Which is a better choice for hashing sensitive data like passwords in a Node js app PBKDF2 or Argon2 and why

Question

I’m working on a Node.js app that requires securely storing hashed passwords. I’ve read about both PBKDF2 and Argon2 but am not sure which is better suited for modern password hashing needs.

What are the pros and cons of each in terms of security and performance, especially regarding resistance to brute-force attacks? If you have experience with either, I’d appreciate any insights on which to choose and why.

Answer 1

When choosing between PBKDF2 and Argon2 for securely hashing passwords in your Node.js app, both are strong options, but there are key differences in terms of security, performance, and resistance to brute-force attacks.

PBKDF2 vs Argon2 for Password Hashing

• PBKDF2 is a proven, widely supported hashing algorithm. It is secure but lacks memory-hard properties, making it vulnerable to attacks using specialized hardware (e.g., GPUs).
• Argon2 is newer, designed to be memory and CPU-intensive, offering stronger resistance to brute-force and hardware-based attacks. It is more secure but may consume more resources.

Comparison of PBKDF2 and Argon2

Feature	PBKDF2	Argon2
Security	Secure with High Iterations	Stronger due to Memory & CPU Hardness
Resistance to Brute Force	Lower Resistance to Hardware Attacks	High Resistance, Memory-Hard
Performance	Slower with Higher Iterations	More Resource-Intensive but Secure
Memory Hardness	No	Yes, Memory-Hard
Standardization	Widely Adopted, Older Standard	Newer, Modern Standard
Compatibility	Yes, Widely Supported	Less Widely Supported

Recommendations

• Use Argon2 for modern, highly secure applications, as it offers better resistance to brute-force and GPU attacks.
• Use PBKDF2 if compatibility with older systems is needed, but it's less secure than Argon2.