Top 6 Node.js Frameworks You Should Know About
  • Home
  • Blogs
  • Top 6 Node.js Frameworks You Should Know About

Top 6 Node.js Frameworks You Should Know About

In this article, we will cover the six best Node.js frameworks and the advantages of Node.js for startup tech teams.

Introduction

Are you ready to learn about the best Node.js frameworks?

Node.js is a popular open-source server-side Javascript runtime that allows developers to build scalable applications quickly. Thanks to Node.js’ efficiency in building fast, high-performance applications, it has become increasingly popular among the software dev community!

Node.js can handle a large number of concurrent connections while maintaining high performance. Another reason is the availability of a vast number of libraries, modules, and frameworks that make it easier to build complex applications.

Best Node.js frameworks

Having Node.js experts on your tech team has a lot of advantages, especially for startups. If you are a startup looking to build a tech team to build web applications, start right now with Gaper as your software development partner. You can also refer to our complete guide to hiring Node.js developers to get started independently. 

In this article, we will be looking at the six top Node.js frameworks that are essential to know about.

Frameworks are tools that provide ready-to-use, customized solutions to help speed up software development. Let’s get into the details, shall we?

1. Express

Express is one of the best Node.js frameworks you can find!

It is lightweight and flexible, making it an excellent choice for building both small and large applications. Express is a  minimalistic framework that provides an extensive range of features and tools for building web applications. Thus, it allows developers to customize and develop applications quickly. 

“Express is a small framework that sits on top of Node.js’s web server functionality to simplify APIs and add useful new features.”

“It makes it easier to organize your application’s functionality with middleware and routing; it adds useful utilities to Node.js’s HTTP objects; and it makes dynamic HTTP object rendering easier.”

Pooja Gupta, Senior software engineer on LinkedIn

Some of these features include:

Enables fast server-side development using functions for commonly used Node.js features

Routing using Express object methods to handle client requests.

Express comes with a vast array of pre-built middleware. This includes everything from authentication to handling errors helping developers enhance the security, performance, and functionality of their applications. Middleware functions can execute code, change requests, and the response objects, end the request-response cycle, and call the next middleware function.

Template engines that transform static template files into an HTML file making it easier to design an HTML page.

Express catches and processes synchronous and asynchronous errors using a pre-built error handler so that a new one does not need to be coded.

Debugging is one nifty feature! Done using the debug module in Express to log all necessary information, this helps to quickly determine the source of bugs.

Express.js has a simple API and is easy to learn, making it a popular choice for developers who are just starting with Node.js. It also has a large community of developers, which means there are a lot of third-party modules and plugins available to extend its functionality.

Express.js is the choice of many large companies, including IBM, PayPal, and Uber. It is also the framework of choice for many startups and small businesses.

2. Koa

Koa is another contender in the list of the top Node.js frameworks!

It focuses on simplicity, performance, and modularity. Developed by the creators of Express.js, the idea was to create an improved version of Express.js. Thanks to its solid support for error handling and content negotiation, Koa is ideal for building robust applications.

Koa.js uses generators, which allows developers to write asynchronous code in a synchronous style. This makes it easier to avoid messy callbacks and write code that is easy to read and maintain.

Koa.js also has a middleware-based architecture, which makes it easy to add new functionality to an application. 

It provides developers with the ability to write middleware in a more elegant and readable manner than other frameworks. Moreover, it is lightweight, and its extensive features allow the developer to create lightweight applications.

“The Node.js framework Koa is among the most straightforward ones available. It is both stylish and portable.” 

“Several Express modules and frameworks are compatible with Koa, thanks to modifications.” 

Node.js frameworks: which one to select in 2023?

Koa’s modularity is one of its biggest advantages. 

Koa allows software engineers to add or remove plugins easily which makes it an excellent fit for building applications with microservices architecture. Koa has built-in support for asynchronous and synchronous functions, helping developers avoid messy error callbacks.

The names of companies using Koa js include Microsoft, Alibaba, and Segment. It is also known for building microservices.

3. Hapi

This is the start of our list of the best Node.js frameworks!

Hapi is a powerful, robust, and scalable Node.js framework for creating large-scale web applications and RESTful APIs. With the help of the configuration over code method, developers can configure almost everything through a single configuration object.

Built with modularity in mind, it allows developers to use plugins for sharing reusable code securely. Due to its modular architecture, software devs can add new features and functionality as per requirements.

In terms of performance,  Hapi js includes built-in security features to protect against various types of attacks. There is a strong emphasis on configuration and validation, making it easy to build reliable applications.

Built-in support for caching, authentication, and authorization, makes it easier to make complex applications.

Companies utilizing the potential of Hapi js include Walmart, Disney, and PayPal.

4. Sails

Are you looking for a Node.js framework that can deliver powerful applications?

The Sails framework provides an excellent platform for building robust, real-time, and highly responsive web applications. Its flexibility, real-time capabilities, intuitive architecture, and supportive community make it an ideal choice for developers looking to transform their web development projects.

A significant advantage of the Sails framework is its flexibility. Sails are incredibly flexible and pluggable, making it easy to customize and extend to accommodate unique and varied application requirements. 

It also allows developers to easily integrate with other popular Node.js modules and packages, enabling them to leverage the vast pool of available resources to build their applications quickly and efficiently.

Another advantage of Sails is its real-time capabilities. This framework utilizes the WebSocket protocol, which provides real-time event-driven communication between the client and the server.

 This feature allows developers to rapidly build highly responsive and interactive applications that can handle a large number of concurrent connections and provide live updates to users.

Furthermore, Sails provides a highly intuitive and straightforward architecture that is easy to learn and use. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern, which divides the application into three distinct components, simplifying development and maintenance.

“It has an architecture resembling that of MVC but with SailsJS you can achieve a data-oriented way of developing applications.”

“This is the modern approach to developing web apps. Its framework is inspired by that of Ruby on Rails.”

Abhinand VNair, tech company founder

It is indeed one of the best Node.js frameworks. How? It also comes equipped with a powerful command-line tool that automates many of the repetitive procedures in deploying and developing an application.

Lastly, Sails is an open-source project with a vibrant community of developers actively contributing to its growth and development. This community provides an exquisite source of support and guidance, making it easier for beginners to learn.

5. Nest.js

Nest js is a relatively new, more progressive Node.js framework. The best thing about it is that it is both scalable and modular. The primary function of this framework is to build scalable and efficient server-side applications. 

The main focus is on modularity coupled with dependent injection (and uses TypeScript, which is a superset of JavaScript) which keeps code scalable and maintainable. 

Nest provides developers with a robust toolkit that includes everything from routing to database integration, and testing.

Coming to its design, there is an emphasis on testability, meaning developers can easily test the application with minimal code.

“Nest JS was developed with a mission to build effective, scalable backend apps with the support of JavaScript/TypeScript.”

“With the help of the Nest CLI developers can quickly create modules, controllers, pipes, and middleware without pain and therefore it boosts productivity, and automates many of the routine tasks.”

Yaman Alashqar, computer scientist on LinkedIn

Nest’s unique feature is its capability to support several libraries. As a result of this feature, development time decreases. It also supports multiple transport layers, including TCP, WebSockets, and GraphQL. Nest is perfect for building microservices due to its modularity and efficient coding ability. 

It also has built-in support for validation and authentication, ensuring reasonable security of applications built.

Siemens, Audi, and Bosch – these companies take advantage of Nest js’ impressive capabilities.

6. Meteor.js

Meteor.js is a full-stack JavaScript framework for building real-time web and mobile applications. It uses a reactive programming model. Hence, developers can make changes in UI in no time. 

Meteor.js has built-in support for real-time communication, which makes it simpler to build applications that require real-time updates. Modularity is one of the main features, along with package management, making it easy to add new features.

“Meteor is used for rapid prototyping and produce cross-platform code for Web, Android, and iOS.” 

“As it provides amazing features to build applications, easy to learn, and has ample documentation, it became the first choice for modern developers.”

What is Meteor JS and Its Features

Meteor.js is the primary option for worldwide leaders such as Mazda, Honeywell, and IKEA. If you’re a software developer who wants to build cross-platform mobile applications, then Meteor js is the solution!

How to Hire Node.js Developers

Finally, our six best Node.js frameworks list comes to an end! Having resources on your tech team is essential. In particular, if you want to hire Javascript engineers that can work with Node.js frameworks, book a quick appointment with us. 

Our team will help you navigate your exact needs by considering your technical and business development needs. All you have to do is fill in an online form, add all details, specify requirements, and wait for the representative to contact you!

Node.js for Startups

Node.js frameworks provide startups with a flexible and agile environment for creating web applications. 

These frameworks offer a range of features, including robust APIs, real-time data communication, and excellent performance. Such features are crucial for startups looking to build innovative and dynamic applications that can cater to the needs of diverse users. 

Hire Node.js experts from Gaper within two days and get started on building your applications!

Conclusion

Did you know that more than 6.3 million websites are using the Node.js runtime environment? 

Node.js is a powerful platform for building web and mobile applications with valuable frameworks for developers. 

Each of the Node.js frameworks we’ve looked at today has its strengths and weaknesses. Whether you’re building small or large applications or working with microservices architectures, there is a framework out there that is perfect for you. 

Keep in mind, however, that each framework is different, and choosing a suitable framework depends on your project’s specific needs. Choose wisely and build the best application you can.

FAQs

What are the top 10 frameworks Node.js?

Mentioned below are the names of the 10 best Node.js frameworks.

  • Express.js: It is a widely used minimalist web framework that provides a thin layer of core web application features.
  • Koa.js: A flexible framework that uses the async/await syntax to make working with asynchronous code more concise.
  • Meteor.js: This is a full-stack web framework that includes both frontend and backend components. 
  • Sails.js: It is a full-stack web framework that uses the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern. 
  • Hapi.js: This is a configuration-centric web framework that provides a lot of built-in functionality out of the box. It’s known for being particularly well-suited to building APIs.
  • Nest.js: This is a scalable and modular web framework that’s built with TypeScript. It uses a combination of object-oriented and functional programming concepts.
  • Loopback.js: This is an open-source Node.js framework that’s particularly well-suited to building RESTful APIs.
  • Adonis.js: It is a full-stack web framework that’s focused on developer productivity. It provides a lot of built-in functionality and conventions.
  • Total.js: This is a lightweight Node.js web framework that handles both server-side and client-side rendering. 
  • Restify.js: This is a web framework for building RESTful APIs. It provides a lot of built-in functionality for handling common API-related tasks like authentication and validation.

Which Node.js framework should I use?

There are many Node.js frameworks available, each with its unique features and benefits. Some top Node.js frameworks include Koa.js, Sails.js, Meteor.js, Express.js, Hapi.js, and Nest.js.

What is the most used framework in Node.js?

According to Github, Express.js, Nest.js, and Meteor.js are some of the most frequently used Node.js frameworks. 

What are the top backend frameworks in Node.js?

Meteor.js, Next.js, Loopback.js, and Express.js are the best Node.js frameworks for app development. 

What is the fastest-growing framework in Node.js?

Express.js is one of the fast-growing Node.js frameworks. 

Hire Top 1%
Engineers for your
startup in 24 hours

Top quality ensured or we work for free

Developer Team

Gaper.io @2023 All rights reserved.

Leading Marketplace for Software Engineers

Subscribe to receive latest news, discount codes & more

Stay updated with all that’s happening at Gaper