axios vs ky
Side-by-side comparison of axios and ky
- Weekly Downloads
- 85.3M
- Stars
- 108.6K
- Gzip Size
- 57.7 kB
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 10h ago
- Open Issues
- 314
- Forks
- 11.5K
- Unpacked Size
- 2.3 MB
- Dependencies
- 27
- Weekly Downloads
- 5.1M
- Stars
- 16.3K
- Gzip Size
- 5.1 kB
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 14d ago
- Open Issues
- 31
- Forks
- 449
- Unpacked Size
- 280.7 kB
- Dependencies
- 1
Download Trends
Verdict
Axios is a mature and widely adopted HTTP client that supports both browser and Node.js environments, making it suitable for diverse applications. It serves larger projects with extensive features such as request and response interceptors, which are essential for complex HTTP workflows.
On the other hand, ky offers a more lightweight and elegant approach by being based on the Fetch API, which can be beneficial for smaller projects or ones favoring a minimalist stack. Developers accustomed to modern JavaScript may find ky easier to integrate due to its Promise-based syntax and reduced bundle size.
While axios boasts significant community support and a larger ecosystem, ky's smaller size and simplicity may appeal to less complex applications. Teams should consider their specific needs; if advanced features are not required, ky may serve as an optimal choice for modern projects focused on size and simplicity.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | axios | ky |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT license ensures permissiveness for enterprise applications. | Also uses MIT, providing similar flexibility. |
| Features | ✓Rich features like middleware and interceptors support complex use cases. | Lightweight with fewer features, adequate for simple HTTP requests. |
| Bundle Size | Substantially larger at 57.7 kB gzipped, impacting performance in smaller applications. | ✓Very minimal at 5.1 kB gzipped, ideal for lightweight projects. |
| Open Issues | 314 open issues suggest ongoing maintenance but may indicate potential areas of concern. | ✓31 open issues show a more manageable project with less overhead. |
| GitHub Stars | ✓108.6K stars demonstrate strong community support and reliability. | 16.3K stars show growing interest but less market presence. |
| Last Updated | Last updated in February 2026 signifies active maintenance. | Updated in January 2026, also indicates active development. |
| Learning Curve | More complex features may require more onboarding for new developers. | ✓Simpler API makes it easier for quick adoption, especially for modern JS developers. |
| Overall Adoption | ✓Widespread usage with high community engagement, beneficial for large teams. | Smaller user base, more suited for niche applications. |
| Weekly Downloads | ✓85.3M downloads indicate heavy usage and trust in production environments. | 5.1M downloads reflect more niche appeal, adaptable for specific use cases. |
| Development Focus | ✓Geared towards enterprise scalability and robustness. | Targets simplicity and modern development practices. |
| TypeScript Support | ✓Well-maintained TypeScript integration improves development experience. | TypeScript support is present but may not be as robust as axios. |