Top 6 Node.js Frameworks to Use for Web Apps in 2022

Web development has reached new heights in 2022. Today, businesses desire web apps that give their users an ultimate experience and their brand a good identity. And that is why web developers continually test different frameworks that encompass some amazing and advanced features to build web applications. Node js frameworks are often in consideration in this matter. Well, 4 out of 5 back-end and full-stack developers feel this though.

Node.js is one of the fastest server-side web application platforms that provides app development companies the ease of building cross-platform applications. It is often considered a framework, however, it is actually a JavaScript runtime environment. Node js frameworks offer developers unique toolsets to create unique use cases for web app development without having to spend extra time and money on it.

Also Read: Node.js vs PHP: What to Consider for Back-end Development?

There are plenty of frameworks for nodejs, but choosing the right one that fits perfectly with your project can be a challenge. Every framework possesses its own characteristics. While some would offer development freedom, others would support automation.

Here are some of the best nodejs frameworks that you can consider using for web development in 2022. These are arranged according to their popularity and usage in the developers’ community.

1. Express.js

Express.js is arguably one of the best nodejs frameworks. It was released in 2010 and has been called the de facto standard for Node.js under the MIT license. Express.js has a very minimalistic approach and is looked at as a classic and straightforward framework for coding architecture. It lets developers build single-paged, double-paged, and even hybrid enterprise applications.

Features of Express.js-

1. It has an MVC architecture pattern.

2. It supports 14+ engine templates and a myriad of HTTP methods that make programs more intelligible and reusable.

3. Uses asynchronous programming to execute multiple operations independently.

4. It improves communication between client and server by providing HTTP headers to URLs.

5. Acts like a routing table.

Benefits of Express.js-

1. Low learning curve

2. Adjustable and Flexible

3. Allows customizations

4. Faster development since it has almost readily available grounds for API generation.

When to use Express.js?

Though Express.js is quite suitable to develop any kind of web and mobile app, it is an ideal choice for enterprise-grade or browser-grade applications because of its error-handling provisions, robust routing, security features, and templating. The framework also receives great community support.

2. Hapi.js

Next in the node js framework list is Hapi.js. Considered the best alternative for Express.js, Hapi.js is one of the Node JS REST API Frameworks that acts as a bridge between the server and the client side. It’s an open-source framework that is popularly known for developing proxy servers, REST APIs, and other desktop applications. The reason behind it is it’s reliable and rich in its security aspects.

Hapi.js has premium built-in plugins so you need not worry about using unofficial middleware.

Features of Hapi.js-

1. Plugin-based scalable architecture that helps build real-time chatting applications.

2. It has a rich ecosystem.

3. Minimal Overhead

4. Contains detailed API references and has reliable support for the generation of documents.

5. Default caching, Authentication, and input validation

Benefits of Hapi.js-

1. Configuration centric

2. Supports microservices

3. Web server is rich with functionalities

4. Easy and Quick bug fixing

5. Compatible with MongoDB, MySQL, and other databases

When to use Hapi.js?

If you thinking about developing secure, scalable, real-time, and social media applications, Hapi.js should be your primary choice. It is used by developers mostly to build proxies and API servers.

3. Koa.js

This node js framework has been developed to create a smaller, more expressive, and robust platform for web apps and APIs. It is developed by the same ones who created Express.js.

With Koa, building APIs becomes extremely easy and fun as it can deal efficiently with the HTTP middleware with a stack-like method. Moreover, Koa normalizes Node flaws constructively. Developers can maintain several forms of the content represented to the users with the same URL like translating a page, personalizing content in eCommerce websites, having different formats for images, etc.

Features of Koa.js-

1. It offers extra customizations, thereby allowing building apps from scratch.

2. It provides developers with a better error-handling system.

3. Server writing is faster and more enjoyable because of the cascading middleware.

4. Cleans cache, supports proxy and content negotiation.

Benefits of Koa.js-

1. It is lightweight.

2. Supports sync/await keywords.

When to use Koa.js?

If performance is your top priority, consider using Koa.js. It can help build extensive applications with large and experienced development teams. In some cases, it has also proven to be faster than Express.js

4. Nest.js

Nest.js is a server-side framework that helps build dynamic and scalable enterprise-grade applications. It’s a very flexible framework since it allows the extensive use of its libraries.

This node.js framework makes use of progressive JavaScript, which is written in TypeScript. Because of this, it sticks to clean code architecture while maintaining the code complexity of large-scale applications.

Nest.js is a combination of strong typing models such as Object-Oriented Programming, Functional Reactive Programming, and Functional Programming. Thus, it boosts developers’ productivity and the app’s performance and saves time as well.

Features of Nest.js-

1. Great compatibility with Angular on Front-end.

2. Smooth learning curve.

3. Easy-to-use extensive libraries as codes are arranged systematically.

Benefits of Nest.js-

1. Vibrant ecosystem with open-source libraries

2. Fast and event-based

3. Strong corporate support

When to use Nest.js?

Nest.js can be used to write scalable, testable, easily maintainable, and loosely packed applications.

5. Sails.js

Sails.js is created on Express and thus is quite similar to Express.js feature-wise. Its MVC architecture resembles that of Ruby on Rails, and provides support for modernized, data-oriented development. This node.js framework shows compatibility with all databases and flexibility in integrating JavaScript frameworks. Also, it uses code generators that help reduce the amount of required code.

Features of Sails.js-

1. Auto-generate REST APIs

2. Real-time functionality support.

3. Integration of Express for HTTP requests and Socket.io for WebSocket.

4. High compatibility with popular frontend platforms.

Benefits of Sails.js-

1. Simple project templates.

2. Data can be stored anywhere.

3. Smooth integration of middleware.

When to use Sails.js?

Sails.js can be used to develop customized chat applications. Since it shows good compatibility with Socket.io, it’s a suitable option for gaming and social media apps.

Moreover, developers who want a Node.js framework for emulating MVC pattern frameworks like Laravel and Ruby on Rails for modern app architecture and building data-centric APIs should consider Sails.js for their projects.

6. Socket.io

This node.js framework is used for building real-time apps and establishing real-time bidirectional communication between clients and servers. This, however, requires the client to have Socket.io in their browser and the server to be integrated with the Socket.io package. For any application that requires websocket development, you can use Socket.io.

Features of Socket.io-

1. Auto re-connection support

2. Speed and Reliability

3. Error detection and auto-correction

4. Binary support

Benefits of Socket.io-

1. Assists in multiplexing

2. Real-time data analytics

3. Smooth socket authentication

When to use Socket.io?

Socket.io is extremely helpful to develop applications that require the servers to push the data without being requested from the client side. Anyone who wants to add real-time analysis to their app should use Socket.io.

Final Thoughts

Node js frameworks make web development quite effortless because of their advanced capabilities. There are many other Node.js frameworks as well such as Meteor.js, Total.js, and Derby.js that help in different aspects of web development and bring in certain values and functionalities. However, the above-mentioned six frameworks are likely to be adopted more in 2022. Keep an eye on these frameworks and find out which one suits your project’s requirements the most.