Node.js remains a primary developers' choice in 2024 as it's fast, scalable, and has a rich ecosystem. The right Node js framework can make or break your app development project, so it's necessary to make a well-thought-out choice. This article will walk you through the 12 best Nodejs frameworks for app development this year.
Express.JS
Express.JS is one of the most popular Node.js frameworks developers use worldwide. Launched in 2010, it has maintained its relevance and robustness for building countless web applications and APIs with minimal setup.
Built on top of Node.js, Express.JS inherits all the non-blocking, event-driven characteristics of Node.js and handles simultaneous connections. Its approach doesn’t impose a specific structure or dependencies, so you get the freedom to use any libraries or tools you prefer.
Features
- Express.JS is lightweight and doesn't come with built-in modules that you may not need.
- Middleware functions in Express.JS can execute any code, make changes to the request and response objects, end the request-response cycle, and call the next middleware function in the stack.
- Express.JS allows you to define routes for your application using HTTP methods and URLs.
- It handles a large number of concurrent requests without blocking.
- Express.JS supports various template engines like Pug, EJS, and Handlebars.
When to use it?
You can use Express.JS primarily for building RESTful APIs. It's also suitable for creating single page applications (SPAs): when used with front-end frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js, Express serves as a backend that handles data fetching and serves static files.
Express.Js is also ideal for developing microservices architectures, where each service is independently deployable and scalable.
When not to use it?
There are situations where Express.JS may not be the best fit. For large-scale enterprise applications requiring built-in support for advanced features like dependency injection, you'd better use more opinionated frameworks like Nest.js. Also, if you prefer a framework that provides more out-of-the-box architecture and conventions, similar to what Ruby on Rails offers for Ruby, Express's minimalist approach may seem too barebones.
Hapi
Hapi was designed by Walmart Labs to handle large-scale enterprise applications. Unlike Express.JS, Hapi is a more opinionated Node.js backend framework — it offers a wealth of built-in features and configurations. One of Hapi’s primary strengths is its focus on configuration over code. This means that instead of writing extensive logic to manage your server, you define settings and rules in configuration files.
Features
- Hapi's plugin system allows you to break your application into smaller, reusable components to better manage and scale it.
- You can configure just about everything using its robust configuration system, including routing, input validation, caching, authentication, and even error handling.
- Integrates with Joi, a powerful schema description language and validator for JavaScript objects.
- Provides out-of-the-box support for various authentication strategies via its hapi-auth plugins.
- Offers detailed error-handling capabilities for logging and debugging issues.
- Handling cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) and parsing various payload types (like JSON and multipart data) is seamless with Hapi.
When to use it?
Hapi is perfect for building large-scale enterprise applications, API development, creating and managing microservices, and real-time apps.
When not to use it?
However, for smaller projects or quick prototypes, Hapi’s extensive configuration options feel like overkill compared to more lightweight frameworks like Express.JS.
Sails.js
Sails.js is a robust Node.js backend framework for emulating the familiar MVC (model-view-controller) architecture found in frameworks like Ruby on Rails. Created by Balderdash, Sails.js provides a highly structured and opinionated framework that simplifies the process of building data-driven APIs, real-time applications, and web apps. Its design philosophy centers around convention over configuration. Developers can rapidly build scalable applications with no need for writing boilerplate code.
Features
- Emulates the familiar MVC pattern, so that developers can come from other MVC frameworks to get started quickly.
- Works with any database due to its powerful ORM, Waterline. This means you can use MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or any other database of your choice.
- Built-in WebSocket support helps build real-time features, such as chat applications, live notifications, etc.
- Automatically generates RESTful APIs without writing any code. These blueprints can be customized as needed.
- Suitable for large applications and managing heavy traffic loads.
- Supports a wide range of hooks and policies and allows for customization and extension of the framework's capabilities.
- Includes security best practices out-of-the-box to protect against common vulnerabilities, such as SQL Injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
When to use it?
Native WebSocket support makes Sails.js excel at creating applications that require real-time functionality, such as chat apps and live dashboards. Its automatic blueprint API generation speeds up the development of RESTful services. Also, Sails.js can be used for developing data-driven applications and rapid prototyping.
When not to use it?
For smaller projects or simple websites, the overhead introduced by Sails.js is unnecessary, so a lighter Node.js backend framework is more efficient for developing them. If your project requires a highly customized architecture that deviates from the MVC pattern, Sails.js may be too restrictive.
Socket.io
Socket.io is a powerful library that enables real-time, bidirectional communication between web clients and servers. It's built on top of WebSockets and abstracts the complexities of various transport mechanisms. Socket.io also provides a strong API for building interactive, real-time applications. This library is primarily used in applications that require instant updates and live interaction (chat applications, gaming platforms, collaborative tools, etc.).
Socket.io consists of two parts: the server-side library for Node.js and the client-side library that runs in the browser. Both components successfully work together.
Features
- Enables real-time event-based communication between clients and servers for instant data exchange.
- Handles reconnections automatically, so that temporary network issues do not disrupt the connection.
- Allows multiple namespaces to share the same connection, so you can organize and manage different types of communication channels within a single application.
- Provides built-in support for rooms and namespaces. You can group sockets and broadcast messages to specific subsets of connected clients.
- If WebSockets are not supported or fail, Socket.io can fall back to other transport mechanisms, such as long polling.
- Supports the transmission of binary data for building applications that need to send and receive files, images, or other binary content.
- Works across all major browsers.
- Includes debugging tools that help in monitoring and troubleshooting real-time connections.
When to use it?
Socket.io is perfect for developing chat apps that require instant messaging and notifications, real-time collaboration platforms like online document editors, whiteboards, and project management tools, multiplayer games that need real-time synchronization between players, and applications that provide live updates, such as stock tickers, news feeds, and monitoring dashboards.
When not to use it?
Using Socket.io introduces unnecessary complexity for building basic CRUD (create, read, update, delete) operations with no need for real-time updates. Also, simpler solutions are more appropriate for static websites or content that does not require real-time interaction.
In environments with high latency or intermittent connectivity, Socket.io's benefits of real-time communication are diminished, and fallback mechanisms lead to performance issues.
Meteor.js
Meteor.js is a full-stack Node backend framework launched in 2012. Its cohesive development platform includes everything you need to build and deploy modern web and mobile apps. A reactive programming model ensures that data updates on the server are instantly reflected on the client.
Meteor.js offers a unified environment where both client and server code coexist. Built-in support for MongoDB and a powerful data synchronization mechanism reduce the amount of boilerplate code developers typically write.
Features
- Combines front-end and back-end development into a single, integrated platform.
- Uses a data synchronization protocol called Distributed Data Protocol (DDP) to ensure real-time consistency between the server and clients.
- Allows the same JavaScript code to run on both the client and server.
- Offers a vast ecosystem of packages and libraries through Atmosphere.js.
- Provides tools for building mobile apps using Cordova.
- Automatically refreshes the application during development when changes are made.
When to use it?
Meteor.js is good enough for real-time applications that require instant updates, such as chat apps, collaborative tools, and live dashboards. The integrated nature of Meteor.js allows for quick prototyping and iterative development. If you prefer a unified codebase where the same language (JavaScript) is used on both the client and server, Meteor.js is also suitable. And, of course, you can use it for building cross-platform mobile apps with a single codebase.
When not to use it?
Meteor.js is not the best Node.js framework for non-real-time applications and complex back-end logic.
Koa.js
This modern Node backend framework is developed by the same team behind Express.js. Released in 2013, Koa aims to be a smaller, more expressive, and robust foundation for web applications and APIs. Unlike Express, Koa does not come with built-in middleware, so that developers can assemble their stack using a modular approach. This design philosophy results in a leaner and more granular framework with the possibility of fine-grained control over the application.
Features
- Koa is minimal by design. It provides only a small set of core functionalities, which can be extended with middleware.
- Uses modern JavaScript features like async/await.
- Provides an error-handling mechanism for catching errors quickly.
- Offers a context object (ctx) that encapsulates request and response objects.
- With no middleware out-of-the-box, Koa allows developers to select and configure only the middleware they need.
- Has improved support for handling streams and other asynchronous operations.
When to use it?
Koa.js is ideal for custom middleware stacks, writing clean and maintainable asynchronous code using JavaScript's async/await features, and developing projects where granular control over the request/response lifecycle is important.
When not to use it?
The lack of built-in middleware and the need to manually assemble a middleware stack are complicated for beginners. Also, Koa.js is not appropriate for rapid prototyping and building full-stack applications.
Nest.js
Nest.js is a progressive Node.js backend framework launched in 2017 that builds on top of TypeScript and incorporates concepts from object-oriented programming (OOP), functional programming (FP), and functional reactive programming (FRP). It features a built-in application architecture that scales well for both server-side applications and backend systems. Nest.js is heavily inspired by Angular and uses TypeScript to offer a strongly typed development experience.
Features
- Built with TypeScript, it provides a strongly typed environment that reduces bugs and improves code readability.
- Encourages the use of modules for organizing and scaling large applications.
- Offers a dependency injection system to promote more maintainable code.
- Includes tools and utilities for unit testing, integration testing, and end-to-end testing.
- Integrates with GraphQL, so you can build scalable APIs.
- Supports middleware and guards for handling cross-cutting concerns like authentication, logging, and validation.
- Comes with built-in support for microservices architecture.
- Features a command-line interface (CLI) that optimizes project setup, development, and deployment.
When to use it?
You can consider Nest.js for developing complex and large-scale applications, enterprise-level projects that benefit from strong typing, modular architecture, and robust dependency injection, GraphQL APIs, and microservices.
When not to use it?
Nest.js is not the best choice for small projects or quick prototypes, as well as performance-critical applications as it has a more minimalistic framework.
Total.js
This Node.js framework founded in 2013 provides a feature-rich and efficient platform for developing web applications, REST services, real-time applications, etc. Its complete development environment includes everything from server-side logic to front-end tools. Unlike other frameworks, Total.js is not just focused on the backend but features a full ecosystem of libraries and tools for end-to-end application development. It also supports both MVC and MVVM architectures.
Features
- Allows developers to use only the components they need.
- Has a complete set of tools and libraries for both backend and frontend development, including CMS, Eshop, and Flow components.
- Offers built-in support for WebSockets and Server-Sent Events (SSE) for real-time communication.
- Simplifies the creation of RESTful services with built-in routing, validation, and middleware support.
- Comes with a flexible template engine for rendering dynamic content on the server side.
- Purely written in JavaScript/TypeScript with no external dependencies.
- Includes command-line tools for project scaffolding, testing, and deployment.
When to use it?
You can use Total.js for creating full-stack applications, real-time apps, and enterprise-level projects, as well as rapid development and prototyping.
When not to use it?
The extensive features of Total.js are unnecessary for small projects or those requiring minimal overhead. Also, if absolute performance is critical and every millisecond counts, you should use a more minimalistic framework.
Feather.js
Feather.js is primarily used for building modern real-time web and mobile applications. It provides a plug-and-play approach and allows developers to easily add and use various services and plugins. Feather.js also integrates with popular frontend frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue.js.
Features
- Everything in Feather.js is a service, so you can create, configure, and manage different parts of your application.
- Built-in support for WebSockets allows for creating real-time applications.
- Automatically generates RESTful APIs for your services, reducing boilerplate code.
- Supports various authentication and authorization strategies like JWT, OAuth, and more.
- Provides a hook system for adding middleware to your services and implementing validation, logging, and other cross-cutting concerns.
- Supports multiple databases out of the box, including MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and others, through adapters.
- Integrates with popular frontend frameworks.
- Includes a command-line interface (CLI) that assists with project setup, service generation, etc.
When to use it?
Feather.js is typically used for building real-time applications, API-first development, full-stack development, rapid prototyping, and creating microservices.
When not to use it?
Feather.js is not suitable for very simple projects or static websites and applications with specialized back-end requirements.
Loopback.js
LoopBack.js is developed by StrongLoop, which was later acquired by IBM. It integrates with various databases, services, and protocols. Its modular architecture and CLI tools make it easy to set up, extend, and maintain projects.
Features
- Automatically generates RESTful endpoints based on your models.
- Provides connectors for various databases and services, including MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, etc.
- Highly extensible through modules and components.
- Supports the creation of GraphQL APIs alongside RESTful services.
- You can define your data models and relationships, and LoopBack generates the necessary APIs and database schemas.
- Built-in support for various authentication and authorization mechanisms, including JWT, OAuth, and more.
- Includes a powerful command-line interface (CLI) that assists with project scaffolding, model creation, etc.
- Comes with an integrated API explorer (Swagger UI).
When to use it?
If creating robust and scalable RESTful APIs is a priority, Loopback.js should be your choice. It is also suitable for applications that need to interact with multiple databases. Excellent for enterprise-level projects that require a scalable, maintainable, and well-documented API layer.
When not to use it?
For very simple projects or static websites, the extensive features of LoopBack.js are overkill. Developers new to LoopBack.js or those unfamiliar with model-driven development will face a steeper learning curve.
Adonis.js
Adonis.js is a full-fledged Node.js framework used for writing server-side code. It was inspired by Laravel, a popular PHP framework. Adonis.js provides a cohesive ecosystem and sensible defaults that allow you to hit the ground running. It also comes with its own ORM (object-relational mapping), migrations, and other tools that simplify common tasks in web development.
Features
- Uses the model-view-controller (MVC) pattern for a clean separation of concerns.
- Includes Lucid ORM for intuitive interaction with databases.
- Comes with a ready-to-use authentication system. Supports various strategies, such as JWT and session-based authentication.
- Offers a validation library to enforce data integrity and handle user inputs.
- Simplifies file uploads with built-in support for managing multipart data.
- Has features like flash messages and user-specific data storage.
- Ships with the fast and expressive Edge templating engine.
- Features a powerful command-line interface (CLI) to scaffold projects, run migrations, and manage other development tasks.
When to use it?
If you build full-stack applications where having a consistent and integrated toolset can boost productivity, choose Adonis.js. It's also perfect for rapid prototyping and development, enterprise-level applications, and RESTful APIs. Great for developers coming from a Laravel background who will appreciate the familiar syntax and conventions.
When not to use it?
Its overhead is unnecessary for very simple or minimalistic projects. Also, if you’re new to web development or unfamiliar with MVC architectures, the learning curve will be steeper compared to more lightweight Node frameworks.
Derby.js
The last framework in our list, Derby.js is a full-stack Node.js framework designed specifically for building real-time, collaborative applications. It uses a unique data synchronization engine called Racer, which allows for real-time updates across clients and servers without any additional configuration.
Features
- Uses the Racer engine to ensure that data is synchronized in real-time across all clients and the server.
- Allows you to write code that runs both on the server and the client.
- Follows the model-view-controller pattern.
- Encourages the use of reusable components.
- Provides instant feedback to users by rendering updates optimistically, even before they are confirmed by the server.
- Integrates well with popular databases like MongoDB and Redis.
- Includes a routing system to manage application states and URL navigation.
When to use it?
Derby.js excels in scenarios where real-time collaboration and interactivity are important: collaborative applications, real-time dashboards, interactive UIs, isomorphic applications, and rapid prototyping.
When not to use it?
Derby.js is powerful enough, but not suitable for basic applications/static websites, performance-critical backend tasks, and large-scale enterprise applications.
Key Takeaways
Now you know everything about the best Node.js frameworks and can easily work on every type of web and app development project — real-time applications, enterprise-level projects, strong APIs, you name it. Just choose wisely and don't hesitate to contact Cody if you need more insights or professional guidance.
FAQs
What are Node.js frameworks?
Node.js frameworks are collections of libraries and tools that help developers build web applications and APIs more efficiently. They provide a structure and reusable components that optimize coding tasks.
Which Node.js framework is best?
The best Node.js framework depends on your project's features. For large-scale applications, Nest.js is excellent due to its modular architecture. For real-time applications, Derby.js or Total.js may be better suited. If you need something familiar to Laravel, Adonis.js is a great choice.
Which are the best Node.js frameworks?
The best Node.js frameworks include Express.JS, Hapi, Sails.js, Socket.io, Meteor.js, Koa.js, Nest.js, Total.js, Feather.js, Adonis.js, and Derby.js.
Which is the most popular and famous Node.js framework?
Express.js is arguably the most popular and well-known Node.js framework. It's lightweight and has a vast ecosystem of middleware to extend its functionality.
Is Node.js a Framework?
No, Node.js is not a framework. It is a runtime environment that allows you to execute JavaScript code on the server side. Frameworks like Express.js and Nest.js run on top of Node.js to help structure your applications.
Should I use the Node.js framework?
Absolutely. Using a Node.js framework will speed up your development process and help maintain organized, scalable code.
Why is Node.js Special?
Node.js is special because it uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, which makes it lightweight. This architecture is suitable for building scalable network applications, like real-time messaging, streaming, and collaborative tools.
Which frameworks are used in Node.js?
Popular Node frameworks include Express.js, Nest.js, Koa.js, Sails.js, Hapi.js, LoopBack.js, Adonis.js, Derby.js, and Total.js.
Is Node.js a backend framework?
Node.js itself is not a backend framework — it is a runtime environment. However, many Node.js frameworks, such as Express.js and Nest.js, are used to build backend applications.
Is Express.js a Node framework?
Yes, Express.js is one of the most widely used Node.js frameworks.
Is React a Node.js framework?
No, React is not a Node.js framework. React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, primarily on the client side. However, React can be integrated with Node.js for server-side rendering and other purposes.
How many frameworks are there in Node.js?
There are numerous frameworks available for Node.js. Some of the notable ones include Express.js, Nest.js, Koa.js, Sails.js, Hapi.js, LoopBack.js, Adonis.js, Derby.js, and Total.js.
Is Node.js an MVC framework?
Node.js itself is not an MVC (model-view-controller) framework, but several Node.js frameworks follow the MVC pattern, such as Nest.js and Adonis.js.
What is the fastest Node.js framework?
Performance depends on specific use cases and implementation details, but Total.js is often recognized for its speed.
Which Node.js framework is easy to learn?
Express.js is generally considered one of the easiest Node.js frameworks to learn due to its straightforward, minimalistic approach.
Which Node.js framework is hard?
Nest.js is more difficult to learn for beginners because of its extensive use of TypeScript and more complex architecture.
Which Node.js framework can be used in 2024?
All the mentioned frameworks, such as Express.js, Nest.js, Feather.js, LoopBack.js, Adonis.js, and Derby.js, are actively maintained and will continue to be relevant for development in 2024.
