Why Moment.js is Deprecated (And What to Use Instead)


Introduction
For years, Moment.js was the go-to JavaScript library for parsing, validating, and manipulating dates and times. Its simple API and wide adoption made it a staple in many web applications. However, as of September 2020, the Moment.js team officially declared the library deprecated.
⚠️ Why Was Moment.js Deprecated?
The main reasons behind Moment.js's deprecation are:
Large Bundle Size
Moment.js is heavy (~300KB minified), which increases load time—especially important for modern, performance-optimized applications.Immutable Issues
Moment objects are mutable, which can lead to unexpected bugs. Developers now prefer immutable libraries that avoid side effects.Lack of Tree Shaking Support
Tree shaking helps eliminate unused code during bundling. Moment.js doesn’t support it, making it less ideal for modern frontend build tools.Better Alternatives Exist
Newer libraries offer better performance, modern APIs, smaller footprints, and timezone support without extra dependencies.
🚀 Top Alternatives to Moment.js
Here are some modern alternatives that you can use today:
1. Luxon
Created by one of the Moment.js team members
Uses the Intl API under the hood
Supports immutable objects and timezone handling
Great for applications that need locale-aware formatting
2. date-fns
Modular: import only what you need
Tree-shakable and lightweight
Function-based, no wrapper objects
Best for those who prefer a functional programming style
3. Day.js
API compatible with Moment.js
Lightweight (~2KB)
Immutable and chainable
Great drop-in replacement for projects using Moment
4. Native JavaScript Date
and Intl.DateTimeFormat
Modern browsers support enhanced date handling
With good formatting and timezone support via Intl API
No dependencies, good for basic use cases
🧭 Final Thoughts
While Moment.js served the community well, it doesn’t align with modern JavaScript standards anymore. Choosing a lighter, immutable, and tree-shakable library like date-fns, Luxon, or Day.js will future-proof your project and improve performance.
🔄 Migrating from Moment? Check out Moment's official migration guide.
Thank You!
Thank you for reading!
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Happy Coding!
Darshit Anjaria
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Written by

Darshit Anjaria
Darshit Anjaria
I’m a problem solver at heart, driven by the idea of building solutions that genuinely make a difference in people’s everyday lives. I’m always curious, always learning, and always looking for ways to improve the world around me through thoughtful, impactful work. Beyond building, I love giving back to the community — whether it’s by sharing what I’ve learned through blogs, tutorials, or helpful insights. My goal is simple: to make technology a little more accessible and useful for everyone. Let’s learn, build, and grow together.