Software development has come a long way, and Node.js has been at the center of this development. One of the primary factors fueling the popularity of Node.js is the extensive range of frameworks that come with it.
These frameworks come well-equipped with a wide range of templates, features, and libraries. As a result, developers can use these offerings to enhance the pace of their web development while using minimal resources.
But with so many Node.js frameworks, it can be very challenging to pick the right one. Thus, here are some top picks from available Node.js frameworks in the market.
But First, Let us See What Exactly is Node.js?
Node.js is a free, open-source server environment. It is compatible with different platforms, including Linux, Mac OS, Windows, Unix, and more. Built on the V8 JavaScript engine of Chrome, the server environment is also written in JavaScript.
The platform has earned itself a great reputation for helping developers build scalable and fast network applications in no time. Additionally, Node.js has no rocks in the development process, so you need not worry about any deadlocks.
The platform was the brainchild of Ryan Dahl who gave people a much-needed cross-platform runtime tool for building networking and server-side programs. Web developers from all around the globe reap the benefits of Node.js as it helps them facilitate fast and easy development. Besides, developers also access a huge collection of JavaScript modules, which helps eliminate stress and boost accuracy.
What are Node.js Frameworks?
The web and app development technologies come with different types of frameworks. Each framework is designed to support specific use cases in the lifecycle of the development process. However, when it comes to Node.js, there are three main types of frameworks. These frameworks include:
- Full-Stack MVC Framework: Full-stack MVC framework from Node.js provides developers with an extensive range of template engines, scaffolding, and libraries. Besides, the framework offers other development competencies when creating a real-time application. You can use this framework for both back-end and front-end application development.
- MVC Frameworks: Developers use this framework to access many design patterns. These patterns are used to split application logic into three important components: views, models, and controllers. As a result, it becomes much easier to scale and maintain the application. One of the best-known MVC frameworks is Express.js.
- REST API: Every Node.js framework has an effective reference for developing software solutions at a much faster pace along with the REST API-built experience. As a result, developers spend much time and effort on the architectural styles of the network apps.
The Best Node.js Frameworks You Should Swear by in 2022
Node.js offers many frameworks to help developers build their applications with greater efficiency and quality. However, with so many choices available, finding the right Node.js framework for a given process can easily be overwhelming. So, let's narrow down your choices with this list of some of the finest Node.js frameworks.
1. Next.js
If you are someone who needs to build a React application rendered for the server, Next.js is the framework you need. Next.js is one of the finest open-source Node.js frameworks used by over a million developers from across the globe. The full-stack framework will help you incorporate different SEO-friendly functionalities into an interactive platform to win over users and search engines.
Next.js is the ideal framework you need to enhance your web development experience. The framework offers a wide range of features, including TypeScript support, smart bundling, server rendering, and more. But the best thing about Next.js is that you need not worry about any configuration. So, if you have a bit of React experience, you must use Next.js to build highly interactive and fast applications.
2. Remix
Remix is another Node.js framework that has earned quite a reputation for itself. The framework is the brainchild of the same people who created the React Router. Reasons such as this have fueled the growth of Remix in the past couple of years.
But besides that, many other reasons make Remix popular among web developers. First, Remix attempts to facilitate as many integrations as possible with all important and prevalent web standards. It provides developers with concise APIs for prevalent user interactions and status codes.
Remix does not create structures based on the waterfall but loads the data parallel to the server-side. The data is then served as an HTML page, ensuring that no JavaScript features break the website even if you have disabled JavaScript.
3. Nest.js
The next best Node.js framework is Nest.js. It is ideal for helping you create fast and scalable server-side applications. Moreover, the framework is open source and licensed by MIT, hence, many developers even consider it to be one of the most progressive frameworks. Besides, you can even seek Next.js experts' assistance if you encounter any issues with Nest.js.
The framework is a combination of Functional Programming (FP), Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), and Functional Reactive Programming (FRP). Besides that, the framework is developed with TypeScript and uses modern JavaScript to give you optimal functionality. As a result, it becomes much easier to develop applications while enabling unmatched compatibility with libraries such as Fastify.
4. Express.js
If you are looking for a Node.js framework ideally suited for all developers, then Express.js is your answer. The framework maintains a minimalistic structure with a coding architecture that is much easier to understand than most other frameworks. Express.js also has a license from MIT and has been the first choice for many developers since its launch in 2010.
The most important offering of the framework is the robust API that allows transparent interactions and streamlined client-to-server requests. You can even use Express.js to execute these principles of software engineering. Consequently, Express.js makes it much easier to facilitate an effective and seamless experience for all mobile and web users. In addition, Express.js has also been known for offering some of the most high-tech features that will make back-end development easier for you.
5. Koa
One of the most popular Node.js frameworks, Koa is well-known in the web development world. The open-source back-end tech stack is known for its async functionality. As a result, developers no longer need to worry about dealing with callbacks and enhancing their bug handling. Additionally, many developers suggest that Koa makes coding for APIs and web applications much easier.
It is easy to understand why developers feel this way about Koa because the framework offers some of the finest features and functionalities they could ask for. Moreover, unlike most other Node.js frameworks, Kao is not bundled with extravagant middleware.
Also, the framework is built using some of the most advanced and latest technologies. Thus, all applications you develop using Koa will remain relevant for a long period. Furthermore, this framework's flexible and lightweight nature makes it much easier to facilitate accelerated app development.
Final Thoughts
Node.js is certainly one of the most widely used app development technologies that developers swear by. We have mentioned some of the finest Node.js frameworks that you can utilize to ensure cost-effective and efficient app development. So, you can either do it yourself or hire Node developers familiar with the frameworks above to get the best results out of your development process.