Node.js is one of the fastest server-side web application platforms as it provides app development companies the ease of building scalable single program language web applications. It is one of the top trending JavaScript runtime frameworks that is open-sourced and has cross platform properties for creating codes outside the browser.

What makes Node.js special?

1. It has a clean and concise codebase.
2. It works best for agile development and prototyping.
3. It has a vast ecosystem that provides open-source libraries.
4. It can be used for developing enterprise-scalable applications faster.
5. It is based on the most used programming language — JavaScript.

What is the market reaction to Node.js?

Image Source: npmtrends

Here are some more facts on Node.js:

• Amazon, Netflix, LinkedIn, eBay, PayPal, and Reddit use Node.js as their backend framework.
• 43% of Node.js developers use this framework to create enterprise applications.
• Paypal noticed a remarkable 35% reduction in average response time after switching to Node.js.
• Node.js can improve any existing app’s performance by 50%.
• Node.js reduces app development costs by 58%.
• Statista mentioned Node to be the most used framework among developers as of early 2020 at 51.4%.

Benefits of Using Node.js Frameworks

• Easy Scalability
• Low learning curve
• Benefit of Fullstack JavaScript
• Large and Active Community
• Use of single codebase for enhancing overall web performance

Top Node.js Frameworks to Use in 2021

Now that we have covered Node.js and understood its capabilities in such detail, we can discuss the top Node.js Frameworks to Use in 2021.

1. Hapi.js

GitHub –Stars — 13.1k | Forks — 1.3k|Version — v20.1.0|Contributors — 208| Used by — 16.5k

NPM — Weekly Downloads — 105,065 |License — BSD-3-Clause

Image — npmtrends(hapi.js)

Hapi.js is one of the simplest, secure, and reliable frameworks that many developers trust. You can use Hapi.js to create scalable and robust applications that have minimal overhead and out-of-the-box functionality. It is the top Node.js framework for developing JSON API.

Hapi.js can be used for –

• Websites
• HTTP Proxy Applications
• Application Programming Interface servers — API

Key Features of Hapi.js –

• Input Validation
• Logging
• Error Handling
• Code Reusability
• Implement Caching
• No external dependencies
• Configuration-based functionality
• Integrated Architecture — comprehensive authentication and authorization API support in Node Framework

When to use Hapi.js –

Hapi.js is ideal for developing secure, real-time, scalable, and social media applications. Most mobile app developers prefer Hapi.js for creating proxies and API servers.

Who uses Hapi.js –

• Commercetools
• Main Stack
• Beam
• Taggun
• Artifakt

2. Express.js

GitHub — Stars — 52.3k | Forks — 8.8k | Version — v4.17.1 | Contributors — 262 | Used by — 9.2m

NPM — Weekly Downloads — 17,193,915 | License — MIT

Image — npmtrends(express)

Express.js is a flexible and minimal Node.js application framework. This plugin isn’t built around specific components, hence having no opinion about what technologies you plug into it. This gives developers the freedom to experiment. They also get a lightning-fast setup and a pure JavaScript experience, making Express.js a strong contender in the niche of rapid prototyping and agile development.

Express.js can be used for –

• Single Page Applications
• Multi-Page Applications
• Hybrid Applications

Key Features of Express.js –

• Faster server-side development
• Enables developers to build RESTful APIs faster
• Express supports MVC Architecture with some work
• Supports NoSQL databases out-of-the-box

When to use Express.js-

Express.js is ideal for creating web applications and services quickly since it has readily available API generation tools. It is part of JavaScript-based technology called MEAN software stack. This means you can use Express.js for making any enterprise-grade browser based app.

Who uses Express.js –

• FindHotel
• Omnipresent
• Okay
• SiHub
• TheDoe

3. Nest.js

Github — Stars — 35.5k|Forks — 3.4k |Version — 7.5.0|Contributors — 226|Used by — 60.4k

NPM — Weekly Downloads — 508,214| License — MIT

Image –npmtrends(nest.js)

Nest.js is a server-side app framework that is crafted for supporting developer’s productivity and make their lives easier. Developers generally use this Node.js framework to structure their code is a much better and organized manner.

Nest.js can be used for –

• Writing clearer and reusable code.
• Writing codes with higher-level constructs like interceptors, filters, pipes.
• Writing scalable, testable and loosely packed applications.

Key Features of Nest.js –

• Easily extendible — can be used with other libraries.
• Allows developers to fully code using Pure JavaScript.
• Combines the features of Functional Programming, Object-Orient Programming and Functional Reactive Programming.
• Exposes the frameworks API which helps developer use the various third-party modules available to each platform.
• It has a detailed and well maintained documentation.

When to use Nest.js –

Nest.js is mainly used for writing applications that are — scalable, testable and loosely coupled. It adds scalability potential to Node.js to a whole new level. It provides the right balance of structure and flexibility to manage your codes for large projects with efficiency and still have a sense of structure to follow.

Who uses Nest.js –

• Roche
• Adidas
• Decathlon
• Capgemini

4. Koa.js

GitHub — Stars — 30.9k|Forks — 3k |Version — 2.13.1|Contributors — 219 | Used by — 160k

NPM — Weekly Download — 870,944| License — MIT

Image — npmtrends(koa)

Koa.js is an open-source Node web framework created by the same creators of Express.js. With Koa, they aim to create a smaller, more expensive, and robust platform for web applications and APIs. It provides a wide variety of efficient methods to fasten the process of making servers more excitingly.

Koa.js can be used for –

• Frontend Systems
• Backend Systems
• Hybrid Systems

Key Features of Koa.js –

• Modern and future proof
• Smaller footprint compared to all Node.js frameworks
• Has a built-in catchall for errors that prevent website crashes
• Uses context object which holds both — request and response objects

When to use Koa.js-

Koa.js is best used for creating a server, routes, handling responses, and handling errors.

Who uses Koa.js –

• Paralect
• LetzChange
• BrainHub
• Bulb

5. Socket.io

GitHub — Stars — 52.7k|Forks — 9.6k |Version — 4.0.0 |Contributors — 189 | Used by — 2.2m

NPM — Weekly Downloads — 3,617,636 | License — MIT

Image — npmtrends(socket.io)

Socket.io is used for establishing real-time bi-directional communication between clients and servers. For this to work, the client needs to have Socket.io in their browser, and the server should have also integrated the Socket.io package. This allows data to be shared in millions of forms. However, the most preferred method remains JSON.

Socket.io consists of

1. JavaScript Server — Node.js

2. JavaScript client library — Node.js

Note: Socket.io is also compatible with many other languages like Java, C+, Swift, Dart, .Net, and Python.

Socket.io can be used for –

• Several namespaces
• Broadcasting
• Event Handling
• Error Handling
• Logging and Debugging
• Internal
• Chat Applications

Key Features of Socket.io-

• Encoding of messages as named JSON or binary events
• Adding ‘real-time’ ability to an app
• Supports auto-reconnection
• Outstanding speed and reliability
• Instant messaging and chat

When to use Socket.io –

Socket.io is one of the best real-time bi-directional event-based communication tools. It should be used by anyone who wants to add ‘real-time analysis’ functionality in their app. Socket.io also is useful for ‘real-time’ gaming apps. Using basic HTTP or HTTPS protocols for real-time gaming is not feasible as those files are large and take time to establish communication. Here we use socket bundles smaller in size and get the work done almost ‘real-time’ for a smoother and better experience.

Who uses Socket.io –

• Alibaba Travels
• Patreon
• Trello
• Justmop
• Plaid

6. Meteor.js

Github — Stars — 42.3k|Forks — 5.2k |Version — 4.0.0 |Contributors — 452|Used by — (?) | License –MIT

NPM — Not Available

Meteor.js is an open-source full-stack JavaScript platform where JavaScript runs at different places for different purposes. JavaScript runs inside a web browser; then JavaScript runs on the Meteor server inside a Node.js container and supports HTML fragments, static assets, and CSS rules.

Meteor.js can be used for –

• Full production of mobile apps
• Full production of web apps

Key Features of Meteor.js –

• Pure JavaScript
• Clean, Robust data synchronization
• Interoperability
• Smart Packages
• Hot Code Pushes

When to use Meteor.js-

Meteor.js has capabilities for rapid prototyping and produces cross-platform (Android, iOS, Web) code. It is also one of the most straightforward frameworks to learn as it doesn’t follow any strict structural rules. Hence Meteor.js should be used by any beginner or intermediate developer who wishes to create apps for multiple platforms with the least learning curve.

Who uses Meteor.js –

• Accenture
• NetApp
• Rocket Chat
• Esri
• NordStorm

7. Adonis.js

Github — Stars — 9.7k|Forks — 498 |Version –5.0.13|Contributors — 47 |Used by — 754

NPM — Weekly Downloads –3808 | License — MIT

Image npmtrends(adonis.js)

Adonis.js is a Node.js MVC framework that can run on all operating systems. It provides a stable ecosystem for writing server-side web applications to focus on the business requirements like finalizing which package to choose or exclude. It is ideal for Laravel Developers who want a taste change and are trying out theNode.js framework. Adonis.js provides Node.js with the same features and abilities that Laravel has naturally.

Adonis.js can be used for –

• Building a web app
• Application Programming Interface servers -API

Key Features of Adonis.js –

• Powerful ORM that helps make secure SQL queries
• APIs and session-based authentication system
• Validating and sanitizing every user’s inputs
• Heavy emphasis on security
• Extendable application layout

When to use Adonis.js –

If you are a Node.js Developer looking for an MVC tool, Adonis.js is your go-to Node.js framework. However, if you are a Laravel developer or any other mobile application framework developer, you can still give Adonis.js a try, even migrating from PHP to Node.js.

Who uses Adonis.js –

• Dotgroup
• DORMshed
• Nina
• Zelo
• FindUp

8. Sails.js

Github — Stars — 21.9k|Forks — 1.9k |Version — 1.4.0|Contributors — 229 |Used by — 23.3k

NPM — Weekly Downloads — 20,457 | License — MIT

Image — npmtrends(sails)

Sails.js is yet another real-time Node.js MVC framework. It is built on Express, and its MVC architecture matches that of Ruby on Rails. It is different from Ruby on Rails as it provides support for the more modern, data-centric style of API and web app development.

Sails.js can be used for –

• Building enterprise-level Node.js applications
• Building frontend applications
• Building backend apps for handling HTTP requests

Key Features of Sails.js –

• Supports auto-generated REST APIs
• Has easy WebSocket integration
• Compatible with any popular frontend — Angular, Android, React, iOS, Windows, or any custom hardware
• It also has real-time functionality support

When to use Sails.js –

Any developer who wants a Node.js framework for emulating MVC pattern frameworks like Laravel and Ruby on Rails for modern app architecture and building data-centric APIs and real-time apps should use Sails.js for their next project.

Who uses Sails.js-

• Tutor Platform
• Redox Engine
• Brainhub
• Created Informed
• People Grove

To Summarize

There are many new Node.js frameworks available in the market. Different Node.js frameworks help your app development project at different stages and bring in a lot of value and functionality. Make use of these frameworks to make your app development process effortless.

Source: medium