formidable vs multer

Side-by-side comparison of formidable and multer

formidable v3.5.4 MIT
Weekly Downloads
16.0M
Stars
Gzip Size
12.0 kB
License
MIT
Last Updated
Open Issues
Forks
Unpacked Size
203.8 kB
Dependencies
4
multer v2.0.2 MIT
Weekly Downloads
10.4M
Stars
12.0K
Gzip Size
49.5 kB
License
MIT
Last Updated
11d ago
Open Issues
247
Forks
1.1K
Unpacked Size
29.5 kB
Dependencies
12

Download Trends

Download trends for formidable and multer015.1M30.3M45.4M60.5MFeb 25May 25Aug 25Nov 25Feb 26
formidable
multer

Verdict

formidable is a specialized solution for parsing form data and handling file uploads in Node.js, making it a strong choice for projects focused primarily on these features. In contrast, multer serves as middleware to efficiently handle multipart/form-data, often utilized in applications requiring file upload capabilities alongside regular form data processing.

For smaller projects or those with simpler upload requirements, formidable may be a better fit due to its lightweight nature and ease of use. Conversely, multer's more extensive feature set and popularity can benefit larger applications or teams already familiar with Express middleware, providing greater capabilities for handling complex data structures.

Developers migrating from one package to the other should consider the differing APIs and functionality. While both offer solid file upload handling, projects leveraging multer's broader middleware support may find it more challenging to transition away from its ecosystem if their needs grow.

Detailed Comparison

Criteria formidable multer
License MIT License, offering flexibility and open-source use MIT License, maintaining equal open-source advantages
Ease of Use Straightforward API for basic file upload tasks Middleware-oriented structure that may have a steeper learning curve
Open Issues No data on open issues available 247 open issues, which may indicate areas for improvement
GitHub Forks No data on GitHub forks available 1.1K forks, showing community engagement and experimentation
GitHub Stars No data on GitHub stars available Popular with 12.0K stars, indicating extensive community support
Last Updated No last update information provided Recently updated on 2026-01-28, showing active maintenance
Unpacked Size Relatively larger size at 203.8 kB, which may affect loading time Much smaller at 29.5 kB, suggesting faster installation and lower resource consumption
Target Use Case Best suited for projects focused exclusively on file upload handling Ideal for applications needing comprehensive multipart/form-data management
Weekly Downloads Higher popularity with 16.0M weekly downloads indicating strong community usage Lower at 10.4M weekly downloads, still showing a solid user base
Community Support Limited community metrics available Strong support evidenced by high star and fork counts
Bundle Size (gzip) Minimal at 12.0 kB, ensuring quick transmission Larger at 49.5 kB, which could lead to slower initial loads

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