Dynamic

Local Storage vs Session Storage

Developers should use Local Storage for client-side data that needs to persist between sessions, such as user preferences, form data, or application state in single-page applications meets developers should use session storage when they need to store temporary, session-specific data such as form inputs, shopping cart items, or user preferences that should not persist beyond the current browsing session. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

Local Storage

Developers should use Local Storage for client-side data that needs to persist between sessions, such as user preferences, form data, or application state in single-page applications

Local Storage

Nice Pick

Developers should use Local Storage for client-side data that needs to persist between sessions, such as user preferences, form data, or application state in single-page applications

Pros

  • +It's ideal for non-sensitive data due to its accessibility via JavaScript and lack of built-in security features, making it unsuitable for storing passwords or personal information
  • +Related to: session-storage, cookies

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Session Storage

Developers should use Session Storage when they need to store temporary, session-specific data such as form inputs, shopping cart items, or user preferences that should not persist beyond the current browsing session

Pros

  • +It is particularly useful for single-page applications (SPAs) to maintain state during navigation without server requests, and for security-sensitive data that should be cleared when the session ends to prevent unauthorized access from other users on shared devices
  • +Related to: local-storage, cookies

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Local Storage if: You want it's ideal for non-sensitive data due to its accessibility via javascript and lack of built-in security features, making it unsuitable for storing passwords or personal information and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Session Storage if: You prioritize it is particularly useful for single-page applications (spas) to maintain state during navigation without server requests, and for security-sensitive data that should be cleared when the session ends to prevent unauthorized access from other users on shared devices over what Local Storage offers.

🧊
The Bottom Line
Local Storage wins

Developers should use Local Storage for client-side data that needs to persist between sessions, such as user preferences, form data, or application state in single-page applications

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev