5 Best Node.js Frameworks of 2021
Tags: node, javascript, webdev
Published: 2021-04-05 17:54:09

In the list of most popular JavaScript frameworks, Node.js has topped due to rising demand among the developers. From Asynchronous Event-Driven nature to offering a single codebase for the overall web application performance, Node.js brings robust features for developing and maintaining applications, especially when considered from long-term support. Being an open-source framework, it provides a seamless platform to integrate the best Node js libraries and tools which allow developers to run applications of multiple operating systems with the same ease.

Different web apps require different Node.js frameworks for development, depending on their use case. However, [MVC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model%E2%80%93view%E2%80%93controller), full-stack MVC, and Node js REST API framework can be implemented with Node.js. Some of these Node js frameworks have been popularly used by businesses around the world and have emerged as the top frameworks for easy and convenient implementation.

##Top 5 Node.js Frameworks for Web App Development:


**1. Expresss.js**

One of the top Node.js web frameworks, Express.js, is the perfect route to avail of high-speed operations with a simplistic architecture. It is the most standard framework that doesn't require you to get into advanced skills. You can use Express.js with a basic understanding of Node.js.

With Express.js, the primary benefits are seen with robust APIs and improved client-server communication. The key features of Express.js can be listed as:
* Great test coverage for easy application building and optimized testing along with multiple high-performance operations facilitates minimal coding.
* Instant integration with APIs and all types of server-side tools for robust web application development.
* Optimized server-client communication and content negotiation that extracts the exact information by providing HTTP headers to URLs and thus boosts the overall performance.
* URL- based HTTP routing with MVC facilitation for centric applications and a variety of plug-in and extension options.

**2. Meteor.js**

Meteor.js, a full-stack JavaScript platform to host, deploy and scale [full-stack JavaScript applications](https://www.moweb.com/full-stack-development). It operates with one language and provides a great set of features for flexible application development. You can access automated data changes and operability over a variety of devices without any developer intervention required.

It is a great option to avail many libraries and build an efficient yet simplistic application with testing features inclusive. Some framework-specific features of Meteor.js are:
* An Isomorphic cross-platform framework with code implementation facilitated in modern JavaScript.
* It facilitates speed at all levels with speedier application interactions and faster loading results with improved availability.
* Easy to use and integrate with a variety of platforms and programming languages such as Angular and React.
* Universal code support for different devices and a lightweight architecture that delivers great performance.

**3. Socket.io**

Being a full-stack Node js framework, socket.io is best suited for use with multiple programming languages. With this multiplexing support, it is known for real-time applications that require instant and reliable connectivity. It facilitates binary communication and great development speed for API integrations and other real-time features.

Primarily used for developing Chatbots, conferencing apps, and other configurations where data needs to be pushed without requests. Socket.io offers some interesting features:

* Binary streaming support and multiplexing with easy and efficient socket management features.
* Real-time analytics features with auto-reconnection support, robust error detection, and correction.
* Custom URL routing for web sockets is facilitated with reliable connectivity implemented with few lines of code.
* APIs for the client and server-side development of a real-time application for bidirectional and multi-party communications.

**4. Sails.js**

Sails.js is an MVC web application framework built using Express with many socket integrations and database-based features. With a high range of customizable features, it offers an enterprise-level development solution using the Node js web framework. It is one of the best Node.js frameworks for building enterprise-grade applications with a modern data-oriented MVC architecture.

Featuring a Node.js frontend-agnostic-backend platform, the framework implements HTTP requests with Express as well as WebSockets via Socket.io. Some prominent features can be listed as:

* Sails.js is easily compatible with any front-end, be it iOS, Android, Angular, React, Windows, and custom hardware.
* With reusable security policies, it offers easy and efficient security integrations that can be upgraded as per the scope of the application.
* An automated generation of REST APIs is facilitated, which offers a smooth use with a variety of web services without much time required to establish the same.
* Sails uses specific code writing policies that make the framework much more flexible and open to the accommodation of options.

**5. Hapi.js**

If security is your prime concern, then Hapi.js is one of the most popular Node js frameworks that can be the right fit for your web application. It is an open-source framework that can be used to implement reliable and flexible security options.

With a set of readily integrable and easy-to-use built-in plug-ins, you can access faster integration with middleware. The features of Hapi.js as the best Nodejs backend framework can be highlighted as follows:

* It offers an enriched ecosystem that includes easy bug fixing, authentication, caching, and validation options.
* This Node js API framework offers easy integration and compatibility with REST APIs along with easy access to develop with proxy servers and different types of desktop applications.
* It is best suited for a Node js web app that is large and incorporates different teams' contributions for the development and maintenance process.
* Hapi is one of the most popular Node js frameworks for robust security, scalability, and real-time application development.

**Final Words**

We hope your purpose of landing on this blog post for top Node.js frameworks has been accurately served. With the enormous capabilities, Node.js frameworks make it really convenient to develop full-stack applications efficiently. It has an active community of a huge number of full-stack [Node.js developers](https://www.moweb.com/nodejs-development), constantly developing new and improved frameworks.

If you're new to using Node.js, you can rest assured that you've picked a robust option that has advanced existing options and yet many more to emerge in the time to come. Choose the best Node js framework from the above-listed choices considering your [custom web application](https://www.moweb.com/web-development) requirement. With more developers making the shift to Node.js, you're sure to experience better solutions and features in the future!