Python-Levenshtein

Fast C extension providing Levenshtein distance and related string similarity metrics; now maintained by the RapidFuzz project.

string-matching-frameworksInactivenpm: fastest-levenshtein
56
Hero Score
Popularity
50
Performance
60
Ecosystem
50
Maturity
70
Dev Experience
50
⭐ 390 stars⬇ 2.7M downloads/wkFirst release: Jan 2003Last release: Nov 2025
Async Support: NoPlugin Extensions: LowSpeed: Very fastDoc Quality: MediumLearning Curve: Medium

Pros

  • Very fast C-based implementations of string metrics
  • Supports multiple algorithms (Levenshtein, Jaro, Jaro-Winkler)
  • Actively maintained by RapidFuzz team

Cons

  • GPL licensed (restricts commercial use)
  • Lower-level API compared to RapidFuzz
  • RapidFuzz preferred for new projects per official docs

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