joi vs yup vs superstruct vs io-ts
Type Validation Libraries Comparison
1 Year
joiyupsuperstructio-tsSimilar Packages:
What's Type Validation Libraries?

Type validation libraries are essential tools in web development that help ensure data integrity by validating the structure and types of data at runtime. These libraries provide developers with the ability to define schemas that describe the expected shape of data, making it easier to catch errors early in the development process. They can be particularly useful in scenarios involving user input, API responses, and data transformation, ultimately leading to more robust and maintainable applications.

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joi11,186,82621,049531 kB1878 months agoBSD-3-Clause
yup8,651,55423,206260 kB2392 months agoMIT
superstruct2,548,0087,078182 kB988 months agoMIT
io-ts2,000,9406,742460 kB1643 months agoMIT
Feature Comparison: joi vs yup vs superstruct vs io-ts

Integration with TypeScript

  • joi:

    Joi does not have built-in TypeScript support, but it can be used with TypeScript by defining types separately. This may lead to discrepancies between the defined types and the validation rules, requiring additional effort to maintain consistency.

  • yup:

    Yup has TypeScript definitions available, making it relatively easy to use with TypeScript. However, it may not provide the same level of type safety and inference as io-ts.

  • superstruct:

    Superstruct offers TypeScript support, allowing developers to define structures that can be validated at runtime. However, it may not provide as seamless an experience as io-ts in terms of type inference and integration with TypeScript's type system.

  • io-ts:

    io-ts is designed specifically for TypeScript, allowing developers to define runtime validation that aligns perfectly with TypeScript's static types. This integration enables type inference and ensures that the types are consistent between compile-time and runtime, providing a seamless development experience.

API Design

  • joi:

    Joi features a fluent and expressive API that allows developers to chain validation methods together, making it easy to read and write validation rules. This design is intuitive and user-friendly, especially for those familiar with JavaScript.

  • yup:

    Yup's API is also fluent and chainable, similar to Joi, allowing for easy definition of complex validation schemas. It is designed to be intuitive and integrates well with form libraries, enhancing the developer experience.

  • superstruct:

    Superstruct provides a straightforward API that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It allows for defining structures using plain JavaScript objects, which can be validated with minimal boilerplate code, making it accessible for beginners.

  • io-ts:

    io-ts has a functional programming style API that emphasizes immutability and composability. This design allows for complex validations to be built from smaller, reusable components, making it powerful for defining intricate data structures.

Performance

  • joi:

    Joi can be slower than some alternatives, especially when dealing with large schemas or deep nesting due to its comprehensive validation capabilities. However, it provides extensive options for optimizing performance through caching and selective validation.

  • yup:

    Yup is generally performant and works well with asynchronous validation. Its promise-based approach allows for non-blocking validation, which can be advantageous in user interface scenarios.

  • superstruct:

    Superstruct is lightweight and designed for performance, making it suitable for applications where speed is a priority. Its minimalistic approach means that it has lower overhead compared to more feature-rich libraries.

  • io-ts:

    io-ts is efficient in terms of performance, as it only performs validation when necessary and leverages TypeScript's type system to minimize overhead. However, its functional nature may introduce some complexity in performance optimization.

Community and Ecosystem

  • joi:

    Joi has a large and active community, with extensive documentation and examples available. It is widely used in the Node.js ecosystem, making it a reliable choice for backend validation.

  • yup:

    Yup has a strong community and is widely used in conjunction with form libraries like Formik. Its popularity in the React ecosystem has led to a wealth of resources, tutorials, and community support.

  • superstruct:

    Superstruct has a growing community, but it is not as widely adopted as Joi or Yup. Its simplicity and lightweight nature appeal to developers looking for straightforward validation solutions without the complexity of larger libraries.

  • io-ts:

    io-ts has a smaller community compared to some other libraries, but it is well-regarded within the TypeScript community. Its integration with functional programming paradigms attracts a niche audience focused on type safety and immutability.

Asynchronous Validation

  • joi:

    Joi supports asynchronous validation out of the box, allowing for complex scenarios such as checking database values or external API responses during validation. This makes it suitable for applications that require dynamic validation rules.

  • yup:

    Yup excels in asynchronous validation, making it ideal for client-side form validation where you may need to validate against server-side data or perform checks that require promises.

  • superstruct:

    Superstruct does not support asynchronous validation directly, but it can be extended to handle async scenarios with custom validation functions. This may require additional boilerplate code compared to libraries that support async validation natively.

  • io-ts:

    io-ts does not natively support asynchronous validation, as it focuses on synchronous type validation. However, it can be combined with other libraries to handle async scenarios if necessary.

How to Choose: joi vs yup vs superstruct vs io-ts
  • joi:

    Select Joi if you need a comprehensive and feature-rich validation library that offers a wide range of built-in validators and a fluent API for defining complex validation rules. Joi is particularly well-suited for Node.js applications and can be easily integrated with frameworks like Hapi.

  • yup:

    Choose Yup if you want a promise-based validation library that works well with asynchronous validation and integrates nicely with form libraries like Formik. Yup provides a simple and intuitive API for defining validation schemas and is particularly useful for client-side form validation.

  • superstruct:

    Opt for Superstruct if you prefer a lightweight and flexible library that allows for easy schema definition and validation without the overhead of a larger framework. Superstruct is great for projects that require simple validation without complex dependencies and is easy to use with minimal setup.

  • io-ts:

    Choose io-ts if you want a library that integrates seamlessly with TypeScript's type system, allowing for runtime type validation while leveraging TypeScript's static type checking. It is particularly useful for projects that heavily rely on TypeScript and require a strong type safety guarantee.

README for joi

joi

The most powerful schema description language and data validator for JavaScript.

Installation

npm install joi

Visit the joi.dev Developer Portal for tutorials, documentation, and support

Useful resources