minizlib vs pako vs fflate vs zlib vs gzip-js
JavaScript Compression Libraries Comparison
1 Year
minizlibpakofflatezlibgzip-jsSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Compression Libraries?

Compression libraries in JavaScript provide tools for compressing and decompressing data, which is essential for optimizing web applications, reducing bandwidth usage, and improving load times. These libraries implement various compression algorithms, allowing developers to choose the most suitable one based on performance, compatibility, and ease of use. Each library has its unique features, performance characteristics, and use cases, making it important to understand their differences when selecting one for a project.

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minizlib33,053,57677111 kB0a month agoMIT
pako29,779,8215,8081.64 MB263 years ago(MIT AND Zlib)
fflate10,194,3802,475773 kB16a year agoMIT
zlib328,62963-1114 years ago-
gzip-js26,451436-1512 years agoGPL
Feature Comparison: minizlib vs pako vs fflate vs zlib vs gzip-js

Performance

  • minizlib:

    minizlib strikes a balance between speed and compression ratio, providing decent performance without sacrificing too much on either side. It is a good choice for applications that need reliable performance without the need for the absolute fastest solution.

  • pako:

    pako is known for its excellent performance, especially when handling larger datasets. It is optimized for speed and can efficiently compress and decompress data, making it a popular choice for web applications that require fast data processing.

  • fflate:

    fflate is designed for high performance, offering faster compression and decompression speeds compared to many other libraries. It achieves this by utilizing modern JavaScript features and optimizing the algorithm for speed, making it suitable for real-time applications.

  • zlib:

    zlib is a well-established library that offers solid performance, particularly in server-side applications. While it may not be the fastest option available, its reliability and extensive feature set make it a go-to choice for many developers.

  • gzip-js:

    gzip-js is slower than some alternatives due to its pure JavaScript implementation, which may not be as optimized as native libraries. However, it is still effective for smaller datasets and scenarios where compatibility is more important than speed.

Compression Formats

  • minizlib:

    minizlib supports both Gzip and Deflate formats, providing a straightforward API for developers. This dual support makes it a versatile option for various use cases and ensures compatibility with most systems.

  • pako:

    pako supports Gzip, Deflate, and raw deflate formats, making it one of the most comprehensive libraries available. This extensive support allows developers to handle a wide range of compression needs effectively.

  • fflate:

    fflate supports both Gzip and Deflate formats, allowing for flexible usage depending on the application's needs. Its focus on modern standards makes it a versatile choice for web applications.

  • zlib:

    zlib supports multiple compression formats, including Gzip and Deflate, making it highly compatible with existing systems and applications. Its mature implementation ensures reliability across different environments.

  • gzip-js:

    gzip-js exclusively implements Gzip compression, which is widely used for web data transfer. This makes it suitable for applications that specifically require Gzip compatibility without additional formats.

Ease of Use

  • minizlib:

    minizlib provides a user-friendly API that simplifies the process of compression and decompression. Its clear documentation helps developers get started quickly and efficiently.

  • pako:

    pako is well-documented and easy to use, with a clear API that allows developers to implement compression with minimal effort. Its extensive features are accessible without overwhelming complexity.

  • fflate:

    fflate offers a simple and intuitive API, making it easy for developers to integrate compression into their applications. Its lightweight nature also means less overhead when implementing.

  • zlib:

    zlib, while powerful, can be more complex to use compared to other libraries. However, its extensive documentation and community support help mitigate the learning curve for new users.

  • gzip-js:

    gzip-js is straightforward to use, with a minimal setup required to start compressing data. This simplicity makes it an attractive option for developers looking for a quick solution.

Browser Compatibility

  • minizlib:

    minizlib is compatible with most browsers, ensuring that developers can use it without worrying about compatibility issues. Its design focuses on providing a consistent experience across different platforms.

  • pako:

    pako is widely compatible with modern browsers and is also designed to work well in Node.js environments. This flexibility makes it suitable for both client-side and server-side applications.

  • fflate:

    fflate is designed to work seamlessly in modern browsers, taking advantage of the latest JavaScript features. It is not optimized for older browsers, so developers should consider their target audience when choosing this library.

  • zlib:

    zlib is primarily used in server-side applications, but it can also be used in browser environments with appropriate polyfills. Its extensive compatibility makes it a robust choice for various projects.

  • gzip-js:

    gzip-js is compatible with all browsers, including older versions, making it a reliable choice for applications that need to support a wide range of environments.

Community and Support

  • minizlib:

    minizlib has a solid community backing and is actively maintained, providing developers with reliable support and updates. Its documentation is comprehensive, making it easier to find help when needed.

  • pako:

    pako has a large and active community, ensuring that developers can find ample support, tutorials, and resources. Its popularity means that issues are often addressed quickly by contributors.

  • fflate:

    fflate is relatively new but has gained popularity quickly due to its performance. The community is growing, and support is available through GitHub and other forums.

  • zlib:

    zlib has a long-standing reputation and a vast community of users. It is well-documented, and developers can find extensive resources and support across various platforms.

  • gzip-js:

    gzip-js has a smaller community compared to other libraries, but it is still actively maintained. Developers can find support through GitHub issues and discussions.

How to Choose: minizlib vs pako vs fflate vs zlib vs gzip-js
  • minizlib:

    Opt for minizlib if you need a balance between performance and compatibility. It provides a straightforward API for both compression and decompression, making it suitable for applications that require reliable Gzip and Deflate support without the overhead of larger libraries.

  • pako:

    Choose pako if you are looking for a comprehensive solution that supports both Gzip and Deflate formats with a robust feature set. It is well-suited for applications that need to handle large amounts of data efficiently and require extensive functionality.

  • fflate:

    Choose fflate if you need a fast and lightweight library that focuses on performance and minimal footprint. It is particularly suitable for modern browsers and environments where speed is critical, and you want to avoid unnecessary bloat.

  • zlib:

    Select zlib if you need a mature and widely-used library with extensive support for various compression formats. It is ideal for server-side applications or environments where performance and compatibility with existing systems are paramount.

  • gzip-js:

    Select gzip-js if you require a pure JavaScript implementation of Gzip compression. It is useful for compatibility with environments that do not support native Gzip and is ideal for small-scale applications where ease of use is a priority.

README for minizlib

minizlib

A fast zlib stream built on minipass and Node.js's zlib binding.

This module was created to serve the needs of node-tar and minipass-fetch.

Brotli is supported in versions of node with a Brotli binding.

How does this differ from the streams in 'node:zlib'?

First, there are no convenience methods to compress or decompress a buffer. If you want those, use the built-in zlib module. This is only streams. That being said, Minipass streams to make it fairly easy to use as one-liners: new zlib.Deflate().end(data).read() will return the deflate compressed result.

This module compresses and decompresses the data as fast as you feed it in. It is synchronous, and runs on the main process thread. Zlib and Brotli operations can be high CPU, but they're very fast, and doing it this way means much less bookkeeping and artificial deferral.

Node's built in zlib streams are built on top of stream.Transform. They do the maximally safe thing with respect to consistent asynchrony, buffering, and backpressure.

See Minipass for more on the differences between Node.js core streams and Minipass streams, and the convenience methods provided by that class.

Classes

  • Deflate
  • Inflate
  • Gzip
  • Gunzip
  • DeflateRaw
  • InflateRaw
  • Unzip
  • BrotliCompress (Node v10 and higher)
  • BrotliDecompress (Node v10 and higher)

USAGE

import { BrotliDecompress } from 'minizlib'
// or: const BrotliDecompress = require('minizlib')

const input = sourceOfCompressedData()
const decode = new BrotliDecompress()
const output = whereToWriteTheDecodedData()
input.pipe(decode).pipe(output)

REPRODUCIBLE BUILDS

To create reproducible gzip compressed files across different operating systems, set portable: true in the options. This causes minizlib to set the OS indicator in byte 9 of the extended gzip header to 0xFF for 'unknown'.