express vs next vs koa vs fastify vs polka vs @hono/node-server vs restify vs hapi vs sapper
Web Server Frameworks Comparison
1 Year
expressnextkoafastifypolka@hono/node-serverrestifyhapisapperSimilar Packages:
What's Web Server Frameworks?

Web server frameworks provide developers with the tools and structure needed to build server-side applications. They simplify the process of handling HTTP requests, routing, middleware integration, and response management, enabling developers to focus on building features rather than dealing with low-level server details. Each framework has its unique strengths, catering to different use cases and preferences in the development community.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
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Package
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express43,180,99967,035197 kB1872 months agoMIT
next10,572,636132,023120 MB3,2282 days agoMIT
koa4,104,56535,50263.6 kB16a month agoMIT
fastify2,559,47433,8102.62 MB11011 days agoMIT
polka433,7375,468-286 years agoMIT
@hono/node-server426,568483176 kB385 days agoMIT
restify347,94110,717352 kB1282 years agoMIT
hapi48,57014,698-806 years agoBSD-3-Clause
sapper40,1706,981536 kB259-MIT
Feature Comparison: express vs next vs koa vs fastify vs polka vs @hono/node-server vs restify vs hapi vs sapper

Performance

  • express:

    Express is relatively fast but can become slower with extensive middleware usage. Its performance is generally sufficient for most applications, but it may not match the speed of more optimized frameworks like Fastify.

  • next:

    Next.js provides excellent performance for server-rendered applications, with built-in optimizations for static site generation and code splitting, ensuring fast load times and a smooth user experience.

  • koa:

    Koa is lightweight and performs well, especially in applications that utilize async/await for middleware. Its minimalistic design allows for efficient request handling without unnecessary overhead.

  • fastify:

    Fastify is built for speed, boasting one of the highest performance benchmarks among Node.js frameworks. It uses schema-based validation to optimize request handling, ensuring low latency even under heavy loads.

  • polka:

    Polka is extremely lightweight and fast, making it ideal for small applications or microservices where performance is critical. Its minimalistic approach keeps the overhead low.

  • @hono/node-server:

    @hono/node-server is designed for high performance with minimal overhead. It leverages modern JavaScript features to handle requests efficiently, making it suitable for microservices and serverless environments.

  • restify:

    Restify is optimized for building REST APIs, offering good performance for API-centric applications. However, it may not be as fast as Fastify or Polka in certain scenarios.

  • hapi:

    Hapi is not the fastest framework available, but it offers a good balance of performance and features. It is optimized for applications where security and extensibility are more important than raw speed.

  • sapper:

    Sapper combines server-side rendering with client-side navigation, providing good performance for progressive web applications. Its optimizations for loading and rendering help maintain a responsive user experience.

Middleware Support

  • express:

    Express has a rich ecosystem of middleware, allowing developers to easily integrate various functionalities such as authentication, logging, and error handling. Its flexibility makes it a popular choice for many web applications.

  • next:

    Next.js provides built-in middleware support for handling API routes and server-side logic, allowing developers to create full-stack applications seamlessly. It integrates well with React components for a unified development experience.

  • koa:

    Koa uses a modern middleware approach based on async/await, allowing for clean and readable code. This design encourages the use of small, focused middleware functions that can be composed together easily.

  • fastify:

    Fastify supports a powerful plugin system that allows for easy integration of middleware and additional features. This modular approach enables developers to keep their applications organized and maintainable.

  • polka:

    Polka supports middleware in a straightforward manner, allowing developers to add functionality without much overhead. Its simplicity makes it easy to use for small applications.

  • @hono/node-server:

    @hono/node-server offers a straightforward middleware system that allows developers to easily add functionality to their applications. It supports async middleware, making it easy to integrate with modern JavaScript practices.

  • restify:

    Restify is designed specifically for building REST APIs and provides built-in middleware for common tasks such as request validation and response formatting. It focuses on API development rather than general-purpose middleware.

  • hapi:

    Hapi has built-in support for various types of middleware, including authentication, validation, and caching. Its configuration-driven approach makes it easy to manage middleware across large applications.

  • sapper:

    Sapper supports middleware for handling server-side logic and API routes, allowing for a cohesive development experience when building full-stack applications with Svelte.

Learning Curve

  • express:

    Express is known for its straightforward API and extensive documentation, making it easy for new developers to learn. However, its flexibility can lead to complexity in larger applications if not managed properly.

  • next:

    Next.js is relatively easy to learn for developers familiar with React, as it builds upon React concepts. Its documentation provides clear guidance on server-side rendering and static site generation.

  • koa:

    Koa's use of async/await can be a bit challenging for developers unfamiliar with modern JavaScript, but its minimalist design promotes a clear understanding of middleware flow, making it easier to learn over time.

  • fastify:

    Fastify has a moderate learning curve, primarily due to its plugin architecture and schema-based validation. Once understood, these features can significantly enhance development speed and application performance.

  • polka:

    Polka is designed to be simple and easy to learn, making it a great choice for developers who want to quickly build small applications without the complexity of larger frameworks.

  • @hono/node-server:

    @hono/node-server has a gentle learning curve, making it accessible for beginners while still providing advanced features for experienced developers. Its simplicity allows for quick onboarding and rapid development.

  • restify:

    Restify is straightforward for developers familiar with REST principles, but it may require some time to fully grasp its API and best practices for building RESTful services.

  • hapi:

    Hapi has a steeper learning curve compared to Express due to its configuration-driven approach and extensive feature set. However, its comprehensive documentation helps ease the learning process.

  • sapper:

    Sapper has a moderate learning curve, especially for those new to Svelte. However, its focus on server-side rendering and routing can be quickly grasped by those familiar with modern web development practices.

Extensibility

  • express:

    Express has a vast ecosystem of middleware and plugins, making it highly extensible. Developers can easily integrate third-party libraries or create their own middleware to enhance functionality.

  • next:

    Next.js supports extensibility through custom server configurations and API routes, allowing developers to tailor their applications to specific needs while leveraging the power of React.

  • koa:

    Koa's modular design encourages extensibility, allowing developers to create custom middleware that can be easily integrated into the application. This promotes a clean and organized codebase.

  • fastify:

    Fastify's plugin architecture is one of its strongest features, allowing developers to create reusable plugins that can be shared across applications. This promotes code reuse and maintainability.

  • polka:

    Polka is designed to be lightweight and extensible, allowing developers to easily add custom middleware and functionality without unnecessary complexity.

  • @hono/node-server:

    @hono/node-server is designed to be extensible, allowing developers to create custom middleware and plugins easily. This flexibility makes it suitable for a variety of applications, from simple to complex.

  • restify:

    Restify is extensible through its built-in middleware and the ability to create custom plugins. This makes it suitable for developers looking to build RESTful APIs with specific requirements.

  • hapi:

    Hapi is highly extensible, with a rich set of built-in features and the ability to create custom plugins. This makes it suitable for large applications that require specific functionalities.

  • sapper:

    Sapper allows for extensibility through custom routes and middleware, enabling developers to build complex applications while maintaining a clear structure.

How to Choose: express vs next vs koa vs fastify vs polka vs @hono/node-server vs restify vs hapi vs sapper
  • express:

    Select Express if you need a robust, flexible framework with a large ecosystem of middleware. It is ideal for building RESTful APIs and web applications, especially when you want extensive community support and resources.

  • next:

    Use Next.js if you are building server-rendered React applications. It provides features like static site generation and API routes, making it ideal for full-stack applications with a focus on performance and SEO.

  • koa:

    Select Koa for its modern approach to middleware using async/await. It is great for developers who want to build applications with a minimal footprint and prefer a more modular architecture.

  • fastify:

    Opt for Fastify when performance is a priority. It is designed for speed and low overhead, making it suitable for high-throughput applications. Fastify also offers a powerful plugin architecture for extensibility.

  • polka:

    Choose Polka for a minimalistic and lightweight alternative to Express. It is perfect for small applications or microservices where speed is essential and you want to keep dependencies low.

  • @hono/node-server:

    Choose @hono/node-server for lightweight applications that require high performance and minimal overhead. It is particularly suited for microservices and serverless architectures due to its simplicity and speed.

  • restify:

    Opt for Restify when building RESTful APIs that require strict adherence to the REST principles. It is optimized for API development and provides features like versioning and throttling.

  • hapi:

    Choose Hapi if you require a framework with built-in support for configuration, validation, and caching. It is well-suited for enterprise applications where security and configuration management are critical.

  • sapper:

    Select Sapper if you are looking for a framework that combines server-side rendering with a rich client-side experience. It is particularly useful for building progressive web applications with a focus on performance.

README for express

Express Logo

Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for Node.js.

This project has a Code of Conduct.

Table of contents

NPM Version NPM Downloads OpenSSF Scorecard Badge

import express from 'express'

const app = express()

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello World')
})

app.listen(3000)

Installation

This is a Node.js module available through the npm registry.

Before installing, download and install Node.js. Node.js 18 or higher is required.

If this is a brand new project, make sure to create a package.json first with the npm init command.

Installation is done using the npm install command:

npm install express

Follow our installing guide for more information.

Features

  • Robust routing
  • Focus on high performance
  • Super-high test coverage
  • HTTP helpers (redirection, caching, etc)
  • View system supporting 14+ template engines
  • Content negotiation
  • Executable for generating applications quickly

Docs & Community

PROTIP Be sure to read the migration guide to v5

Quick Start

The quickest way to get started with express is to utilize the executable express(1) to generate an application as shown below:

Install the executable. The executable's major version will match Express's:

npm install -g express-generator@4

Create the app:

express /tmp/foo && cd /tmp/foo

Install dependencies:

npm install

Start the server:

npm start

View the website at: http://localhost:3000

Philosophy

The Express philosophy is to provide small, robust tooling for HTTP servers, making it a great solution for single page applications, websites, hybrids, or public HTTP APIs.

Express does not force you to use any specific ORM or template engine. With support for over 14 template engines via @ladjs/consolidate, you can quickly craft your perfect framework.

Examples

To view the examples, clone the Express repository:

git clone https://github.com/expressjs/express.git --depth 1 && cd express

Then install the dependencies:

npm install

Then run whichever example you want:

node examples/content-negotiation

Contributing

Linux Build Test Coverage

The Express.js project welcomes all constructive contributions. Contributions take many forms, from code for bug fixes and enhancements, to additions and fixes to documentation, additional tests, triaging incoming pull requests and issues, and more!

See the Contributing Guide for more technical details on contributing.

Security Issues

If you discover a security vulnerability in Express, please see Security Policies and Procedures.

Running Tests

To run the test suite, first install the dependencies:

npm install

Then run npm test:

npm test

People

The original author of Express is TJ Holowaychuk

List of all contributors

TC (Technical Committee)

TC emeriti members

TC emeriti members

Triagers

Triagers emeriti members

Emeritus Triagers

License

MIT