del vs fs-extra

Side-by-side — pricing, strengths, tradeoffs, and fit.

del

Delete files/folders using globs.

fs-extra

Extra methods for the `fs` module to simplify file system operations.

At a glance

Open SourceFree Tier
● Established·From $0
Open SourceFree Tier
● Established·From $0

Overview

One-liner

Delete files/folders using globs.

One-liner

Extra methods for the `fs` module to simplify file system operations.

Maturity

Established

Maturity

Established

Open source

✓ Yes

Open source

✓ Yes

Pricing

Free tier

✓ Available

Open source — free to use

Free tier

✓ Available

Open source — free to use

Starts at

$0

Starts at

$0

Model

Flat rate

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise

✕ None

Enterprise

✕ None

Best for

✓ Best for

Node.js developers who need to manage and clean up project directories efficiently using glob patterns.
Projects that require automated deletion of specific files or folders as part of their build process.

✓ Best for

Developers working on Node.js projects who need a robust set of file system utilities.
Teams that require additional safety features when manipulating files and directories.

Not ideal for

✕ Not for

Users looking for a GUI-based file management tool, as del is command-line oriented.
Scenarios where real-time monitoring and automatic cleanup are required without manual intervention.

✕ Not for

Projects requiring real-time file monitoring or streaming capabilities, as fs-extra focuses on batch operations.
Applications needing cloud-based storage solutions, as it is primarily for local file systems.

Strengths

↑ Strengths

Deletes files and folders based on glob patterns.
Supports asynchronous operations for efficient file management.
Extensive testing and reliability due to its popularity in the Node.js community.

↑ Strengths

Simplified file operations with additional methods like `copy`, `move`, and `ensureDir`.
Safe operations that prevent accidental overwrites or deletions.
Support for promises, making asynchronous file operations more manageable.

Weaknesses

↓ Weaknesses

Limited error handling for complex glob patterns
Poor documentation for advanced use cases
No built-in support for cross-platform path handling
Does not support dry-run mode for testing deletions

↓ Weaknesses

Limited advanced file system operations
No built-in support for streaming large files
Dependency on Node.js ecosystem
Community-driven development can lead to inconsistent updates
Full del profile →Full fs-extra profile →