Laravel vs. Node.js: Which One to Choose in 2024?

Laravel vs. Nodejs

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!

Laravel

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. 

Features

  • Blade template engine: It offers a dynamic and clean code through a control structure that includes conditional loops and statements. Further, it offers an enhanced view by integrating numerous templates into a data model. 
  • Eloquent Object Relational Mapping (ORM) Framework: It creates database queries in PHP instead of SQL. Additionally, it integrates database tables and programs by attributing identical models, leading to faster performance than older frameworks.
  • Built-in packages: Laravel contains numerous pre-configured packages to simplify codes and maintain a healthy website. For example, the Socialite package integrates Google Authentication or Facebook into your website which allows sign-up with a single click.
  • Artisan: It’s a command-line tool to automate repetitive programming tasks. It builds a code skeleton and database structure for migration. Further, it builds and maintains original MVC files, and manages these assets with their options.

Use Cases of Laravel

  • SaaS-based web applications 
  • e-Learning web apps
  • On-demand video streaming applications
  • Stock trading web applications
  • Web applications with rewards and recognition features 
  • Self-hosted website-performance monitoring applications
  • Multi-lingual CMS systems 

Node.js

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. 

Features

  • Asynchronous and event-driven: Node library provides asynchronous APIs. Node.js-based servers automatically proceed to the next step once they receive data from API. Further, it uses Events to receive and monitor previous API query responses.   
  • Full-stack: It’s designed to comprehend and execute JavaScript code for both server-side and client-side servers. JavaScript-competent developers can build full-stack applications to maintain synchronization between the back-end and front-end.    
  • Single-threaded: Due to its single-threaded event loop architecture, Node.js is highly scalable. Node.js Event process makes single-thread blocking-free and scalable, unlike traditional frameworks that rea limited. As compared to Apache HTTP Server, Node.js uses single-threaded software for handling more requests.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: Node.js is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Unix, and mobile platforms. It can be combined with the specific package to generate a stand-alone executable platform. By using Electron and NW.js, developers can build real-time, cross-platform applications without writing separate code for each platform.
  • Fast data streaming: Node.js offers native and quick API-supporting framework streaming. It allows users to forward requests to the next level in the hierarchy, hence it directly transfers data to its destination. Since the callback function is embedded in the Node.js application hence the output data is provided in blocks which reduces the processing time. Consequently, it provides efficient data streaming without buffering.
  • IoT protocol: Since Node.js requires fewer server-side resources and memory, hence IoT applications can be easily developed and connected to multiple devices. Further, integration of third-party devices becomes effortless because Node.js uses Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol.  
  • Node Package Manager (NPM): It’s the native package manager for Node and facilitates installation and download of essential application packages. Since NPM is the largest software library registry, hence developers can utilize code from it instead of writing from scratch. 

Use Cases of Node.js

  • Streaming web applications 
  • IoT-based applications 
  • Scripting and automation
  • Backends and traditional servers
  • Complex Single-page applications 
  • Real-time software (Collaboration tools used for video/audio conferencing, Chat applications document editing) 
  • Streaming applications 
  • Microservices 
  • Developing REST APIs
  • Server-side rendering

Laravel vs. Node.js: Advantages

Comparison Parameters LaravelNode.js
CategoryPHP frameworkJavaScript runtime environment 
EngineBlade template engineGoogle’s V8 engine
ConcurrencyMulti-threadingEvent-driven
Package managerCompose package managerNode Package Manager (NPM)
Database supportedMySQL and MariaDBExpress JS, MongooseJS & MongoDB
Integration with front-end libraries YesNo
PerformanceSlowFast
DocumentationExtensiveInadequate
Preferred Industry VerticalEducation, shopping, businessArts and entertainment, internet and telecom, computer and electronics
CommunityMassive online communitySmall but growing
Learning curveShortLong

Laravel vs. Node.js [Detailed Comparison]

Performance

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.  

Ease of Use

Both are easy to use, provided developers have prior hands-on knowledge and skills for PHP & Javascript frameworks.

Architecture Support

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;  

  • High performance as multiple concurrent requests are processed simultaneously. 
  • Reduces time-to-market of applications.
  • Ensures flexible and faster full-stack development of modules.

Security

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.       

Learning Curve

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.   

Community

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

Industry VerticalLaravel Node.js
Education, shopping, businessArts and entertainment, internet and telecom, computer and electronics

Hiring Developer

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. 

Scalability

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.

Laravel vs. Node.js: FAQs

1. Laravel vs Node: Which Should I Choose?

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.  

2. When to use Laravel?

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.

author
Nirav Panchal
Lead – Custom Development

Lead of the Custom Development team at KrishaWeb, holds AWS certification and excels as a Team Leader. Renowned for his expertise in Laravel and React development. With expertise in cloud solutions, he leads with innovation and technical excellence.

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