Local vs Cloud Providers
Complete guide to choosing between offline Faker.js and AI-powered Cloud datasets.
This is your comprehensive guide to understanding the differences between Local Provider (Faker.js) and Cloud Provider (AI-powered data). Use this page to make an informed decision about which provider best fits your workflow.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Local Provider | Cloud Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Data Quality | Generic random data | Domain-specific realistic data |
| Internet Required | Once to sync, then offline | |
| Setup Time | Instant | 5 minutes (one-time setup) |
| Team Consistency | ||
| Best For | Quick testing, prototypes | Demos, QA, production-like testing |
| Cost | Free | Free tier available |
Local Provider (Default)
Local Provider uses Faker.js to generate data offline—no internet or setup required.
Pros:
- Works 100% offline
- Zero setup required
- Fast and lightweight
- Perfect for quick testing
Cons:
- Generic data (not domain-specific)
- No team consistency
- Less realistic for demos
Usage
// Local provider is the default
const fk = new FillKit();
// or explicitly set it
const fk = new FillKit({ provider: 'local' });Cloud Provider
Cloud Provider uses AI to generate realistic, domain-specific datasets. Create datasets in the dashboard, sync once to your SDK, then use offline.
Pros:
- AI-generated realistic data
- Domain-specific (e-commerce, healthcare, finance, etc.)
- Consistent across your team
- Sync once, use offline
- Perfect for demos and QA
Cons:
- Requires initial setup (5 minutes)
- Needs internet for initial sync
Usage
const fk = new FillKit({
provider: 'cloud',
providerConfig: {
projectId: 'prj_abc123',
token: 'fk_live_xyz...'
}
});Which Should You Choose?
Choose Local Provider If:
- •You're doing quick development testing
- •You need to work 100% offline
- •Data realism isn't critical for your use case
- •You're prototyping and want zero setup
Choose Cloud Provider If:
- •You're doing client demos or sales presentations
- •You need consistent data across your team
- •You're doing QA testing and need realistic data
- •You want domain-specific data (e-commerce, healthcare, etc.)
Pro tip: Start with Local Provider for rapid development, then upgrade to Cloud Provider when you need realistic data for demos or QA. You can switch providers anytime without changing your code!