validator.js vs VeeValidate
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 JavaScript library for checking and cleaning up strings, like emails, dates, and URLs.
Open source · MIT
A library for building and validating forms in Vue.js apps.
The short answer
Choose validator.js if you need…
- JavaScript developers validating form or API input on Node.js
- Developers who need checks like isEmail or isDate without writing regular expressions themselves
- Projects that want to import only the individual validators they use
- Browser projects that load a standalone script or CDN file
Choose VeeValidate if you need…
- Vue developers who need form validation without writing it from scratch
- Teams building Vue 3 forms with synchronous or asynchronous rules
- Projects that use an existing UI component library alongside custom inputs
- Developers who prefer a small library that leaves the rest of the app to them
Side-by-side
| validator.js | VeeValidate | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 23.7k | 11.3k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 56 days ago | 8 months ago |
What each one is
validator.js
validator.js is a JavaScript library that provides many functions for checking whether a string matches a format, such as an email address, a date, or a credit card number, and for sanitizing strings. It is installed through npm and can be used on a server or in a browser. The README states it only works on strings, so other input must be converted to a string first.
VeeValidate
vee-validate is a JavaScript library for Vue.js that handles form validation, such as checking required fields and tracking error messages. It offers a composition API (useForm, defineField) and declarative Field and Form components, and it works with native HTML inputs or UI library components. A companion package provides built-in validation rules.
Best for
validator.js
- JavaScript developers validating form or API input on Node.js
- Developers who need checks like isEmail or isDate without writing regular expressions themselves
- Projects that want to import only the individual validators they use
- Browser projects that load a standalone script or CDN file
VeeValidate
- Vue developers who need form validation without writing it from scratch
- Teams building Vue 3 forms with synchronous or asynchronous rules
- Projects that use an existing UI component library alongside custom inputs
- Developers who prefer a small library that leaves the rest of the app to them
Strengths
validator.js
- Covers a wide range of common string checks in one package
- Lets you import only the validators you need to keep bundles smaller
- Works in both server-side Node.js code and in the browser
VeeValidate
- Supports both the composition API and declarative components, so it fits different coding styles
- Works with native HTML elements and UI library components
- Large community use, with 11,259 stars and an active npm package
Not ideal for
validator.js
- Anyone who needs validation of non-string data such as numbers or objects, since the README says non-string input causes an error
- Non-JavaScript projects, since the library is written for JavaScript and npm
- Non-developers, since it is a code library with no interface
VeeValidate
- Non-developers, since it requires writing Vue code to use
- Vue 2 projects, because the main v4 line supports Vue 3 only; older Vue versions need the v2 or v3 releases listed in the README
- Projects not using Vue.js, since it is built specifically for Vue
Trade-offs
validator.js
- Accepts only strings, so inputs must be converted before checking
- The README excerpt does not show how strict each check is, so results should be tested against your own rules
VeeValidate
- The main v4 line supports Vue 3 only, so older Vue projects need different versions
- Requires understanding of Vue reactivity and component patterns to use well
- The README is brief on details; full usage is in the external documentation site
Getting started
VeeValidate
Install with yarn
yarn add vee-validateInstall with npm
npm install vee-validate --saveFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between validator.js and VeeValidate?
validator.js: A JavaScript library for checking and cleaning up strings, like emails, dates, and URLs. VeeValidate: A library for building and validating forms in Vue.js apps. validator.js suits javascript developers validating form or api input on node.js, while VeeValidate suits vue developers who need form validation without writing it from scratch.
Are validator.js and VeeValidate free?
validator.js: Free and open source. VeeValidate: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, validator.js or VeeValidate?
validator.js is easier to get started with (rated beginner); VeeValidate is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is validator.js or VeeValidate more popular?
validator.js has more GitHub stars (23.7k) than VeeValidate (11.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to validator.js and VeeValidate?
Other options people compare them with include Zod, Yup, class-validator, Eureka, redux-form.
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.