Skip to main content

Comparison guide

Express vs Koa

Side-by-side NPM package comparison

Hero image for Express vs Koa

Quick Verdict

Smallest Bundle

Koa

61.8 KB gzipped

Most Popular

Express

0 weekly downloads

Best Maintained

Express

100/100 maintenance score

Highest Quality

Express

50/100 quality score

Overall Pick

Koa

Best all-around based on popularity, size, maintenance & quality

express icon

express

Niche

Version 5.2.1

0
67
Good

Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework

Weekly Downloads
0

Trend data unavailable

Bundle (gzip)
236.1 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
100
Popularity
10
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70
koa icon

koa

Niche

Version 3.2.1

0
55
Fair

Koa web app framework

Weekly Downloads
0

Trend data unavailable

Bundle (gzip)
61.8 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
60
Popularity
10
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

Choosing between Express and Koa? Here's a data-driven comparison based on real npm data — downloads, bundle size, health scores, and more — to help you decide which package fits your project best.

Downloads & Popularity

Express and Koa both have 0 weekly downloads, indicating equal adoption in the ecosystem.

Bundle Size

Koa has the smallest gzipped bundle at 61.8 KB. Express comes in at 236.1 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.

Health Score Comparison

Express has an overall health score of 67/100 (good), with strong maintenance, security scores. Koa has an overall health score of 55/100 (moderate), with strong security scores. Health scores are calculated from maintenance activity, code quality, security posture, popularity, and stability metrics.

When to Choose Each

Choose Express if you value actively maintained, strong security track record. Choose Koa if you value strong security track record.

Our Verdict

Both Express and Koa are solid choices for JavaScript development. Express has the edge in overall health score (67/100), while each package brings unique strengths to the table. Evaluate them based on your project's priorities — whether that's community size, bundle efficiency, or maintenance activity — and choose the one that aligns best with your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is express better than koa?
It depends on your needs. Express has a health score of 67/100 while Koa scores 55/100. Express has more weekly downloads (0), suggesting broader adoption. Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
Which has a smaller bundle size, express or koa?
Koa has the smaller gzipped bundle at 61.8 KB. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
How many developers use express vs koa?
Based on npm download statistics, Express has approximately 0 weekly downloads and Koa has approximately 0 weekly downloads. These numbers reflect package installations, not unique developers, but they indicate relative adoption levels.
Which is better maintained, express or koa?
Express currently has the higher overall health score at 67/100. Express has a maintenance score of 100/100 and Koa scores 60/100 on maintenance.

Related Comparisons

The 2026 JavaScript Stack Cheatsheet

One PDF: the best package for every category (ORMs, bundlers, auth, testing, state management). Used by 500+ devs. Free, updated monthly.