Head-to-Head: NestJS vs Fastify Analysis

@nestjs/core

v10.4.4(about 2 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 6Monthly npm downloads

@nestjs/core is the core module of the NestJS framework, a progressive Node.js framework for building efficient, reliable, and scalable server-side applications. It provides a solid architectural design based on Angular principles, allowing developers to easily create modular and maintainable code. @nestjs/core offers features like dependency injection, middleware support, decorators for defining routes and controllers, and built-in support for WebSockets.

Alternatives: express, koa, hapi

Tags: node.jsframeworkserver-sidedependency-injectionwebsockets

fastify

v5.0.0(2 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 15Monthly npm downloads

Fastify is a high-performance and low overhead Node.js web framework focused on speed and efficiency. It is built with a plugin architecture that allows developers to add features as needed, keeping the core framework lightweight. Fastify boasts impressive speed benchmarks and is known for its low latency and high throughput, making it ideal for building fast and scalable web applications.

Alternatives: express, koa, hapi

Tags: node.jsweb frameworkperformanceefficiencyplugin architecture

Fight!

Framework Type

@nestjs/core is a full-fledged, opinionated framework for building server-side applications with TypeScript. It provides a robust set of features for building scalable and maintainable applications. Fastify, on the other hand, is a low-level web framework focused on speed and efficiency. It is more lightweight and minimalistic compared to NestJS.

Performance

Fastify is known for its exceptional performance due to its low overhead and efficient architecture. It is one of the fastest web frameworks available in the Node.js ecosystem. @nestjs/core, while performant, may have slightly more overhead due to its feature-rich nature and dependency injection system.

Scalability

@nestjs/core is designed with scalability in mind, offering features like modules, dependency injection, and built-in support for microservices architecture. It provides a solid foundation for building large-scale applications. Fastify, being lightweight and performant, is also scalable and can handle high loads efficiently.

Developer Experience

@nestjs/core provides a more structured and opinionated development experience. It enforces certain design patterns and best practices, which can be beneficial for large teams and complex projects. Fastify, being more minimalistic, offers more flexibility and freedom in how you structure your application, which can be appealing for smaller projects or developers who prefer more control.

Community and Ecosystem

@nestjs/core has a strong and growing community due to its popularity in the Node.js ecosystem. It has a rich ecosystem of plugins, libraries, and community support. Fastify also has a supportive community and a growing ecosystem of plugins, but it may not be as extensive as NestJS due to its focus on being minimalistic.