nodejs is a powerful JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine, allowing developers to execute JavaScript code on the server side. It enables the creation of scalable and high-performance applications, particularly for web servers and networking tools. While Node.js itself provides a robust foundation for building server-side applications, there are several frameworks that enhance its capabilities and streamline development. Here are a few popular alternatives:

• express is one of the most widely used web application frameworks for Node.js. It provides a minimalist and flexible approach to building web applications and APIs, making it easy to set up middleware, handle routes, and manage requests and responses. Express is known for its simplicity and extensive ecosystem of middleware, which allows developers to extend its functionality easily. If you're looking for a straightforward and efficient way to build web applications or RESTful APIs, Express is an excellent choice.
• hapi is another powerful framework for building applications and services in Node.js. It is designed with a focus on configuration-driven development, providing a rich set of features such as input validation, caching, authentication, and more. Hapi is particularly well-suited for building large-scale applications where structure and maintainability are critical. If your project requires a robust framework with built-in features for security and scalability, Hapi is worth considering.
• koa is a lightweight and modern web framework created by the same team behind Express. Koa aims to be more expressive and robust by utilizing async/await for handling asynchronous operations, which leads to cleaner and more manageable code. Koa provides a minimalistic foundation, allowing developers to build their middleware stack from the ground up. If you prefer a more modular approach and want to leverage the latest JavaScript features, Koa is an excellent option.

To see how these frameworks compare, check out the comparison: Comparing express vs hapi vs koa.