10 Powerful Node.js Frameworks for Web Application Development

Node.js powers your web application and is increasingly gaining popularity and adoption in the enterprise sector because it allows you to build large-scale, real-time, end to end scalable web applications with JavaScript. The Node.js ecosystem comprises of various frameworks such as MVC, full-stack, REST API and generators that help you to speed up the overall development workflow. These frameworks not only make web application development easy and convenient but also expedite the development process.

Here are 10 most powerful Node.js frameworks that help you quickly develop real-time and scalable web applications of all size and complexities.

1) Hapi.js

Hapi.js is a feature rich and powerful Node.js web framework for building an application that interfaces APIs and few other software applications. The framework has a robust plugin integration and focuses more on the performance of the application. Hapi.js has various key features such as input validation using JOI, configuration functionality, caching, logging, error handling and helps in building site and APIs with a focus on clean code and performance.

2) Sails.js

Sails.js is one of the  most popular MVC frameworks for Node.js designed for building custom, enterprise-level modern real-time applications. This framework uses Waterline that provides a database layer and a powerful object-relational mapping (ORM) solution. A front-end agnostic framework, Sails.js is also compatible with all Grunt modules that are available and allows you to build practical and production ready apps within few weeks.

3) Express.js

Express.js is considered one of the essential web frameworks for Node.js. It is fast, lightweight and minimal web application framework that offers the robust set of features for building web and mobile applications and APIs. Express.js is an actively used, maintained and tested framework and offers various features such as database integration, template engines, multiple routing,  and much more.

4) Kraken.js

Kraken.js is a web application that adds a secured layer and structure that extends Express.js. It provides dynamic configuration, security and application lifecycle events, and advanced middleware capabilities. Kraken.js comes with several modules which can be used independently such as:

• Lusca, a module for application security
• Kappa, a module for NPM proxy
• Makara, a module with i18n internationalization for Dust.js
• Adaro, a module for Dust.js templating

5) Mean.IO / Mean.js

Mean.IO / Mean.js is a combination of different technologies and frameworks such as MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js, and Node.js. It is a full-stack framework for developing complex web applications. This framework supports all the components of JavaScript, which accelerates and simplifies the overall web application development.

6) Meteor.js

Meteor.js is an open source web framework of Node.js. Meteor.js is full stack framework that bundles the key set of technologies that help you in building modern web and mobile applications. It uses only a single API which is known as Meteor API which is used on both client and server side.

7) Keystone.js

Keystone.js is an open source Node.js CMS and web application framework for developing database driven websites, applications, and APIs. Keystone.js offers various features such as authentication, embedded services, admin UI that help in building a scalable and fast web application. Unlike other CMSs that use relational SQL databases, Keystone.js uses NoSQL database. It connects to your MongoDB database via Mongoose, a leading ODM package that wraps data in objects and stores them in a database.

8) Koa.js

Koa.js is an expressive next generation web framework for Node.js development that increases the productivity of your web applications. The framework eliminates callbacks and opts the use of ES6 generators that make synchronous programming easier and facilitates an upstream and downstream flow of control. Koa.js is a robust and lightweight framework that does not package any middleware within the core and allows you to pick and choose the relevant modules for web application development.

9) Flatiron.js

Flatiron.js is an adaptable and advanced Node.js web framework for building modern and reliable web applications. Using Flatiron.js you can easily modify URL routing, create templates, manage data, and manage plugins. It also provides various resources and useful tools for all users.

10) StrongLoop – LoopBack

LoopBack, a popular and mature open source framework that is built on top of Express.js web framework enables you to quickly implement scalable APIs. It leverages StrongLoop Arc, a useful tool of the StrongLoop ecosystem monitoring and deploying apps. LoopBack is a flexible and comprehensive framework that provides built-in API explorer and helps you create API documentation quickly using Swagger 2.0. This framework makes data integration easier and quickly connects to new and legacy data in MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server and MongoDB.

The scope of Node.js is rapidly increasing with several performance driven frameworks being contributed by developer community. With adoption of these frameworks, Node.js has become a revolutionary technology. There are still bunch of frameworks available which are not popular but they significantly extend the functionality of Node.js. As of today, Node.js is influencing the immediate and future of modern web / mobile application development, A solid understanding and hands on experience on these frameworks will help you to develop a real-time, scalable, fast and data-driven web or mobile application.