Difference between Fetch and Axios

Introduction

Fetch and Axios are both JavaScript libraries used for making HTTP requests in the browser and Node.js environment. 

Although they serve the same purpose, there are some differences between them.

1. API: Fetch is a browser API that comes with modern browsers and is used for making HTTP requests. On the other hand, Axios is a third-party library that can be used both in the browser and Node.js environments.
2. Syntax: The syntax for making HTTP requests with Fetch and Axios is different. With Fetch, you use the built-in fetch() function, whereas, with Axios, you need to create an instance of the Axios library and use its methods to make requests.
3. Browser Support: Fetch is built into most modern web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Axios, on the other hand, is a third-party library that needs to be included in your project. This means that Axios can be used in a wider range of browsers, including older versions.
4. Error Handling: Error handling is slightly different between the two libraries. Fetch returns a promise that only rejects on network errors, whereas Axios can be configured to reject on HTTP errors as well.
5. Interceptors: Axios allows you to use interceptors to modify requests or responses before they are sent or received. This can be useful for adding headers, handling authentication, or transforming data. Fetch does not have built-in interceptors.
6. Response Format: Fetch returns a Response object that you need to parse to extract the data. Axios, on the other hand, returns the response data directly in the form of a JavaScript object.
7. File uploads: Axios provides a convenient way to upload files using the FormData object. This feature is not available in Fetch.

Uses

Different properties are used for a post request to send data to the endpoint – Axios uses the data property, whereas with fetch we use the body property. We need to serialize data into a JSON string to send data. Axios automatically stringifies data when sending JavaScript objects to the API using the POST method.

Conclusion

In summary, both Fetch and Axios can be used to make HTTP requests in JavaScript, but they have different syntax, browser support, error handling, interceptors, and response formats. Fetch is a native browser API, but Axios can be used in both the browser and Node.js environments. The choice between the two will depend on the specific requirements of your project.

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