Golang vs Node.js - Which is Best For Development

Without a robust backend, your application cannot run smoothly. Backend is all about writing codes to create APIs, libraries, cross-platform applications, and components that don’t have UI. There are several backend programming languages but Golang and Node.js are the two major languages that are popular and widely used by developers. Which is best for backend development - This is a frequently asked question. Here is an analysis of the two languages on the basis of features, performance, and other factors to find which is better.

What is Golang?

Golang, also called Go, is an open-source statically-typed programming language developed by Google. It is a simple, easy-to-learn, scalable, and efficient language. Concurrency is one of its big pluses. This feature allows the developers to write programs concurrently for multiple platforms. Its other significant features are garbage collection, safety, dynamic interfaces, and clear syntax. Companies that use Golang include Netflix, PayPal, eBay, Linkedin, etc.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source JavaScript engine designed for building scalable applications that use JavaScript on the server side. It can run on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It was initially designed to execute JavaScript codes but over the years it has evolved into a language that enables full-stack development for the backend and frontend of an application. However, it is commonly used for developing server-side applications and desktop applications. Companies that use Node.js include Uber, Intel, Medium, BBC, etc.

Golang vs Node.js

1. Speed and performance

Golang has a little edge over Node.js when it comes to speed and performance. Golang’s compiled nature allows it to produce optimized binaries. This is one of the main reasons for Go’s speedy execution. Moreover, its concurrency feature ensures multiple-platform programming for Golang development company. It has implemented several strategies like task scheduling, memory modeling, etc. and they play an important role in Golang’s performance. It is suitable for performance tasks and raw computation.

Node.js uses the JavaScript engine V8. Its codes are reusable. So, it is suitable for event applications, online gaming, and video chats. Node.js trails behind in speed and performance when compared to Golang because of the difference in their architecture.

2. Architectural design

Their architectural design is different. Golang uses clean architecture. It is a pattern that uses the technique called separation of layers. On the other hand, Node.js uses single-threaded event loop architecture. While this architecture is suitable for I/O-bound operations, it is not suitable for CPU-bound tasks that need heavy computational processing.

3. Features

Golang has a minimalistic but powerful set of features that prioritize simplicity and efficiency. It has a simple syntax that makes it the choice for developers who value code readability. Its built-in support for concurrency through goroutines and channels is of great help to developers for managing numerous concurrent connections easily.

Node.js uses JavaScript which is popular for its usage in web applications. The same language can be used for both client and server-side development. So, it is easy to switch contexts and reuse codes. This is its significant feature. Moreover, it can handle several connections with low latency with the help of its non-blocking I/O model. This makes it suitable for real-time applications.

4. Concurrency

Go has built-in support for concurrency. It can handle concurrent tasks with ease. It uses goroutines and channels to run multi-thread functions without any complexities. Go is a better choice for handling intense tasks without making any compromise on other functions.

Node.js uses APIs like threads, clusters, and child-process to handle concurrent tasks. This is more complex when compared to Golang.

5. Community and ecosystem

Golang has a strong community and ecosystem. It has gained a lot of popularity since its release. Its community is active and growing and contributes to the development of Go. Its official package manager ‘go get’ enhances the developer experience by simplifying the process of fetching and managing external dependencies. Its ecosystem is strong for building networking tools, microservices, and system-level software.

Node.js is powered by the JavaScript community. The JavaScript community is massive and offers a huge selection of frameworks and libraries. Its largest package The Node Packet Manager provides a wide array of ready-to-use modules. As its community and ecosystem are strong it is easy to find solutions for developers.

6. Tools

Ready-to-use tools are very helpful to reduce development time. Golang has a solid library and tools to make programming easier. Go Test and Go Vet, are examples of useful Golang tools. While Go Test allows the developers to run tests on the code Go Vet allows them to filter suspicious codes.

Node.js has a huge library with thousands of open-source tools. However, too many options make it tough to select the right one.

7. Error handling

Both Go and Node.js are good at error handling.

Go checks errors simultaneously during compilation and runtime.

Node.js uses try-catch exception which traps and handles at runtime.

8. Use cases

Golang’s high performance and efficiency make it an excellent choice for building high-performance applications such as networking tools, real-time data processing, and microservices.

NOde.js is used in scenarios that need scalability. It is suitable for building APIs, web applications, and real-time collaborative tools.

9. Learning curve

Golang has an easy-to-learn clear syntax. So, it is easy to learn. Node.js uses JavaScript. So it is easy for all developers who are familiar with JavaScript.

10. Scalability

Golang is newer when compared to Node.js. Node.js is already popular. So it is easier to find Node.js developers. However, Golang is growing fast with a bright future. So, many developers are learning the language. If you want to hire Golang developer, make sure you hire the best one.

Both Golang and Node.js have special features that are developer and project-friendly. It is not easy to decide which language is the best. Node.js is already popular. Golang is gaining a lot of popularity and is ranked one of the top 5 backend programming languages. Choose the right one to suit your requirements. If you are convinced Golang will be the best option, hire Golang developer with good experience and knowledge.