Choosing the Right Node Framework: NestJS vs LoopBack

When it comes to building a backend Node application, selecting the right framework can be overwhelming. Two popular options, NestJS and LoopBack, have gained significant attention in the developer community. In this article, we’ll delve into the features, scalability, and testing capabilities of both frameworks to help you make an informed decision.

What is NestJS?

NestJS is a Node.js framework designed to build efficient, scalable, and enterprise-level server-side applications. It uses progressive JavaScript and has full support for TypeScript. With its architecture heavily inspired by Angular, Nest enables developers to create maintainable, testable, and loosely coupled server-side applications.

What is LoopBack 4?

LoopBack is an innovative Node.js framework that allows software engineers to quickly create APIs and microservices with backend systems. Built on top of Express, LoopBack is highly extensible, has out-of-the-box support for TypeScript, and follows the OpenAPI standard.

Comparing NestJS and LoopBack 4

Both frameworks have their strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a comparison of their popularity, growth, features, scalability, and testing capabilities:

Popularity and Growth

NestJS has gained significant popularity among developers, with over 47k GitHub stars and 5.3k forks. LoopBack, on the other hand, has 4.2k GitHub stars and 947 forks. While both frameworks are growing in interest, NestJS seems to have a stronger following.

Features

• NestJS:
  • Powerful Command Line Interface (CLI)
  • Great documentation
  • Dedicated section for microservice-type applications
• LoopBack:
  • Powerful CLI
  • Support for TypeScript
  • Easy authorization and authentication setup

Scalability

Both frameworks are designed to handle large-scale applications. NestJS’s architecture allows for easy maintenance, high testability, and loose coupling. LoopBack’s use of Express and TypeScript makes it highly scalable and flexible.

Testing

NestJS supports automated testing with SuperTest and Jest, making it easy to set up unit tests and end-to-end tests. LoopBack recommends using Mocha, Sinon.JS, and SuperTest for testing.

Creating a Project

Creating a “Hello World” application in both frameworks is relatively straightforward. NestJS requires installing the CLI and running a few commands, while LoopBack requires installing the CLI toolkit and answering prompts.

npm install -g @nestjs/cli
nest new my-nest-app

npm install -g @loopback/cli
lb4 app my-loopback-app

Testing in NestJS and LoopBack 4

Both frameworks make testing easy. NestJS provides default tooling and automatically scaffolds unit tests and end-to-end tests. LoopBack’s automated test suite helps speed up development and prevent regressions.

// Example unit test in NestJS
import { Test, TestingModule } from '@nestjs/testing';
import { MyController } from './my.controller';

describe('MyController', () => {
  let controller: MyController;

  beforeEach(async () => {
    const module: TestingModule = await Test.createTestingModule({
      controllers: [MyController],
    }).compile();

    controller = module.get(MyController);
  });

  it('should be defined', () => {
    expect(controller).toBeDefined();
  });
});

// Example unit test in LoopBack 4
const { given } = require('loopback-testing');
const { MyController } = require('../../../controllers');

describe('MyController', () => {
  it('should be defined', () => {
    given(MyController).exists();
  });
});

Is NestJS or LoopBack 4 the Better Framework?

Ultimately, the choice between NestJS and LoopBack depends on your project’s requirements and your team’s preferences. Both frameworks have their strengths and weaknesses, but both are capable of building fast, scalable, and maintainable web applications.

While both frameworks are excellent choices, NestJS seems to have a stronger following and more comprehensive features. However, LoopBack’s flexibility and scalability make it a great option for certain projects.

Learn more about NestJS Learn more about LoopBack 4