ajv vs zod

Side-by-side comparison of ajv and zod

ajv v8.17.1 MIT
Weekly Downloads
230.2M
Stars
14.6K
Gzip Size
36.1 kB
License
MIT
Last Updated
2h ago
Open Issues
311
Forks
937
Unpacked Size
1.0 MB
Dependencies
4
zod v4.3.6 MIT
Weekly Downloads
92.2M
Stars
41.8K
Gzip Size
63.7 kB
License
MIT
Last Updated
2h ago
Open Issues
228
Forks
1.8K
Unpacked Size
4.3 MB
Dependencies
1

Download Trends

Download trends for ajv and zod0205.1M410.1M615.2M820.2MFeb 25May 25Aug 25Nov 25Feb 26
ajv
zod

Verdict

ajv is a versatile JSON schema validator that excels in standalone validation tasks and is widely adopted for both small and large projects. It serves a broad audience with its mature ecosystem and extensive schema support, making it an ideal choice for applications where JSON validation is paramount.

In contrast, zod focuses on TypeScript users, offering schema declarations with static type inference that enhance type safety during development. It is particularly beneficial for teams invested in TypeScript, ensuring runtime validation aligns closely with static type checks, thus streamlining development processes and reducing runtime errors.

While ajv is lightweight with a smaller bundle size, zod’s larger size comes with added TypeScript features, which may be a consideration for projects prioritizing type safety over performance. Organizations transitioning from JavaScript to TypeScript might find zod more valuable, while those needing a straightforward JSON validator might prefer ajv for its simplicity and established track record.

Detailed Comparison

Criteria ajv zod
Open Issues With 311 open issues, ajv faces some challenges in maintenance. Fewer open issues at 246 indicate better maintenance or fewer reported problems.
GitHub Forks Fewer forks at 937, suggesting a smaller community of contributors. More contributors with 1.8K forks, indicating active development.
GitHub Stars With 14.6K stars, ajv shows a solid user appreciation. More popular in community recognition with 41.8K stars.
Unpacked Size At 1.0 MB, ajv maintains a lightweight footprint. Larger at 4.3 MB, making it bulkier to include.
Learning Curve The simpler API may present a gentler curve for beginners. More complex due to TypeScript features, may require prior knowledge of static typing.
Weekly Downloads Highly popular with 230.5M weekly downloads, indicating wide use. Still significant at 92.4M weekly downloads, but lower than ajv.
Bundle Size (gzip) Optimally small at 36.1 kB, making it fast to load. Heavier at 63.7 kB, which may matter in performance-sensitive environments.
TypeScript Support Limited TypeScript support compared to modern standards. Designed for TypeScript with static type inference, excellent for TypeScript projects.
Overall Positioning ajv is a mature validator suited for various JSON validation needs. zod offers TypeScript-first validation with enhanced static typing.
Ecosystem Compatibility Widely used across various frameworks and projects. Best fit for TypeScript environments, not as flexible for non-TypeScript projects.

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