JavaScript Cookie vs store.js
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A small JavaScript library for reading, writing and deleting browser cookies.
Open source · MIT
A small JavaScript wrapper that saves values in the browser under one simple get/set API.
The short answer
Choose JavaScript Cookie if you need…
- Front-end developers who need to store small pieces of data in cookies on a website
- Teams that want a tiny, dependency-free cookie helper
- Projects that must support both ES module bundlers and older CommonJS or script-tag setups
Choose store.js if you need…
- Front-end developers who need to keep small pieces of data in the browser across page loads
- Teams maintaining sites that must work on older browsers
- Developers who want optional add-ons like expiration or change events without writing them from scratch
Side-by-side
| JavaScript Cookie | store.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 22.6k | 14k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 7 days ago | 3 years ago |
What each one is
JavaScript Cookie
Js-cookie is a small JavaScript library that lets web pages set, read and delete cookies in the browser with simple function calls instead of working with the raw document.cookie string directly. It handles details such as encoding special characters and setting attributes like expiry, path, domain and secure. The README says it has no dependencies and is under 800 bytes gzipped.
store.js
Store.js is a JavaScript library that gives web pages one simple interface for saving and reading data in the browser, such as get, set, remove and each. It picks the best available storage mechanism in the browser and falls back to others if needed, so the same code can run across many browsers. It also offers optional plugins for features like expiring values, default values and change events.
Best for
JavaScript Cookie
- Front-end developers who need to store small pieces of data in cookies on a website
- Teams that want a tiny, dependency-free cookie helper
- Projects that must support both ES module bundlers and older CommonJS or script-tag setups
store.js
- Front-end developers who need to keep small pieces of data in the browser across page loads
- Teams maintaining sites that must work on older browsers
- Developers who want optional add-ons like expiration or change events without writing them from scratch
Strengths
JavaScript Cookie
- Very small size, stated as under 800 bytes gzipped in the README
- No dependencies, and supports ES modules, AMD and CommonJS
- Encodes special characters following RFC 6265 and allows custom converters
store.js
- Simple get/set/remove/each API with a small surface area
- Falls back across several storage types so code keeps working in many browsers
- Plugin system lets you add only the features you need
Not ideal for
JavaScript Cookie
- Storing large amounts of data, since the README notes browsers may delete cookies that are too big or too numerous
- Server-side cookie handling, since the library is described as client-side
- Anyone who needs to read a cookie by specifying its domain or path, since the README says those attributes have no effect when reading
store.js
- Projects that only target modern browsers, since the README suggests a smaller modern build and built-in localStorage may be enough
- Apps that need to store large or sensitive data, because browser storage has limits and the README does not describe encryption
- Server-side data needs, since this is aimed at browser storage
Trade-offs
JavaScript Cookie
- Deleting cookies requires repeating the exact attributes used to set them, which is easy to get wrong
- Cookie attributes must not come from untrusted input because of XSS risk, as the README warns
- Browser behavior differs, such as Internet Explorer sending cookies to subdomains by default
store.js
- The README describes browser-specific storage limits and quirks that you must account for
- Plugins and builds add choices that can be confusing for newcomers
- Last push shown is January 2024 and there is no release listed, so check whether it still fits your needs
Getting started
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between JavaScript Cookie and store.js?
JavaScript Cookie: A small JavaScript library for reading, writing and deleting browser cookies. store.js: A small JavaScript wrapper that saves values in the browser under one simple get/set API. JavaScript Cookie suits front-end developers who need to store small pieces of data in cookies on a website, while store.js suits front-end developers who need to keep small pieces of data in the browser across page loads.
Are JavaScript Cookie and store.js free?
JavaScript Cookie: Free and open source. store.js: Free and open source.
Is JavaScript Cookie or store.js more popular?
JavaScript Cookie has more GitHub stars (22.6k) than store.js (14k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to JavaScript Cookie and store.js?
Other options people compare them with include lowdb, redux-persist, TOON.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.