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

If you are a developer or just a student who is interested in Node.js frameworks, you will definitely come across to Hapi and Express. These are two of the most popular Node.js frameworks. But, the question is which is the best among these two or which framework is suitable for your project. So, today, we will discuss Hapi vs Express in detail. 

Also, if you are facing any difficulties with your Hapi or Express assignments, you can get our Node js assignment help at an affordable price.

We will compare express and Hapi on different comparison matrices and choose a winner. But before moving towards the information on Hapi vs Express, let’s look at the basic overview of both Hapi and Express.

Overview Of Hapi Framework

Hapi.js, which is derived from Http-API, is an open-source Node.js framework for creating scalable and robust web applications. Hapi is typically used to develop web services such as JSON API, webpages, application programming interface (API) servers, HTTP proxy apps, etc. 

Hapi.js was developed by Walmart Labs’ mobile team, directed by Eran Hammer, to handle traffic during busiest online shopping days, such as Black Friday, one of the most active days for online shopping in the United States.

The Express framework was utilised in the first versions of Hapi. Walmart discovered that Express.js had some restrictions that rendered the framework inappropriate for their specific needs. So, to overcome the lack of Express functionalities, Walmart forced Hapi to develop its own stand-alone framework.

Use cases of Hapi

• eCommerce web applications
• Server component for Single Page Applications (SPAs)
• Network applications
• HTTP-based software applications
• Static websites or data-driven websites
• JSON APIs for web applications

Popular Examples Of Usage

• Postmile: hapi.js, Node.js, and MongoDB were used to create Postmile, a collaborative list-making tool.
• Colonizers: Hapi was used to power HTML5 multiplayer games based on Klaus Teuber’s popular board game “Catan.”
• MasteryJs: Created an API server framework for building scalable web apps using Hapi.
• PayDash: PayDash used Hapi to establish a payment API for MGNREGA, India’s most important employment guarantee program.

Basic Hapi.js Program To Create A Server

'use strict';

const Myapp = require('hapi');

const init = async () => {

    const server = Myapp.server({
        port: 3000,
        host: 'localhost'
    });

    await server.start();
    console.log('Hello reader, this server running on %s', server.info.uri);
};

process.on('unhandledRejection', (err) => {

    console.log(err);
    process.exit(1);
});

init();

Overview Of Express Framework

Express.js is a backend web application framework of Node.js distributed under the MIT License as free and open-source software. It is intended for the development of web applications and APIs. It’s a lightweight package that doesn’t lose any of Node.js’ fundamental functionality. 

Building a Node.js backend from the ground up for an application may be challenging and time-consuming. Developing all of the boilerplate code, from port configuration to route handlers, takes time away from what counts most: writing the application’s business logic.

Developers may save time and focus on another logical part by using Express.js. It makes it easier to create Node-based Web apps quickly. Some of the key features of the Express framework are listed below.

• Setup middlewares to respond to HTTP requests.
• Defines a routing table for doing various actions based on HTTP Method and URL.
• Allows you to render HTML pages dynamically by passing arguments to templates.

Use Cases Of Expressjs

• Single-page applications
• Middleware Applications
• Reusable applications
• RESTful APIs
• Enterprise web applications 
• Serve and access static files using a browser 
• eCommerce web applications 

Popular Examples Of Usage 

• In 2017, Twitter switched to Node.js Express to speed up its Twitter Lite mobile web app.
• Uber used Express to create Bedrock, their base web server, and to optimise the middleware for internationalisation, security, and other infrastructure integrations.
• Accuweather used Express to provide APIs that could be integrated into other applications.
• IMDB also used Express to offer APIs that developers could use to integrate into their apps.

Basic Express.js Program To Create A Server

const express = require('express')
const Myapp = express()
const port = 3000

Myapp.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello Reader!')
})

Myapp.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`This app is listening at http://localhost:${port}`)
})

Hapi vs Express- What Are The Differences?

Now, let’s discuss different benchmarks to see which among Hapi vs Express framework outperforms the other:

Installation

Both Hapi.js and Express.js are simple to set up and use. You need to install Node.js first in order to continue installing and executing these web frameworks. Therefore, in terms of Hapi vs Express- installation, both Hapi and Express perform similarly.

Security

Security is one of the most critical metrics that should be considered while looking at Hapi vs Express. Security is handled differently by Express and Hapi.

It’s critical to remember Node.js’s dependency on Express while working with Express. If there are any flaws in Node.js, they will inevitably affect Express. However, It releases security updates on a regular basis. In addition to security updates, it includes a comprehensive list of security recommended practises for developers. 

In contrast, Hapi prioritizes security by assuring and enforcing the best security settings for all contributors’ code control, management, and distribution. Hapi components have secure defaults and are routinely updated. Authorization and authentication are being integrated into the architecture. 

Plugins And Middleware

Node’s req and res request/response objects are available to developers handle client requests. Express uses middlewares to access the request/response pipeline. Each middleware component performs a single, well-defined task, separating concerns inside every component.

On the other hand, Hapi makes use of plugins to expand its features. Plugins are configured in code at runtime. Hapi plugins provide various features, including authentication, routing, logging, and more. Every Express middleware component generally has a Hapi plugin, putting Express and Hapi on the same level in terms of functionality.

Architecture

Express does not support any predefined architecture, allowing developers to structure their applications in any way they see fit. However, Model-View-Controller is the most famous architectural type for Express programmes (MVC).

Hapi, on the other hand, is focused on plugins. It primarily supports the MVC architecture that is configuration-based, and it employs plugins to configure runtime through code. Hapi plugins are capable of routing, authenticating, logging, and much more. Express is more abstract than Hapi because it is less opinionated. While both frameworks are versatile and adaptive, they have distinct designs that deliver the same functionality.

Performance

Hapi vs Express performance is very crucial to consider while choosing one among these languages. According to a Hello World benchmark, Express was able to process around 9000 requests per second. For the same test, Hapi showed greater than 2x better performance, processing around 19000 requests per second.

Even though these comparisons are from basic Hello World applications, Hapi indicates a reasonable edge over its counterpart.

Documentation and Support

Documentation and community support are essential to consider in Hapi vs Express. Both Express and Hapi provide a large collection of resources to help developers. The Express website is simple, yet it contains a wealth of information. Express offers it everything, from its ‘getting started’ button to its resources and lessons. If you do not get a solution from the website, you may always turn to the community for assistance.

For developers, especially those working with open-source frameworks, having access to a community is critical. If there are any bugs or questions, developers may obtain answers immediately and explore solutions with their peers. This thing not only offers technical assistance but also lends legitimacy to the framework.

Express has a very big community, and Hapi has a tiny community. Although, Hapi does a fantastic job with the documentation. From a clear front page outlining its capabilities to a complete collection of lessons, it’s really helpful, especially for novices. The material on the website covers it for the most part for the time being.

Popularity

We can consider the google search trends graph to decide which among Hapi vs Express is more popular. The chart below clearly shows that Express.js has been more popular than Hapi.js over the last five years of global Google searches.

Head To Head Comparison Between Hapi And Express

Below is a table for head to head differences between Hapi vs Express.

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Hapi.js

Advantages Of Hapi.js

• Its ever-evolving plugins library is robust and allows quick development.
• There are numerous pre-built tools for handling API authentication and authorization.
• It has a solid foundation. Error messages that have the potential to leak data are instantly blocked. It will also prevent messages that echo back unsecured loopholes.
• Hapi can improve the performance of a web application by using continuous caching.
• It can be used to create REST APIs. Routing, output and input validation, and caching are all supported by Hapi.

Disadvantages

• Developers frequently have to figure out how to organise their code. For beginners, this can be difficult to work around without a lot of trial and error.
• Endpoints must be manually created and tested by developers.
• It has compatibility issues. Many of the plugins and modules are limited and only work with Hapi. With this issue, developers will be unable to work with other frameworks.

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Express.js

Advantages

• Express is extremely developer-friendly because it allows users to use a single language (Javascript) to write both backend and frontend apps.
• It’s simple to install and set up, and it’s well-known for its low learning curve.
• There are no restrictions on the availability of third-party plugins and tools thanks to its large developer community.
• Express provides built-in middleware functionality for handling and supporting errors in both synchronous and asynchronous programming.
• Express is also known for its scalability, making it an excellent solution for enterprises with thousands of users on a daily basis.
• Express is non-opinionated, therefore there are no actual restrictions on how developers organise their applications.

Disadvantages

• Working on Express can be difficult for developers who are unfamiliar with middleware functions, and it takes time to learn.
• Too much flexibility is also an issue. A developer’s lack of limits can lead to inefficient development techniques and weaknesses in your application.
• The manual endpoint creation component of Express might be time-consuming. Furthermore, as the codebase grows in size, refactoring gets more challenging.

Conclusion

We have just finished our discussion on Hapi vs Express. We have looked at the overview’s of both Express and Hapi and compared these two Node.js frameworks with different parameters. We can say that both Hapi and Express are very powerful frameworks. Both can be excellent choices for backend web development. 

Still, Express is more popular than Hapi, and that’s why its community is a lot bigger. However, Hapi is faster and provides excellent security. Therefore, you can go with any of these frameworks. You can choose which is better for you according to your project requirements. Hopefully, you got a clear understanding of Hapi vs Express.

Moreover, if you need any help with Javascript, you can discuss your requirements with our experts for an instant solution.

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