Head-to-Head: date-fns vs Luxon Analysis

date-fns

v3.6.0(6 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 0Monthly npm downloads

date-fns is a modern JavaScript date utility library that provides comprehensive functionality for manipulating, formatting, and parsing dates. It offers a modular and consistent API for common date operations, such as adding or subtracting time units, calculating differences between dates, and working with timezones. date-fns is lightweight, efficient, and easy to use, making it a popular choice for handling date-related tasks in JavaScript applications.

Tags: javascriptdatetimeutilityformatting

luxon

v3.4.4(11 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are provided via a separate npm package: @types/luxonNumber of direct dependencies: 0Monthly npm downloads

Luxon is a modern JavaScript library for working with dates and times, offering a rich set of features for parsing, formatting, and manipulating date and time values. It provides a more robust and intuitive API compared to native JavaScript date handling, making it easier to work with timezones, durations, and intervals. Luxon also supports internationalization and formatting dates in various locales.

Tags: javascriptdatetimeformattingparsing

Fight!

Popularity

Both Date-fns and Luxon are popular date manipulation libraries in the JavaScript ecosystem. Date-fns has been around longer and has a larger user base, but Luxon has gained popularity for its modern API and features.

Size

Luxon is known for its small size and lightweight nature, making it a good choice for projects where bundle size is a concern. Date-fns, while modular, can be slightly larger in size due to its extensive feature set.

Flexibility

Date-fns is more modular and allows you to import only the specific functions you need, which can help reduce the overall bundle size. Luxon, on the other hand, provides a more opinionated and cohesive API, which can be beneficial for developers looking for a consistent experience.

Functionality

Both Date-fns and Luxon offer a wide range of date manipulation functionalities. Date-fns is known for its comprehensive feature set, while Luxon focuses on providing a modern API with features like time zones and internationalization support.

Performance

Luxon is known for its excellent performance due to its efficient design and optimized algorithms. Date-fns is also performant but may have slightly higher overhead in certain scenarios due to its modular nature.

Developer Experience

Luxon provides a modern and intuitive API that is easy to use and understand. Date-fns, while powerful, may have a steeper learning curve for beginners due to its modular structure and extensive feature set.

Maintenance

Both Date-fns and Luxon are actively maintained by their respective communities. Luxon is known for its regular updates and responsive maintainers, ensuring that the library stays up-to-date with the latest standards and best practices.