Fetch vs. Axios in Javascript

fetch and axios are two popular JavaScript libraries for making HTTP requests. While both serve a similar purpose, they differ in terms of functionality, ease of use, and additional features.

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Fetch API

The fetch API is a built-in JavaScript method for making network requests. It is a modern replacement for XMLHttpRequest and offers a more flexible and powerful way to interact with resources.

fetch('https://api.example.com/data', {
  method: 'GET',
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  }
})
  .then(response => {
    if (!response.ok) {
      throw new Error('Network response was not ok');
    }
    return response.json();
  })
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(error => console.error('Error:', error));

Pros

• Native Support: No additional installation required, as it’s available in modern browsers and Node.js.
• Promise-Based: Uses Promises, which make it more readable and avoids callback hell.
• Configurable: Supports various request options like headers, request methods, and body.
• Streaming Support: Supports reading data as streams, making it suitable for handling large payloads efficiently.

Cons:

• No Automatic JSON Transformation: You have to manually call .json() on the response object to parse JSON.
• Less Robust Error Handling: Fetch only rejects the Promise on network errors, so even a 404 response is considered successful. Additional checks are needed for handling HTTP error codes.
• No Timeout Support: Native fetch does not support request timeouts, requiring custom handling.

Axios

axios, on the other hand, is a third-party library that simplifies HTTP requests. It offers more features and handles a wider range of use cases compared to fetch.

const axios = require('axios');

axios.get('https://api.example.com/data', {
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  }
})
  .then(response => console.log(response.data))
  .catch(error => console.error('Error:', error));

Pros

• Automatic JSON Parsing: axios automatically parses JSON responses, so you don't have to call .json() manually.
• Simplified Syntax: The syntax is more concise, and options are easier to configure.
• Robust Error Handling: axios throws errors for HTTP error codes, making it easier to handle failed requests.
• Built-in Support for Timeouts: Allows you to configure request timeouts.
• Request and Response Interceptors: Supports interceptors to modify requests or handle responses globally.
• Cancellation Support: With the help of CancelToken, you can cancel requests.
• Node.js Support: Works seamlessly with Node.js for server-side applications.

Cons

• Requires Installation: Since it’s not native, you need to install it using npm or yarn.
• Bigger Bundle Size: Adds to your application’s bundle size compared to the native fetch.

Here is the table that summarizes the key differences between fetch and Axios:

Feature	fetch	axios
Built-in	Yes	No
Automatic JSON Parsing	No	Yes
Error Handling	Requires manual checks	Automatically handles errors
Timeout Support	No	Yes
Request Interceptors	No	Yes
Cancellation Support	Limited	Yes
Node.js Support	Yes (with node-fetch)	Yes
Bundle Size	Smaller	Larger

When to Use What?

For most cases, developers find axios to be more user-friendly and powerful, especially in complex applications. However, fetch is still a great option for simple use cases or when bundle size is a concern.

So, you can use fetch if you want a lightweight solution or if you’re working with basic HTTP requests in a client-side application and use axios if you need advanced features like interceptors, automatic transformation, and robust error handling, or if you’re working with a Node.js environment.