As technology advances, selecting the proper frontend and backend tools becomes more critical and confusing. Especially when it comes to backend technologies, multiple choices are available, of which two names are quite famous and in constant comparison – Ruby on Rails vs. Node js.
Both technologies have garnered reviews from the IT fraternity and are well-accepted worldwide. Node.js is more of a runtime environment that helps users convert client-side code to server-side.
This article discusses the pros and cons, the alternatives, and the differences between them to assist in taking the final call. Before we investigate further details, let us glance at their overall characteristics.
What is Ruby on Rails?
Rails is a full-stack framework. It ships with all the tools needed to build amazing web apps on both the front and back end. It compresses the complexity of modern web apps.
Ruby on Rails is often referred to as Rails. It is an MVC and web application framework written in Ruby. It offers default structures for web applications, web servers, and databases. It best uses web standards like XML or JSON for transferring data and HTML and CSS for UI and styling. It has a short, clear, and flexible syntax.
It leverages software engineering patterns, including Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY), Convention over Configuration (COC), etc. It showcases code efficacy and high speed with features such as database table creation and migration, scaffolding of views, etc. Rails is known for database-related MVC web applications, data computing, routine management, etc.
What is Node js?
Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine.
It is a popular JavaScript framework that writes JS on the client and server sides and greatly helps create scalable network apps. It is event-driven, asynchronous, lightweight, effective, and follows a non-blocking process. The server-side runtime is a real-time JavaScript application that works across operating systems.
Hence, Node.js application development is ideal for applications that require data intensification across different devices. It is single-threaded and can be installed on various platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux. It uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model. It is lightweight and ideal for data-intensive, real-time apps that execute through different devices.
Ruby on Rails vs Node.js: The Pros and Cons
Pros of Ruby on Rails:
Reduced development time
Cost-effective and saves on licensing fees
Extensive community support
Fewer errors with smooth production
Easy to learn for novices
Highly secure, with Rapid Application Development
Abides by standards and regulations
Follows MVC architecture
Active Record pattern
Convention over configuration
Automated deployment to the server
Enriched libraries and gems
Massive infrastructure with inbuilt web server
High-end code quality
Cons of Ruby on Rails:
Not fit for complicated applications
Less flexible and scalable
Slower as compared to others
Lack of a static typing system
Pros of Node.js:
Freedom to code your way
Non-blocking I/O system
Easy to learn for novices
Faster response time with no code re-execution
Writes frontend and backend in JavaScript
Fast engine support with high-speed code
More scalable, easier, and faster development
Knowledge of JavaScript sufficient for the creation of effective apps
Cross-platform compatibility
Connected community support
Smooth JSON support
Extendable to suit project needs
Faster Microservices development
Modular and reusable code
Cons of Node.js:
The constant change in API
Not fit for CPU-intensive tasks
Difficult security issues
There are a few poor-quality packages in the npm repository
Some Node JS alternatives are Python, Deno, Java, ASP .NET Core, Ruby on Rails, Ext JS, AngularJS, Elixir, Perl, Go, Ruby, Rebol, Ceylon, etc.
Organizations Using Ruby on Rails and Node.js
Companies That Use Node.js:
NASA, Twitter, Netflix, eBay, Trello, PayPal, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Walmart, Uber, New York Times, Medium, Hapi, Yahoo!, GoDaddy, Twitter, Citibank, Capital One, etc.
Companies That Use Ruby on Rails:
GitHub, Hulu, Dribble, Basecamp, Airbnb, SlideShare, Couchsurfing, Bloomberg, Fiverr, Shopify, Kickstarter, Zendesk, Groupon, Coinbase, Square, Netguru, Heroku, etc.
Ruby on Rails vs Node js: The Clash of the Backend Tools
Parameters
Ruby on Rails
Node.js
Overview
A Ruby-based development framework is the best fit for developing a complex and extensive application. Offers quick development of web apps and websites with Ruby.
A JavaScript runtime framework best suited for developing fast applications. It offers fast and scalable network applications with Chrome’s JavaScript runtime engine.
Programming Language
Ruby
JavaScript
Use Cases
eCommerce and social networking apps, content management systems, SaaS-based projects, database-driven projects, MVPs, cloud apps with complicated databases, web apps, prototypes
Collaborative tools, data streaming web apps, real-time chat apps, social media apps, single page apps, publishing apps, eLearning platforms, Microservices, IoT-based apps, API development, games
Application Development
Backend application development
Frontend and backend application development
Number of Threads
Multi-threaded, hence more responsive and user-friendly
Single-threaded, hence faster in execution
Type of Framework
Opinionated with less control
Non-opinionated with more control
Development Time
Faster with fewer commands
Slower with more lines of code
Performance
It is slower than Node.js because of the time-consuming garbage collection process.
Faster than Rails because of a conducive environment for smaller tasks
Scalability
It is not as scalable as Nodejs because it requires a lot of resources and cannot easily scale them as needed.
It is more scalable than Rails because of the non-blocking I/O model and clusters with abstractions that can spawn processes with minimal CPUs.
Installation
It needs a lot of generators for installation
Easy to install with some archive files
Learning Curve
Easy to learn but needs knowledge of objects, classes, etc.
It is more accessible to learn, flexible, and understandable
Application Architecture
Developers can use MVC architecture
Developers can use MVC/MVP architecture
Testing Capabilities
Inbuilt testing system and hence simple and effective testing
A lot of third-party libraries and hence help in effective testing
Deployment
Rails are speedy and light, and hence, tasks can be performed in no time
Node.js may take little time for integration and searching modules
CPU Intensive Tasks
It fits CPU-intensive tasks such as data processing, image processing, and RAD – Rapid Application Development.
It will cause a hung of web applications when handling CPU-intensive tasks as it uses a single thread. It will take a long time.
Resource Availability
It is difficult to access good Rails resources as very few have detailed knowledge about RoR.
It is easy to get access to good Node resources as there are many with experience in Node.js.
Ruby on Rails vs Node JS – When to Use What?
You can select RoR when:
There is a need to create full-stack applications, eCommerce/social media platforms with more traffic, content management systems, informational apps
Do you want to implement MVP
You want to create a SaaS platform with multiple APIs
Rapid Application Development is significant
CPU-intensive tasks are a priority
You wish to create a stock exchange platform
You can select Node js when:
There is a need to create web applications for streaming content, single page applications, web apps with data processing competencies
There is a need for real-time apps like messengers, online games, collaborative apps
Performance and scalability are important
There is a need for REST API development
There is the management of hundreds of concurrent requests
Which one is Better? Ruby on Rails or Node js
When you compare Ruby on Rails vs. Node.js, both Node.js and Ruby on Rails are potent frameworks for applications and websites. However, it is a tough call when one must be finalized. Before making the final decision, organizations must consider their project scenario, business models, resource availability, costs, and project deadlines.
The above criteria could be very helpful in deciding on a choice based on the available situations. The choice also depends upon your organization’s strength in terms of years of experience and resources.
Both these technologies – Ruby on Rails and Node.js- have pros and cons to showcase. What matters is the support and proficiency you get from experienced IT partners to carry on your assigned software development tasks.
As a leading Node JS development company, SPEC INDIA makes skilled talents easily accessible to global businesses that want to enhance their marketability and accomplish their objective. We are your one-stop shop for providing enterprise-grade, performant web and mobile solutions.
Our NodeJS developers are apt at exhibiting the best industry and technology standards, offering the finest Node JS application development, be it any project execution methodology. Hire a Node JS developer from SPEC INDIA to acquire maximum potential from the Node.js framework with expertise from years of experience.
Author
SPEC INDIA
SPEC INDIA, as your single stop IT partner has been successfully implementing a bouquet of diverse solutions and services all over the globe, proving its mettle as an ISO 9001:2015 certified IT solutions organization. With efficient project management practices, international standards to comply, flexible engagement models and superior infrastructure, SPEC INDIA is a customer’s delight. Our skilled technical resources are apt at putting thoughts in a perspective by offering value-added reads for all.
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