In 2020, JavaScript was recognized as the most used programming language worldwide, determining development technology and application framework preferences. Consequently, Node.js is also getting its fair share of attention, and significant efforts are being made to improve its functionality as a mobile and web application framework. Some industry giants like Uber or Netflix are using Node.js frameworks as their development environment.
You can hire remote Node.js developers to simplify the development of web applications, many popular Node.js frameworks have been created. Let’s take a closer look and see which NodeJS framework can level up your web development:
Express.js
Express.js is a fast and lightweight Node.js framework that is used to build applications of varying sizes and complexity with extensions that provide additional value-adding functionality. It is very often associated with the MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express, Angular, Node.js) used to build web applications. With its support for many HTTP utility methods, Express.js is also a great framework for building REST APIs.
Plus, it allows legacy websites to painlessly migrate to Node.js frameworks as a middle tier and convert them to a fast-running Express.js website without major source code changes. Among other things, the framework offers:
- Robust URL Based Routing Engine Using HTTP Methods
- Support for various plugins and extensions to improve its default functionality
- Easy database integration
- A smooth learning curve for those already familiar with Node.js
Express.js, as part of the MEAN.io framework stack, is also an optimal framework of Node.js frameworks for enterprise app development for big data applications. As well as media streaming or real-time communication applications for high performance and critical scalability.
Koa.js
Koa.js is a server-side framework for building web applications that uses so-called generators to avoid callbacks and handle errors much more efficiently. As a relatively new application framework, it is currently evolving rapidly. Below are a few more features of the Koa framework that are highly regarded by the developer community:
- Lightweight construction
- Wide customization options
- Modular approach
Koa’s flexible modular structure allows you to get started with a nearly empty application where an experienced developer can add their code. The team recently released Koa2, a more stable version of the framework that is increasingly popular with JavaScript dedicated developers.
Hapi.js
The Hapi.js framework was first created and used to develop an app for the Walmart retail chain. The idea is to create an infrastructure capable of supporting a large team working on multiple tasks at the same time. This is considered a major strength of Hapi.js, and the developer community agrees that it is a great solution for a large, distributed team working on a complex application. Today Hapi.js ranks among the tools used to develop applications and websites from the web service provider Yahoo and even the UK government. Other benefits of Hapi.js:
- Deep plugin support that helps different team members work together on different components without affecting overall performance.
- Support for reusable components
- Express.js extensions
Sails.js
Sails.js is based on Socket.io and Express as a real-time MVC framework. The Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern can be used to create applications of various sizes and data-driven APIs that handle large amounts of data, such as real-time chats, multiplayer games, dashboards, and other application decisions that rely heavily on real-world data and time of completion.
With Sails.js, you get a complete application in a very short time. Key features of Sails.js that can influence your choice of framework include:
Provides compatibility with the best front-end frameworks and, as a result, flexibility in choosing the right tools for developing web applications. With Sails.js, you can enable front-end development with Angular, Backbone, iOS / ObjC, Windows Phone, etc.
- Automatically generate RESTful JSON models supporting both WebSockets and HTTP.
- Support for a common MVC architecture with other frameworks to ease the transition.
- Compatible with multiple databases such as MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL and Redis.
Apigee, API management platform, JetBlue airline, and retail company American Eagle are all built with Sails.js.
Meteor
Meteor is designed as a full-featured JavaScript platform for developing web and mobile apps and solutions. With the open source Meteor, you can get great performance right away. Meteor only uses one API on both client and server side, which ensures flawless performance. You can start developing right away using the recommended Meteor stack, or move on to other required technologies. The main advantages of the Meteor framework:
- The same code is supported across devices for exceptional efficiency in mobile app development and easy upgrades.
- A number of ready-made modules in the package by default, speeding up development.
Less JavaScript required to make applications lighter and better performance.
Meteor’s ability to use the same code easily solves device compatibility issues. So it’s a worthy choice for apps designed to work with multiple devices. In terms of best use cases for Node.js frameworks , IKEA, a Swedish furniture manufacturer, and Mazda Corporation, an automobile manufacturer, have chosen Meteor as their application development tool.
Electron.js
Also, we could define Electron.js as a separate framework. It is especially suited for developing robust native desktop applications using JavaScript as well as web technologies such as HTML and CSS.
With a range of unique features in this open source platform, it still uses Chromium and Node.js, making it easy to learn how it works and what API it uses. So, creating a desktop application is a matter of a few days. Among the main advantages of Electron.js are:
- Compatibility with most platforms including Mac, Linux and Windows makes it cost effective and cost effective as the development team does not need to code for different operating systems and browsers.
- Using the Chromium engine includes all the important features of Chrome, as well as the ability to use developer tools, storage access, etc. D.
- With a single, shared, simplified library, it can be used without consuming significant processing power.
- Large community and many pre-packaged packages to keep you focused on the core development process.
In general, the best frameworks designed to work with Node.js are designed to provide easy, quality development when building web and mobile apps with flawless and smooth performance.