Which Is Better for You: Node.js or Golang?

Back-end development is a vital component of any web development process that involves the storage and retrieval of information, the execution of logic, and the calculation of results. This type of development typically involves writing codes, constructing application programming interfaces (APIs), libraries, and components for websites, applications, and computer software.

Comparison between Node.js vs Golang

Golang and Node.js have become two of the most sought-after programming technologies for backend development, taking the place of traditional server-side languages such as PHP and Java. This trend is being driven by the increasing popularity of both Golang and Node.js, each offering unique capabilities and advantages over their predecessors. Golang is a statically typed language with a focus on simplicity and readability, while Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that enables developers to use JavaScript for server-side development. Both technologies have revolutionised the way that applications are built and have become essential tools for modern software development.

It can often be difficult to decide which of the two next-generation web app development languages, Go (Golang) and Node.js, is most suitable for a given project. In order to assist with this decision-making process, we have prepared a comparison between the two technologies, evaluating their relative strengths and weaknesses, in order to provide a response to this topic. Please read our Node.js vs. Golang comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Performance Comparison between Node.js vs Golang

This is where the differences between Node JS and Go are most apparent.

Golang is renowned for its speed and efficient memory management capabilities, which are only surpassed by low-level programming languages such as C and Rust. The language is equipped with numerous memory management features, such as garbage collectors and native goroutines, allowing developers to build robust applications on a minimalist infrastructure.

Due to Go being pre-compiled to machine code, it is capable of achieving faster startup and compilation times than JavaScript which is dynamically typed and interpreted. As a result, JavaScript requires more time to execute.

Node.js offers numerous advantages, one of the most notable being its adaptation of JavaScript’s non-blocking and asynchronous design. This design allows small operations to be performed in the background without impeding the main thread, which is essential considering Node.js only supports one thread. Despite this limitation, Node.js appears to be a multi-threaded language due to its capacity to carry out one operation at a time.

Web Development using Node.js vs. Golang

Node.js and Golang both stake their claims in this sector.

Node.js was designed to provide a unified environment for the development of web servers, both on the front-end and back-end, with an event-driven framework, microservices architecture and excellent reusability. The most impressive part of its capabilities is the Node.js package manager, which offers 800,000 specialised tools or “building blocks” for web development.

However, overcoming these obstacles is difficult since anybody may rapidly publish an NPM package, making it hard to discover a trustworthy tool.

It is evident that Node JS has some limitations when it comes to handling intensive processing requirements. Node JS combines a front-end programming language, JavaScript, with a back-end runtime environment. Although Node JS has taken steps to counter its single-threaded nature, large queries may still consume CPU resources and cause delays in processing time.

Golang was developed with the intention of providing an effective solution for managing high-capacity network servers and complex calculations that are beyond the capacities of Node JS. In addition, its concurrent nature allows for multiple processes to be executed simultaneously without the need to make any compromises, making corporate applications more efficient.

Although Go does not have the same number of blocks as other programming languages, it does offer a range of features which are extremely beneficial for developers. These features, such as go fmt, Go doc, go mod, and go run, allow developers to create complete web servers without requiring any supplementary frameworks or external services.

Go is advantageous in that it can be compiled into a single static binary, which users can deploy to any desired location. In comparison, for JavaScript to be executed, the Node JS interpreter must be installed on all machines on which it is intended to run.

After considering the various options, it is evident that the Go programming language is the optimal choice for large-scale back-end web development. It provides greater flexibility and reliability than other languages and is better suited for creating web servers. However, for smaller applications or for producing front-end code bundles, Node.js may be a better option.

Scalability of Node.js vs. Golang

Node.js is a single-threaded platform, which means that it executes instructions one after the other in a sequential manner. This may be a disadvantage when it comes to applications that require a large amount of computing power and numerous concurrent processes. Although the event-driven callbacks in JavaScript assist in providing some degree of parallelism, they are not likely to be sufficient for such large-scale projects.

Go programming language is well suited for scalability and concurrent task execution, thanks to its coroutines, known as ‘goroutines’. Goroutines enable multiple threads to be executed simultaneously, allowing tasks to be completed quickly and reliably. For this reason, Go programming language has a clear advantage over Node.js in this comparison.

Due to its simplistic scalability and reliability, Golang has become the preferred programming language for engineers at Docker and Dropbox. These engineers were quick to recognise the potential for Golang to be utilised in the development of complex and expansive systems with a high degree of scalability.

Error Handling in Node.js vs. Golang

When it comes to error handling, Golang takes an approach that requires developers to explicitly check for errors while the program is running, and then return error codes. This may seem daunting at first, but it ultimately leads to greater reliability and dependability of the program.

Node.js makes use of the throw/catch error handling mechanism, which is a familiar approach for many developers. This methodology means that errors are captured and addressed immediately, providing a more efficient and reliable programming experience. As a result, Node.js has become a popular choice for developers across the globe who are looking to maximise their productivity and minimise potential issues.

The Final Word on Node.js vs. Golang

After conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the features and benefits of both Golang and Node JS, it can be challenging to determine which of the two is the best choice for a given project. It is important to consider the size, structure, and goals of the project, as well as the development method that will best enable the organisation to achieve its objectives. Ultimately, by taking these factors into account, a decision can be made that will provide the most benefit to the company.

It is important to bear in mind that the most successful outcomes are only attainable with a knowledgeable Node JS or Golang developer, irrespective of the back-end technology selected.

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