As we close out 2018, we at DevOps.com wanted to highlight the five most popular articles of the year. Following is the third in our weeklong series of the Best of 2018.

When it comes to development platforms, the choices are wide and varied. It can be a difficult task choosing the right framework for your app, even for developers. For non-developers, the task can seem insurmountable. That’s why it’s important for app dev companies to educate their clients on the best development platform to fit the needs of their app. For most, it’s a matter of explaining the benefits and drawbacks of the many options.

The Node.js environment, for example, has a number of different frameworks, each suited for a particular purpose. While developers need to know the technical details of each framework, clients really only need to know the factors that will impact their app.

A Quick Node.js Explainer

In the professional circles, much is spoken about Node.js and best Node.js frameworks as of the way to facilitate web apps development.

What the client should know about Node.js: this is a special runtime environment used by the developers to create web apps. Its front-end (client-side) and the back-end (server-side) both can be coded using the same language: JavaScript.  Previously, those were two different areas to be dealt with different programming languages and by different developers, correspondingly.

What to Know About Node.js

Node.js is especially good for developing real-time apps intended for simultaneous connection of multiple users. However, it is not recommended for apps intended for complex computations.

Some of the big names you know—Netflix, Trello, PayPal, LinkedIn, Walmart, Uber, Groupon, eBay, NASA—all use Node.js for their apps.

Node.js offers myriad benefits to companies, including:

• JavaScript belongs to one of the most popular programming languages—according to GitHub statistics, as of Q3 2017 JavaScript is the top programming language, with 22.5 percent of pull requests. That means will be no difficulty in finding an experienced developer;
• Node.js’ popularity implies numerous ready-made solutions and contributions that can be used by developers for their apps;
• Node.js gives the developers much freedom and space for creating a specific app;
• Since the front-end and back-end are coded in the same language, only one programmer is needed;
• Because of these factors mentioned above, development and deployment time is shortened and the app can reach the market in a short time;
• Less search time, fewer developers and faster development mean lower costs.

Who is behind Node.js?

Node.js appeared in 2009 and now enjoys the support of the active and fast developing community. As of today, there are 8 million instances of Node.js, with more than 1,500 contributors and 39,672 stars on GitHub. Mark R. Hinkle, executive director of the Node.js Foundation, said his organization plans to Grow, Engage and Educate. So, the future app will have good prospects in terms of maintainability and eventual extension.

Node.js Frameworks Worth Considering

Express.js (35,310 Stars on GitHub)

The classic of Node.js. appeared in 2010 and served as a basis for a long list of popular Node.js frameworks. It is considered to be minimalistic and simple. Express is not opinionated and offers the developers much freedom, as they can use various modules to build the app. Due to its flexible nature, it is best-suited for large-scale apps that are planned to be customized and extended and need long-term support.

What should the client know about Express.js? Fast, simple, flexible

Sails.js (18,088 Stars on GitHub)

This framework used Express as a basis but is a complete product that can be applied as it is with the available functionality. It is suitable for fast launches. Sails is especially good for developing and setting the real-time apps requiring quick answers and is compatible with any front end.

What should the client know about Sails.js? Complete, quick to develop, good for real-time apps

Meteor (38,755 Stars on GitHub)

This is a full-package popular Node.js framework that allows building real-time scalable web apps. It handles apps for any device (web, iOS, Android). With Meteor, developers can accomplish more job with less code. It suits as a perfect tool to start a project for all major platforms.

What should the client know about Meteor.js? Full-stack, time-saving, universal

Loopback (8,000 Stars on GitHub)

This is a highly extensible modular framework. Loopback is specifically intended for quick and easy creating of API. It allows running the apps on-premises or in the cloud. Loopback works well for writing user’s authentication and authorization.

What should the client know about Loopback.js? Easy and quick to develop as offers much out of box, suits for complex integrations.

Hapi (8,701 Stars on GitHub)

The framework appeared in 2011 and also is based on Express. It has since grown into the separate framework with a different approach: to provide as much as possible use cases out of the box. It is intended for large teams and large projects and will be too complicated for a simple app.

What should the client know about Hapi.js? Configuration over code, reliable, time-saving due to focus on writing reusable app logic, large projects

Bonus Framework: Koa.js (18,495 Stars on GitHub)

This is a new-generation framework. Koa is created as lighter and more flexible version of Express. It suits both for large and small projects and provides for further customization and extension.

What should the client know about Koa.js? Fast development, reliable app foundation, flexible

Conclusion

The list above should serve you in helping your clients decide which framework is best-suited for their project. Be sure to explain each framework in the simplest terms to ensure your customers understand the benefits and drawbacks of each. They will appreciate it.

What frameworks would you add to the list? Please add them to the comments below!

— Olga Nasonova