Top 10 Server Side Frameworks

This article will review ten of the best server side frameworks. It will cover frameworks like Django, Flask, Spring, ExpressJS, Laravel, Ruby on Rails, etc.

Server-side programming is fundamental to successfully building and running applications, and it is usually related to behind-the-scenes operations.

The use of server-side frameworks is considered crucial to provide structural support to backend programming languages.

However, selecting a server-side framework is a complicated job for startups, novice developers and even established businesses.

Therefore, this guide presents one of the best server-side frameworks with their properties in detail, and please keep reading to discover the best server side web frameworks.

What Is Server Side Development?

All behind the scene operations of a program that are run on the server refer to server-side development. This backend development typically consists of databases, servers and an application. In server-side development, the script is written to convey database details to the browser.

Python, PHP, Java, Ruby, C# and JavaScript are top server-side programming languages. Similarly, Django, Spring, Flask, Laravel and Express JS are considered one of the best server-side frameworks.

Why Server Side Development Is Important?

Although server-side development is associated with the programming efforts that an application user can’t see, but it has great importance.

Indeed, server-side development is considered 80% of the effort that a programming team invests in building, launching and running an application successfully.

Server-side development is significant because it deals with database operations, user authentication, hosting, push notifications, cloud storage, etc. The following points also explain the importance of server-side development in detail:

• Server-side development plays a crucial role in user authentication and data storage. Yes, server-side programming validates the login process and enables the users to start using an app after login. Similarly, all data generated by the users is stored on the server.

• By the same token, server-side development also deals with the hosting environment. Whether you are running your app on a server or using a cloud environment, or even utilizing a combination of both, server-side development will help you run such operations.

• Server-side development also manages the application logic. You need to know that application logic is not only necessary to streamline maintenance and programming tasks but is also essential when developers switch from one client-side to another.

• Moreover, server-side development is significant when it comes to providing excellent user experience, information transmission between servers and databases and improving frontend functionality. It is also server-side development that handles API, cloud computing and other integrations and copes with security settings.

• Also, server side frameworks are an abstraction lawyer that plays a vital role in web application development, mobile app development, business logic, etc.

Please give a try to Back4App if you want to accelerate backend development. The platform may save you up 80% in development effort vs custom building a backend.

How to Select Server Side Frameworks?

Here are the significant factors to consider while choosing the right server-side framework for your project:

Learning Curve

One of the decisive factors in choosing a server-side framework is how easy it is to learn and utilize it. It typically depends on how much a backend developer is familiar with the language of this framework.

Similarly, businesses and their development teams should ensure that it is seamless to integrate APIs when they select a particular server-side framework. The quality of framework documentation and community support is also crucial while shortlisting a framework.

Productivity

Developers should confirm the productivity of the framework that they are going to use. It is hard to pick a single server-side framework in this regard because its productivity depends on the type of your project and the language you are using.

Hereof, you should identify the purpose of your framework. Likewise, Django could be a better choice if you are building a secure blog or news website. Similarly, if you are building an app for special-purpose computing systems, then a lightweight framework like Flask could be helpful.

In addition, companies should also analyze whether their project needs an opinionated framework or an unopinionated one. They should go with unopinionated server-side frameworks if they are finding more flexible options.

However, to deal with simple problem-solving projects, the selection of projective opinionated frameworks is ideal.

The availability of toolsets, libraries and architecture also decides the productivity of a particular backend framework.

Security

Undoubtedly, no one wants any compromise on security. Therefore, it is one of the most important aspects that businesses should consider when choosing a server-side framework.

Mainly, if your project owns sensitive data, then the election of a secure framework is mandatory. In this regard, you should evaluate how much your framework is ready to eliminate cyber-attacks, security risks and data privacy threats.

Top 10 Server Side Frameworks

Here are the top best server-side frameworks with their core properties:

1. Django

Django is one of the most used free server-side frameworks that was initially launched in 2005. This Python-based framework uses the model-template-views (MTV) pattern to build highly scalable and maintainable applications.

Its properties like reusability and CRUD interface make it an ideal option for developers who work on Python projects.

Moreover, with more than 27k forks and 64k stars on GitHub, it is the top choice of startups, SMEs and large enterprises. Similarly, 2493 companies also mentioned on StackShare about using the Django framework for their different tech stacks.

The prominent websites that are benefiting from this server-side framework are Disqus, Instagram, Bitbucket and Mozilla.

Please refer to the tutorial How to run a Django app to learn more about this topic.

Features

Versatile Framework — Django is a very versatile framework that could be used for various projects. Yes, you can utilize Django for news blogs, management systems and social networking apps. This server-side framework is also easy to integrate and use for any frontend setup, including XML, HTML and JSON.

Highly Secure — If you are looking for a super-secure server-side framework then you shouldn’t ignore Django. In this regard, Django doesn’t only offer protection against clickjacking, cross-site scripting and forgery, but it also enables users’ login safety. It uses cryptographic hash and one-way functions to avoid such mistakes.

Scalable — Django is a scalable framework that could be used for startups, SMEs and big websites. Developers can smoothly benefit from Django to build a website like Instagram. Hereof, Python libraries also facilitate this server-side framework.

SEO Optimized — It is quick to get improved search engine rankings when developers use the Django framework for their projects. This backend framework uses understandable URLs instead of IP addresses and numeric codes on servers that make it SEO optimized.

Fast Development — Django is known for rapid development because of properties like batteries included, open-source and extensive documentation. This fast development feature of Django allows the developers to build and release applications quickly.

Community Support — Django is a choice for novices because of its massive community support. You can conveniently get the community on popular forums, including Dev Community, GitHub, Stack Overflow and much more. Similarly, the official website of Django also has a discussion forum.

2. Flask

Flask is another Python-based server-side framework that was made public in 2010.

This lightweight web framework lies in the category of microframeworks because it doesn’t rely upon external toolsets and libraries. It is also considered the best choice for newbies because of its easy learning curve and flexibility features.

This open-source server-side framework is very popular among backend programmers and has around 59k stars and 15.1k forks on GitHub.

By the same token, more than 1k companies also declared on StackShare that they are using Flask for their backend tech stacks.

The tech giants that are using Flask are Netflix, Reddit, Zillow and Lyft.

Please refer to the tutorial How to run a Flask app to learn more about this topic.

Features

Development Simplicity — Flask is a simple to understand, learn and use framework for both seasoned and novice developers. It provides complete control to developers when it comes to building and handling web applications. Development teams can also smoothly utilize the same UI for various pages with the help of its Ninja templating engine feature.

Highly Scalable — This server-side framework is also scalable for all sizes of projects. Even Pinterest uses Flask to handle its traffic load because Django was not performing this duty efficiently.

Unit Testing — Adequate support for unit testing is another appealing feature of using the Flask framework. Indeed, Flask offers integrated backing for quick debugging and testing functions. Developers can also benefit from the visual debugging characteristic of Flask in this regard.

3. Spring

If you are not looking for a Python-based server-side framework and your project is Java-based, then you can also consider the Spring framework for backend development.

Undoubtedly Java is the 3rd most popular programming language, with ratings of 10.99% on the TIOBE Index. So, if you want a server-side framework for your Java project, then Spring could be a good choice that was released in 2002.

This is basically an open-source server-side Java-based framework that follows singleton, proxy, factory method and template patterns to build apps on the Java EE platform. It is very popular among the coding community and owns around 47.7k stars and 33.7k forks on GitHub.

The dominating companies that are using the Spring framework are Indeed, Zillow, Accenture and Okta.

Features

Aspect-Oriented Programming — Spring framework gives robust support for AOP that is beneficial for the betterment of script readability and maintenance. This feature also overcomes the development concerns related to logging, authentication, transaction administration and caching.

Smooth Testing — Testing is also very simple with Spring. This server-side framework improves the testing experience by providing TestContext, Spring MVC test and mock objects.

Inversion of Control (IoC) — This Java-based framework doesn’t only has lightweight containers but also confers IoC architectural support. Yes, Spring utilizes IoC containers to handle the dependency injection automatically. This feature is useful for fast development, improves testing and maintenance.

Secure & Fast — Spring framework is highly secure because it conducts regular updates and keeps an eye on external dependencies. Its industry-oriented security schemes and properties like the Spring Security framework are effective to use to improve security. On the other hand, Spring Initializr also keeps the development process superfast when businesses use this framework.

4. Express JS

Express JS is a fast, free and high performing frontend and server-side web framework that is used for Node.js.

This JavaScript-based framework provides a broader environment to developers to create hybrid, single and multipage mobile and web applications. Correspondingly, Express.js is also famous among businesses for building flexible cross-platform apps and APIs.

Due to its robust routing, templating and debugging properties, this unopinionated framework has become a sought-after technology. It owns around 57k stars on GitHub. The renowned companies that have claimed to use Express JS are IBM, PayPal, Twitter, Trustpilot and Fox Sports.

Please read the tutorial Build and deploy a NodeJS app for more information.

Features

Routing & Templating — This server-side framework grants an advanced routing structure and allows coders to store web pages through URLs. On the contrary, developers can also create dynamic content on their mobile and web applications with the help of templating engines of Express JS.

Quick Development — Express JS enhances the speed of backend development because programmers don’t need to waste time in writing codes. Yes, it provides ready to use components. Mainly, when you use Express JS for Node JS, you see a rapid increment in development speed.

Easy to Learn — Stack Overflow Developer Survey ranks JavaScript on the top of most popular technologies from the last 9 years. So, you can say most of the developers are aware of JavaScript language, and it is easy for them to learn this JS based framework. Development teams also don’t need to invest time in learning a new language in this regard.

Easy Debugging — It is definitely seamless to conduct the debugging process with Express JS. Indeed, this server-side framework only targets that section of the application where debugging is required.

5. Laravel

Laravel is one of the most credible open-source PHP frameworks that Taylor Otwell introduced in 2011. The design pattern that it follows is MVC.

That is why this server-side framework can easily modify the applications and is useful for all sizes of projects. Yes, it has the ability to deal with large-sized web applications because it divides the code into 3 levels.

Laravel framework is in demand on GitHub with 22.5k forks and 69.7k stars. More than 3k companies also mentioned on StackShare about using the Laravel framework for their tech stacks.

MasterCard, Kmong, Twitch, and Bitpanda are leading companies benefiting from this one of the top server-side frameworks.

Please read the tutorial Deploy a Laravel app for more information.

Features

Effective ORM — Eloquent ORM of Laravel improves developers’ experience with databases. With this feature, it is smooth to deal with database tables. Hereof, coders can also easily pair with SQLite, MySQL, SQL Server and Postgres.

Artisan — This is a built-in tool that the Laravel framework confers to programmers to automate the commands. Yes, coders can utilize this command tool for constant tasks, including structural code creation, database management and migration. It also permits the coders to build their own commands.

Painless Authentication — Painless and secure authentication is another great advantage of the Laravel framework. Developers don’t need to write complex and lengthy authentication codes with this server-side framework because it confers ready-to-use authentication features. Indeed, Laravel 5 has made the authentication process quick and smooth.

WebSockets — Developers can utilize this server-side PHP framework for real-time applications without any hesitation with the WebSockets function of the Laravel framework. You can also use this Laravel feature with serverless solutions.

6. CakePHP

CakePHP is another one of the top PHP-based server-side frameworks that Cake Software Foundation released in 2005.

It acts upon the model–view–controller (MVC) architecture pattern and provides a clean, simple and fast development experience to developers. CakePHP 4.3 Strawberry is the latest version of this framework.

Although it only owns 8.5k stars on GitHub but because of its compatibility with small datasets and properties like built-in libraries make it a viable option.

Yump, Deloitte and Zumba are prominent companies that are using CakePHP.

Features

Fast Development — CakePHP is known for its rapid application development (RAD) characteristic among users. It takes only 15 minutes to set up, and you can convert your idea into reality in weeks instead of months when you use this framework.

Database Support — It is seamless to conduct edit, delete, update and insert operations with CakePHP. Yes, it enables the developers to interact with databases smoothly. This server-side framework also provides robust backing for popular databases, including SQLite, PostgreSQL and MySQL.

Plugins & Migrations — Developers can gather and beneficially utilize package combinations with the help of plugins. Similarly, migrations also make app logic and database modifications very convenient.

7. Ruby on Rails

If you want to build applications with the general-purpose programming language Ruby, then you should consider Ruby on Rail (RoR) or Rails as a framework. Rails is basically an open-source and free framework that David Heinemeier Hansson made public in 2004.

It also follows the MVC pattern like many other server-side frameworks. In addition, it is compatible to work with CSS, HTML and JavaScript UIs. Rails owns a supportive community and has 50.7k stars and 20.3k forks on GitHub.

The leading web applications that are utilizing RoR for their tech stacks are Shopify, Airbnb, SoundCloud, GitHub, Dribble and Bloomberg.

Features

Cost-Efficient — RoR provides developers with various gems to build applications quickly. This property not only boosts the development speed but also overcomes the project cost.

Community Support — Rails is one of the trendy server-side frameworks with a very supportive community. According to SimilarTech, around 417,933 websites are using this framework. So, it is easy to find Rails experts and community forums.

Active Record — Rails has a compelling library named ‘Active Record’. This library enables the coders to deal with databases and rapidly conduct data queries smoothly.

8. Phoenix

Phoenix is a comparatively new and advanced server-side framework that is based on a functional and general-purpose programming language, Elixir.

With the support of the MVC pattern, this framework is typically used to build real-time and versatile applications.

This server-side framework is also getting considerable attention from developers and businesses because of its HEEx and LiveView properties. It also owns more than 17k stars on GitHub.

The major companies that are using the Phoenix framework are Podium, Veeps and Brightcove.

Features

LiveView — Phoenix is considered an ideal and productive choice to build, run and launch real-time applications, and it only happens with the support of its LiveView function. LiveView works with the backing of server-rendered HTML and provides a spontaneous user experience.

Highly Secure — It is a highly secure server-side framework that is supported by Elixir’s predictive coding. Moreover, this framework also has the ability to identify the layers smartly.

Scalable — The telecom sector has been using Erlang BEAM VM for years, and luckily, the Phoenix framework also depends on it. So, Erlang BEAM VM makes this server-side framework a very stable and scalable choice. By the way, WhatsApp also utilizes Erlang to deal with its reply section requirements.

9. ASP.NET

ASP.NET is another reliable backend framework that Microsoft released in 2002. This framework is conventionally used to create dynamic applications and websites.

If we talk about community support, then it also has 28.3k stars on GitHub, and more than 12k companies have declared on StackShare about using ASP.NET.

The renowned companies that are using ASP.NET are Alibaba Travels, Slack, HBO, CNN and GoDaddy.

Features

Cross-Platform & Open-Source — Developers can build and operate ASP.NET applications on various operating systems, including macOS, Linux, Windows and Docker. Similarly, ASP.NET is the developers’ preference because it is an open-source platform. Yes, you can find .NET resources easily on the internet. Even Microsoft claims that .NET has more than 100k contributions.

Dependency Injection — This feature of ASP.NET aids the developers in decoupling different sections of an application. It makes the programs more imaginable and reusable.

Secure — Security is the core concern of this framework, and hereof, it confers CSRF to safeguard its users from various cyber-attacks. So, businesses can build banking and related apps using this framework without any worry.

10. Deno

Deno is another advanced runtime environment or framework that Ryan Dahl introduced in 2018.

This runtime basically works for WebAssembly, TypeScript and JavaScript programs. Although it is a newly launched framework, but surprisingly, it has more than 82k stars on GitHub.

Features

Standard Library — Deno offers standard libraries to developers that give it a massive edge over competitors. Mainly, this feature makes it a better option than Node.js.

Third-Party Modules — This framework has the ability to get modules from third-party platforms, including GitHub, through its built-in functions.

Conclusion

This article presents one of the top server-side frameworks with their detailed features. Although we gave them different positions but it is hard to shortlist a single framework in terms of the best option.

So, development teams, startups and businesses should pick the server-side framework that fulfills their project’s requirements.

FAQ