser

To use as system command $ npm install fast-xml-parser -g

To use it on a webpage include it from a CDN

Example

As CLI command

$ fxparser some.xml

In a node js project

const { XMLParser, XMLBuilder, XMLValidator} = require("fast-xml-parser");

const parser = new XMLParser();
let jObj = parser.parse(XMLdata);

const builder = new XMLBuilder();
const xmlContent = builder.build(jObj);

In a HTML page

<script src="path/to/fxp.min.js"></script>
:
<script>
  const parser = new fxparser.XMLParser();
  parser.parse(xmlContent);
</script>

Bundle size

| Bundle Name | Size | | ------------------ | ---- | | fxbuilder.min.js | 6.5K | | fxparser.min.js | 20K | | fxp.min.js | 26K | | fxvalidator.min.js | 5.7K |

Documents

v3v4v5
documents
  1. Getting Started
  2. XML Parser
  3. XML Builder
  4. XML Validator
  5. Entities
  6. HTML Document Parsing
  7. PI Tag processing
  1. Getting Started
  2. Features
  3. Options
  4. Output Builders
  5. Value Parsers

note: version 5 is released with version 4 tfor experimental use. Based on it's demand, it'll be developed and the features can be different in final release.

Performance

negative means error

XML Parser

  • Y-axis: requests per second
  • X-axis: File size

XML Builder

* Y-axis: requests per second

Usage Trend

Usage Trend of fast-xml-parser

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Supporters

Contributors

This project exists thanks to all the people who contribute. [Contribute].

Backers

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License

  • MIT License

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