Head-to-Head: Hapi vs Express Analysis

@hapi/hapi

v21.3.10(about 1 month ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 18Monthly npm downloads

@hapi/hapi is a rich and powerful Node.js framework for building applications and services. It provides a robust plugin system, allowing developers to easily extend and customize the functionality of their applications. @hapi/hapi emphasizes configuration over code, making it easy to create well-structured and maintainable projects.

Alternatives:
express+
koa+
fastify+
restify+
sails+
egg+
nestjs+
polka+
micro+
feathers+

Tags: node.jsframeworkpluginsconfigurationmaintainability

express

v4.19.2(4 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are provided via a separate npm package: @types/expressNumber of direct dependencies: 31Monthly npm downloads

Express is a fast, unopinionated, and minimalist web framework for Node.js. It provides a robust set of features for building web applications and APIs, including routing, middleware support, template engines, and error handling. Express is known for its simplicity and flexibility, allowing developers to create scalable and efficient server-side applications with ease.

Alternatives:
koa+
fastify+
hapi+
restify+
sails+
polka+
micro+
feathers+
nestjs+
adonisjs+

Tags: node.jsweb frameworkroutingmiddlewareAPI

Fight!

Popularity

Express is one of the most popular and widely used web frameworks for Node.js, with a large and active community. It has been around for a long time and is often the go-to choice for building web applications. @hapi/hapi, on the other hand, is also popular but has a slightly smaller community compared to Express.

Scalability

Both @hapi/hapi and Express are capable of handling large-scale applications. However, @hapi/hapi is known for its built-in support for scalability and enterprise-level features. It provides features like caching, validation, authentication, and authorization out of the box, making it a good choice for complex and scalable applications.

Performance

In terms of performance, Express is known for its lightweight and minimalistic design, which makes it faster in certain scenarios. @hapi/hapi, on the other hand, provides more features out of the box, which can impact performance slightly. However, the performance difference between the two is generally negligible and depends on the specific use case.

Developer Experience

Express is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It has a straightforward API and a large number of middleware and plugins available, making it easy to extend and customize. @hapi/hapi, on the other hand, has a more opinionated and structured approach. It provides a comprehensive set of features and follows a plugin-based architecture, which can be beneficial for larger projects but may have a steeper learning curve.

Community and Ecosystem

Express has a mature and extensive ecosystem with a wide range of community-contributed middleware, plugins, and tools. It has been around for a long time and has a large number of resources and tutorials available. @hapi/hapi, although not as extensive as Express, also has a growing ecosystem and a supportive community.

Flexibility

Express is known for its flexibility and allows developers to have more control over the application structure and routing. It is often favored for smaller projects or when a lightweight framework is desired. @hapi/hapi, on the other hand, provides a more opinionated structure and enforces certain conventions, which can be beneficial for larger projects or when a more structured approach is preferred.