When dealing with front-end development, we all begin with the browser and its benefits. However, backend development is a mystical field. The backend programs execute the functions of your sites with a database, which runs on your server. According to YouTube’s analysis and data visualization project, “Statistics & Data,” in 2024, Laravel has 76,304 repository stars from users and Django has 76,109 and Flask is third with 66,999.
It is essential to have a backend framework to make an application with which end-users can communicate and perform some actions. The front-end experience depends on the backend, including business logic, user request processing, database interactions, and performance. Most companies are reaping the benefits of robust back-end frameworks to deliver a high-quality application with an excellent user experience.
Given the prominence of backend frameworks of 2024, there is no surprise that you need to choose the best backend framework from a broad range of options out there.
List of Top 13 Best Backend Frameworks in 2024
1. Laravel
Laravel is one of the prominent PHP development frameworks, well known for its clean and elegant PHP code. It simplifies the production process on specific tasks like routing, authentication, queues, and containerization. Laravel’s backend comes with its migration system for database query manipulation. Laravel PHP framework suits better for developing both small and large applications with complex backend needs. Most PHP development service providers prefer Laravel.
It suffices businesses' open-source app development requirements. Its extensive community support ensures a quick resolution of any programming problems. The following are some of the features of Laravel that make it one of the best backend frameworks:
- Supports MVC Architecture
- Programming Task Management & Configuration
- Blade Template
- Easy Installation
- Attractive Security features
- Packaging System
- Object-Oriented Libraries
- Artisan Console
- Pagination
Examples of sites using Laravel: Deltanet Travel, Laravel Tricks, FusionInvoice
Discover: Why Laravel is the proper PHP framework for your Project over Symfony
2. Ruby on Rails
Are you looking for a backend framework loaded with various components for developing iOS or Android applications? then Ruby on Rail is an ideal choice to consider.
Its inconceivably proficient backend framework for web and mobile application development. This framework is fast to develop, and it includes a large & active community. With the collection of pre-packaged codes written in Ruby, this backend framework makes the development process seamless, more accessible, and speedier. The Ruby on Rails way of application development unshackled developers from the mundane part of coding and relieving them to concentrate on the core business logic & features. It also enhances productivity and assists developers deliver apps much faster. The exciting features of Ruby on Rails are as follows:
- Short & simple code
- Efficiency
- Scalability
- Active Record
- Convention over configuration
- Automated Deployment
- Simple Testing tool
- Interpreted scripting language
Examples of sites using Ruby on Rails: Airbnb, Basecamp, Dribbble
3. Django
Django is open-source framework, a Python backend framework, boosts rapid web development and clean, pragmatic design. This free and open-source framework is ridiculously fast. The Django backend framework reassures security and helps you to defend yourself from several common security exploits. Most websites leverage Django’s backend ability to scale flexibly quickly. It responds to new problems & vulnerabilities and alters other backend frameworks to create patches.
Using this framework, you can build different applications, including content management and social networking sites. You can update applications developed with the Django framework with minimal addition, changes, and costs.
Django offers lots of good documentation and resources that help beginners learn and the experts for reference. With the following features, Django stands out among the other backend frameworks widely used today:
- Views layers
- Security
- Template layers
- Model layers
- Python Compatibility
- Localization, performance & optimization
Examples of sites using Django: Reddit Gifts, Bitbucket, Disqus
4. Flask
Flask, a lightweight Python micro framework, is significant for executing web applications over embedded devices. It offers extensive documentation and Unicode-based support to reduce the tasks for project architects and developers. The RESTful request dispatch feature of Flask provides interoperability across networks.
You can modify the Flask framework’s current state using code extension to add any desired features. The Flask is a more suited backend framework for minor application development. The prominent features of this framework are:
- Secure Cookies
- Sessions
- Request Dispatching
- Unicode support
- Development server & debugger
- Jinja2 templates
- WSGI compliance
- Great Documentation
- Flexibility
Examples of Companies using Flask: Red Hat, Netflix, PythonAnywhere
5. Express.js
Express.js offers JavaScript a newfound backend functionality as it allows developers to develop an application with JavaScript on the backend for the first time. This lightweight framework provides developers with Express API and built-in web app features. Express, built on Node JS, acts as middleware in handling your routes and servers.
Express API enables users to configure routes for sending/receiving requests between the database and the front end. The express framework also supports a lot of template engines and packages like Mustache, Pug, EJS, and much more. Its excellent scalability enables you to build enterprise-size apps with top-notch performance. Some of the advantages of Express.js over other backend frameworks are as follows:
- Fully customizable
- Standard for NodeJS web middleware
- Low Learning Curve
- Fast app development
- I/O request handling
- Open-source community
- Easy integration of third-party services & middleware
Examples of sites using Express.js: MySpace, LearnBoost, County
6. Phoenix
Phoenix is the best modern backend framework that makes developing APIs & applications simple. Built with Elixir, it executes on the Erlang VM. It offers excellent support while handling a massive number of simultaneous users. The Phoenix framework enables you to build web applications with qualities like low-latency, distributed, and fault-tolerant systems.
In addition to offering most Rails features, including directory structure, ERP templates & database migration, Phoenix simplifies them. The framework finds the perfect balance between explicitness and abstraction. The major feature that makes it among the best Backend frameworks is that it ensures top-notch productivity without compromising speed & maintainability. Here are the top features of the Phoenix framework:
- Immutability & functional programming
- Pattern matching
- Fault-tolerance
- Scalability
- Concurrency
- Clean Syntax
- Maintainability
- Productivity
Examples of sites using Phoenix Python: Fontstore, Inverse, Lonely Planet
7. CakePHP
CakePHP has been gaining popularity as the best PHP backend framework. It allows you to create web applications faster and makes your tasks simple by reducing the need to develop the application from scratch. This open-source MVC framework offers an extensible architecture for the entire life cycle of web apps and allows developers to make robust and secure web applications.
Cake PHP is based on prominent software design patterns and engineering concepts like MVC, Active Record, Convention over Configuration, Front controller, and Association Data Mapping. Utilizing its high-end functionality and active developer community, it brings great value to your projects. CakePHP strives to ensure that your web apps are well-tested and constantly enhanced. Key features of the CakePHP backend framework include:
- Flexible Licensing
- Code Generation
- Built-in Validation
- Request Dispatcher with Custom URLs and Routes
- Application Scaffolding
- Data Sanitization
- Localization
- Flexible Caching
- Flexible ACL
Examples of CMS using CakePHP: Capuchn, Simpleflan, Croogo
8. Pyramid
Pyramid is a lightweight backend framework written in Python, empowering you to develop and run web applications quickly. It includes proficiency in creating an entire framework layout in one file. Like other best backend frameworks, Pyramid also comes with security, mapping URLs to the code, and database integration. This open-source framework is known for its speed.
It maintains all-inclusive documentation and offers extensive support. The transaction management in the Pyramid is extendable – it allows you to synchronize databases of different types. Moreover, the Python framework includes out-of-box authorization and authentication schemes. Here is a list of Pyramid’s features that attract most developers:
- URL generation
- All-embracing templating and asset specifications
- Extensible configuration
- Single-file applications
- View code simplification with Predicates
- Renderers
- Function decorators
Examples of sites using Pyramid Python: Talk Python, AdRoll, The Daily Climate
9. Meteor
Meteor is an efficient backend framework for web development and has garnered quite a reputation for its ability to build one codebase for multiple platforms. Several developers prefer it for its scalability and speed, and it automatically propagates data changes for clients without needing code sync. It is versatile, offers an excellent user experience, and boosts customer engagement. One of its significant benefits is that it can cut down development time in half and make organizations agile by rapidly launching new products and features to markets.
Meteor Key Features:
- Integrates with Angular, Svelte, Blaze, React, and Vue
- Supports any database with a Node.js driver and MongoDB
- Extensive documentation and outstanding community support
- Meteor Cloud Services
- Centralized dashboard
- Can develop JavaScript apps for web browsers, application servers, and mobile environments
- Several other built-in features, such as automatic CSS & JS minification, reactive templates, and hot code reload
Examples of sites using Meteor: Dockercon, Discovery, Informatica
10. Gatsby
Gatsby is an open-source static site generator and backend framework built on Node.js using GraphQL and React. It has more than 2500 plugins that can be used to design static sites. Gatsby works well with popular Content Management Systems like Drupal, WordPress, and others. It integrates seamlessly with different APIs, web services, and content to deliver unified web and smooth web experiences. Gatsby is one of the top 5 backend frameworks in 2024.
Gatsby Key Features:
- Unified GraphQL data layer
- SSR, DSG, and cloud functions
- A fast, secure, robust, React-based, open-source backend framework
- No backend code, no server needed
- Easy setup and easy-to-edit sites on the fly
Examples of sites using Gatsby: National Geographic, Affirm, Leaft Foods, UpKeep
11. Svelte
The Svelte backend framework is based on JavaScript and has been blurring the lines between frontend and backend web development. It improves application performance, compiles code during build time and doesn't need to run on the client-server. Svelte makes it convenient to deploy robust applications and includes a build pipeline, development server, routing system, and powerful API. It is highly modular and fully customizable for different projects. Svelte is an excellent choice for building robust and highly interactive web applications. Svelte operates well in dynamic environments that undergo continual updates.
Svelte Key Features:
Motion primitives
Form bindings
Scoped styling
Simplified state management
Sanity integration
Code readability enhancement
Examples of sites using Svelte: FreshDesk, Gradio.live, Brave.com
12. Play Framework
Play is a lightweight, stateless, web-friendly backend and open-source framework that uses the model-view-controller architectural pattern. It is used to design modern and scalable web applications written in Scala. Play is excellent for high-velocity web development and combines the best of both productivity and performance. It compiles code and runs on the JVM, ensures minimal resource consumption, and is one of our list's most popular backend frameworks.
Play Framework Key Features:
- Multiple cloud deployment options
- Numerous Play plugins and Maven Central libraries
- Built-in testing tools
- IDE support for Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA
- Non-blocking I/O and Stateless Web Tier
- RESTful by default
- Asset Compiler for LESS, CoffeeScript, and more
- Extensive NoSQL & Big Data Support
- Websockets, EventSource, and Comet
13. Next.js
Next.js extends on React’s capabilities and is a powerful Rust-based JavaScript tooling integration for building blazing-fast builds. It enables seamless font and script optimizations, client and server rendering, and has flexible caching options. Developers can style web applications and enjoy instant UI streaming from servers. It makes React components async and is excellent for building production-grade web applications. Next.js ranks high among the top 8 backend frameworks for web development in 2024.
Next.js Key Features:
- Advanced routing and nested layouts
- Node.js & edge runtimes
- Middleware and custom access rules
- Route handlers
- Data fetching & CSS support
- Built-in UI/UX optimizations
- React server components
- Dynamic HTML streaming
Examples of sites using Next.js: AT&T, Deliveroo, TicketSwap
Refer to our Case Study – Our developers helped a client to build web and mobile enterprise apps with Zend PHP.
Conclusion:
Among the popular backend frameworks, these are the best backend frameworks to consider for your projects in 2024. Before starting your new project, evaluate which one fits best for your requirements. Determine what matters most to you. Like rapid development, security, scalability, support, or versatility.
Clarion Technologies has experience working with multiple frameworks. Hire backend developers who are accessible and will help you build a secure, responsive, robust, and high-performance web portal, CMS, or application. Contact us at info@clariontech.com or get help from our certified backend developers in your project with our 2-week risk-free trial.
