How to Choose the Best Node.js Framework

From AI/ML to Javascript frameworks, development trends continue to change for good. Looking into the latest web development framework, you will find Nodejs as widely used javascript platforms which allows developers in designing and developing robust and scalable applications in minimal development time. 

Node.js frameworks are well-known for its non-blocking and event-driven models, which makes it lightweight and efficient. Now, before you plan to use node.js framework for your web application, you must select a node.js framework that best works for your niche.

In this article, we take you through some of the best Node.js frameworks in detail, describing its usage, benefits and more. But, before we go through different Node.js frameworks, let’s understand the categories i.e. how these frameworks are classified.

What are Node.js frameworks?

Like every web-app technology, node.js frameworks too can be differentiated on the basis of their development cycle and uses. There are majorly three categories for Node.js frameworks which are MVC, Full-Stack MVC and REST API frameworks.

• MVC frameworks 

MVC frameworking brings on board valuable design patterns. This enables developers to bifurcate the application logic in three parts i.e. models, views and controllers. This kind of development separation makes the application maintainable and scalable. One of the major examples of MVC framework is Express.js.

• Full-stack MVC frameworks

Full-stack MVC framework comes handy when you need to develop a real-time application. These frameworks will take care of scaffolding, libraries, templates, engines and more. The best part is that they can be used from both backend as well frontend development. 

• REST API (Representational state transfer)/ REST API frameworks

Node.js framework is powered with REST API to build efficient applications in less development time. Thus, you need to bother about the architectural styles of network apps. Every framework from the category will offer you a ready programming interface, saving a lot of your development time when making an internet based application.

Express.js

Express.Js is one of the most recognized Node.js frameworks consisting of a minimal and flexible set of features. With this framework, developers can build robust applications for both web and mobile devices. 

Express.js comprises a myriad of HTTP utility methods as well as middleware which allows you to create a powerful API with ease. It also offers a fine layer of essential web app features without concealing prime Node.js features that you like. 

Koa.js

Koa is one of the latest web frameworks built by the same team that developed Express.js. It was designed with the aim to be smaller and expressive. It is incorporated to build robust web applications as well as APIs. 

The async function of the framework will allow you to avoid the callbacks and efficiently handle errors on the development. Koa framework does not hold any middleware in its core and offers developers a subtle suite of methods which simplifies writing servers and makes it more enjoyable.

Meteor.js

Meteor is designed to be open-source, isomorphic and Javascript web framework. It does not require much developer efforts as it automatically channels the data changes to clients. It is efficient with multiple variant device-operating systems, this includes mobile applications like Android, iOS as well as desktop apps. All these are binded in one Javascript language. 

The comprehensive libraries and testing features of this framework makes it a highly preferable for client-server communication. It is also best known for smooth data navigation between client and server, which is much needed with the majority of apps with real-time, high-streaming functionalities.

Socket.io

Socket.io is a javascript library that is not only used for creating real-time applications but also for bidirectional communication between servers and web clients. Some of the examples of real-time apps that socket.io can create, include multiplayer games, video conferencing apps, chat rooms apps and more. These apps require servers to push the data without a client side request. 

Nest.js 

Nest.js is a progressive Node.js framework best used to develop enterprise-grade apps. It offers developers comprehensive libraries and flexibility. Like Anjugar nest.js is written in TypeScript that resolves the issues of Node.js.

This node.js framework can also be stated as a backend productivity booster. Nest.js also incorporates express framework catering brilliance architecture, this allows developers to build scalable and testable apps which are easy to maintain. 

Sails.js 

Sail.js frameworks is an MVC framework that is well used for designing modernized data-oriented applications. It also comprises data-driven APIs with a scalable service oriented architecture.

The ORM water lines included in Sail.js framework makes it compatible with almost all the databases. Some of the adapter’s sail supports are MYSQL, Mongo, PostgreSQL, Redis, and even Local Disk. Sail.js can also be coupled with socket.io making, this makes it a perfect integration for gaming and social media apps. The framework is convenient for developing custom and enterprise-scale node.js apps. 

Total.js

Need a quick developing framework? Total.js framework is what you need. Although it requires a bit of maintenance, you can count it for excellent performance, stability and extensibility. This node.js framework is modular, modern and shorts MVC architecture. 

It is compatible with client-side architecture such as Polymer, Angular.js, Backbone.js, Bootstrap and more. With this framework, you will not need any compressing tool like Grunt. It is embedded with NoSql bringing the support of arrays and prototypes. 

Hapi.js

Hapi is a secure open source node.js framework which works amazingly to develop safe and scalable real-time social media applications. Most developers choose this commercially available framework for developing proxies and API servers.

Hapi comprises a rich set of built-in plugins, so there is no need to bother about unofficial middleware. Some of the excellent features of the framework you can look forward to is default caching, authentication and input validation. 

Feather.js

Feather.js is an excellent framework for backend development. It is well-recognized for its flexibility as it can be used for development of Node.js and ReactNative and also for multiple databases. The real time functionality of this node.js framework eases developers’ task for designing modern applications for both web and mobile devices.

Feathr.js frameworks enable decoding programs in a simple, smart and uncomplicated manner. Which saves developers from falling into the complex and daunting APIs. With flexibility of feather framework developers can implement, connect and communicate web app features. 

Loopback.js

The best thing about Loopback.js is that it can be easily connected with any of the other Node.js frameworks. LoopBack features an easy-to-use  CLI and Dynamic API explorer. This Node.js framework will come handy when you want to create models based on schema or dynamic models with the absence of schema. This framework also works well with a number of REST services and several databases such as MySql, Oracle, MongoDB, Postgres and more. 

Conclusion

Note: Choosing a framework majorly depends on what you want to achieve with it. All the node.js framework we have mentioned in the blog were chosen on the basis of the popularity in the JavaScript community. All these frameworks feature a community that will resolve issues and are there to assist in learning the basics of the framework. It is one of the major aspects to consider. 

Guest article written by: Akash Tripathi is a Content Marketing manager at Top Mobile Tech that curates articles on a software, Top Nodejs Development Companies as well as video production. Stay connected to the rest of the world with Top Mobile Tech. We bring latest and critical news to your mobile and computer devices.