The past decade created effective and influential web development technologies – Node.js and Laravel. Their brilliant problem-solving technique and high performance assist web developers in building websites quickly and efficiently.
Since both are equally powerful technologies, hence the technologies should be compared to determine the correct option for a project.
Laravel: A PHP framework that offers superior strength and stability. Since 78% of the websites are operated on PHP, Laravel thus enjoys a considerable market share.
Node.js: A JavaScript runtime built with C, C++, and JavaScript – renders essential tools for full-stack development and faster performance.
This blog focuses on key features and differences, and use cases for these technologies.
Let’s begin!
It’s an open-source PHP web framework that offers HTML authentication, server-side handling of routing, and templating. This code is sourced from Symfony which offers reusable PHP components & libraries, and reusable PHP applications. This web server-side Laravel framework includes Laravel software packages, hence web developers can quickly and easily build applications and web portals by using pre-defined architectures, full-stack applications, custom backend services logic, and lightweight templates.
This open-source tool for the server side is a cross-platform Javascript-based runtime environment. It offers a high-performance, scalable framework for the single-threaded process used for asynchronous programming models and web loads. Further, developers can build websites, single-page applications, and backend API services by using push-based architectures in real time.
Comparison Parameters | Laravel | Node.js |
Category | PHP framework | JavaScript runtime environment |
Engine | Blade template engine | Google’s V8 engine |
Concurrency | Multi-threading | Event-driven |
Package manager | Compose package manager | Node Package Manager (NPM) |
Database supported | MySQL and MariaDB | Express JS, MongooseJS & MongoDB |
Integration with front-end libraries | Yes | No |
Performance | Slow | Fast |
Documentation | Extensive | Inadequate |
Preferred Industry Vertical | Education, shopping, business | Arts and entertainment, internet and telecom, computer and electronics |
Community | Massive online community | Small but growing |
Learning curve | Short | Long |
Performance is an important consideration for building large and complex projects. When it comes to Laravel vs. Node.js performance, Laravel-based applications are slower as compared to Node.js. However, optimization can improve the performance. The use of Cache tags facilitates a quick load of pre-stored information that leads to a faster response time, and improved performance.
Node.js inherits the non-blocking and asynchronous module from Javascript hence it creates a perfect environment for micro-operations/small tasks. Further, with the V8 Javascript engine, multi-tasking and functions become faster and more efficient.
Both are easy to use, provided developers have prior hands-on knowledge and skills for PHP & Javascript frameworks.
Laravel uses the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture that allows both backend and frontend developers to simultaneously work on the framework. Further, this architecture offers absolute control over the application, which improves the SEO, customization, and scalability of the application. MVC offers effortless implementation of external APIs and reuse of application logic, which builds robust backend support for web application development.
Node.js uses the single-threaded Event Loop architecture to handle several synchronized requests with superior performance. Additionally, it allows developers to use MVC architecture to simplify onboarding and isolate issues in the codebase. It supports asynchronous communication between numerous components by creating multiple views for the same data and supports.
Thus, Node.js asynchronous architecture allows;
Laravel with its built-in security system handles website security, internally. Since it intercepts all processes and requests, it prevents hackers from remotely introducing harmful code into the server. Further, its in-built CSRF token protects against other security threats.
Node.js with its licensed components provides high-level security. Its anti-CSRF token technology checks the authentication of the third-party modules for security flaws before running the module. Further, the automated vulnerability scanning helps to identify Node security weaknesses.
Developers must be familiar with PHP and JavaScript before learning Laravel and Node.js frameworks.
As per user experience, Laravel seems to have a long learning curve, as developers are required to have programming experience with CSS and HTML and a working knowledge of PHP. However, pre-loaded templates help boost web app development. Further, developers must familiarize themselves with the MVC architecture, code structure and libraries, and database integration. However, work can be done easily with tools like Laracasts.
Node.js is easy to learn for developers with knowledge of JavaScript. Further, an understanding of Node’s architecture built on NPM packages and JavaScript makes it easier for developers to learn and build applications.
As per market research, PHP web applications for server-side programming hold a share of 77.4%.
Laravel boasts a gigantic community with 52,182 active users, 4.5k real-time watchers, 73.7k Github stars, and 23.7K forks.
The community resolves a Laravel query in 3 days as they share news, documents, and podcasts. Laravel developers can meet the community via Laravel.io, Reddit, Laracasts, Stackoverflow, Github, and Dev.
Node.js is well-supported by a seasoned community. StackOverflow reports that 46.31% of professional developers use Node.js for frameworks, tools and libraries. Technology giants such as Google and Amazon have contributed significantly to the Node.js environment, which makes this technology more credible.
Developers can seek assistance from online user forums such as, Dev.to, Github, Stackoverflow, Nodebb, and Reddit.
Industry Vertical | Laravel | Node.js |
Education, shopping, business | Arts and entertainment, internet and telecom, computer and electronics |
A pool of skilled and seasoned Laravel developers is available in communities like Laravel.io, with 52K members. The pay rate is between $25 and $100 per hour for Laravel developers.
Hiring Node.js developers from any of the developers’ communities is easy. Given that Node.js demands more expertise in building server-side and client applications with JavaScript, the pay rate is between $30 and $150 per hour.
Laravel offers greater scalability due to the PHP framework, which offers limitless scalability for any application. With a robust database structure and load balancer, Laravel gains massive horizontal scaling. Additionally, MySQL and AWS can enhance flexibility due to advancing caching methods.
Node.js builds highly scalable applications due to its asynchronous architecture (non-blocking I/O) and event-loop mechanism that handles several synchronized requests, simultaneously. Further, its good compatibility with microservices segregates applications into smaller parts. Thus, it becomes easier to allocate tasks between multiple teams and quickly resolve the issue.
Both frameworks offer several capabilities to ease, scale, and speed the web development process. However, it depends on the project scope and requirements to determine which framework will best in a specific scenario.
Laravel should be used for a project that demands a full-scale system for a CMS-based website with PHP as its framework. If fast development is needed, the pre-made templates and community support help. If a high level of security is required, Laravel is the choice, as it uses hashed and salted passwords, and password encryption technology – Bcrypt Hashing Algorithm. Industries that use this technology include shopping, commerce, and education.
Node.js is used for full-stack server-side and client-side development. If performance and speed are needed, Node.js runs programs faster than its competitors. It’s the best choice for real-time applications like Chat apps, data streaming, and dashboard monitoring.
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