Data Forge vs Mockaroo vs Faker.js — I Tested All 3 So You Don't Have To

Source: Dev.to

If you’ve ever needed dummy data for testing, you know the pain.
You either:

• Use Mockaroo (limited free tier, slow)
• Write custom Faker.js scripts (takes time)
• Or just hardcode 10 rows and cry 😭

I was building a project and needed 50,000 rows of realistic user data — fast.

Comparison Table

Mockaroo

• Pros: Clean UI, lots of field types.
• Cons:
  • Free plan caps at 1,000 rows.
  • Need to pay for more rows.
  • Requires account signup.
  • Gets slow on large exports.

Good tool — but in 2026, a paywall for basic data generation feels outdated.

Faker.js

• Pros: Powerful library, runs locally; favorite among developers.
• Cons:
  • You have to write code every time.
  • Setup time for each new project.
  • No visual UI — not great for non‑devs.
  • No direct CSV/SQL export without extra setup.

Perfect if you love the terminal. Not great if you just need data right now.

Data Forge (Zlvox)

I built this because I was tired of both options above.

What it does:

• Generates millions of rows instantly.
• Provides realistic data — names, emails, addresses, UUIDs, numbers.
• Exports to CSV, JSON, SQL with one click.
• Zero signup, zero paywall, zero bloat.
• Runs in the browser — nothing to install.

Real test: Generated 100,000 rows of user data in under 4 seconds.

Verdict

• Need data right now with no friction? → Data Forge wins.
• Need programmatic generation inside your codebase? → Faker.js.
• Prefer a hosted service and don’t mind paying? → Mockaroo. 😅

👉 Data Forge on Zlvox — free, instant, no signup

What dummy data tool do you use? 👇