In order to ensure your website loads faster, has no bugs, and is constantly updated to the latest standards, you need a strong backend. At the moment, if you ask any developer, which backend framework is the best? Their answer is likely either Node or Django.
Django is a Python-based framework, while Node.Js is a JavaScript runtime environment. These two are the best backend frameworks with their unique strengths. If you are stuck between these two frameworks for your website, this blog will help you choose the best framework for your requirements.
A] Django vs Node.js: A Comprehensive Comparison
1. Initial Release
Django was first created in 2003 by Adrian Holovaty and Simon Willison. It was used by the developers to create Python applications. Jacob Kaplan-Moss was hired shortly after for further development of Django. The Framework was publicly released for Django Development services in 2005 under a BSD license.
Node.Js is a javascript runtime environment that was first developed and released by Ryan Dahl in 2009. He used Google’s V8 JavaScript engine as the foundation for Node.js.
2. Popularity & Trends
Django framework promotes rapid development and clean, pragmatic design which has played a crucial part in its popularity. Django has a 32.89% market share in the web-framework market. Some Django users also believe the integration of AI and ML can be beneficial for the framework.
On the other hand, according to Statista Node.js is the most used web development framework in the world. It is the most popular framework right now. Serverless architecture and cloud computing are the latest trends in Node.Js which look to further increase its market share.
3. Architecture
The Architecture of each model describes the core components and function of the framework. This gives a unique advantage and drawback to each framework.
Django’s architecture uses Model Template View, which divides the project into data structure, business logistics, and user interface. This allows development companies to work on different parts of the application without affecting the other components.
Node.js’s architecture is based on a single-threaded event-driven model. This allows developers to create an app that can handle multiple requests without slowing down the app. Node.JS microservices architecture also allows for a breakdown of complex applications into independent components.
4. Django vs Node.JS performance
The performance of a web application refers to its code improvement, configuration settings, site speed, etc. Python’s excellent operations efficiency optimises Django’s performance. Its features such as application caching and database management further improve efficiency.
Due to Node.JS’s single-threading nature, it cannot handle heavy tasks. However, it is well suited for processing a lot of requests simultaneously. Node.Js also gets frequent updates, which constantly improve its performance.
5. Security Features
When comparing Django and Node.JS on the basis of their security features, the clear winner becomes very obvious. Django comes equipped with built-in security features that protect against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, cross-site request forgery, and clickjacking.
Node.Js on the other hand does not come equipped with built-in security features. However, if Node.Js fits your requirements, you can get external security features to keep your application safe. These security features need to be encoded by developers or use the packages that NPM provides. This is one of the reasons why Django is the best web framework for your project.
6. Usability
The usability of a framework is defined by the ease of use for developers and how flexible it is. In the case of Django, it has ready-made solutions which developers can use to save time and effort. Django also offers some flexibility, however, it mostly has a rigid structure.
Node.Js has a flexible and minimalistic structure which allows developers to create templates from scratch as well as edit the existing ones. Node also boasts a wide range of tools and libraries which makes it even efficient to use.
7. Scalability
Django and Node are both very scalable frameworks which can accommodate a large number of users without compromising on the quality of the product. Node.Js’s single-thread model allows the app to handle hundreds of concurrent real-time requests. This makes your app’s backend highly scalable.
Django offers similar scalability as it also can handle high traffic. With the addition of servers to the backend or caching features, Django can help you scale your apps. However, the control of scalability is generally better provided by Node.Js, making it the better choice for scaling.
8. Community Support & Availability of Developers
As JavaScript is a highly used programming language, Node.Js has a thriving community of developers. 550,512 live websites are using Node.js, hence, you can easily find experienced developers that can help you with debugging and upgrading.
Even though Django has a smaller user base, it has an active and thriving community of developers. The Django community is mostly Python users. Currently, 83,872 live websites are using Django. You can find a thriving community of Django developers who can help you with your queries on GitHub.
9. Cost-efficiency
Both Django and Node are free-to-use and open-source frameworks, making them cost-effective. However, the cost-efficiency of Django and Node.Js depends on your long-term vision. Node.Js takes more time to develop an app in comparison to Django. This difference in production time can be a key difference-maker in the final cost.
Django encourages rapid development and deadline-oriented project management which reduces the cost due to faster time-to-market. Cost efficiency is a key factor in why Django is better suited as a framework.
10. Development Speed & Efficiency
As briefly mentioned above, Django takes less time to develop marketable apps. Due to the flexibility of Django, it gives developers the freedom to create scalable applications with minimal coding. This significantly increases the development speed and efficiency.
On the other hand, as Node.Js requires JavaScript, you can highly trained developers with relative ease. However, it takes more time to develop a web application using Node.Js.
11. Customisation
Django offers substantial app customisation features and the flexibility to edit the existing templates. This can reduce the burden on developers to create everything from scratch. However, there are also a few drawbacks to Django. As Django applications have a single code base, it can be difficult to customise one platform without affecting the other.
Node.Js offers very high customisation as it is a highly configurable web development platform. For Node.Js, you have to create everything from scratch, which gives you complete control over the customisation but increases the workload and development time.
Conclusion
Django and Node.Js are two of the most popular app development frameworks in today’s date. While choosing between the two can be a tough decision, it all comes down to your business needs. If you are looking for a secure development platform which offers fast development, cost-efficiency, and scalability you should consider Django.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a framework that offers customisation and has more user-base you should consider Node.Js. In case you are looking for a web development company in India to help you create feature-rich web applications, our expert developers at Siddhatech can help you do so. Feel free to contact our team today to discuss your development needs.
FAQs
Node.Js and Django are both very popular frameworks. However, if you are looking for the number of active users and the size of the online community, Node.Js beats Django by a mile.
This is a very subjective question as both Django and NodeJs have their unique strengths and weaknesses. To figure out which framework is better for your app development project you have to go through each individual point and see if it aligns with your objectives.