Node.js vs Ruby on Rails: Which is a Better Web Development Framework?

Node.js is an open-source JavaScript runtime environment introduced in 2009, based on the Chrome V8 Engine. The web scripting language was written in JavaScript and C++. Programmers use Node.js for both client-side and server-side scripting.

One of the key characteristics of Node.js is the Node Package Manager (NPM), which consists of open-source libraries. These libraries are extensive, consisting of security and computing resources. Popular web applications that use Node.js include Uber and PayPal.

Ruby on Rails is also a website development framework that was created using Ruby in 2004. It is a server-side website development framework with a license owned by MIT. Popular online websites that run on Ruby on Rails include Airbnb and GitHub.

Which is Better: Node.js or Ruby on Rails?

Let's take a look at different areas of web application development where Node.js and Ruby on Rails are preferable.

1. Execution Speed

Node.js wins when it comes to the execution speed of online apps or websites. The apps execute faster than Ruby on Rails since the programming is not synchronized. Moreover, programming-centered events make execution faster. As a result, the programming apps can make optimum use of computer memory and the processor.

Another reason that Node.js is faster than Ruby on Rails is that it can handle more requests. The web programming app is able to manage more server workloads. Websites and online apps using Node.js perform smoothly even when the input/output request on the server is high.

Our team utilizes Node when requirements of an application include needing to manage several processes concurrently, like a chat app or mass notification system.

2. Scalability

Using Node.js is preferable for enterprise web applications. The reason is that Node.js is also better than Ruby on Rails when it comes to the scalability of apps.

Additional Node.js processes can be easily created due to a mix of Node clusters and workers. It allows programmers to easily expand the features of the app as compared to using Ruby on Rails. The workload is limited only be the server processors.

3. CPU Intensive Apps

Node.js is suitable when the server requests are small and frequent. But if the app is resource-intensive, Ruby on Rails is preferable since it can better handle high resource usage.

Ruby on Rails is multi-threaded. It can use multiple processors at the same time. As a result, the web application language will better handle videos and image requests without slowing down the server.

4. Development Time

Ruby on Rails also wins when it comes to development times. The web app development framework consists of an integrated webserver. Moreover, it consists of a large library of scripts and generators. As a result, website development is much easier with Ruby on Rails as compared to Node.js.

Final Verdict

Node.js and Ruby on Rails are similar in that they allow the development of high-performance web applications. The main difference between the two comes down to execution efficiency, scalability, convenience, development time, and resource usage.

For large enterprise apps, Node.js is the recommended web scripting language due to greater scalability and performance efficiency when it comes to handling frequent server requests. The scripting language is also more convenient for programmers since they can use the same web development framework for server and client-side scripting.

Ruby on Rails is recommended if the web app is resource-intensive. Moreover, it is prefereable for rapid web app development and deployment.

We'd also recommend Rails for CRUD-based applications, or applications that are built on a relational database in general - which tends to be a large percentage of the apps we build here at Entrision.