Express.js has been a popular choice for a long time, but now there's a new player on the scene - Hono.js.Both frameworks offer robust features, but which one is the better choice?

In this blog post, we will compare Express.js and Hono.js to help you choose the best framework for your project. We will explore their key differences and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

Evaluating Express.js

Express.js stands out with its simple API and strong middleware support, empowering developers to rapidly create web servers and APIs.

Here's a basic example of setting up a server using Express:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const PORT = 3000;

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello, Express!');
});

app.listen(PORT, () => {
  console.log(`Express server running on port ${PORT}`);
});

However, Express has been criticized for not fully adopting newer web standards like HTTP/2 and HTTP/3. Instead, it often relies on reverse proxies to handle features such as TLS termination and newer protocols. This approach can potentially impact the performance and scalability of high-demand applications.

Exploring Hono.js

Hono.js is a highly recommended alternative to Express, particularly in edge computing environments such as Cloudflare Workers and AWS Lambda. It has been specifically designed to adhere to modern web standards, offering native support for HTTP/2. This native support greatly improves performance, making Hono.js an excellent choice for developers seeking optimal efficiency.

Here’s how you can set up a basic Hono.js application:

import { createApp, Router } from 'hono';

const app = createApp();
const router = new Router();

router.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello, Hono!');
});

app.use(router.routes());

export default app;

Advantages of Hono.js

1. Native HTTP2 Support: Hono.js natively supports HTTP2, improving performance and enabling efficient data transfer in modern web applications.
2. Edge Computing Optimized: Designed for edge computing environments like Cloudflare Workers and AWS Lambda, Hono.js enhances scalability and responsiveness.
3. Versatile Deployment: Hono.js can run on various JavaScript runtimes, including Node.js, Deno, and serverless environments, providing flexibility in deployment options.
4. Modern Features: Introduces features like JSX support for integrated frontend-backend development and streamlined code management.
5. Enhanced Security: Built-in validation and middleware optimizations improve application security and reliability, crucial for protecting against vulnerabilities.
6. Community and Support: While newer than Express, Hono.js is supported by an active community and comprehensive documentation, facilitating easier adoption and learning.
7. Super fast: Hono.js delivers exceptional performance due to its streamlined architecture and efficient routing methods. Expect super-quick page rendering and instant interactivity, perfect for edge computing, serverless functions, and speed-critical apps. For developers seeking blazing-fast performance, Hono.js stands out as the top choice.

Routing

Hono.js provides efficient routing capabilities through its Router module, crucial for managing API endpoints and delivering dynamic content.

import { createApp, Router } from 'hono';

const app = createApp();
const router = new Router();

router.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello, Hono!');
});

app.use(router.routes());

export default app;

Streaming

Streaming support in Hono.js ensures efficient data transfer, benefiting real-time applications and large-scale data processing scenarios.

Middleware

While Express.js offers extensive middleware support, Hono.js optimizes middleware execution for faster request handling and improved performance.

app.use(async (c, next) => {
  const start = Date.now()
  await next()
  const end = Date.now()
  c.res.headers.set('X-Response-Time', `${end - start}`)
})

JSX

Hono.js introduces JSX support, allowing developers to seamlessly integrate frontend components directly within their backend applications, enhancing code maintainability and developer productivity.

app.get('/', (c) => {
  const numbers = ['one', 'two', 'three']

  return c.html(
    
      
        
      
      
        
test
        {numbers.map((num) => (
          
{num}
        ))}
      
    
  )
})

Testing

Hono.js simplifies testing with robust tooling and comprehensive documentation, ensuring reliable code validation throughout the development lifecycle.

import { createApp } from 'hono';
import { test } from 'hono-testing';

const app = createApp();

test('POST /posts', async () => {
  const res = await app.request('/posts', {
    method: 'POST',
  })
  expect(res.status).toBe(201)
  expect(res.headers.get('X-Custom')).toBe('Thank you')
  expect(await res.json()).toEqual({
    message: 'Created',
  })
})

Validation

Built-in validation mechanisms in Hono.js enhance data integrity and security, critical for maintaining application reliability and protecting against potential vulnerabilities.

import { createApp, validate } from 'hono';

const app = createApp();

app.post(
  '/posts/:id',
  validator('param', ...),
  validator('query', ...),
  validator('json', ...),
  (c) => {
    //...
  }
 
 

Hono.js Takes the Lead (80% to 20%)

Hono.js stands out among frameworks for its exceptional qualities, making it an ideal choice for modern web development projects.

With its remarkable speed, platform agnosticism, edge computing capabilities, efficiency, and developer-friendly nature, Hono.js enables the creation of high-performance, scalable, and future-proof applications.

If your priorities include performance, flexibility, and a seamless development experience, Hono.js is the framework for you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Express.js and Hono.js serve different needs. Express.js, with its extensive ecosystem and support for middleware, is well-suited for many applications. However, developers may want to consider Hono.js, due to its limitations in modern web standards and performance.

Hono.js, focused on performance and modern standards, provides a strong alternative for developers optimizing for edge computing. With native HTTP2 support and enhanced routing, streaming, and validation, Hono.js enables efficient, scalable backend solutions for today's web development.

As web development evolves, frameworks like Hono.js showcase innovation and efficiency, pushing the future of backend development towards better performance, security, and compliance with modern web standards. Whether you choose Express.js for its familiarity and ecosystem or explore Hono.js for its performance and advanced features, developers have various options to meet their specific project needs and goals.

Ready to Experience the Hono.js Revolution?

Join the growing community and be part of the future of web development!