Hapi vs Express | Which Is The Best Framework For You?

 You will undoubtedly come across Hapi and Express if you are a developer or simply a student interested in Node.js frameworks. These are the two most widely used Node.js frameworks. However, the question is which of these two frameworks is the best or which framework is ideal for your project. So, today, we'll compare and contrast Hapi and Express in depth.

We will compare express with Hapi and select a winner on many comparison matrices. But before we get into the differences, let's look at the fundamentals of both Hapi vs Express.

Overview Of Hapi Framework

Hapi.js is an open-source Node.js framework for building scalable and robust web applications. It is derived from HTTP-API. Hapi is commonly used to create web services such as JSON APIs, webpages, API servers, and HTTP proxy apps, among other things.

Hapi.js was created by Walmart Labs' mobile team, led by Eran Hammer, to handle traffic during peak online shopping days like Black Friday, one of the most popular shopping days in the United States.

Overview Of Express Framework

Express.js is a Node.js backend web application framework that is available as free and open-source software under the MIT License. It is designed to be used in the creation of web applications and APIs. It's a small package that doesn't sacrifice any of Node.js core features.

It can be difficult and time-consuming to build a Node.js backend from the ground up for an application. The boilerplate code, which includes everything from port configuration to route handlers, takes time away from what matters most: writing the application's business logic.

Hapi vs Express- What Are The Differences?

Let's have a look at some benchmarks to determine which framework outperforms the others:

Installation

Hapi.js and Express.js are both easy to install and utilise. To continue installing and executing these web frameworks, you must first install Node.js. As a result, both Hapi and Express perform similarly in terms of installation.

Security

One of the most important factors to consider while deciding between Express and Hapi is security. Express and Hapi tackle security in different ways.

When working with Express, it's important to realise that Node.js is dependent on it. If Node.js has any problems, they will invariably affect Express. It does, however, often offer security patches. It also contains a complete list of security best practices for developers, in addition to security updates.

Plugins And Middleware

Developers can use Node's req and res request/response objects to manage client requests. To access the request/response pipeline, Express makes use of middlewares. Each middleware component is responsible for a single, well-defined activity, allowing for the separation of concerns within each component.

Hapi, on the other hand, uses plugins to increase its capabilities. At runtime, plugins are configured in code. Authentication, routing, logging, and other functionality are available through Hapi plugins. In general, every Express middleware component has a Hapi plugin, placing Express and Hapi on the same functional level.

Architecture

Express does not have a predetermined architecture, thus developers can arrange their applications any way they like. Model-View-Controller, on the other hand, is the most well-known architectural type for Express programmes (MVC).

Hapi, on the other hand, is mostly concerned with plugins. It primarily supports the configuration-based MVC architecture, and it uses plugins to configure runtime through code. Routing, authentication, logging, and much more are all possible with Hapi plugins. Because it is less opinionated, Express is more abstract than Hapi. While both frameworks are adaptable and versatile, their architectures are distinct and deliver the same functionality.

Performance

When deciding between these languages, the performance of Hapi versus Express is critical to consider. Express was able to process around 9000 requests per second, according to a Hello World benchmark. Hapi performed more than 2x better in the same test, processing roughly 19000 requests per second.

Documentation and Support

Both Express vs Hapi have a wealth of resources to assist developers. The Express website is straightforward, but it is packed with useful information. From the 'getting started' button to the materials and classes, Express has it all. If the website does not provide a solution, you can always seek help from the community.

Having access to a community is crucial for developers, especially those working with open-source frameworks. If there are any bugs or questions, developers can get responses right away and collaborate with their peers to find solutions. 

Popularity

To determine which of Hapi and Express is more popular, we can look at the Google search trends graph. Over the previous five years of global Google searches, the graph below clearly illustrates that Express.js has been more popular than Hapi.js.

Conclusion

We just completed talking about Hapi vs Express. We looked at both the Express and Hapi overviews and compared the two Node.js frameworks using various parameters. Both Hapi and Express are extremely powerful frameworks, in our opinion. Both can be fantastic backend web development options. Nonetheless, Express is more popular than Hapi, which is why it has a far larger community. Hapi, on the other hand, is speedier and more secure.

Furthermore, if you require any help with Javascript, you can discuss your needs with our professionals for a quick response.