express vs http-server vs koa-send vs koa-static
Node.js Web Frameworks and Middleware Comparison
1 Year
expresshttp-serverkoa-sendkoa-staticSimilar Packages:
What's Node.js Web Frameworks and Middleware?

Node.js web frameworks and middleware packages provide essential tools for building web applications and APIs. They simplify the process of handling HTTP requests, managing routing, serving static files, and implementing middleware functions that can modify request and response objects. These packages enhance developer productivity and enable the creation of robust server-side applications with minimal boilerplate code. Each package serves a unique purpose, catering to different needs in web development, from simple static file serving to complex server-side logic.

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express36,945,61566,421221 kB1773 months agoMIT
http-server2,940,58013,793124 kB142-MIT
koa-send886,381427-195 years agoMIT
koa-static855,6811,142-87 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: express vs http-server vs koa-send vs koa-static

Purpose

  • express:

    Express is a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework that provides a robust set of features for web and mobile applications. It allows developers to create APIs and web applications quickly with a rich set of HTTP utility methods and middleware, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

  • http-server:

    http-server is a simple, zero-configuration command-line HTTP server for serving static files. It is designed for quick and easy file serving, making it ideal for development and testing environments where a full-fledged server is not necessary.

  • koa-send:

    koa-send is a middleware for Koa that simplifies the process of serving files. It is built specifically for Koa's async/await syntax and provides features like file streaming, content negotiation, and range requests, making it suitable for applications that require efficient file delivery.

  • koa-static:

    koa-static is a middleware for Koa that serves static files from a specified directory. It is easy to use and integrates well with Koa's middleware stack, making it a go-to choice for serving static assets in Koa applications.

Flexibility

  • express:

    Express is highly flexible and allows developers to structure their applications in various ways. It supports a wide range of middleware, enabling customization of request handling and response processing according to specific application needs.

  • http-server:

    http-server is not flexible as it is designed for a specific purpose: serving static files. It lacks customization options and is best suited for scenarios where simplicity is paramount.

  • koa-send:

    koa-send offers flexibility in serving files with features like content negotiation and range requests. However, it is designed to be used within the Koa framework, limiting its use outside of that context.

  • koa-static:

    koa-static is straightforward and flexible within the Koa ecosystem, allowing configuration options such as setting cache control and serving files from different directories.

Ease of Use

  • express:

    Express is user-friendly and has a gentle learning curve, making it accessible for beginners while still providing advanced features for experienced developers. Its extensive documentation and community support further enhance its usability.

  • http-server:

    http-server is extremely easy to use, requiring no configuration. A single command can start serving files, making it ideal for quick setups and testing.

  • koa-send:

    koa-send is easy to integrate into Koa applications, but requires familiarity with Koa's async/await syntax. Its straightforward API makes it simple to use for serving files.

  • koa-static:

    koa-static is easy to implement in Koa applications, requiring minimal setup. It is designed to work seamlessly with Koa's middleware architecture, making it intuitive for Koa users.

Performance

  • express:

    Express is performant for most use cases, but its flexibility can lead to performance overhead if too many middleware are used. Developers should optimize middleware usage to maintain performance.

  • http-server:

    http-server is lightweight and performs well for serving static files, but it is not optimized for high-traffic scenarios. It is best suited for development and testing rather than production use.

  • koa-send:

    koa-send is optimized for performance within Koa applications, efficiently handling file serving with features like streaming and range requests, which can enhance user experience during file downloads.

  • koa-static:

    koa-static is designed for performance in serving static files, leveraging Koa's async capabilities to handle requests efficiently, making it suitable for production environments.

Community and Ecosystem

  • express:

    Express has a large and active community, with a rich ecosystem of middleware and plugins available. This extensive support makes it easier to find solutions and resources for various needs.

  • http-server:

    http-server has a smaller community focused on its specific use case. While it is widely used for static file serving, it does not have the same level of ecosystem support as Express.

  • koa-send:

    koa-send is part of the Koa ecosystem, which is smaller than that of Express but still has a dedicated community. It benefits from Koa's modern approach to middleware and async programming.

  • koa-static:

    koa-static is also part of the Koa ecosystem and shares its community support. While Koa's community is smaller, it is growing and provides valuable resources for developers.

How to Choose: express vs http-server vs koa-send vs koa-static
  • express:

    Choose Express if you need a flexible and minimalist framework that allows you to build web applications and APIs with a wide range of middleware options. It is ideal for projects that require custom routing and extensive middleware support.

  • http-server:

    Choose http-server if you need a simple, zero-configuration command-line HTTP server for serving static files. It is perfect for quick prototyping or serving static assets without the need for complex setup.

  • koa-send:

    Choose koa-send if you are using Koa and need a middleware specifically designed for serving files efficiently. It provides features like content negotiation and support for range requests, making it suitable for applications that require file downloads or streaming.

  • koa-static:

    Choose koa-static if you are using Koa and need to serve static files from a directory. It is straightforward to use and integrates seamlessly with Koa's middleware architecture, making it ideal for serving assets in a Koa-based application.

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 Install Size NPM Downloads OpenSSF Scorecard Badge

const express = require('express')
const app = express()

app.get('/', function (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 0.10 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 Migrating from 3.x to 4.x as well as New features in 4.x.

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 Consolidate.js, you can quickly craft your perfect framework.

Examples

To view the examples, clone the Express repo and install the dependencies:

$ git clone https://github.com/expressjs/express.git --depth 1
$ cd express
$ npm install

Then run whichever example you want:

$ node examples/content-negotiation

Contributing

Linux Build Windows 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, then run npm test:

$ npm install
$ 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