express vs koa vs hapi vs @tsed/core vs nestjs
Node.js Web Frameworks Comparison
1 Year
expresskoahapi@tsed/corenestjsSimilar Packages:
What's Node.js Web Frameworks?

Node.js web frameworks are libraries that provide a structured way to build server-side applications using JavaScript. They simplify the development process by offering tools and conventions for routing, middleware management, and request handling, allowing developers to focus on building features rather than dealing with low-level server configurations. These frameworks vary in design philosophy, complexity, and feature sets, catering to different types of applications and developer preferences.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
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Stat Detail
Package
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express38,021,26866,746197 kB17215 days agoMIT
koa3,541,95335,40561.8 kB199 days agoMIT
hapi35,76314,692-786 years agoBSD-3-Clause
@tsed/core16,2712,947474 kB547 hours agoMIT
nestjs10,259----ISC
Feature Comparison: express vs koa vs hapi vs @tsed/core vs nestjs

Architecture

  • express:

    Express follows a minimalist architecture, providing a thin layer of fundamental web application features. It allows developers the freedom to structure their applications as they see fit, promoting flexibility and simplicity.

  • koa:

    Koa is designed to be a smaller, more expressive, and more robust foundation for web applications and APIs. It uses async functions to improve middleware composition, resulting in a more manageable and cleaner codebase.

  • hapi:

    Hapi is built around a plugin architecture, enabling developers to encapsulate functionality into reusable modules. This modular approach enhances maintainability and allows for easy integration of third-party plugins.

  • @tsed/core:

    @tsed/core adopts a modular architecture, allowing developers to create applications using decorators and dependency injection. This promotes a clean separation of concerns and enhances testability and maintainability.

  • nestjs:

    NestJS utilizes a modular architecture inspired by Angular, promoting the use of modules, controllers, and services. This structure encourages scalability and maintainability, making it suitable for complex applications.

Middleware Support

  • express:

    Express has a simple and powerful middleware system, allowing developers to add custom functions that can process requests and responses. Middleware can be used for a variety of tasks, including logging, authentication, and error handling.

  • koa:

    Koa's middleware is based on async functions, allowing for cleaner and more manageable code. Each middleware can control the flow of the request-response cycle, making it easy to implement features like error handling and request logging.

  • hapi:

    Hapi includes a robust plugin system that allows middleware-like functionality to be encapsulated into reusable plugins. This promotes code reuse and organization, making it easier to manage complex applications.

  • @tsed/core:

    @tsed/core provides built-in support for middleware, allowing developers to easily integrate custom logic into the request-response cycle. It supports both global and route-specific middleware, enhancing flexibility.

  • nestjs:

    NestJS supports middleware at various levels (global, module, route) and integrates seamlessly with existing Express or Fastify middleware. This allows developers to leverage existing middleware while maintaining the structured architecture of NestJS.

Learning Curve

  • express:

    Express is known for its low learning curve, making it accessible for beginners. Its straightforward API and minimalistic design allow developers to quickly grasp the essentials and start building applications.

  • koa:

    Koa's learning curve is moderate, especially for those familiar with async/await syntax. Its minimalist approach means developers need to understand middleware composition, but it rewards with cleaner code once learned.

  • hapi:

    Hapi has a steeper learning curve compared to Express due to its rich feature set and plugin architecture. Developers may need time to understand its conventions and best practices, but it offers powerful capabilities once mastered.

  • @tsed/core:

    @tsed/core has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers familiar with TypeScript and decorators. Its emphasis on modularity and dependency injection may require some adjustment for those coming from less structured frameworks.

  • nestjs:

    NestJS has a steeper learning curve due to its comprehensive architecture and use of TypeScript. Developers coming from Angular may find it easier to adapt, but those new to OOP and DI concepts may need additional time to become proficient.

Extensibility

  • express:

    Express is extremely extensible, with a vast ecosystem of middleware and plugins available. Developers can easily add functionality to their applications by incorporating existing packages or creating custom middleware.

  • koa:

    Koa is designed to be extensible, allowing developers to create custom middleware that can be easily integrated into the application. Its focus on modularity encourages the use of third-party libraries to enhance functionality.

  • hapi:

    Hapi's plugin system is one of its strongest features, allowing developers to create reusable modules that can be shared across applications. This promotes a high level of extensibility and customization.

  • @tsed/core:

    @tsed/core is highly extensible, allowing developers to create custom decorators, modules, and services. Its modular design encourages the integration of third-party libraries and tools, making it adaptable to various use cases.

  • nestjs:

    NestJS is built for extensibility, allowing developers to create custom modules and providers. Its architecture supports the integration of various libraries, making it easy to extend functionality as needed.

Community and Ecosystem

  • express:

    Express has a large and active community, with a rich ecosystem of middleware and plugins. Its popularity ensures that developers have access to a wealth of resources, tutorials, and third-party tools.

  • koa:

    Koa has a smaller community compared to Express, but it is growing steadily. Its ecosystem includes several middleware packages, and its modern approach attracts developers looking for a lightweight solution.

  • hapi:

    Hapi has a dedicated community and a solid ecosystem of plugins. While not as large as Express, it provides sufficient resources and support for developers building enterprise-level applications.

  • @tsed/core:

    @tsed/core has a growing community, particularly among TypeScript developers. Its ecosystem includes various plugins and modules, but it is not as extensive as some of the more established frameworks.

  • nestjs:

    NestJS has rapidly gained popularity, resulting in a vibrant community and a growing ecosystem of modules and plugins. Its TypeScript foundation and architectural patterns resonate well with developers, leading to a wealth of resources and support.

How to Choose: express vs koa vs hapi vs @tsed/core vs nestjs
  • express:

    Choose Express if you need a minimalistic and flexible framework that allows you to build web applications quickly. It's ideal for small to medium-sized applications and provides a robust set of features for web and mobile applications without imposing strict conventions.

  • koa:

    Choose Koa if you want a lightweight and modern framework that leverages async/await for better control over middleware execution. Koa is designed to be minimal and encourages the use of modern JavaScript features, making it ideal for developers who prefer a more functional programming style.

  • hapi:

    Choose Hapi if you require a rich set of built-in features and a powerful plugin system. Hapi is well-suited for large-scale applications that need a high degree of customization and security, making it a good choice for enterprise-level projects.

  • @tsed/core:

    Choose @tsed/core if you are looking for a TypeScript-based framework that emphasizes modularity and extensibility, particularly for building RESTful APIs and microservices with a focus on decorators and dependency injection.

  • nestjs:

    Choose NestJS if you are building large-scale enterprise applications that require a structured architecture. NestJS is built with TypeScript and combines elements of OOP, FP, and FRP, making it suitable for complex applications with a focus on maintainability and scalability.

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