Backend Development Stack Selection Between Laravel and Node: What To Choose and Why?

The Real Quest

The two fundamental frameworks that effectively addresses coding issues and also make computing easy are Laravel and Node.js. Further, These two frameworks are in continuous competition to be the winner of web development frameworks. Both of these frameworks offer built-in features and packages that drastically reduce web development time at cost-effective rates. However lucrative the offerings are, you need to decide which one to choose and when. Which, we are here to help you. This blog plans to share basic insights on Laravel and Node, so that you can make a perfect decision based on your project needs.

Laravel and Node.js, both are undoubtedly the advanced web development frameworks offering a set of unique features for the development process. Furthermore, They have set a standard by helping developers reduce development time, and by solving coding issues in no time. Finally, Let’s dig deeper into the features, scalability rating, usability, and more. 

Intro about Laravel:

Laravel is a PHP-based open-source framework developed by Taylor and Otwell. Further, It follows the Model-View-Controller pattern which eases out code customization and feature addition.

Laravel is based on Symfony Thus, it allows you to use existing components from various frameworks for building a component of your choice. It is also highly popular for server-side handling of routing, HTML authentication, templating, etc. 

Secondly, It provides a robust ecosystem for you to leverage Laravel’s built-in capabilities and other extensions. You can also use these pre-built features and save a lot of time on app development from the scratch. 

Laravel has also acquired nearly 71.1K stars over Github and some 609 contributors who constantly work towards making Laravel better. Lastly, This amazing framework holds 0.28% of the market share and 92,735 number of websites(while we write this).

Some popular features of Laravel are

• MVC architecture support;
• Eloquent Object Relational Mapping;
• High-Level Security;
• Libraries and Modular;
• Easy Tool Integration;
• Database Migration System;
• Artisan

Laravel Use Cases:

• SaaS web apps;
• Online streaming web apps;
• Educational technology web apps;
• Stock Trading web applications;
• Performance monitoring web apps;
• CMS systems that support different languages;
• Self-hosted website-performance monitoring apps;

Applications using Laravel framework:

Laravel development is highly popular and given the abundance of comfort it gives for app development, small and big companies have already adopted it. Some names on the list are

• Laracasts: an eLearning application providing multiple courses;
• Alpha Coders: which provides a daily dose of images and wallpapers;
• About You: An online fashion platform;
• BBC;
• Pfizer;
• 9GAG: one of the largest meme communities on the internet;
• Alison;
• Invoice Ninja: A customizable platform allowing you and customers to raise invoices;

Intro about Node.js:

Node.js is often misunderstood as a programming language, which it is not. Further, It is a server-side, open-source, Javascript-based framework. It offers a full house of features for client-side as well as server-side application development. 

Moreover, Node.js is a single-threaded, open-source, cross-platform runtime environment executing Javascript code outside of a browser. For backend development, you can also use Node. js-based frameworks like Express, Socket.io, and Meteor.js.  

Node.js is specifically popular for its real-time and push-based architectures  which is why it is exclusively used for building SPAs, websites, and backend APIs. The framework also uses the Google V8 Javascript runtime engine and event-driven architecture.

Node is empowered by the extensive library of Javascript modules Hence, makes web development a five-finger task. 

If we go by the figures, 51.4% of developers considered Node.js as the most useful tool at the present time.

Popular features of Node.js are:

• Asynchronous and also event-driven;
• Full stack;
• Single-threaded;
• Cross-platform compatibility;
• Fast data streaming;
• IoT protocol;
• Node package manager;
• Performance;
• Scalable;

Node.js Uses cases are:

• Streaming applications;
• Real-time streaming applications for video calls, conferencing,chat applications, etc. 
• IoT applications;
• APIs development;
• Scripting and automation;
• Microservices;
• Complex Single Page apps;
• Server Side proxy;
• Server side rendering;

Applications using Node.js as a framework;

Node.js is the game changer in the industry. Secondly, From startups to Fortune 500 firms, many popular applications have leveraged the benefits of Node.js. Here are the few popular names on the list:

• PayPal: A very popular payment gateway;
• Netflix: An online video and show streaming platform;
• Twitter: A social media platform;
• LinkedIn; Social media platform for connecting professionals
• Airbnb: A platform connecting house/Space owners with buyers;
• Uber: A great platform for booking cars and vehicles;
• Trello;
• Walmart;
• Spotify: Music streaming app

Finally, Now let us look at some of the parallel similarities and differences between the two. 

What to choose(Laravel or Node.js) and When?

The above summary gives you a solid idea about the adaptability of Laravel and Node.js for your project. If you are still not clear, let us summarize it here for you.

 Choose Laravel when,

• You have limited time and you can use the pre-built templates;
• You want to build a full-scale system with maximum efficiency and also optimized performance;
• You also wish to build an industry-standard app for shopping, eCommerce, entertainment, education, etc.
• You want high-level security for your application;

Choose Node when,

• You want full stack development, client-side and also server-side;
• Speed and performance of the application matters for you;
• You also want to build a real-time chat application;
• You are building data streaming platforms;

To Compile

Laravel is lightweight and it can also lead to data congestion. However, even Node.js on the other hand is not great for building complex applications from the scratch. This is why it is important to weigh flexibility while deciding which one to choose and when. 

Both of these frameworks also have a vast community to support your journey of app development which can serve to benefit your project. Also, Feel free to hire Laravel developers or Node.js developers to do the job for you. 

Conclusion

There’s no denying that Laravel and Node have both enjoyed tremendous popularity among developers in recent years because of their distinctive features and intended applications.

The final choice, however, is more influenced by the needs of your users than by any potential differences in features between Laravel and Node. Furthermore, In terms of your development, one technology can come with everything you need while the other might not.

In either case, Laravel and Node will both continue to be practical development choices for the foreseeable future. Has one of your most recent projects allowed you to use Laravel or Node? Lastly, Post your ideas in the comments section below!