Ky vs Node-fetch

Side-by-side NPM package comparison

ky

Very Popular

Version 1.14.3

79
Good

Tiny and elegant HTTP client based on the Fetch API

Weekly Downloads
5.5M
35%
Bundle (gzip)
4.9 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
80
Popularity
100
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

node-fetch

Extremely Popular

Version 3.3.2

61
Good

A light-weight module that brings Fetch API to node.js

Weekly Downloads
114.5M
35%
Bundle (gzip)
22.6 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
20
Popularity
100
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

Choosing between Ky and Node-fetch? 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

Node-fetch leads with 114.5M weekly downloads — roughly 20.8x more. Ky has 5.5M weekly downloads. Higher download counts generally indicate broader community adoption and a larger ecosystem of tutorials, plugins, and support.

Bundle Size

Ky has the smallest gzipped bundle at 4.9 KB. Node-fetch comes in at 22.6 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.

Health Score Comparison

Ky has an overall health score of 79/100 (very good), with strong maintenance, security, popularity scores. Node-fetch has an overall health score of 61/100 (good), with strong security, popularity scores. Health scores are calculated from maintenance activity, code quality, security posture, popularity, and stability metrics.

When to Choose Each

Choose Ky if you value large community support, minimal bundle footprint, strong security track record. Choose Node-fetch if you value massive community and ecosystem, strong security track record.

Our Verdict

Both Ky and Node-fetch are solid choices for JavaScript development. Ky has the edge in overall health score (79/100), 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 ky better than node-fetch?
It depends on your needs. Ky has a health score of 79/100 while Node-fetch scores 61/100. Node-fetch has more weekly downloads (114.5M), 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, ky or node-fetch?
Ky has the smaller gzipped bundle at 4.9 KB. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
How many developers use ky vs node-fetch?
Based on npm download statistics, Ky has approximately 5.5M weekly downloads and Node-fetch has approximately 114.5M weekly downloads. These numbers reflect package installations, not unique developers, but they indicate relative adoption levels.
Which is better maintained, ky or node-fetch?
Ky currently has the higher overall health score at 79/100. Ky has a maintenance score of 80/100 and Node-fetch scores 20/100 on maintenance.

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