Best Backend for React in 2023

Frontend and backend are the two widely used terms in application development. The backend is equally important for a developer as a frontend to a user. This blog will provide complete insight into the best backend for React, which is an open-source JavaScript technology widely used in application development.

When we talk about web development, the two terms that come to mind are clients and servers. A client is a system that requests services through the web, while a server is a machine or a program that provides services to other systems (clients) in its network. Some clients have limited storage capacity, so they have to rely on remote file systems from a server to function. There are file servers, license servers, boot servers, installation servers, and even servers for particular applications. The front end of any application is called client-side rendering, and the back end is called server-side rendering. The backend communicates with the frontend (the layer visible to users), sending and receiving information to be displayed as a web page. Hence a backend is essential to any application as all functionality lies beneath it. You must choose the best backend for React to suit your business requirements and industry needs.

According to StackOverflow, React is the most popular front-end technology.

This JavaScript library is part of the tech stack in multiple projects of different sizes. React is the first choice for application development among mobile app developers. However, there are various queries regarding the best backend for React.  The backend you choose for the React project will significantly impact your development outcomes. That’s why we came up with this article. It covers a list of the best backends for React with their essential features, advantages, and disadvantages. Before covering the list of leading backend technologies used with React, let’s first understand the need to choose the best backend technology compatible with React. 

What is the Need for the Best Backend for React Applications?

Back-end development contains behind-the-scenes activities when performing any action on a website or application. Backend development’s main focus is on the website’s server side. It focuses on databases, scripting, website architecture, etc. For example, You visit a web page and send a content request. The front end of the page is colors, fonts, design, etc. At the same time, the backend part is the content of the article, which is rendered from a server and fetched from a database. 

Hence, the backend power-ups the website’s working on the server side. The programs written by the backend developers are used to communicate the database information to the browser. Talking about React, although React web app interacts with the user dynamically and avoids interruptions of the user experience between successive pages. But by using the backend for React, we can enhance the functionality and scalability of our applications. Along with that, we can highly customize our application. 

Let’s see some of the major use cases where the best backend for React is required:

• When you need to write your web services. For example, services that cater to the certain needs of your app, services that access your database, and services that deliver the exact data in the exact format your app needs.

• When you are required to render a web app on the server side, the completely rendered HTML pages allow search engines to crawl your app’s content.

• When your app requires open socket communication to support real-time events.

There are many good reasons why you need the best backend to use with React apps. If your app needs a backend to achieve its purpose, implement it!

Are you excited to discover the best backend for React?

Without further delay let’s start!

7 Best Backends for React in 2023

Node.js

Node.js is an open-source platform built on Chrome’s JavaScript runtime environment for developing server-side and network applications. It uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model; hence it is perfect for data-intensive real-time applications that run across distributed devices. Furthermore, Node.js is the best backend with React, as you can use it to create microservices and query builders to solve all database queries. 

The combination of React for the front end and Node for the back end is perfect for developing a web application that will handle multiple simultaneous requests. It is also the best technology for creating real-time apps that will process data. Node.js is also a good option for the backend for developing SPAs.

There are various other reasons why Node.js is the best backend for React, such as:

• If you want to develop a universal (isomorphic) program that can run on both the client side and server side using React.

• If you need to create SEO-friendly SPAs that use server-side app rendering.

• When you are using npm code packages to enhance the development of web apps.

• When you need to use React DOM components that are optimized for Node.js.

• When using the same V8 JavaScript engine for client-side and server-side rendering.

Let’s move on to discuss the features, advantages, and disadvantages of Node.js to figure out whether it’s a good choice or not as the best backend for React.

Major Features of Node.js

• Single-threaded– Node.js is highly scalable due to its single-threaded model with event looping. 

• Cross-platform compatibility– It is compatible with multiple platforms such as Unix, Linux, Windows, and mobile platforms.

• Faster code execution– As Node.js uses the V8 JavaScript Runtime motor,  the preparation of requests inside Node.js becomes faster, which makes the runtime motor faster.

• No Buffering − NodeNode is the best backend for React, as Node.js applications output the data in chunks and never buffer any data.

• Fast data streaming- Node.js processes and uploads files simultaneously and thus saves time. This way, it enhances the overall speed of data and video streaming.

Advantages of Node.js

•  High scalability for modern applications
•  Easy to learn and quick to adapt
•  Boost performance and improves app response time
•  Quick caching reduces loading time
• Best for building cross-platform applications                              

Disadvantages of Node.js

• Node.js reduce performance while handling heavy computing tasks
• Due to unstable API; it demands a lot of code change 
• In Node.js it is difficult to maintain code due to its asynchronous programming model
• Lack of library support and experienced Node.js developers

Django

Django is an open-source high-level Python web framework. It offers an extensive collection of modules that can be used in your projects.  Like other frameworks, it saves lots of time and takes care of much of the hassle of web development. Hence you can focus on writing your app without reinventing the wheel.

Django is the best backend for React as it comes with great documentation, a thriving and active community, and many free and paid-for support options. Due to its high scalability, react can often be paired with Django as its backend. Also, Django is perfect for creating both simple projects and complex solutions and can handle large volumes of data and heavy traffic.

Let’s see how you can benefit from this combination- React + Django and figure out if Django is the best backend to use with React.

• With Django creating the backend RESTful API is relatively easier.
• A large dev community supports both Django and React.
• Regardless of the size of the project, Django can be applied to both. 

 Features of Django

• High security– Django covers all the loopholes that might have been mistakenly created by the backend developer while developing web and mobile apps. 

• Versatile in nature– Due to its high versatility, Django helps developers by providing solid coding and allowing it to be used in any application you desire to create.

• High scalability– Django is one of the best backends for React due to its highly scalable nature. The vast number of APIs and functionalities available for Django is the main reason for its high scalability.

• Free flow coding- Django does not add any boilerplate code, poorly written code, or unwanted functions. Hence React applications developed using Django are high in performance and speed making it a good choice as a backend for React.

Advantages of Django

• Better CDN connectivity and content management.

• The Django framework has high functionality, so you don’t require to create anything other than your unique application.

• The MTV architecture of Django makes the entire process of transmitting over the internet faster and easier.

• Django is based on loosely coupled architecture. Thus it provides the functionality to add hardware at any point of components as they will manage that change.

Disadvantages of Django

• It is not a good choice for low-end websites, as  Django’s functionality comes with lots of code which increases processing time.

• It lacks the capability to handle multiple requests simultaneously.

• It relies on the ORM system.

• It makes the web application component tightly coupled.

Express JS

Express.js or Express is a distributed open-source server-side framework. If you desire to use only the JavaScript backend for React, then you can go with Express JS. This framework is a part of MEAN, MERN, and MEVN stacks. Express is modular and lightweight. This framework core contains basic functionality like session and cookie support, routing system, Restful interface, HAML-based views, etc., that can easily be extended by using optional middleware or modules if required. Other than that, it also provides third-party integrations of features and libraries to ease up the customization. Hence we can say that Express JS is the best backend for React.

What we get with React + Express JS

• High flexibility
• High-speed 
• You can get the ability to handle thousands of concurrent connections per second.
• Improved performance through caching or scaling to multiple processes. 
• Express Js is a good choice for a high-load React App. 
• Easy debugging of the application.

Features of Express JS

• Faster Server-Side Development – Express JS provides almost similar functionality and features as Node.js. Hence here also, there is no need to code for several hours, which results in faster server-side development.

• Routing– This framework provides a highly advanced routing mechanism that helps preserve the web page’s state with the help of URLs.

• Templating– It also offers templating engines that enable developers to create dynamic content on the web page by creating HTML templates on the server side.

• Debugging- Express JS provides a debugging mechanism that effectively pinpoints the specific part of the web application with bugs. So, debugging becomes much easier with Express JS making it the best backend for React.

Advantages of Express JS

• One of the top advantages of using Express JS for backend development is that scaling the application becomes easier and quicker.

• The development cost to maintain the app is less.

• Express JS is the best backend to use with React, as this framework has a highly supportive community. Hence you can easily get help whenever you are stuck.

• You can easily integrate several third-party applications and services with Express.js.

Disadvantages of Express JS

• In Express Js, there are various issues with the callbacks.

• The middleware system(plugins) is offered with Express JS, due to which several client request problems are faced.

Ruby on Rails

Ruby on rails is also a good choice and hence included in the list of the best backend for React. It is an open-source software used to create websites using the general-purpose programming language Ruby. This framework catalyzes the process of creating complex sites. It comes out that Ruby’s productivity in Rails is almost twice greater as that of a comparable Java Programmer. Ruby on Rail gives a great fight to Django in terms of features and functionality. 

Let’s see whether it is a good idea to use Ruby on Rail as a backend for React.

React+ Ruby on Rail benefits

• The task of using high-level abstractions such as metaprogramming eases down. 

• RubyGems helps quickly create and share software libraries that extend Ruby. 

• Using Ruby as a backend to create your web application lets you develop features extremely fast. 

 Features of Ruby on Rail

• Automated Testing– Ruby on Rail runs its own set of tests on the code and thus saves effort and time in quality assurance.

• Libraries- Ruby on Rail comes with vast libraries of tools and enables Ruby on Rail developers to pick the required tool to produce high-quality products.

• Scaffolding- This feature makes Ruby on Rails the best backend for React, as developers can define the function of the application database. After that, this framework automatically generates the required code.

• Convention over configuration- This framework helps develop the corresponding advanced components by simply sensing conventional elements.

Advantages of Ruby on Rail

• The built-in mechanisms of Ruby on Rail guarantee the resistance of your web and app to common vulnerabilities.

• This framework is famous for its intuitive, compact, and easy-to-understand syntax.

• It provides high development speed, one of the main reasons why it is the best backend for React and the first choice for start-ups. Microsoft developed it. Moreover, it is one of the leading web frameworks and the best backend with React.

• It comes with huge community support.

Disadvantages of Ruby on Rail

• Talking about basic tasks and features, Ruby on Rail lacks flexibility.
• While working on a massive project, the boot time of the framework is quite long.
• According to Google trends statistics, Ruby on Rail’s popularity has declined in the last couple of years.

ASP.Net Core

ASP.Net Core is a free and open-source web development framework for building web apps on the .NET platforms. It was developed by Microsoft and is one of the best backends for React. ASP.NET Core apps can run on full .NET Framework. Also, it comprises modular components with minimal overhead, providing high flexibility to applications. The ASP.NET Core apps can run on Windows, Linux, and Max. It is open-source at GitHub. ASP.NET Core is an excellent option for building the backend of a SPA (Single Page Application).

Features of ASP.Net Core

• Asynchronous programming- This framework supports utilizing asynchronous programming patterns. ASP.Net core is faster due to its extensive use of asynchronous patterns within the new MVC and Kestrel framework.

• Multiple environment and development mode– It is one of the best features of this framework. It enables developers to distinguish parts of your code for their behaviour in staging, development, production, etc.  

• Action Filter- ASP.Net Core provides great support for extensible filters. Developers consider ASP.Net the best backend for React to implement filter functions that can be applied to an entire controller or action without modifying the action.

• Globalization and Localization– With ASP. Net Core framework, it is easier to localize numbers, dates, and text within your web application. Localization is critical if you want your application to be used globally. 

Advantages of ASP.Net Core

• ASP.Net Core is scalable, faster, and designed to work with today’s modern libraries and languages.

• It supports WPF and Windows Forms which results in developers can build modern Windows client applications.

• This framework can work on multiple platforms, such as Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems.

• ASP.Net Core is the best backend with React if you want to use several versions of .NET in the same project side by side.

Disadvantages of ASP.Net Core

• ASP.Net Core lacks some of the basic security features that other frameworks offer.

• The ASP.Net Core framework tends to follow the Windows form, which is too similar and can end up in a few awkward moments while developing your applications.

Firebase

Google developed Firebase for developing web and mobile applications. Earlier it was an independent company founded in 2011, but in 2014 Google acquired the platform. Firebase is one of the simplest and best backends for React that developers can use. You need to add Firebase to your JavaScript project page, and you are ready to go. This platform is known mainly for its real-time database, a multi-node, key-value database optimized for synchronizing data between user machines (smartphones), and centralized storage in the cloud. The best part of Firebase is that it eases down the work of developers by handling much of the pushing and pulling of data. Let’s see the main features of Firebase.

 Features of Firebase

• Integration- Firebase can be easily integrated with other services like Big Query, Firebase Notification, CrashReporting, and Google Tag Manager.

• Cloud Messaging– This platform allows us to deliver and receive messages more effectively across platforms.

• Unlimited Reporting- This platform allows for reporting of 500 distinct events.

• Audience Segmentation– We can define custom events or user properties and audiences in the Firebase console based on-device data. Later on, this audience can be used with other Firebase attributes while targeting new features putting Firebase in the list of the best backend to use with React. 

Advantages of Firebase

• File storage backed by Google cloud storage

•  Built-in security at the data node level

• Consider data as a stream to develop highly scalable applications

• Ready-made API

• It can store and sync app data in real time.      

Disadvantages of Firebase

•  Due to Firebase’s data stream model, there are limited query abilities.

• SQL chops will not transfer as traditional relational data models do not apply to NoSQL.

• Less support for iOS

Heroku

Heroku is a cloud PaaS ( Platform as a service) supporting several programming languages. Earlier it supported only the Ruby programming language; now, it can be used with Node.js, Scala, Python, and so on. It is also one of the best backends for React. Heroku helps businesses create and manage high-performance applications. This platform is known for running apps in dynos (malleable building blocks for running apps). If you want to run a more complex task or else want to process more data, you have to add more blocks( scaling horizontally) or increase the size of blocks( scaling vertically). Heroku charges monthly based on the number of dynos you have and the size of each dyno. Businesses can easily install Heroku and use it as backend support for React Apps. Hence Heroku rightly comes under the category of the best backend for React.

Features of Heroku

• Heroku Runtime –  This platform runs apps through its containers, also known as Dyno. It supports various popularly used programming languages and comes with a fully-managed runtime environment.

• Security and Compliance –Its Security and Compliance provide several features such as authentication, SSL, and compliance for PCI, HIPAA, GDPR, SOC, and other standards.  

• Heroku OPEX –Heroku OpEx allows users to precisely identify and solve application issues.

• Heroku Private Spaces –  Heroku is the best backend to use with React as it offers features for developing apps with high compliance requirements. These can be accessed via Shield Private Space SKU.

Advantages of Heroku

• It supports all types of programming languages.

• It is easy to use and set up and comes with many functionalities.

• Using this platform you can say goodbye to Server Load Balancing, Resource Allocation, or Syncing Files Between Servers.

• It is a good value-for-money product.

• It includes an email, reverse proxy cache, database, and even the functionality to run background jobs.

Disadvantages of Heroku

• It lacks proper documentation.

• It provides a read-only file system, which makes it quite difficult to handle bulky file uploads, for example, videos or high-resolution images. 

• If you opt for this platform, you have to run virtually anything on the platform and even scale up easily. It means you have to sacrifice control over the application configuration and deployment.        

Conclusion

We know that React is one of the prominent front-end frameworks for application development. But if you are looking for an app that caters to the specific needs of users, you need a backend with React. It’s not wrong to say with the backend, you can add tons of desired functionality to your application. We have covered the top 7 best backends for React in this blog. Each comes with some pros and cons. Which one to choose? This decision depends entirely on your project requirement. If you still need any help, hire a dedicated React JS developer!

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