When starting a new web project, the first question most companies ask themselves is, “which framework should I use?” This can be tough to answer, as there are a lot of great options out there. Perhaps the most popular framework on the web today is Django, a high-level Python framework for building web applications. Other popular frameworks include Laravel.
While Django is an extremely powerful framework that allows for rapid development and scalability. But, it is also relatively difficult to learn and requires expertise to scale. On the other hand, there is Laravel, which is a much easier to learn and scale framework.
Django is built on top of Python, a popular programming language for building web applications. It is the same language used by web giants like Google and Twitter. However, with the rise of dynamic frameworks like Laravel, many developers are turning to PHP instead of Python.
If you keep doing Django vs. Laravel comparisons like this, I am sorry. You won’t be able to decide on the right one for your project. So, what is the right way to determine which framework is better for you, Django vs. Laravel?
Therefore this post is!
Let’s understand what Django and Laravel are and when you should use which framework.
What Is Django?
Django is a Python-based open-source web development framework. Django Software Foundation developed the framework in 2005 and has maintained it ever since. Using this high-level framework, you can develop better web apps quickly with fewer codes. 3-clause BSD licensed, Django has a readable syntax and encourages clean and rational designs, leading to saving time and effort.
Being lightweight and flexible, Django is good to use for both development and testing. Speaking of its architecture, it is based on the Model-View-Template (MVT) architecture, a software design pattern to design apps aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.
Django is highly adaptable to various project types regardless of the industry and also offers several ready-to-use feature packages. Hence, it is an excellent choice for building complex applications. The Python framework also allows the development of products related to data science, AI and ML, and other latest scientific uses.
Noteworthy Features of Django
Open-source:
Since the framework is free to use, you can download and install it from the official website to use however you want to create your web application. This way, Django reduces the development cost and enhances convenience as well.
Plainness:
The simplicity of Django and its clean syntax aims to minimize the complex and database-driven app and website development. Such characteristics of Django make it beginner-friendly, balancing its learning curve. So, new developers do not face trouble grasping and working with Django.
Fast as light:
If you have a short time to get your app live, this framework can be handy for you. Django is designed to help you take your app from idea to market with quick turnaround times.
Highly secure:
Security is at the core of the Django framework. Whether it is SQL injection, cross-site scripting, clickjacking, or any harmful attacks you are afraid of, Django has a safe user authentication system. Such systems provide solid security for user accounts and password management. So, chill!
Scalable:
Django offers robust scalability for modern applications to meet heavy traffic demands.
Featured-rich:
Content administration, RSS feeds, user authentications, site maps, and dozens of extra features of Django can help you handle your web development activities.
Flexible and versatile:
Be it a single-page site, social network, computing system, or any complex application, Django empowers you to build all sorts of software products.
Integrations:
There are 2500+ packages you can plug into your project to extend Django functionality to achieve additional solutions such as registration, CMS, search, API consumption & provision, etc.
What Is Django Used For?
Despite being compatible for financial, eCommerce, healthcare, social media, and other projects, Django is often used to develop:
Customized CRM– customer relationship management systems for internal information as well as B2B CRM solutions that help businesses manage their communications;
High-traffic online shopping stores and booking portals;
Financial software products that can calculate and predict results based on risk tolerance, personal data, etc.
Systems that handle legal issues and sites that enable communication between a company and its customers;
Individual features such as email systems, admin dashboards, algorithm-driven generators, data analysis tools, verification systems, and more.
Who Uses Django?
There is no discrimination in business size. From startups to small and large-scale businesses, all use Django and reap the benefits of its flexibility and rich functionality.
However, to name a few world-known companies that use the Django framework are;
Instagram,
NASA,
Spotify,
Dropbox,
The Washington Post,
Reddit,
Udemy,
Pinterest.
What Is Laravel?
Developed by Taylor Otwell in 2011, Laravel is also an open-source server-side web framework built on top of the widely used PHP language. Laravel is considered the best and most popular framework of all PHP frameworks. It has an MIT license and has an expressive and elegant syntax that makes modern web app development a breeze.
Laravel follows the widely used Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture. Easing common tasks of web projects, the framework aims to simplify and accelerate the development process. In addition to dependency injection, good community, and features for routing, caching, and authentication, Laravel provides a quick development mode.
The framework has very clear and concise documentation that makes it easy to get started, even for new developers. Laravel is free yet powerful, with an ecosystem of robust and useful tools required for large, sophisticated projects. You can find its source code hosted on its dedicated GitHub page.
You can use it to build different types of software applications and sites, from news sites and CMSs to simple networking platforms.
Laravel Features
In the feature comparison, both Django and Laravel have wide-ranging features that make developers’ jobs easy.
Free and open source:
Besides being free to use, the MIT license of Laravel allows you to use its code however you want for your software products. Consequently, the development cost goes straight down.
Expressive and elegant syntax:
Ah! The syntax of Laravel is expressive and sleek, making it developer-friendly. Since you understand everything, it becomes super easy and engaging to develop a variety of software products, avoiding bothering yourself with repetitive things.
Modular packaging:
With the release of Laravel 3’s, they have made Bundles available to use easily in the applications. Besides, Laravel 4 uses Composer, which is a dependency manager for all Laravel-specific and framework-agnostic PHP packages, and you can access it from Packagist.
Artisan CLI:
Artisan is a command-line interface (CLI) in Laravel that incorporates numerous components of Symfony. It helps you manage and build Laravel apps with higher efficiency. Not only that, but it can also handle database migrations, seeding, making boilerplate code, publishing package assets, and a lot more.
Database Query builder:
It offers a convenient and fluent interface for you to create and run database queries and works on all supported database systems. The best part, it does not want you to write dreadful SQL queries directly and also allows you to cache executed query results.
Eloquent ORM:
Eloquent object-relational mapping (ORM) is included by default in Laravel, which facilitates effective database record handling by representing data as objects.
Routing:
To make it more flexible for you to define routes in your web application, Laravel offers Routing that helps you scale the application efficiently, increasing its performance.
Authentication
Every other web application needs a user authentication process. So, Laravel makes it easy to design authentication by offering handy features, e.g., register, forgot password, and send password reminders.
Templating engine:
Laravel uses a lightweight Blade Template engine, allowing you to design hierarchical blocks and layouts using predefined blocks that can include dynamic content.
Schema Builder:
Schema Builder in Laravel maintains schema in PHP code and keeps track of codebase and database layout changes with respect to database migrations to simplify app deployment and updates.
Besides all these, Laravel has many advanced features, such as unit testing, automatic pagination, Configuration management, a Composer that contains all dependencies and libraries, and a whooping ecosystem of Laravel tools & packages.
What Is Laravel Used For?
With all those out-of-the-box features, Laravel can surely make your web development a creative experience. But let us see what Laravel can create the best with its powerful and robust tools.
- Large and scalable applications;
- Custom web applications;
- Customized Enterprise Application;
- Fully-featured CMS platforms and blog sites;
- Social networking platforms
- SaaS products;
- eCommerce web apps;
- Static and dynamic web pages;
- Forums, news, job portals, and other web portals.
Who Uses Laravel?
New and famous, small and large, businesses from various industry verticals that use Laravel include:
Toyota Hall of Fame,
BBC,
Lenovo,
Wikipedia,
FedEx,
Laracasts,
Asgard CMS,
9GAG.
Ready to make a choice?
After this thorough one-by-one exploration of the most popular frameworks, Django and Laravel, you must be clear about their powers now. So, it is time you reflect upon your web project requirements and analyze which framework best fits your needs. Yeah, it is that simple.
But still, if you are like me, who cannot easily decide unless you see proof, you must consult with an experienced Laravel app developers or Dnjago company.
I have heard that many companies offer the first consultation for free. I think you should seize this chance.