node-telegram-bot-api vs telegraf
Telegram Bot Libraries for Node.js Comparison
1 Year
node-telegram-bot-apitelegrafSimilar Packages:
What's Telegram Bot Libraries for Node.js?

Telegram bot libraries for Node.js provide developers with tools to create and manage bots on the Telegram platform. These libraries simplify the process of interacting with the Telegram Bot API, allowing developers to focus on building functionality rather than handling the intricacies of the API. They offer various features such as message handling, inline queries, and webhook support, making it easier to create responsive and interactive bots for users on Telegram.

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node-telegram-bot-api107,9708,666513 kB1249 months agoMIT
telegraf91,5938,577689 kB70a year agoMIT
Feature Comparison: node-telegram-bot-api vs telegraf

Ease of Use

  • node-telegram-bot-api:

    This library is designed for simplicity, making it easy for developers to get started with minimal setup. The API is straightforward, and it provides clear methods for sending messages, handling updates, and managing bot commands, making it suitable for beginners.

  • telegraf:

    Telegraf offers a more complex setup but provides powerful features like middleware support and advanced routing. While it may have a steeper learning curve, it allows for more sophisticated bot behaviors and interactions, making it ideal for experienced developers.

Middleware Support

  • node-telegram-bot-api:

    This library does not natively support middleware, which can limit the ability to handle complex scenarios or add additional processing steps to incoming updates. Developers may need to implement custom solutions for such needs.

  • telegraf:

    Telegraf excels in middleware support, allowing developers to create reusable functions that can process updates before they reach the main bot logic. This feature enables cleaner code organization and the ability to easily add functionalities like logging, authentication, or command handling.

Community and Documentation

  • node-telegram-bot-api:

    The library has a solid community and decent documentation, making it easier to find examples and get help. However, it may not be as extensive as Telegraf's resources, which can limit advanced use cases.

  • telegraf:

    Telegraf has a vibrant community and comprehensive documentation, including numerous examples and guides. This extensive support makes it easier for developers to implement advanced features and troubleshoot issues.

Performance

  • node-telegram-bot-api:

    Performance is generally good for small to medium bots, but as the complexity of the bot increases, the lack of middleware can lead to less efficient handling of updates and commands.

  • telegraf:

    Telegraf is optimized for performance, especially in handling multiple updates and complex interactions. Its middleware architecture allows for efficient processing of incoming messages, making it suitable for high-traffic bots.

Extensibility

  • node-telegram-bot-api:

    This library is less extensible compared to Telegraf. While it provides the core functionalities needed for bot development, adding custom features may require more effort and manual coding.

  • telegraf:

    Telegraf is highly extensible, allowing developers to create custom middleware and plugins easily. This flexibility enables the integration of third-party services and the addition of unique functionalities tailored to specific bot requirements.

How to Choose: node-telegram-bot-api vs telegraf
  • node-telegram-bot-api:

    Choose node-telegram-bot-api if you prefer a straightforward, easy-to-use library with a focus on simplicity and quick setup. It is ideal for small to medium-sized projects where you need to get a bot up and running quickly without extensive configuration.

  • telegraf:

    Choose Telegraf if you need a more feature-rich and flexible library that supports middleware, advanced routing, and a modular architecture. It is well-suited for larger projects or when you require more complex bot interactions and integrations.

README for node-telegram-bot-api

Node.js Telegram Bot API

Node.js module to interact with the official Telegram Bot API.

Bot API npm package Build Status Coverage Status

https://telegram.me/node_telegram_bot_api https://t.me/+nc3A9Hs1S81mYzdk https://telegram.me/Yago_Perez

📦 Install

npm i node-telegram-bot-api

✍️ Note: If you use Typescript you can install this package that contains type definitions for this library

npm install --save-dev @types/node-telegram-bot-api

🚀 Usage

const TelegramBot = require('node-telegram-bot-api');

// replace the value below with the Telegram token you receive from @BotFather
const token = 'YOUR_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN';

// Create a bot that uses 'polling' to fetch new updates
const bot = new TelegramBot(token, {polling: true});

// Matches "/echo [whatever]"
bot.onText(/\/echo (.+)/, (msg, match) => {
  // 'msg' is the received Message from Telegram
  // 'match' is the result of executing the regexp above on the text content
  // of the message

  const chatId = msg.chat.id;
  const resp = match[1]; // the captured "whatever"

  // send back the matched "whatever" to the chat
  bot.sendMessage(chatId, resp);
});

// Listen for any kind of message. There are different kinds of
// messages.
bot.on('message', (msg) => {
  const chatId = msg.chat.id;

  // send a message to the chat acknowledging receipt of their message
  bot.sendMessage(chatId, 'Received your message');
});

📚 Documentation

Note: Development is done against the development branch. Code for the latest release resides on the master branch. Experimental features reside on the experimental branch.

💭 Community

We thank all the developers in the Open-Source community who continuously take their time and effort in advancing this project. See our list of contributors.

We have a Telegram channel where we post updates on the Project. Head over and subscribe!

We also have a Telegram group to discuss issues related to this library.

Some things built using this library that might interest you:

  • tgfancy: A fancy, higher-level wrapper for Telegram Bot API
  • node-telegram-bot-api-middleware: Middleware for node-telegram-bot-api
  • teleirc: A simple Telegram ↔ IRC gateway
  • bot-brother: Node.js library to help you easily create telegram bots
  • redbot: A Node-RED plugin to create telegram bots visually
  • node-telegram-keyboard-wrapper: A wrapper to improve keyboards structures creation through a more easy-to-see way (supports Inline Keyboards, Reply Keyboard, Remove Keyboard and Force Reply)
  • beetube-bot: A telegram bot for music, videos, movies, EDM tracks, torrent downloads, files and more.
  • telegram-inline-calendar: Date and time picker and inline calendar for Node.js telegram bots.
  • telegram-captcha: Telegram bot to protect Telegram groups from automatic bots.

👥 Contributors

License

The MIT License (MIT)

Copyright © 2019 Yago