Hapi Vs Express: Node JS Framework Comparison

In this article, we are going to compare two of the newest frameworks. Hapi and Express. 

Let us discuss the basics of Hapi and then we will move on to Express.

Hapi vs Express

 

What is Hapi?

Hapi is an open-source and a rich framework built on Node.JS maintained as well as created by Eran Hammer. Hapi is a rich framework used for building services and applications. The framework enables developers to focus on writing reusable application logic. The focus is shifted towards business logic code for building applications instead of spending time building the required infrastructure. The framework encourages reusability of existing code.

There are several organizations that use Hapi which include PayPal, Clarify, Vendigo, Npm, Pling. These organizations already use Hapi in production. Hapi is a framework that is designed from the ground up to give programmers greater flexibility when compared to any other Node.JS frameworks. The framework’s architecture makes it perfect for ground-up development. There is detailed documentation available and there is an enthusiastic community of users. Furthermore, there are dozens of software plugins available to provide any kind of feature you are trying to build inside of your application.

 

Hapi Features

Hapi is a simple and easy to use configuration centric framework that happens to provide an amazing set of built-in functionality.  This functionality allows developers and programmers to build web applications as well as services quickly and effectively using JavaScript. Let’s discuss some of the features that make it worthy enough for your next project.

1. Authorization and Authentication: Hapi ships with built-in authorization and authentication schemes and strategies. Anonymous, cookie-based, basic-auth, as well as token-based authentication schemes,  are already provided in the Node.js framework.
2. Caching: Hapi provides powerful server side as well as client-side caching schemes via catbox and makes the usage of cache very convenient.
3. Routing: Hapi has a built-in router facility that allows you to express how your API routes or your web application should look
4. Validation: Using JOI, object schema validation is very easy and efficient in Hapi
5. Cookies: Hapi provides developers with several configuration options that make dealing with cookies very flexible, safe as well as simple.
6. Logging:  Logging is the key when it comes to developing quality software. Hapi comes with built-in logging methods.
7. Simple Error handling: Boom provides a collection of utilities that returns HTTP friendly error objects.
8. Process monitoring: Good is a Hapi plugin that is used to monitor and report on a variety of server events as well as to provide Ops information from the host machine.

What is Express?

Express is a widely used and very popular Node.JS framework.  Express is a very minimal framework.  You need to add more packages in order to provide several functionalities. Hapi, on the other hand, provides many functionalities right out of the box using a robustly built API

Express is a fast, essential, assertive, modern framework that is built using Node.JS. You can assume Express to be a layer of the framework that is built on top of Node JS. The framework is able to manage the server and its routes. Express provides a robust set of features that helps to develop mobile and web applications.

Related : Awesome Web App Ideas

 

Express Features:

1. It is asynchronous and therefore used for its single-threaded applications
2. It provides developers with an MVC like structure
3. Express provides a robust API that makes routing easy and is efficient at it.
4. Express encourages developers to write fewer lines of code in order to accomplish a certain programming task
5. It provides an Ultrafast Input-Output system to developers
6. Using Express you can build Restful APIs faster
7. Express provides support for NoSQL databases right out of the box

 

Let’s compare Hapi and Express side by side.

Direct Comparison(Hapi vs Express)

Firstly, Express uses middleware to provide developers access to the request/response pipeline. Developers have access to Node’s req and res request/response objects. An Express application “chains” middleware together to act on requests and responses. Each middleware component has a single, well-defined job to do, keeping concerns isolated within each component.

Secondly, Hapi, by contrast, uses plugins to extend its capabilities. Plugins are configured at runtime through code. In the case of Hapi, there are a wide variety of Hapi plugins, for capabilities including routing, authentication, logging, and more. Usually a Hapi plugin exists for every Express middleware component, making Express and Hapi more or less equal regarding capabilities.

Particularly, There are some cases where Express needs middleware to perform a task that Hapi handles internally. Forms processing is a good example.

In other words, Hapi parses forms data and exposes it on the request object. Express, by contrast, needs the body-parser middleware to offer the same functionality.

Express is somewhat less opinionated than Hapi, in the sense that it is less abstracted from Node. Both frameworks are extensible and adaptable. However, Express “feels” more like a native Node application. Hapi provides more abstraction from Node. Long-time Node developers may prefer Express for its familiarity, or they may appreciate the abstractions provided by Hapi.

I suggest reading the post where I have discussed: Angular Js Vs Node JS

Conclusion:

We accomplished the following things

• Compared the two frameworks side by side
• Saw which framework works best in which scenario
• Discussed the merits and demerits of the frameworks

If you’re keen to develop your next web application using Hapi or Express, do give us a call.

If you’re looking to hire Node js developers for your next web application, contact us and we will get you in touch with our expert back end team who will help you t design your next application.