formidable vs multer
Side-by-side comparison of formidable and multer
- Weekly Downloads
- 16.0M
- Stars
- —
- Gzip Size
- 12.0 kB
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- —
- Open Issues
- —
- Forks
- —
- Unpacked Size
- 203.8 kB
- Dependencies
- 4
- 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
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 |