As the backbone of modern web applications, backend frameworks play a critical role in the efficiency, scalability, and maintainability of your projects. Node.js, known for its non-blocking, event-driven architecture, has become a popular choice for building server-side applications. In this article, we’ll explore and compare some of the best Node.js backend frameworks for 2024 to help you choose the right one for your next project.
1. Express.js
Overview
Express.js is the most popular and widely used Node.js framework. It’s minimalistic, flexible, and provides a robust set of features for web and mobile applications.
Key Features
- Minimalistic: Lightweight and unopinionated, allowing for high customization.
- Middleware Support: A rich ecosystem of middleware to handle various tasks.
- Routing: Powerful routing capabilities. Compatibility: Works seamlessly with various template engines and databases.
Pros
- Easy to learn and use.
- Extensive documentation and community support.
- Highly customizable.
Cons
- Lack of built-in features compared to more opinionated frameworks.
- Middleware management can become complex in larger applications.
2. Koa.js
Overview
Koa.js is developed by the creators of Express.js and aims to be a smaller, more expressive, and more robust foundation for web applications and APIs.
Key Features
- Async/Await: Designed to leverage async/await for better control flow.
- Lightweight: Minimalist core without middleware, encouraging modularity.
- Context: Enhanced context handling to avoid callback hell.
Pros
- Cleaner and more readable code with async/await.
- Greater control over request and response handling.
- Encourages modular architecture.
Cons
- Smaller community compared to Express.js.
- Requires more manual setup for common tasks.
3. NestJS
Overview
NestJS is a progressive Node.js framework that leverages TypeScript and aims to provide an out-of-the-box application architecture.
Key Features
- Modular Architecture: Encourages a modular approach to building applications.
- TypeScript: Full TypeScript support, enhancing code quality and developer productivity.
- Dependency Injection: Built-in support for dependency injection.👀
- Microservices: Support for microservices and GraphQL.
Pros
- Strong TypeScript support.
- Well-structured and scalable applications.
- Rich set of built-in features and modules.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve, especially for developers new to TypeScript.
- Can be overkill for simple projects.
Top comments (22)
AdonisJS is also a nice backend framework. It has all the main features a JS framework should have.
Here is the link : adonisjs.com
Damn! That's an amazing find.
It might help me overcome the accumulated prejudices I have about Node.js backends because of Express.js.
Thanks!
👀
I think ExpressoTs could be on that list too!
Here is the link: expresso-ts.com/
👀
I read few sections of the documentation and it is an interesting framework. I appreciate the use of hexagonale architecture.
I'll have to try it 😁
I'm confused. Does that use express.js under the hood?
At least nest js use express under the hood. Express is very lightweight and Nest js uses it to create a feature rich backend framework that is opinionated and keep a structure of models, services and routes and give templates for faster development and also support dependency injection and use TypeScript by default.
Adonis.js is a great framework the one I would recommend by now. I think they have updated the code structure a few times. Anyway I have not found good tutorials on V6 yet except their own materials. There is also very few on this framework.
JavaScript frameworks changes so much that even copilot have hard time keeping the code up-to-date.
I think you should mention a lot more like Deno & Netlify. But at the end of the day what you mention are pretty good! Keep up the good work.
Antonio, CEO at Litlyx
Deno is actually like Node js. A runtime environment for node and has its own frameworks. Deno has oak that is similar to express for node.
Runtime for js I mean
Thanks to enrich this!
Very cool project you have there! Let me know if you guys have affiliate program. Happy to share it with our audience at devtoys.io!
NestJS is my top pick for Node.js backend frameworks in 2024. Its scalability, maintainability and superb microservices support make it unbeatable.
Yeah, people who love Angular, cannot go wrong with Nest! For more enterprise solutions, definitely an amazing product :)
I recommend checking out the good libraries as well
👀
Koa and Express are much more middleware library rather than frameworks.
I agree with Adonis.js quoted in the comments. It deserves much more attention.
primatejs.com needs some love
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As a note, I would add that nest is a JS framework but it always runs under express, to the list I would add fastify which in terms of performance has no equal in the node field