NestJS vs Django REST framework: What are the differences?
What is NestJS? A progressive Node.js framework for building efficient and scalable server-side applications by @kammysliwiec. Nest is a framework for building efficient, scalable Node.js server-side applications. It uses progressive JavaScript, is built with TypeScript (preserves compatibility with pure JavaScript) and combines elements of OOP (Object Oriented Programming), FP (Functional Programming), and FRP (Functional Reactive Programming)
Under the hood, Nest makes use of Express, but also, provides compatibility with a wide range of other libraries, like e.g. Fastify, allowing for easy use of the myriad third-party plugins which are available..
What is Django REST framework? Web APIs for Django. It is a powerful and flexible toolkit that makes it easy to build Web APIs.
NestJS and Django REST framework can be categorized as "Frameworks (Full Stack)" tools.
Some of the features offered by NestJS are:
- Extensible - Gives you true flexibility by allowing use of any other libraries thanks to modular architecture.
- Versatile - An adaptable ecosystem that is a fully-fledged backbone for all kinds of server-side applications.
- Progressive - Takes advantage of latest JavaScript features, bringing design patterns and mature solutions to node.js world.
On the other hand, Django REST framework provides the following key features:
- The Web browsable API is a huge usability win for your developers.
- Authentication policies including OAuth1a and OAuth2 out of the box.
- Serialization that supports both ORM and non-ORM data sources.
"Powerful but super friendly to work with" is the primary reason why developers consider NestJS over the competitors, whereas "Browsable api" was stated as the key factor in picking Django REST framework.
NestJS and Django REST framework are both open source tools. It seems that NestJS with 19.9K GitHub stars and 1.48K forks on GitHub has more adoption than Django REST framework with 15.5K GitHub stars and 4.53K GitHub forks.
Uploadcare, Crowdkeep, and Shippo are some of the popular companies that use Django REST framework, whereas NestJS is used by TheIconic, Sofit Software, and Quero Education. Django REST framework has a broader approval, being mentioned in 237 company stacks & 475 developers stacks; compared to NestJS, which is listed in 21 company stacks and 91 developer stacks.
