The Best Backend Frameworks in 2024!

Backend frameworks bestow primary structure for developing mobile and web applications.

These pre-built components revolutionize how business logic is added, databases are handled, user management is performed, and server-side functionalities are further improved.   

Hereof, Laravel, Spring Boot, RoR, Django, ExpressJS, and Asp.NET Core are highly acclaimed programming frameworks.

However, it is still crucial to employ the most suitable option that meets the demands of your project. 

Indeed, choosing the right backend framework is significant in building high-performing, secure, and scalable web and mobile applications.

Thereby, this guide will discuss the best backend frameworks and their key features and limitations.

Key Takeaways

• Backend frameworks are a cornerstone for productivity, scalability, and security
• As of January 2024, the top-voted backend frameworks by users included Laravel, with 76,304 repository stars; Django, with 67.941 and Spring, with 76,109.
• Node.js is used by 40.80% of developers worldwide, followed by React.js (39.5%) and jQuery (21.40%)

What are Backend Frameworks?

A backend framework refers to the set of prepackaged libraries, components, and tools responsible for efficiently building application software.

This ecosystem confers a predesigned foundation for handling client requests, managing users, business logic, and database interactions. 

More emphasis on server-side functionalities, automation, quick scalability, and package customizations are core advantages of using these frameworks.  

Using a backend framework makes the development and clean pragmatic design, and the example below, available at StackOverFlow, is pretty helpful in understanding the concept of a framework. 

Why Use a Backend Framework?

Let’s explore the reasons for using backend frameworks in programming:

Robust Development

Backend frameworks streamline the dev operations by offering readymade templates, elements, and libraries.

These pre-installed components let the dev teams overcome the coding time and focus on core competencies. Thus, overall programming and time to market have become very agile. 

Scalability & Performance

The majority of renowned frameworks are crafted with great extensibility in mind. That is why they perform very well when your app traffic surges.

Loading balancing and automated scaling are prominent characteristics in this regard.

Cost & Time Efficiency

Backend frameworks come with several ready-to-use functionalities, significantly reducing scripting duration. Similarly, businesses must hire limited programming experts to deal with their projects. 

Security

Security is another reason behind using these software frameworks. With ample community support, seasoned developers test and try these frameworks.

Data validation and encryption also make them untouched. Therefore, you find minimal errors or discrepancies in them. However, if you find any glitches, you can get quick support to fix them. 

Compatibility

These frameworks are also considered highly compatible with most backend technologies.

Yes, you can seamlessly integrate these structures with your preferred databases, client-side tools, APIs, and third-party platforms.

Moreover, these frameworks provide extraordinary support for different programming languages. 

The 10 Best Backend Frameworks

Here are the top backend frameworks:

Asp.NET Core

Asp.NET Core is a free, multi-platform web framework that is particularly used alongside C# and .NET platforms.

Endorsed by Microsoft, this open-source framework offers a wide range of libraries and toolsets. These components are highly valuable for creating APIs, microservices, web, and real-time applications on the fly.

Moreover, its smooth integration with cloud platforms makes it an ideal choice for deploying cloud-based applications.

Compatibility with distinct backend languages and environments and its lightweight nature are also appealing perks of this framework.

Stack Overflow, BurnRate, UPS, Microsoft Graph, and The Postage are satisfied customers of Asp.NET Core.

Features of Asp.NET Core

• Dependency Injection – This framework backs DI attributes to get IoC or inversion of control among dependencies and classes. Code usability, reduced coupling, and improved unit testing are major advantages of this feature. 

• Razor Pages – This functionality plays a significant role in building modern and lightweight applications. Razor Pages lets the developers generate web pages with simplified coding situations through minimum alterations.

• WebSockets & SignalR – Asp.NET Core provides extraordinary support for WebSockets to ensure an enduring connection with browsers. Similarly, SignalR authorizes spontaneous communication between the client and server. 

• Filters – The availability of scalable filters is another characteristic of Asp.NET Core. These filters define permission, business logic, and caching. Some popular filters are action filters, result filters, and authorization filters. 

Benefits of Asp.NET Core

Asp.NET Core is an open-source framework, so you can effortlessly install it on GitHub and get supportive resources.

The cross-platform nature of Asp.NET Core permits you to use it on any operating system, including Windows, macOS, or Linux. Correspondingly, you can employ different editors like VS, Sublime, VS Code, and ATOM.

ASP.NET Core offers built-in security features such as multi-factor authentication, cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and cross-site scripting (XSS).

Ample community support and ultrafast performance compared to Node.js and Java Servlet are also pros of using Asp.NET Core. 

Spring Boot

Spring Boot is a powerful extension of the Spring Framework and it is an incredible Java framework that comes with enterprise-grade capabilities.

This open-source backend framework streamlines the dev tasks by providing auto configurations, sensible defaults, and support for embedded servers. 

These features enable the developers to easily build web apps, social platforms, games, and microservices using Spring Boot.

Smooth integration with various Java EE offerings, readymade data binding, and internationalization are appealing traits.

The prominent companies that use Spring for different tech stacks are Udemy, Paytm, Trivago, and CRED.  

Features of Spring Boot

• Auto Configuration – You don’t have to designate the Beans or structure the configuration files manually. Yes, this feature authorizes you to activate the auto-configuration utilizing this simple ‘@SpringBootApplication’ annotation.

• Standalone Nature – Spring Boot apps are self-reliant and work independently. Indeed, they need the slightest external support or extrinsic servers to be deployed or operated. 

• Opinionated Defaults – This Java-based framework relies on an opinionated approach. In this regard, Spring Boot uses its reasoning when employing default values and packages. 

• Embedded Servers – This Java framework grants extraordinary backing for embedded servers such as Undertow, Tomcat, and Jetty. Thus, you don’t have to set up the WAR files to run apps.

Benefits of Spring Boot

Spring is a robust and scalable framework that simplifies application development.

The opinionated nature of Spring lets you emphasize app testing and development. So you don’t have to waste your energy and time on decision-making.   

A simple learning curve is also a key benefit of using Spring. Hereof, if you are familiar with annotations or Spring, it will be convenient for you to use this framework. 

The other appealing benefits of Spring are its extensive libraries, prepackaged templates, and support for seamless testing. 

Django

Written in Python, Django is another reliable contender on our list that pursues MTV or model-template-view pattern design.

This open-source framework has the ability to effortlessly communicate with databases. Similarly, the ORM layer, pre-designed admin panel, detailed documentation, and third-party packages give Django an edge over rivals.

Regarding its uses, Django is ideal for crafting data-sensitive, ML, high-traffic, and complex applications.

In this regard, Django grants accelerated development by following the DRY or Don’t Repeat Yourself methodology.

Reddit, Spotify, Pinterest, Mozilla, Instagram, and Dropbox are popular tech giants that use Django. 

Please read the Step-by-step tutorial to deploy a Django app in minutes to run easily your application.

Features of Django

• Admin Panel & Authentication – Django has a ready-to-use admin panel and user authentication system. Firstly, the admin interface enables you to easily manage the content and databases. Secondly, an authentication system lets you deal with user verification, password encryption, and sessions with minimal coding.

• Object-Relational Mapping – ORM is another attractive Django feature. With this property, you can connect with DBs through Python objects rather than SQL queries. Fewer queries and improved performance are also pros of using ORM.

• Template Engine – Developers can seamlessly generate HTML templates because of this trait. Yes, Django offers template filters, variables, and tags to create dynamic patterns.

• Portable – This Python-centric framework is very portable. You can get support for Django from almost all operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac.   

Benefits of Django

Django permits developers to build web applications quickly because of the reutilization of code and numerous pre-installed tools.    

This Python-based framework comes with load balancing and horizontal scaling traits. That is why you can expand your apps anytime without any hassle.

Django provides extraordinary security to protect your apps against different vulnerabilities. SQL injection, XXS, CSRF, and clickjacking protection are some popular Django offerings in this regard.

Ample community support and seamless development of REST APIs are also leading advantages of programming with Django. 

Laravel

Laravel is a developer-friendly web framework that is written in PHP. This open-source framework acts in accordance with MVC or model-view-controller architecture and owns a dedicated syntax.

Developers and businesses mostly use this server-side structure to generate advanced PHP-based web applications.

Moreover, Laravel is compatible with popular client-side frameworks such as Vue, React, Next, and Angular. This PHP framework usually leverages the Inertia approach to glue with frontend frameworks.

The renowned sites designed with Laravel are Alison, MyRank, October CMS, and CheckPeople.

Please check out the tutorial Easy steps to run a Laravel app to learn how to deploy an application in minutes.

Features of Laravel

• Blade Template Engine – Laravel has an uncomplicated but robust templating engine. This engine empowers dev teams to build reusable and lightweight master templates. 

• Eloquent ORM – This feature simplifies your cooperation with databases. Yes, it is a fine database management tool that authorizes easy insertion, deletion, and data updates. 

• Authentication – A pre-built authorization and authentication is another appealing Laravel feature. Using OAuth and LDAP approaches helps verify and register users. Also, it enables you to customize the user access. 

• Artisan CLI – This tool is popular for seamless data handling and code generation. It helps you migrate data comfortably and create controllers and boilerplate scripts. 

Benefits of Laravel

Laravel has expressive syntax and ready-to-use components. These traits speed up the development process and reduce the time to market.

The modular architecture of Laravel facilitates the programmers in the quick scalability of applications. Similarly, it lets you sync with third-party tools on the fly.

Laravel is also famous for its ample community support and task automation.

Built-in testing and security features are also advantages of using Laravel.

Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails, or RoR, is a powerful backend framework that comes with full-stack functionalities. Scripted in Ruby and JS, this framework pursues MVC design pattern and DRY principle and offers convention over configuration (CoC). 

These capabilities allow you to emphasize the app logic and take better care of backend operations. It is not suitable for building MVPs and startups, but you can also employ RoR for complicated enterprise-grade web applications. 

Heroku, GitHub, Basecamp, Hulu, and Dribble are featured users of Ruby on Rails.   

Please check the tutorial Deploying a Ruby on Rails application to learn more how a serverless architecture helps developers in hosting applications.

Features of Ruby on Rails

• Convention over Configuration – CoC erases the demand for repetitive tasks and makes development very easy by conferring regular conventions and defaults. 

• Active Record – It is another innovative Rails functionality. Active record streamlines the DB queries and is liable for depicting business logic and data. You can also use object-oriented syntax hereof.

• Scaffolding – This feature lets the developers outline the database’s functioning. After this interpretation, RoR automatically produces the demanded scripts.

• Action Controllers – With this feature, RoR accepts client requests, handles them, and grants them a reply. Moreover, processing of user authentication is also the duty of action controllers. 

Benefits of Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails accelerates development by providing several pre-installed libraries and modules. Besides, RoR offers thousands of Gems packages to support your projects.

It works as a full-stack framework, so you can use it for versatile applications. Yes, Ruby on Rails could be a perfect solution for video streaming to eCommerce and fintech apps.

RoR is a cost-efficient solution because developers need minimal coding. So you can handle your project with small dev teams. 

The lean learning curve, active community support, seamless maintenance, and scalability are perks of programming with Ruby on Rails. 

Express.js

Scripted in JavaScript, Express is a brisk and open-source Node.js framework that offers excellent functionalities for crafting APIs and mobile and web applications.

This unopinionated framework is also a vital part of the MEAN stack. That means you can use Express.js alongside a NoSQL database, Node.js, and Angular. 

In addition, this Node.js framework is also popular because of its request handling, powerful routing system, and compatibility with V8 engine packages.

With these traits, building fintech, streaming, real-time, and single-page applications with Express becomes easy.

The prominent companies that use Express are X (Twitter), Trustpilot, Paytm, and Intuit.

Please refer to the tutorial Step-by-step guide to run a Express.JS app to deploy an application in minutes.

Features of Express.js

• Routing – It is all about managing a request and deciding what reaction should be given to a particular client request. Also, you can get pre-installed routing functionalities without any configuration.

• Middleware – Although Node.js doesn’t own any pre-built middleware feature but, Express has it. This framework has middleware such as express.static(). The delivery of static files to clients is the responsibility of this middleware.

• Template Engines – Express also has the ability to integrate with template engines. Some of these engines are EJS, Jade, Pug, and Mustache. 

• Error Handling – Using numerous error handling methods, it is smooth to identify and fix errors while using Express.

Benefits of Express.js

Express is an unopinionated backend offering, which is why it is effortless to tailor the apps.

It is a full-stack solution and lets you use JavaScript for frontend and server-side programming.

A vast library of plugins, optimized performance, and efficiency are advantages of utilizing Express.

Flask

Are you finding a Python-based, lightweight web framework other than Django? If yes, you shouldn’t ignore Flask.

This simplified framework acts in accordance with Web Server Gateway Interface (WSGI) to interpret the communication between Python and servers.

Similarly, its core features are template rendering, in-built testing, and routing.

If we discuss its uses, Flask is considered a best-fit offering for prototypes and mid and small-sized businesses.

Withal, you can also employ it for creating large-scale apps and REST APIs.

Reddit, Lyft, CRED, and Zalando are leading Flask users. 

Features of Flask

• Jinja2 – Developers can conveniently generate effective HTML pages using Jinja2. It is the default template engine provided by this Python framework.

• Routing – Robust routing is another appealing property of Flask. It lets the programmers illustrate the endpoints, URLs, and routes with great ease. 

• Unit Testing – Flask has a ready-to-use unit testing system. So, you can quickly examine and debug the errors to improve the overall performance and speed of applications.

• Extensions – Adding distinct functionalities like authentication, DB interactions, and caching using third-party Flask extensions is simple. 

Benefits of Flask

Flask is a beginner-friendly Python framework, mainly when you compare it with Django. Indeed, it uses limited lines of code and has a lean learning curve.

It is agile to customize and scale the applications with Flask. 

Fast loading and integration with third-party platforms and tools are also pros of using Flask.

Koa

Koa is an express and ultrafast Node.js framework that produces APIs and web applications. This advanced framework offers async traits to discard the callbacks and deal with errors on the fly.

Also, it enables you to write the servers rapidly without any middleware.

The companies that use this futuristic framework for different tech stacks are Paralect, Shimo Website, and Attio.

Features of Koa

• Generators – Koa relies on generators to cancel or restart the script execution and govern the data transportation. Hereof, Koa utilizes these generators as per ECMAScript standards.

• Error Handling – This Node.js web framework comes with prepackaged error-handling capabilities. In this regard, it depends on the try/catch command.

• Routing – Seamless routing is also possible with Koa through ‘koa-router’ libraries. These offerings are helpful for administering and interpreting the routes.

• Cascading Middleware – Programmers typically need to write an extra script to begin or end the file stream. However, Koa utilizes the Yield Next command to conduct this operation. 

Benefits of Koa

Koa is a lightweight, modern framework that usually contains only 550 code lines.

It is easy to personalize Koa projects because of its customization properties.

Easy to understand and clean code, less memory consumption, and detailed documentation are also advantages of Koa. 

Phoenix

Written in high-level scripting language Elixir, Phoenix is another open-source framework on our list.

This server-side technology provides outstanding performance and improves productivity by providing dedicated syntax and conventions.

You can leverage this framework for building highly extensible APIs, real-time, and HTML5 applications. A live dashboard and a ready-to-use user authentication system are also Phoenix properties. 

Fly.io, Veeps, and VoiceLayer are featured clients of this framework. 

Features of Phoenix

• Real-time – Phoenix has innate functionalities like Channels and PubSub to handle data spontaneously. With this capability, you can communicate with users and sort out their queries in real-time.

• Docker Ready – This framework backs Docker-based deployments. Yes, you can set up docker files in a breeze using Phoenix.

• Ecto Integration – The Elixir ecosystem uses Ecto for seamless database migrations and integrations. In this regard, Ecto supports several databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and ETS.

• Authentication – Phoenix’s availability of a full-fledged user authentication system is another attribute. It lets you authorize, monitor, and verify the app users.

Benefits of Phoenix

Phoenix ensures extraordinary app performance and concurrency because it sits on the top of Erlang virtual machines.

It streamlines the generation of highly dynamic and responsive web pages. Hereof, it employs an EEx templating engine.

Phoenix has advantages like secure rendering, high scalability, and built-in JSON support.

CakePHP

CakePHP is the last option on our list, providing fast and simplified web application development with minimal coding. This PHP-based framework pursues MVC patterns and has multi-platform compatibility.

Also, CakePHP grants helpers, components, and behaviors. This is why it is highly recommended for building content management systems (CMSs) and web apps.

Deloitte, Swat.io, Fujitsu, and Medtronic are leading companies that use CakePHP.

Please use the tutorial Deploying a CakePHP app in minutes to know more how to use containers to accelerate hosting.

Features of CakePHP

• Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) – This feature allows developers to add and modify relational databases smoothly alongside OOP. The presence of an abstraction layer also aids in streamlining the database communication.

• Helpers – This incredible CakePHP class lets you distribute the logic among views. It typically happens when you reutilize the views script.

• Conventions over Configurations – CoC plays an important role in the success of CakePHP projects. With this feature, you don’t have to monitor the configuration files.

• Scaffolding – With this functionality, you can reduce the boilerplate code and automate the script generation process. It also helps in enabling CRUD functions.

Benefits of CakePHP

CakePHP accelerates the app development process by using CoC, data mapping, and the MVC model.

CakePHP is a cost-efficient solution, which is why it is considered the best backend framework for crafting small to medium-level projects.

High scalability, innate security, and a rich ecosystem of plugins are also pros of this PHP framework.

Top 10 Backend Frameworks Summary

Conclusion

Backend frameworks are crucial for developing fast, scalable, secure, and budget-friendly applications.

However, among numerous available options, employing a server-side framework for your app is challenging.

Therefore, this article presents all top-notch backend frameworks and their features and benefits. Now, it will be easy for anyone to choose the right solution.