Axios vs Fetch API in JavaScript – Everything You Need to Know

When building web apps, you often need to fetch data from APIs or send data to a server. In JavaScript, two popular ways to make HTTP requests are Fetch API and Axios. But which one should you use? In this guide, we’ll break it down with examples, pros and cons, features, and real-life use cases.

🔍 What is Fetch API?

Fetch API is a built-in browser feature that allows you to make HTTP requests. It returns Promises and is supported in all modern browsers.

fetch('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts')
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(error => console.error(error));
  

⚙️ What is Axios?

Axios is a third-party JavaScript library built on top of XMLHttpRequest. It provides a clean API for sending HTTP requests and handling responses.

axios.get('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts')
  .then(response => console.log(response.data))
  .catch(error => console.error(error));
  

📊 Syntax Comparison

POST Request

// Fetch
fetch('/api/user', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  body: JSON.stringify({ name: 'John' })
})
.then(res => res.json())
.then(data => console.log(data));

// Axios
axios.post('/api/user', { name: 'John' })
  .then(res => console.log(res.data));
  

📋 Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Fetch	Axios
Built-in	Yes	No (needs install)
JSON Auto Parsing	No	Yes
Request Cancellation	AbortController	axios.CancelToken
Request Timeout	No	Yes
Interceptors	No	Yes
Node.js Support	Yes (with node-fetch)	Yes
Response Schema	Basic	Rich (status, headers, config)

✅ Pros and Cons

Axios Pros

• Easy syntax
• Built-in JSON parsing
• Timeout support
• Interceptors for auth headers

Axios Cons

• Extra dependency
• Heavier bundle size

Fetch Pros

• No installation required
• Lightweight
• More control

Fetch Cons

• Verbose error handling
• No timeout or interceptors by default

🚫 Error Handling Difference

Fetch does not throw on HTTP errors (like 404), while Axios does.

// Fetch
fetch('/api')
  .then(res => {
    if (!res.ok) throw new Error('Failed');
    return res.json();
  })
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

// Axios
axios.get('/api')
  .then(res => console.log(res.data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));
  

🧾 JSON Handling

With Fetch, you must manually call res.json(). Axios auto-converts JSON.

📤 File Upload Example

// Using Axios
const formData = new FormData();
formData.append('file', fileInput.files[0]);

axios.post('/upload', formData)
  .then(res => console.log(res));
  

🛑 Canceling Requests

// Axios cancel token
const CancelToken = axios.CancelToken;
const source = CancelToken.source();

axios.get('/data', { cancelToken: source.token })
  .catch(thrown => {
    if (axios.isCancel(thrown)) {
      console.log('Request canceled', thrown.message);
    }
  });

source.cancel('Operation canceled by the user.');
  

🧩 Interceptors in Axios

Used to attach tokens, log requests, or modify headers globally.

axios.interceptors.request.use(config => {
  config.headers.Authorization = 'Bearer token';
  return config;
});
  

🚀 Performance

Fetch is slightly faster due to being native and lighter. Axios may add milliseconds due to extra parsing and features.

🎯 When to Use What

• Use Fetch: Small apps, fewer dependencies, full control
• Use Axios: Complex apps, interceptors, automatic parsing

📌 Final Verdict

If you want simplicity and zero config, go with Fetch. If you prefer developer comfort, advanced features, and clean syntax — Axios is a great choice.

Thanks for reading! Let me know in the comments — are you Team Axios or Team Fetch?

Happy coding! 🧠📡