6 Best Axios Alternatives in 2025

Axios has been a favorite HTTP client for handling asynchronous requests in JavaScript. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and works well for many projects. But let’s be honest — not every tool is perfect for every job. Sometimes, Axios doesn’t cut it, especially if you need HTTP/2 support, built-in retries for failed requests, or help dealing with dynamic content.

If you’ve encountered these roadblocks, you’re probably wondering what else is out there. Don’t worry — I’ve got you covered. Here are six excellent alternatives to Axios, each with its strengths, features, and ideal situations where it shines. Let’s dive in!

In a hurry? Take a quick look at the top 6 Axios alternatives:

Bright Data: Advanced proxy and scraping solutions for medium and large-scale projects.
ZenRows: Web scraping API with anti-bot protection and headless browser support.
Node-fetch: Lightweight HTTP client for Node.js with fetch API compatibility.
Got: High-performance HTTP client with HTTP/2, retries, and request cancellation.
Puppeteer: Headless browser automation for web scraping and dynamic content handling.
SuperAgent: Customizable HTTP client with built-in retries and error handling.

Why Look for an Axios Alternative?

Axios is a popular choice for many developers because it’s simple and easy to use. It also has helpful features like backward compatibility, automatic JSON handling, and HTTP interceptors. But, like any tool, it’s not perfect. There are some limitations that might make you consider other options, depending on your project.

Limitations of Axios in Web Development

No Support for HTTP/2

HTTP/2 is a faster and more efficient version of the HTTP protocol. It includes features like header compression, multiplexing, and stream prioritization. Unfortunately, Axios doesn’t natively support HTTP/2. To use it, you’d need to pair Axios with another library or module, which can add extra steps and complexity to your project.

No Built-in Auto-Retry

Axios doesn’t automatically retry failed requests. If you want this feature, you must write custom code or use interceptors, which makes your project harder to manage and can also take longer, especially for projects where speed is a priority.

Not the Fastest Option

While Axios is reliable, it’s not always the fastest. For example, when handling multiple requests at once, its default settings may slow things down due to thread contention. If performance is critical for your app, alternatives like Got offer better speed and efficiency.

Limitations of Axios in Web Scraping

Can’t Handle Dynamic Content

Many modern websites use JavaScript to load their content dynamically. As a simple HTTP client, Axios can’t execute JavaScript or render such content. Tools like Puppeteer, which works with headless browsers, are a better fit for these cases.

No Support for Page Interaction

When scraping complex websites, you might need to interact with the page — like clicking buttons, filling out forms, or navigating links. Axios can’t simulate user actions, which makes it unsuitable for scraping websites that require interaction.

Easily Detected by Anti-Bot Systems

Websites often use anti-bot systems to block automated tools. Axios has a straightforward fingerprint that’s easy to detect, making it prone to being blocked. While you can work around this with techniques like user-agent spoofing or proxy rotation, it’s hard to avoid detection with Axios alone entirely.

Looking for alternatives to Axios? Whether you need better speed, HTTP/2 support, or web scraping capabilities, here are the top six Axios alternatives every developer should consider for their projects.

Bright Data: The Leader in Proxy and Scraping Solutions

Bright Data is a powerful alternative to Axios, offering advanced capabilities for web scraping, proxy management, and large-scale data collection. Unlike Axios, which struggles with dynamic content and anti-bot systems, Bright Data is built to handle these challenges. It can easily extract data from JavaScript-heavy websites and bypass complex anti-bot measures. With support for millions of requests daily, it is reliable, scalable, and ideal for projects that need dynamic content rendering, proxy rotation, and automated data collection.

Key Features:

Dynamic Content Handling: Bright Data has access to a headless browser network, which allows it to seamlessly extract data from JavaScript-heavy websites.
Rotating Proxies: Supports millions of IPs globally to bypass geo-restrictions and anti-bot systems.
Customizable Data Pipelines: Build tailored workflows for scraping, data extraction, and transformation.

Pros:

Extensive IP pool ensures minimal blocking.
Supports large-scale web scraping projects.
Intuitive dashboard simplifies project management.
Transparency and compliance.
High success rates.

Cons:

Advanced features come at a higher cost.
Steeper learning curve for beginners.

Best For: Businesses and developers focused on high-scale data extraction with premium proxy support.

ZenRows: A Great Web Scraping Solution

If you’re working on web scraping, ZenRows stands out as a powerful alternative to Axios. Designed to bypass bot detection systems, ZenRows combines a robust web scraping API with headless browser capabilities, making it ideal for dynamic websites that rely on JavaScript to load content. It automates the complexities of proxy management and CAPTCHA solving, allowing you to focus on extracting data.

Key Features:

Headless Browser Support: ZenRows can execute JavaScript, rendering dynamic content that Axios can’t handle.
Anti-Bot Measures: ZenRows uses rotating proxies, user-agent spoofing, and CAPTCHA solving to ensure you won’t be blocked while scraping.
Ease of Use: Its intuitive API reduces the learning curve for beginners.
No-Code Integrations: Compatible with tools like Zapier, it supports workflows without coding expertise.

Pros:

Handles dynamic content effortlessly.
Premium proxy rotation eliminates the need for additional configuration.
Extensive documentation simplifies onboarding.

Cons:

Limited customization compared to open-source tools.
Slightly more expensive than some competitors.

Best For: Developers focused on reliable web scraping with minimal setup.

Node-fetch: Modern Fetch API for Node.js

Node-fetch is a minimalist HTTP client that implements the fetch API for Node.js environments. It provides a lightweight and modern approach to making HTTP requests, bridging the gap between server-side and browser-based JavaScript. Developers who value simplicity and native compatibility will appreciate Node-fetch’s design.

Key Features:

Modern Fetch API Compatibility: Offers a familiar interface for developers accustomed to fetch in browsers.
Customizable: Supports granular control over HTTP requests and responses.
UTF-8 Conversion: Ensures seamless encoding and decoding of text.

Pros:

Lightweight and minimalistic.
Easy to integrate into existing projects.
Widely supported in the JavaScript community.

Cons:

Lacks built-in caching.
No support for progress events, which can be limiting in real-time applications.

Best For: Developers seeking a lightweight, modern HTTP client for Node.js projects.

Got: High-Performance HTTP Requests

Got excels in performance-oriented scenarios, offering features like HTTP/2 support, native auto-retries, and request cancellation. Its ability to handle complex HTTP interactions makes it a top choice for developers looking for efficiency and reliability.

Key Features:

HTTP/2 Support: Enhances performance by enabling multiplexing and reducing latency.
Native Auto-Retries: Automatically retries failed requests without additional configuration.
Request Cancellation: Provides control over long-running requests, improving efficiency.
Customizable Defaults: Allows predefined configurations for consistent request behavior.

Pros:

Handles compressed responses efficiently.
Built-in features reduce the need for external dependencies.
Active development ensures compatibility with modern Node.js versions.

Cons:

Requires modern JavaScript modules (ESM), which may necessitate adjustments in older projects.
Primarily designed for Node.js environments.

Best For: Developers prioritizing speed and reliability in handling large-scale HTTP requests.

Puppeteer: Browser Automation and Web Scraping

Puppeteer is a headless browser framework maintained by Google. While primarily designed for testing, its ability to interact with web pages makes it an excellent choice for scraping dynamic content. Unlike Axios, Puppeteer can execute JavaScript, making it invaluable for websites that heavily rely on client-side rendering.

Key Features:

Headless Browser Functionality: Allows complete control over Chromium browsers via DevTools protocols.
Page Interaction: Simulates user actions like clicking, scrolling, and form submission.
Dynamic Content Rendering: Handles JavaScript-heavy websites effortlessly.

Pros:

Supports parallel execution of multiple instances.
No additional setup required for basic use cases.
Regularly updated to stay compatible with the latest Chromium versions.

Cons:

Limited to Chromium-based browsers.
Slower performance when running multiple instances.
Detectable by some advanced anti-bot systems.

Best For: Developers needing precise control over web scraping and automation tasks.

SuperAgent: Customization at Its Best

SuperAgent provides low-level control over HTTP requests, making it highly customizable for complex projects. Its built-in retry functionality and error-handling capabilities set it apart from Axios, especially in scenarios requiring precise control over HTTP interactions.

Key Features:

Fluent API: Simplifies chaining of methods for better readability.
Auto-Retry: Handles intermittent network issues without additional configuration.
Request Transformation: Allows modification of requests and responses for custom use cases.

Pros:

Built-in error-handling and retry logic.
Compatible with both Node.js and browser environments.
Extensible via plugins for advanced functionality.

Cons:

May require additional effort for advanced use cases.
Slightly heavier than some lightweight alternatives.

Best For: Developers needing extensive customization and control over HTTP requests.

Choosing the Right Alternative

Selecting the best Axios alternative depends on your specific requirements:

For web scraping: ZenRows or Puppeteer excel in handling dynamic content and bypassing bot detection.
For performance: Got offers the speed and efficiency needed for high-demand projects.
For simplicity: Node-fetch provides a lightweight and modern solution.
For customization: SuperAgent stands out with its low-level control.

Conclusion

Each alternative has unique strengths, making it crucial to align the tool with your project’s needs. With the right choice, you can optimize your workflow, improve performance, and achieve better outcomes.

6 Best Axios Alternatives in 2025