NodeJS vs Python: Which one to choose for 2024

The server side or backend of an application serves as the foundation of the application. A strong backend means your application works properly. Selecting the proper backend technology affects performance, resource usage, deployment ease, scalability, and other important outcomes of the project. However, this is a difficult question for developers when it comes to choosing the best leading backend technology. 

Node.js and Python are popular web development options. Whether you choose Node.js or Python development services, there are certain considerations in what they offer. Python is a versatile server-side language while Node.js is how JavaScript could be used on the server side. Let's review both Python and Node.js, and then decide the best for your project. 

What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform that helps develop fast and scalable server-side applications. It is written in C, C++ and Javascript that makes it faster to run a server. It runs on the V8 JavaScript engine developed by Google and uses JavaScript for server-side scripting. Its fastness attracts big companies like Microsoft, Netflix, and Walmart to work on real-time projects like chats and APIs. It makes things further simpler with the use of a similar language, JavaScript, for both the client and server sides. 

Key Features of Node.js

Single-Threaded: Node.js is capable of handling multiple requests seamlessly without requiring overhead of context switching between threads. This ensures improved resource utilization and overall speed.

Built-in Web Server: Developers don't need external servers like Apache or Nginx to create web applications and APIs. 

Non-blocking I/O Model: Node.js processes multiple requests concurrently that enhances its efficiency and performance. This makes it an excellent tool for I/O-intensive tasks like real-time applications, data streaming, and APIs.

Massive Package Ecosystem (npm): Node.js has access to the Node Package Manager (npm), world's largest open-source software repository. You can choose from around 1.3 million reusable packages for almost any task or functionality. 

Node.js Benefits

• Node.js is written in C and C++ that makes it a fast option to run a server and add features like networking support.
• Node.js doesn't require blockage of any operations to manage data transfer and processing efficiently.
• Node.js is ideal for real-time applications.
• Build microservices with Node.js's modular and lightweight nature.

These features and benefits can give you an idea about why you should hire a Node.js development company. Let's review Python to make a more choice 

What is Python?

Python is a popularly easy, high-level, and general-purpose programming language. It was created in the late 1980s by Guido van Rossum, and released in 1991. Python is more than a buzzword for its common use from web development to artificial intelligence applications. It is a highly convenient choice for both pros and beginners because of its readability and simple features. 

Key Features of Python 

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Python supports OOP concepts that enables developers to create modular, reusable code structures.

Simple Language: Python uses simple English language like if, else, for, while, and def. Python's syntax design is also incredibly easy to read and intuitive. 

Cross-Platform Compatibility: You can run Python on Windows, macOS, Linux, and other platforms, all without the need to make any modifications. 

Extensive Standard Library: Python includes a vast collection of pre-written modules and functions. These resources cover a wide range of tasks like file I/O, math, networking, etc. 

Python Benefits 

• Easy to learn 
• Several libraries and frameworks
• Large community and resources
• Versatile language to cater various tasks 

Key Differences between Node.js and Python 

Choosing a Node.js development company or Python company for web development can come easy after learning these differences. Let's comprehensively discuss comparison of Node.js and Python across different aspects. 

Performance 

Node.js

• Node.js runs on a V8 engine, and provides great performance.
• You can handle multiple requests concurrently with its event-driven and non-blocking architecture.
• Node.js is a more resource-efficient choice to execute code outside the web browser.

Python: 

• Python uses a single-flow of code that makes the process slower.
• It doesn't allow multithreading.
• You cannot use Python for applications that prioritise performance, speed, etc.

Scalability

Python

• Python uses Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) that ensures no hindrance in scalability.
• The dynamic-typed nature doesn't make it good for large-scale projects. 

Node.js

• Node.js uses microservices and modules to easily scale up or down by adding or removing modules.
• Node.js increases scalability with vertical scaling.
• Node.js adds resources to the modules with horizontal scaling.

Architecture

Node.js

• Node.js architecture is event-driven that decreases the development time. This is an ideal architecture for web games and chat applications.
• Node.js handles multiple clients simultaneously using a single-thread event loop.
• Node.js processes parallely that makes the deployment process faster.

Python

• Python is of synchronous nature that slows it down.
• Python achieves parallel processes by using the Asyncio library.
• You can make Python event-driven by using certain modules like CPython.

Learning Curve

Node.js

• Node.js is a Javascript-based platform, which is easy to master.
• Event-driven architecture of the platform is a little tricky but helps scale the application easily once you have mastered it.
• Finding Node.js job opportunities is difficult because of the low entry threshold. 

Python 

• Python is extremely easy to learn as compared to Javascript.
• Python is a good option for beginners because of its short and easier to read and debug approach.
• Learning Python also means brushing up on your indentation practice.

Libraries and Tools

Python

• The package manager of Python is PIP(Python installs Python) as well as its library.
• PIP has a large easily readable documentation that developers can use to understand the packages better.
• Popular Python packages include Scikit-learn, Pipenv, Numpy, and Pandas. 

Node.js

• Node.js provides a package manager called npm(Node Package Manager) to install and use Node over 350,000 packages.
• Its documentation is quite simple and easy.
• Node.js packages include Express, Lodash, Async, and Moment. 

NodeJS vs Python: Which One is the Best to Choose?

Node.js boasts speed and an extensive package ecosystem to develop real-time applications, data streaming, and microservices. While Python is a popular web development option for its clarity and versatility. Eventually, choice between Node.js and Python comes down to the specific requirements of your project.

Personally, we will prefer to hire Python development services because of its close relation to use of modern data science, machine learning, and general-purpose programming.