Flask vs Django: Which Python Web Framework is Right for You?

You must have encountered Angular, React, and some other frameworks when discussing popular web frameworks. But considering popular Python Frameworks Django, Flask, Bottle, CherryP, Groks, Pylons, etc., these names have made their place in the web development market.

Python is currently acing the programming language market. The growing popularity of Python as a programming language in the web application development field, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, automation, and others has reasons. Some reasons to use Python frameworks are their robust, extensible, productive, and scalable attributes, among many others.

Suppose you are among those who have decided to choose Python frameworks as your web development tool but are wondering which to choose. You have landed on the Moon, the right place.

 Here we have discussed Django Vs. Flask comparison to give you decent information about both these Python frameworks and help you make a well-opinionated decision.

What is Flask?

Flask is an open-source Python-based micro-framework. It is called a WSGI(Web Server Gateway Interface). A lightweight, beginner-friendly web application development framework provides flexibility, scalability, speed, and extensibility. Works on an “easy to extend” philosophy.

Since it is lightweight and small hence doesn’t include ORM, which is present in Django.

Flask is made to start quickly, allowing scalability to grow into a complex application. It is among one of the popular Python frameworks. One of the reasons for the preference for Flask is that it has fewer boilerplate codes and is easy to get started.

The first and foremost reason to use it is that it is a lightweight framework that lets developers quickly start a project. If you have a knack for working on simple, small, scalable platforms, Flask is for you. Another great reason is its flexibility. Leveraging third-party libraries and extensions add up to reduced development time and focusing on the core logic. Flask is considered more “Python-ic“ in comparison to Django.

While deploying Render, the request goes to the web server. Since WSGI acts as an interface between the Python app and the web server the HTTP traffic routes to WSGI. After the WSGI sends the traffic to the Flask application it goes to the Database. The response goes out to the user from the Flask application.

Features of Flask

• Werkzeug WSGI

Web Server Gateway Interface enables Python apps to communicate with web servers. As normally Python apps are unable to communicate with web servers.

• Jinja2 Template

is one of the most used templates for Python, which gives Flask speed, extensibility, and other statement features.

• Development Server and Debugging 

Fast debugging is one of the USPs of Flask. It also provides unit testing features.

• REST API Support

REST APIs are used to avail web services with a set of commands. Flask, a microframework written in Python, is suitable for creating REST APIs.

• Scalability

The “Build Big as you go Big” Flask works like this. You can start small and use what is needed, but as you grow big, you can quickly expand using Flask. Flask modularizes the code so that coders can divide it into separate pieces and use it as the code base expands.

• Easy to Learn

It is a beginner-friendly platform that has a simplistic design. It came into existence as an April fool’s joke. Flask was made to allow the developer to use any external library.

• Secure Cookies 

ensure non-accessibility to the text by any unauthorized person. With Flask’s basic authentication, we can make Flask APIs more secure.

• HTTP Request Handling

Flask uses the GET and POST methods to handle requests.

When to Use Flask?

When scalability and flexibility are your go-to choice while working with simple and clean code, the clever use of external libraries makes it suitable for SPAs. 

What is Django?

He was a guitarist! Yeah. That is how Django got its name. Django is a full-stack, free, and open-source framework for web development. It is based on Python to make it complete, versatile, secure, scalable, and easily maintainable. The Django website claims it is for “perfectionists.”   

Django operates on the “Batteries included” philosophy.

Why Use Django?

If you plan to develop a web app with complex features with cross-site scripting, use loads of APIs to get API connectivity and want all this in a non-SQL environment. Django is the answer. You may create the full Python data model for your application without SQL.  

Django transforms conventional database structure into Python classes using an object-relational mapper (ORM) to simplify programming in a Python environment. Django-MySQL supports the JSON data type and related functions.

Your database tables are converted into Python classes in Django. Django models are used by web applications to access and manage data. The database fields are only transformed into class attributes. You can construct and administer a Django database if you are familiar with the Python class attribute declaration language.

Django uses model-template-views (MTV) architecture. Another MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture is used in frontend frameworks like React.

Business logic is separated from the software design’s graphical user interface (UI). While the template takes care of the UI, the model manages the data. To carry out the logic and render the template, the view collaborates with the model to carry data. 

Django emphasizes the reusability and pluggability of components and rapid development. Thanks to low coupling, developers can change modules without affecting connected modules. Additionally, DRY focuses on removing logic repetition through automation and abstraction. 

Features of Django

• Use of Python

It’s also crucial to remember that Python, a language built on the principles of simplicity and code readability, is the foundation upon which Django is built.

• Batteries Included Philosophy

i.e., the toy is loaded with all the batteries needed to run the toy, like the libraries and tools. (HTTP libraries, template engine, etc.)

• Dynamic Web Pages With Templates

Because Django is made to be used for developing web apps, it needs a simple way to produce dynamic HTML that shows the specific data that only your users can see. The Django application generates that dynamic HTML with a built-in templating engine known as the Django template language (DTL).

• Versatile

The Django rainbow ranges from social networking sites like Youtube and Instagram to content management systems like WordPress to complex sites like National Geographic.

• Scalability

Django has a “shared-nothing” architecture. This architecture’s components are all independent, allowing any necessary changes or replacements. Adding hardware at any level can scale for more traffic because the various components are separated.

Scalability is made possible without problems by a mix of independent layers and DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself)principles, code reuse, and maintenance.

• Secure

When discussing a web app with user databases like usernames, hackers specially target user details. Utmost priority is given to security while developing the web app. Some features, like the Django template, can convert the user input into its format to avoid malicious code injection. A password hash is another feature that differentiates Django from other web frameworks.

When to Use Django?

Django aids developers in creating an entire application because the framework comes with everything they require. The “Batteries included” and rapid development philosophy makes it suitable for multi-page applications. Django also adheres to Django-specific concepts such as consistency, rapid code creation and extension, and DRY (don’t repeat yourself), which states that all functionality should be in a single location to prevent duplication.

These ideas work together to make Django simpler to use. It also helps developers avoid common security issues like storing session data in cookies. Django allows us to create applications of any size, which makes scaling your application straightforward and very much possible. Debugging, extending, and managing the project is easy and systematic because all Django applications adhere to the same architectural principles.

 Flask Vs. Django – A Table of Differences

Detailed Comparison Django Vs. Flask

Django Vs. Flask: Database

Django functionally works on the MTV architecture where the ‘M’ in “MTV” stands for ‘Model’ and provides the data from the database. The data is provided via ORM(Object Relational Mapping). ORM enables accessible communication with databases without the need to write SQL statements. 

In-built ORM in Django lets it use relational database systems like Oracle, MySQL, etc.

Django can also be used with non-relational databases. An in-built ORM approach is absent in Flask. To compensate, it has access to multiple libraries and extensions for relational and non-relational databases. 

Flask Vs. Django – Speed and Performance

Django’s official tagline says it for you. i.e., if looking for a web framework suitable for all the complex needs with a deadline to finish picking Django is a wise choice. Speed and performance are two attributes packed in the bundle, along with other features such as scalability. It is the numero uno pick for large and complex applications as developers get an array of in-built tools, maximizing the speed and enhancing the performance.

Flask is a microframework and is undoubtedly speedier than Django. Due to its simplistic design and easy-to-extend approach, Flask has excellent performance outcomes. Your quest will end for smaller feather-light apps at Flask. 

Flask Vs. Django: Admin Panel

Flask’s extension, “Flask-Admin,” supports multiple database options like SQLAlchemy. Flask does not come packed with any admin interface owing to its lightweight. Web developers can install custom modules for admin panels if they wish.

Django, on the other hand, comes with an in-built “Admin” panel. It is used to provide a simplistic interface to manage the application data. This customizable interface can be customized according to the project’s needs. In addition to this, it also enables CRUD operations(Create, Read, Update, and Delete). 

Flask Vs. Django: Development Flexibility

Without any question, Flask is way more flexible than Django. It lets you decide which database to choose from and which extension for development, and it even has an “admin extension.” Ideal case for creating lightweight apps.

Compared to Django, it has a batteries-included approach giving all the necessary tools required for the development. But for complex apps, it is a good thing. Everything is under one roof. 

Flask Vs. Django: Scalability

Django is for scalability. Django gives the choice of developing a complex web app with the scope of scalability whenever your business grows and needs it. ORM helps it quickly create complex database queries and use other relational databases. The USP of Django is the independence of layers, meaning you can, anytime, at any level, scale up your application irrespective of the layer you are working at.

Flask is also a good Python framework for scalable framework alternatives. The use of extensions supports high-level tasks like user authentication and access to the database. For light applications, it gives room to grow into complex apps.

Flask Vs. Django: Community Support

2005 Django was first made available about 15 years ago. Today, it has a sizable and active developer community that has produced a wide range of plugins, extensions, and third-party apps to meet the expanding demands of web development. Currently, Django has developed into a mature platform that uses the advantages of an informed community.

On the other hand, Flask was introduced in 2010, over ten years ago. Despite being a new tool, it still has a sizable community. As a result, it may result in much support if you run into problems.

Based on the facts mentioned above, there is no doubt that Django is slightly more popular than Flask among stars and viewers when comparing the two frameworks. But

Both frameworks have tremendous community support, and you can avail both their communities of the resources needed.

Which is Better: Django Or Flask?

First, they are both top-notch frameworks with quick web application development capabilities. Django delivers robust functionality, but Flask offers greater flexibility.

There is no correct answer to which is better, Django Vs. Flask. The size, scope, and overall structure of the web application, as well as how configurable or not it should be, all significantly impact the framework to be used. It also depends on the choices of the developer or development team.

Flask provides more learning opportunities, is more adaptable, and gives developers greater flexibility over the components they want to create. As a result, it gives the overall experience of creating a product, component by component, the top priority.

On the other hand, Django offers a focused approach with in-built features. The main focus while developing Django is on the outcome rather than the process.

Developing a web application that expresses your visions and goals is necessary for a successful business. Partner with Moon Technolabs to ascend to growth and enhance your business goals with Python-based web application development.