Why developers prefer Axios over Fetch : What’s the difference between the two and which one is better?

Introduction

In the world of web development, making HTTP requests is a common task, whether you are fetching data from an API or sending information to a server. JavaScript provides two popular tools for this purpose: the built-in Fetch API and the Axios library. While Fetch is a standard feature available in modern browsers, Axios has gained a substantial following among developers. This raises the question: Why developers prefer Axios over Fetch , and which one is better? In this blog post, we will explore the key differences, advantages, and drawbacks of both Axios and Fetch to help you make an informed decision.

What is Fetch?

Fetch is a modern JavaScript API that allows you to make network requests similar to the traditional XMLHttpRequest (XHR). It is built into most modern browsers and is considered a more powerful and flexible successor to XHR. Fetch uses Promises, making it easier to work with asynchronous requests. Here’s a basic example of using Fetch to make a GET request:

javascriptCopy codefetch('https://api.example.com/data')
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(error => console.error('Error:', error));

Fetch provides a simple way to handle network requests and is sufficient for most basic needs. However, as applications grow more complex, some developers find Fetch lacking in certain areas.

What is Axios?

Axios is a promise-based HTTP client for JavaScript, which can be used in both browser and Node.js environments. It was designed to simplify the process of making HTTP requests and offers a more intuitive and powerful API than Fetch. Here’s a basic example of using Axios to make a GET request:

javascriptCopy codeaxios.get('https://api.example.com/data')
  .then(response => console.log(response.data))
  .catch(error => console.error('Error:', error));

Axios automatically handles JSON data transformation and provides a more feature-rich interface, making it a popular choice among developers.

Key Differences Between Axios and Fetch

To understand why some developers prefer Axios over Fetch, let’s look at some of the key differences between the two:

1. Automatic JSON Transformation:
   • Axios: Automatically transforms JSON data for both requests and responses. This reduces the need for additional code to parse JSON.
   • Fetch: Requires the developer to call the .json() method on the response object to parse JSON data.
2. Error Handling:
   • Axios: Automatically handles HTTP error statuses. If the status code is not in the range of 200-299, it throws an error which can be caught using .catch().
   • Fetch: Does not treat HTTP error statuses as errors. You have to manually check the response status and throw an error if needed.
3. Request Configuration:
   • Axios: Allows for easy configuration of requests with default settings for headers, timeouts, and other options, which can be customized globally or per request.
   • Fetch: Requires manual setup for headers, credentials, and other options for each request. This can make configurations more repetitive and cumbersome.
4. Support for Older Browsers:
   • Axios: Supports older browsers and can be used in environments that do not support the Fetch API natively, like Internet Explorer.
   • Fetch: Not supported in some older browsers, which can be a limitation for applications that need to support a wide range of environments.
5. Request and Response Interception:
   • Axios: Provides built-in support for intercepting requests and responses. This is useful for tasks like logging, modifying requests, or handling global error messages.
   • Fetch: Does not provide a way to intercept requests or responses directly, requiring additional libraries or workarounds to achieve similar functionality.
6. Cancellation of Requests:
   • Axios: Supports cancellation of requests using CancelToken. This is useful for aborting requests that are no longer needed, such as when a user navigates away from a page.
   • Fetch: Can be cancelled using the AbortController API, but it’s not as straightforward and requires additional setup.
7. Upload and Download Progress:
   • Axios: Has built-in support for tracking progress with upload and download events.
   • Fetch: Lacks built-in support for monitoring request progress, requiring more complex workarounds.

Why Developers Prefer Axios Over Fetch

Given the differences outlined above, it’s clear why some developers might prefer Axios over Fetch. Here are some common reasons:

1. Ease of Use: Axios provides a more concise and easier-to-use syntax, especially for handling JSON data and dealing with error handling. This makes the code cleaner and reduces boilerplate.
2. Enhanced Features: Features like request/response interception, request cancellation, and the ability to set default configuration options make Axios a more powerful tool for handling HTTP requests in complex applications.
3. Better Browser Support: Axios offers better support for older browsers, which is essential for applications that need to cater to a broader audience.
4. Consistent API Across Environments: Since Axios can be used both in the browser and Node.js environments, it provides a consistent API for making HTTP requests across different platforms. This consistency is valuable for developers working on isomorphic (universal) JavaScript applications.
5. Community Support and Documentation: Axios has a large community and extensive documentation. This means developers can easily find resources, tutorials, and answers to common problems.

When to Use Fetch

While Axios offers many advantages, Fetch is not without its strengths. There are scenarios where using Fetch might be more appropriate:

1. Native Browser Support: Fetch is built into modern browsers, so there’s no need to include an additional library. This can be beneficial for performance and reduces the bundle size in applications where Fetch’s capabilities are sufficient.
2. Simplicity for Simple Requests: For straightforward requests without the need for complex configurations, Fetch can be easier to set up and use.
3. Learning and Understanding: As a native browser API, learning Fetch helps developers understand how HTTP requests work at a fundamental level, which can be valuable knowledge when working with other HTTP clients or in different programming environments.

Conclusion: Which One is Better?

Choosing between Axios and Fetch depends largely on the specific needs of your project. If you require a more feature-rich HTTP client with built-in error handling, request cancellation, and broader browser support, Axios is likely the better choice. On the other hand, if you are building a simple application or working within a controlled environment where native Fetch support is guaranteed, Fetch might be sufficient and offer the advantage of not needing to include an additional library.

Ultimately, both tools have their place in modern web development, and understanding their strengths and limitations will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your project requirements.

Must Read : What is Postman? Why is it so popular among developers.