Everyone loves Python and its amazing frameworks. Among the set of many Python frameworks, Flask and Django are the biggest talks of the town. Unsurprisingly, everybody is now curious about how Flask & Django are different and how to choose between them.
If you, too, are deciding on which one to use for your next web application development project, honestly, you will hardly go wrong with either framework. Both are extensible, mature web frameworks, which offer similar functionality in handling requests and serving up documents.
However, both differ in their scope of responsibilities. While one is a full-stack framework, another is a power-packed micro-framework catering to the needs of modern web development solutions.
When there is such immense competition amongst the Python development world’s two biggies, confusion is inevitable. So let’s clear the clutter of Flask vs Django starting from the very basics to set you on the right track of web development.
What is Flask and Django?
Flask and Django are both open-source Python-based web development frameworks designed to ease code complexity for developers. While Django is a full-stack framework, Flask is famous as a micro-framework that is light-weight but extensible.
What is Flask?
Initially launched in 2010 by Armin Ronacher, Flask is known as a micro-framework as it has little or no dependencies on external libraries. Using it, developers have the flexibility of choosing design patterns, tools, and databases. Thus, flexibility is the main feature of this python framework.
Since the web development industry is now leaning more towards micro-services and server-less platforms, Flask’s popularity is continuously rising. It is widely used for building scalable web applications effortlessly. All thanks to its unique features.
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Features of Flask
- Built-in development server and a fast debugger
- High scalability as it is a component-based framework
- It uses Jinja2 templates and is WSGI 1.0 compliant.
- RESTful request dispatching
- ORM-agnostic and highly flexible
- HTTP request handling functionality
- Provides support for unit testing
- Easy to deploy in production
What is Django?
Launched in 2005, Django is a full-stack framework designed with the primary goal of making the development of complex database-driven websites easy. It facilitates secure and faster development by freeing developers from performing repetitive web development tasks. With many excellent features, it enables developers to create robust and high-performing applications.
Another USP of the Django framework is that it is an easy-to-scale and secure web framework, so it is perfect for developing enterprise-level applications. Supporting multiple formats (like XML, HTML, JSON, etc.), Django lets developers focus on developing the web apps’ business logic and eliminates the need to create apps from scratch.
Features of Django
- A batteries-included framework
- Allows rapid development
- Easy to scale and extend
- Highly secure and versatile
- Supports multiple databases
- Provides support for many front-end tools
- Large and helpful Community
What is the Difference Between Flask and Django?
While Flask and Django are both Python frameworks suitable for developing web apps that are high performing and easy to scale, they are very different from each other. However, the goal of comparing them shouldn’t be to declare which is better.
Both frameworks are suitable for rapid app development but vary in their use cases. So, the goal of their head-to-head comparison should be to analyze the key points that will let you make an informed decision, depending on your business requirements.
So, let’s deep dive and analyze the differences between Django and Flask:
| GitHub Stars | 55.6 k | 53.9 k |
| Architecture | It follows an MVT architecture, which is split up into three parts, model, view, and template. | It is a minimalistic framework that provides developers flexibility on application structuring. |
| Development Speed | Django lets you build apps fast. However, it is slower than Flask. | Due to fewer abstraction layers, Flask is faster than Django. |
| Flexibility | It is a full-stack framework with almost everything built-in — a batteries-included approach. | It is a microframework with minimalistic features that let developers integrate any plugins and libraries. |
| Maturity | Launched in 2005, it is a very mature framework with extensive community support. | Launched in 2010, Flask is a younger framework but has a large community. |
| Security | It ensures security and provides protection against security breaches such as SQL injection and clickjacking. | Flask requires the integration of many third-party tools, which could increase security challenges. |
| API Support | Django doesn’t support APIs. | It provides support for APIs. |
| Working Style | Django is a monolithic framework. | Flask provides a diversified working style. |
| Testing Support | It provides a number of tools to test all layers of an application. | Flask also provides integrated testing support to build bug-free applications. |
| Scalability | It is a perfect solution for apps that need to scale. | Flask is also highly scalable but has its limits in some cases. |
| Use Cases | Web apps with Machine Learning Data-driven web apps Web applications with ORM support | MVPs or small-scale projects When integrating existing complex backend system Static web apps with RESTful web services |
| Apps Using These Frameworks | Spotify, Instagram, Dropbox | Uber, Netflix, Pinterest |
Which is Better – Flask or Django?
Selecting the right framework for developing your website is as important as deciding on your app features, programming language, and budget. Making an informed decision will help you limit your development cost and scale as your app grows.
So, let’s compare Flask and Django against several factors to find the right web development framework for your web application.
Flask vs Django: Development Speed and Performance
Django comes with a tagline–The web framework for perfectionists with deadlines. To achieve narrow deadlines, it is important to build web applications quickly and efficiently. And web development with Django is rapid and effortless.
The Django official website quotes, “Django was designed to help developers take applications from concept to completion as quickly as possible.” Django’s ability to deliver quick outcomes makes it an ideal solution for building large applications.
Flask framework, on the other hand, comes with a slogan–Web development, one drop at a time. Moreover, the Flask official website claims it to be a “microframework for Python based on Werkzeug, Jinja 2 and good intentions.” With ‘microframework’, it means that Flask aims to be as simple as possible yet still extensible.
Its simplicity, flexibility, and lightweight paves the way for developers to build smaller apps in short timeframes.
Another reason why Python’s Flask performance is better than Django in terms of speed is that one can write 10k lines of code with Flask for something that would take 24k lines in Django. Thus, in the Flask vs Django performance battle, Flask outsmarts Django depending upon the project requirements.
Flask vs Django: Development Flexibility
If you ask why use Django over Flask, here is your answer: Flask is everything you need and nothing you don’t.
As aforesaid, Flask is popular for bringing minimalism and simplicity to work. Flask comes with no restrictions, thus allowing a developer to build a robust application with the liberty to use everything they deem fit– a vast array of external libraries and add-ons.
Flask, in its documentation foreword, says that “Flask won’t make many decisions for you, such as what database to use. Those decisions that it does make, such as what templating engine to use, are easy to change. Everything else is up to you so that Flask can be everything you need and nothing you don’t.”
Django, on the flip side, is dispatched with its own set of modules and built-in features, thus shackling the liberty to experiment and control. The batteries included in Django allow developers to build a variety of web applications without using any of the third-party tools and libraries.
Flask vs Django: Scalability
If you want to develop a highly scalable web application, Django is the best option for you as it provides complete scalability options. It is a component-based framework that follows the “Don’t repeat anything” principle.
Each layer of the app is independent of the other, meaning that you can scale the app at any level. Additionally, it uses load balancing and clustering for running the app across various servers. Thus, you can scale your web app in Django effortlessly while maintaining flawless performance and loading times.
Flask is also highly scalable as it can process a high number of requests each day. This micro-framework modularize the entire code and let developers work on independent chunks and use them as the code base grows. However, as compared to Django, Flask’s scalability is limited. For example, it can’t scale when servers support global as well as local proxies.
Flask vs Django: Community Support
Django was initially released close to 1.5 decades ago, in 2005. Today, it enjoys a large community of active developers who have come up with a variety of plugins, extensions, and third-party applications to cater to the rising web development needs. At present, Django has evolved into a mature platform, which leverages the benefits of a knowledgeable community.
At times writing this article, Django has 55.6k stars, 2.3k watchers, and has been forked 23.9k times.
On the other hand, Flask was released close to a decade ago, in 2010. It is a relatively young tool but still boasts a large community. Thus, it might lead to a lot of support in case you get stuck with something.
Presently, Flask has 53.9k stars and 2.3k watchers onGitHub. It’s been forked 14.1k times.
Based upon the above-mentioned statistics, no doubt, in Django vs Flask popularity, Django is a little above Flask in the case of stars and watchers. However, both frameworks are almost neck to neck. Thus, considering the community as a parameter, you can avail the benefits of huge support for both frameworks.
Flask vs Django: Admin Site
Django comes with an admin system that paves the way for you to quickly create an internal tool for managing the data from your data models. It runs on ORM (Object Relational Mapper) database system and directory structure. In the case of Django, multiple projects have the same directory structure. Thus, developers feel that it is an all-inclusive experience.
When looking for a web app to launch quickly, the Django Admin is considered an easy way to provide a simple interface for managing application data. With just a few lines of code, you can come up with an app whose look and feel of admin can be customized as per your preference.
On the other hand, Flask does not come packaged with any sort of admin interface. If you want to have an admin system or use an ORM, you’ll need to install custom modules. The extension Flask-Admin provides something that allows developers to have the same experience as with Django. But as compared to Django, it is a little more complex to set up in the case of Flask as you have to integrate it with whatever authentication scheme you implement.
Now before we reach the conclusion of the discussion between Python framework Django vs Flask, let’s discuss their use cases:
When to Use Flask?
Here are some of the use cases of Flask:
- When you want to build everything from scratch and want no dependencies, Flask Python framework works best as it is highly flexible. You can use it to develop robust microservices.
- When you want to build static websites, rapid prototypes, MVPs, RESTful web services, Flask is your best bet.
- Use Flask when you want to develop apps with serverless computing or using ingenious SQL queries. You will have granular level control on everything.
When to Use Django?
Here are some of the use cases of Django:
- Use Django when planning to build robust APIs with the REST framework or dynamic social networking websites.
- It is best when you want to build enterprise-level, data-driven applications with advanced personalization features.
- When you want to build web apps with ORM support, API backends and have plans to integrate high-end technologies like Machine Learning in the future.
As mentioned earlier, your choice between Python Flask vs Django depends completely on the particular business context of your company. You can even use both of them together depending on your business needs. For large enterprise-level apps, using Flask with Django is sometimes the best approach – combining the smaller components from Flask and Admin Panel from Django.
Now that you know what works best in different situations, find out the problems your web app should address and select the right framework for yourself. Or, consider hiring a proficient tech partner to help you decide the same.
EMR’s Successful Development Journey with Net Solutions
One of our clients, EMR, wanted to develop a bespoke decision support engine that empowers the healthcare staff to easily and quickly write, change, and test rules that facilitate patient data.
The aim was to give control to the admin of the platform to let the staff choose what criteria they want to feed into the system without any dependency on the technology team to write a code every time.
Based on the requirements finalized, the technology panel of Net Solutions decided to use Django Framework for the back end.
Flask vs Django: Which One to Choose?
In a nutshell, both Flask and Django are popular open-source Python web frameworks. Django is a powerful full-stack framework, whereas Flask is a micro and lightweight framework. There are no set of rules as to what one should use. However, choosing a framework because you used it on your latest project or are more familiar with it is definitely not the way to go forward.
It is important to evaluate which framework is the best fit for your desired outcomes before embarking upon a new software product development project. Know your requirements and choose the framework intelligently as per your requirements.
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FAQs
Flask vs Django in 2023: Which Framework to Choose and When? ›
Flask vs Django: Which One to Choose? In a nutshell, both Flask and Django are popular open-source Python web frameworks. Django is a powerful full-stack framework, whereas Flask is a micro and lightweight framework. There are no set of rules as to what one should use.
When to choose Django vs Flask? ›Flask provides complete control and is ideal for small projects that require experimentation. Django is a complex framework that requires extensive knowledge, but it is one of the best for developing sophisticated applications.
Is Django still relevant 2023? ›Django framework is undoubtedly a great choice for 2023 and will surely give a lot of satisfaction to all those who want to develop projects. After years of experience, we can say with confidence that Django is the best framework for web development today.
What is the difference between Django and Flask Why should we choose Flask? ›Key Difference between Flask and Django
Flask provides support for API, while Django doesn't have any support for API. Flask does not support dynamic HTML pages, and Django offers dynamic HTML pages. Flask is a Python web framework built for rapid development, whereas Django is built for easy and simple projects.
Most people find Flask easier to learn than Django as it offers greater flexibility and a less rigid working style. But while Django has a steeper learning curve, it can pay off if you build secure and scalable web apps that will grow in complexity.
Do companies prefer Flask or Django? ›Jobs. If you're looking for a job as a Python web developer, Django is the better choice. There are almost twice as many listings for Django developers as for Flask on major job boards such as Indeed.com. However, this disparity is likely due to the fact that Django is a much more specific choice than Flask.
Should I learn Flask or Django first? ›Regardless of whether your end goal is to learn Flask or Django, start with Flask. It's a great tool for learning web development fundamentals and best practices along with the core pieces of a web framework that are common to almost all frameworks. Flask is lighter and much more explicit than Django.
How many days it will take to learn Flask Python? ›Learning Flask will take 1 - 1.5 weeks.
Does Netflix use Flask? ›Netflix is built on Flask, a web application micro-framework of python. It uses RESTful APIs to process alerts.
Is Django worth learning 2023? ›It is free and open-source, and has a large and active community of developers. There are several reasons why you might want to learn Django in 2023: 1)Django is a powerful web framework that makes it easy to build complex, database-backed web applications quickly.
Is Django already a dying technology? ›
No, Django is a Python web framework, so knowledge of Python is necessary in order to use it. The framework is built using Python, and the syntax and concepts used in Django are specific to the language. Without knowledge of Python, it would be difficult to understand and use the framework effectively.
What will replace Django? ›These are more productive web frameworks that can be used for a more performative and flexible website. Node. JS, Laravel, React are some non-Python frameworks that are also good alternatives for Django if you are comfortable with other programming languages.
Can Flask replace Django? ›The extension Flask-Admin provides something that allows developers to have the same experience as with Django. But as compared to Django, it is a little more complex to set up in the case of Flask as you have to integrate it with whatever authentication scheme you implement.
What is the benefit of Django over Flask? ›Django usually enables developers to build an MVP in less time than Flask. While you can also develop an MVP in Flask quickly, there's a clear difference when frontend comes into play. In Django, you can add the frontend quicker to get feedback on it faster. Plus, you can then add JavaScript frameworks to Django.
Is Flask more difficult than Django? ›In sum, usually, Flask is easier to learn than Django. Ideally, in the long run, it might be more beneficial to learn both frameworks to make the most out of their advantages and easily overcome their gaps.
Is Django enough for a job? ›Yes. People have been using Django development to earn a living. So, if you intend to find a job as a Python Web Developer, the recommendation is to choose Django. The explosion of machine learning and 'Big Data' led to Python developers becoming even more popular.
Is Flask outdated? ›Is Flask Outdated? Flask has been updated 27 times since 2010 and many flask extensions are outdated, also the documentation is out of date and no more extensions are being made. Is Flask worth learning in 2022?
Is Django good for future? ›It takes care of a lot of the work that goes into making apps for the web so that you can work on the core coding of your app. Django Training in Delhi can be a part of your life if u want. A web developer or web designer who wants to be one of them should know about all the new frameworks out there now.
Is Django in demand or not? ›Naturally, the demand for Django Developers and Python Developers (with Django skills) remains at an all-time high. Companies look for candidates who've had hands-on Django training and possess a good grip on Python. They usually incline towards candidates who are well-versed in Django, AngularJS, and Spark/Big Data.
What is the easiest Python framework? ›What is the easiest Python web framework? Bottle is a Python framework that's easiest to start for beginners. It is because Bottle implements everything in a single source file and has no dependencies besides the Python standard library.
Is 1 month enough to learn Django? ›
Django is a high-level Python web framework used to build websites and web applications rapidly and securely. Web Developers, Python Developers, and Data Scientists use Django. It takes the average learner between one to four weeks to learn Django.
Can I learn both Django and Flask? ›Django is complicated and requires vast knowledge but it stands out as one of the best frameworks for building sophisticated applications. You could begin your learning in frameworks with Flask but upskill yourself in intricate tools and development with Django. Both of them are necessary skills for any web developer.
Which database is best for Flask? ›Flask can use SQLite and MySQL as a backend database. We recommend that you use SQLAlchemy as ORM with these relational databases.
Is Flask beginner friendly? ›It's a simple, powerful, and beginner-friendly ORM that can make your journey as a Flask developer easier and more enjoyable.
Is it hard to learn Django after Flask? ›Because Django is a high-level web framework, it has more learning difficulty when compared to Flask. This means beginner developers will find exploring Flask to be a more straightforward option than learning Django. Flask is a micro web framework for Python. The web framework, Flask, is easy to learn.
When should I start learning Flask? ›Once you have got a hold of Python, you start exploring Flask for building professional REST APIs with Python. You will learn about different Flask extensions like Flask-RESTful and Flask-SQLAlchemy and others to create a web application with very little code.
Does Uber use Flask? ›Uber's Marketplace team has also used Flask to control optimization and balancing of dynamic pricing, supply positioning, intelligent matching, and health.
Is Flask good for production? ›While lightweight and easy to use, Flask's built-in server is not suitable for production as it doesn't scale well.
Does anyone use Flask? ›This makes it an ideal choice for large-scale enterprise application development. Because of this, there are lots of big companies that use Flask. For example, the development team at popular companies like Netflix, Lyft, and Reddit all use Flask as backend development for their mobile and web applications.
How much time will I require to learn Django? ›As with any skill, learning how to master Django takes time and practice. If you already know Python and are familiar with technical concepts like terminology authentication, URL routing and API, you may be able to learn all you need to use Django in as little as two to three weeks.
Should I learn HTML and CSS before Django? ›
HTML & CSS
Before learning Django, you must know the basics of Python coding. Gaining a thorough understanding of another coding language can make learning Python much easier. Two solid programming languages to start with are HTML and CSS.
Instagram, one of our favourite social media platform still works on a Monolithic Python's Django codebase..!
Does Google use Django? ›Django apps that run on Google Cloud are running on the same infrastructure that powers all of Google's products, which generally improves the application's ability to adapt to a variable workload.
Will FastAPI beat Django? ›FastAPI is way faster than Django and is one of the fastest web frameworks for Python. The only faster frameworks are Starlette and Uvicorn (fun fact - FastAPI is built on Uvicorn). It used to be challenging, but since Python 3.4 Async I/O was added, FastAPI allows out-of-the-box concurrency.
Is FastAPI going to replace Django? ›it is not going anywhere soon and it shouldn't. But at the same time FastAPI is a great new framework and it is doing some stuff much better than most other frameworks are. so it is worth keeping your eyes on.
Can FastAPI replace Django? ›In conclusion, Django is perfect if you want to build robust full-stack web applications because it has several functionalities and works very well in production. On the other hand FastAPI is perfect if you're looking for high performance or scalable applications.
Which framework is easy to learn Django or Flask? ›Flask is easier to learn than Django especially for newer users because Flask is a simpler framework and therefore has fewer abstraction layers. For long-term experience, it's beneficial to learn both frameworks and make the most out of their advantages.
Which frontend is best with Django? ›- React. js. ...
- Angular. Want to build a website using angular? ...
- Bootstrap. It is a popular HTML, CSS, and Javascript framework for developing a mobile-friendly website. ...
- jQuery. This is another JavaScript library that is lightweight. ...
- Ember.js. ...
- Vue.js.
According to Glassdoor, the average Django developer salary in the United States of America is around $118,718 per year. This can range from $78k/yr on the low end to $184k/yr on the high end.
Is Django enough for full-stack? ›Most Django developers therefore fall into the back-end camp of the full-stack spectrum. They control the database and logic of a site and often, in companies, rely on a separate front-end developer to customize the presentation in a Django template.
What is the salary of Django per hour? ›
Django Developers on Upwork cost $20–$40/hr.
What is the future of Flask? ›Flask turned 10 in 2020. Unlike previous years, 2020 has seen major changes to the Python web framework ecosystem, with the release of a new Django version that provides significant async support, and the rise of FastAPI as a contender for the best Python microframework title.
When should you not use a Flask? ›When running publicly rather than in development, you should not use the built-in development server ( flask run ). The development server is provided by Werkzeug for convenience, but is not designed to be particularly efficient, stable, or secure.
Is React better than Flask? ›Flask and React are primarily classified as "Microframeworks (Backend)" and "Javascript UI Libraries" tools respectively. "Lightweight", "Python" and "Minimal" are the key factors why developers consider Flask; whereas "Components", "Virtual dom" and "Performance" are the primary reasons why React is favored.
What is the salary of Django engineer? ›Django Developer salary in India ranges between ₹ 1.0 Lakhs to ₹ 7.5 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 3.0 Lakhs.
What is the salary of Django developer? ›| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Python/Django Developer salaries - 9 salaries reported | ₹3,04,819/yr |
| Python/Django Developer salaries - 6 salaries reported | ₹3,11,424/yr |
| Python/Django Developer salaries - 5 salaries reported | ₹4,52,345/yr |
| Python/Django Developer salaries - 3 salaries reported | ₹6,46,587/yr |
Django is a great choice for projects that handle large volumes of content (e.g., media files), user interactions or heavy traffic, or deal with complex functions or technology (e.g., machine learning). Yet it is simple enough for smaller-scale projects, or if you intend to scale your project.
Which is better flask or Django? ›Flask provides complete control and is ideal for small projects that require experimentation. Django is a complex framework that requires extensive knowledge, but it is one of the best for developing sophisticated applications.
Are there more jobs for flask or Django? ›Jobs. If you're looking for a job as a Python web developer, Django is the better choice. There are almost twice as many listings for Django developers as for Flask on major job boards such as Indeed.com. However, this disparity is likely due to the fact that Django is a much more specific choice than Flask.
Which is more in demand Django or flask? ›Most people find Flask easier to learn than Django as it offers greater flexibility and a less rigid working style. But while Django has a steeper learning curve, it can pay off if you build secure and scalable web apps that will grow in complexity.
Which Python framework is best for jobs? ›
- Bottle. This framework is ideal for small applications and is mainly used for building APIs. ...
- Django. ...
- Web2Py. ...
- Flask. ...
- CherryPy. ...
- Aiohttp. ...
- CubicWeb. ...
- Dash.
Python is full of choices, and you can choose what you want based on your specific requirements. Django is the best general-purpose, full-stack framework, and Flask is the best micro framework that allows you to choose the extension you want.
What is the easiest framework to use? ›Several web frameworks are noted for being quite simple to learn and use, including React, Angular, Vue, Ruby on Rails, and Django.
Is Django worth learning in 2023? ›Django framework is undoubtedly a great choice for 2023 and will surely give a lot of satisfaction to all those who want to develop projects. After years of experience, we can say with confidence that Django is the best framework for web development today.
Should I take Python or Django first? ›When first starting with Django, it is best to learn Python first. Many new developers jump right into Django without first learning Python. Django is a python-based web framework, and everything done in Django is done in the python programming language.
How much Python should I know before Django? ›To understand Django, you must be familiar with the fundamentals of Python, including variables, data types, classes and functions, control flow, and exception handling. You should be able to use pip to install packages and run basic commands from the command line.
Why prefer Django over Flask? ›Django lets you build apps fast. However, it is slower than Flask. Due to fewer abstraction layers, Flask is faster than Django. It is a full-stack framework with almost everything built-in — a batteries-included approach.
Do data scientists use Flask? ›Flask is a lightweight framework that is easy to learn and use, making it a good choice for Data scientists who want to focus on building their models and analysing data rather than learning complex web development frameworks.
Should data scientist learn Flask or Django? ›Final Verdict. If you need to respond to an HTTP query or your model is small, and the codebase is light, go directly for a Flask-based application. But if you want to build something like next Facebook, Django will be a much better choice.
Which companies use Flask as backend? ›It is not dependent upon external libraries to perform the tasks of a framework. Flask framework is more independent, flexible, and simple; so many developers prefer to start with Flask. Companies that are using Flask: MIT, Uber, Reddit, Netflix, Mozilla, Airbnb, Lyft, etc.
When to choose Django? ›
High-level: When to use Django
You need to move fast, deploy fast, and also make changes as you move ahead. The app must be secure from most common vulnerabilities and attacks by default. For example CSRF, SQL Injection, XSS, Clickjacking, etc. Your app might scale up/down at any point of time.
Depends on the use case. If you want to build a big, data driven website, django would do a very good job. If you need a small api endpoint or micro service, flask (or eg. aiohttp) would be the better choice.
When would you use Django? ›Django can be (and has been) used to build almost any type of website — from content management systems and wikis, through to social networks and news sites. It can work with any client-side framework, and can deliver content in almost any format (including HTML, RSS feeds, JSON, and XML).