Top 10 Python Frameworks for Web Development

• Web
• April 29, 2024

by Kumarpal Nagar

From web development to machine learning and beyond, the Python programming language helps to build many robust applications. However, writing an entire application code in Python can be a frazzle for developers in a world where businesses need quick deliverables. Read this blog to discover the top Python frameworks revolutionizing software development and empowering developers worldwide.

Amongst the many programming languages that exist, Python stands as the simplest and most powerful. Its versatility and object orientation make programming easy and effective.

Its high-level data structures, dynamic semantics and easy-to-learn syntax enable concentrating on the solution instead of the problem.

This makes it the ideal language for quick data analysis, scripting and web development. Because of its simplicity, it further enables modular programming and code reuse, thus, cutting the cost of program maintenance.

With code readability and proper use of whitespace at its core, Python has overtaken SQL and secured its place in Top-3 commonly used languages with 49.28% of developers’ votes. Because of this, Python for Enterprise app development is widely in focus.

However, it is not accompanied by built-in features. This is why, to accelerate tasks and take care of the nuances of execution, developers heavily rely on frameworks – the packages and modules that let them write web applications without the need for process management.

Python web frameworks help developers automate redundant tasks, thus lowering development time.

The best part is, Python allows a greater scope of frameworks; there’s never a scarcity. Each framework comes with its own advantages and shortcomings.

Types of Python Frameworks

The primary types are three – full-stack, microframework and asynchronous. Developers can select them based on project requirements and individual preferences. Let’s discuss the types of Python web frameworks in brief:

Full-Stack Framework

These frameworks provide developers with full support. Full-stack frameworks are like a one-stop destination that includes everything – right from form generators to form validation and template layouts. In short, you can utilize Full-Stack frameworks to get support for frontend, backend, and database services.

Microframework

As the name suggests, a microframework is lightweight with limited features and functionalities. Microframeworks only offer limited components sufficient for building a minimalistic application.

So, if you are looking for form validation, database abstraction layer, project-specific tools, and libraries, these frameworks would not be your ideal fit.

However, if there’s a requirement to write the code part manually for customization requirements, microframeworks offer the best help to developers.

Asynchronous Frameworks

These are relatively recent. These frameworks are similar to micro frameworks but enable developers to handle concurrent connections in bulk. Asynchronous frameworks feed on Python’s Asyncio library.

Most Popular Python Frameworks for 2024

If you check on the web, you’ll find many results of Python frameworks, but how many of them are up-to-date, robust, and developers’ preferred? Therefore, below we have mentioned top Python frameworks that our Python developers use for software development projects:

1. Django/Django REST Framework (DRF)

Type: Full-Stack Python framework

Django is a free, open-source, high-level framework that’s ridiculously fast. It allows developers to rapidly and flexibly work on complex codes and applications. It further makes use of pragmatic designs so the process of web application development can be streamlined.

Django is popular among Python programmers because of its mighty assortment of libraries and cutting-edge features such as authentication mechanism, content administration, template engine, URL routing, and database schema migration.

Furthermore, Django supports databases such as PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and SQLite – a reason why it is extensively implemented in high-traffic sites and social media platforms like The Washington Times, Mozilla, Bitbucket, Disqus, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Additionally, Django’s adherence to the “Don’t Repeat Yourself” (DRY) principle make it a favorite of Python experts.

Overall, Django is one of the most sought-after full-stack frameworks because it enables hassle-free Python web development, incredible effectiveness, reusability of components and less coding.

Also, it offers security and allows developers to steer clear of common mistakes such as clickjacking, cross-site scripting, forgery, and SQL injection.

But what about Django helping in RESTful API development? Well, for this as an add-on, there’s one more Python framework named Django REST framework (DRF) – a powerful and flexible toolkit for building Web APIs in Django.

It’s built on top of Django and provides a set of tools and libraries for building APIs quickly and easily. Using DRF, developers can easily serialize and deserialize data, handle authentication, permissions, throttling, and versioning for developing RESTful APIs.

Also, expert Django developers favor DRF as it extends Django’s capabilities to seamlessly handle HTTP requests and responses specifically for API development.

Checklist to choose Django

• Ninja Speed
• Feature Rich
• Security
• Versatility
• Scalability

2. Flask

Type: Microframework

Flask is a micro framework that comes with a built-in development server and debugger.

However, it does not contain any built-in database interaction. To compensate, the Flask-SQLAlchemy package connects web applications built on Flask to an SQL database using only the database URL.

Additionally, this one is BSD-licensed and supports unit testing. It allows for establishing secure client-side sessions and is compatible with Google App Engine. Modelled along the lines of the Sinatra Ruby framework, Flask requires the Werkzeug WSGI toolkit and Jinja template.

It is lightweight and showcases a high degree of adaptability. The best part – Flask developers can enjoy building robust web applications using any kind of extension!

Checklist to choose Flask

• Unicode-based
• Built-in Debugger
• Built-in Development Server
• Jinja Templating
• WSGI 1.0 compliance
• Plugin Support for any ORM
• Unit Testing Support
• Cookie Support for Client-Side Sessions
• HTTP Request Handling
• RESTful Request Dispatching

3. FastAPI

Type: Full-Stack Framework

FastAPI is a modern, high-performance Python web framework that enables developers to build APIs with Python 3.8+ structure. As it is built on top of Starlette and Pydantic, leveraging the asynchronous capabilities of Python to achieve exceptional performance.

Speaking of performance, FastAPI is as robust as NodeJS and Golang and is considered one of Python’s fastest frameworks.

FastAPI Developers as per their thorough testing claim that they are able to develop features quickly in FastAPI at 200-300% improved speed and 40% less code errors than writing code from the ground up.

Hence, it is being used by top brands including Microsoft, Uber, Netflix, Cisco, and more for their AI/ML-powered solutions and web app development projects.

Checklist to choose FastAPI

• One of the fastest Python frameworks available
• Easy to use – developer-friendly
• Automation of API documentation
• Compatible with OpenAPI standards, GraphQL, and WebSockets
• Has a growing community of developers
• Ideal for scalable application development projects

4. Django-Ninja

Type: Asynchronous Framework

Django Ninja is an easy-to-use and intuitive Python web framework to create APIs using Django and Python 3.6+ type hints. As it’s built using Django, it gets the direct favor of those who like to work with Django. Moreover, Django Ninja also has gained more popularity in the last 3 years.

With support to async coding style and Pydantic, it offers FAST execution. The availability of comprehensive documentation and tutorials for Django Ninja make developers learn and adopt the framework.

With the automation of API documentation and coding hints, developers can deliver the build quickly and businesses can get extra time to focus on their logic and brainstorm more on making the app more useful for users.

Django Ninja also supports coding standards for OpenAPI and JSON Schema. Lastly, comparing the performance of Django Ninja in comparison with other frameworks in terms of speed, scalability, and resource efficiency can help assess its effectiveness in building high-performance web APIs.

Checklist to choose Django-Ninja

• Contains asynchronous capabilities
• Follows microservice architecture
• Facilitates rapid API development
• Scalability
• Highly performant
• Growing developers’ community
• Provides robust security features against CSRF and SQL injection

5. Pyramid

Type: Full-stack framework

Pyramid is a mega Python framework that can decide on behalf of the user. However, the latter has to befit the framework’s viewpoint so it doesn’t end up in a clash of opinions. Pyramid is lightweight, transparent and quality-driven, which makes it all the more appealing. It is also ideal for prototyping ideas and handling API projects effectively.

As the web application grows, Pyramid stops making decisions. To that end, it always aims at achieving the fullest with minimal complexity.

Although the framework is suitable for small as well as large-scale web applications, it is perfect for creating growing web applications such as CMS. Its high extensibility allows developers to easily integrate third-party libraries and components to extend its functionality according to project requirements. But how it’s done, by leveraging its reusable subsystems.

Also, it delivers the utmost flexibility when it comes to authentication and authorization. Its security arrangements are reliable and simplify the process of setting up and accessing control records.

The best thing about Pyramid is its commitment to API stability and delivering bug fixing checked on 120+ software releases. Its 100% test and thorough documentation coverage define Pyramid as a reliable tool ensuring future-proofness. With each new update, Pyramid contributors aim to make it even more top-notch.

Another interesting feature of this full-stack framework is its Traversal framework, which enables URLs to be mapped to code and makes developing RESTful APIs simple. Tech giants like Mozilla, DropBox, SurveyMonkey and Yelp are known to leverage its incredible features.

Checklist to choose Pyramid

• Predicates and Renderers
• Templating and Asset Specifications
• Traversal Framework for URL to Code Mapping
• Single-File Applications
• Flexible Authentication and Authorization
• Lightweight
• Extensibility
• Function Decorators
• Future Proofness

6. CherryPy

Type: Microframework

CherryPy is open-source, just like Django. Additionally, it is object-oriented, platform-independent and comes with its own HTTP/1.1-compliant WSGI multi-threaded web server, supporting a minimalistic approach.

Interestingly, it allows users to contribute! Any web application developed using CherryPy can be run on all Python-supported OSs, including Linux/Unix, Windows and Mac. It won’t need an Apache server at all.

The framework allows quick development of smaller source codes. Apart from the thread-pooled web server, it also includes features such as module framework and setup framework that simplify data access, templating, and handling of sessions, files, cookies, and uploads. Applications built using this framework act as stand-alone applications embedded with a multithreaded server.

It further carries built-in support for documentation tasks such as profiling, coverage, and testing.

With CherryPy, developers can run multiple HTTP servers at the same time. This microframework contains tools for default caching, encoding, and authorization. It is super fast, super stable, and super reliable.

Checklist to choose CherryPy

• HTTP/1.1-compliant WSGI thread-pooled web server
• Multiple HTTP Server Support
• Powerful Configuration
• Flexible Plugin
• Minimalism
• Quick Development Time
• Android Compliant

7. Sanic

Type: Asynchronous framework

Sanic is a Python 3.8+ web server, open-source, and async-enabled framework on PyPI, supporting rapid development. It is simple and lightweight, supporting intuitive API creation with smart defaults.

Built using developers’ conveniences, it lets them build applications without any tooling constraints, which makes it unopinionated and flexible. In short, Sanic comes bundled with servers that act as a powerhouse for your Python web applications.

Whether needing to build small or big applications, Sanic addresses all necessary concerns with its performant and scalable nature.

It has been exclusively designed for fast HTTP response via asynchronous request handling. It makes use of async/await syntax so the code is rendered speedy and non-blocking.

Interestingly, it allows user contributions. It has been proven that Sanic can handle 33,342 requests/second with one process and 100 connections. The framework uses uvloop and ujason to improve the app’s performance.

Checklist to choose Sanic

• Enables Reading and Writing of Cookies
• Varied Logging (Access Log and Error Log)
• Class-Based Views
• Decorators Support
• Plugin Support
• Support for Blueprints for In-App Sub Routing
• Modifiable Configuration Object

8. Tornado

Type: Asynchronous framework

Tornado is a Python web framework and asynchronous networking library built to be scalable.

This framework uses non-blocking network I/O to scale to thousands of open connections. Thus, it is perfect for WebSockets, long polling, and web applications that need a long-lived connection for each user. Also, it is ideal for resolving the C10k issue.

Tornado further comes with an in-built HTTP server, which allows it to serve the applications. For application development that demands high performance and support for concurrent usage, this one is an extraordinary Python framework.

Checklist to choose Tornado

• Non-Blocking HTTP Client
• Real-Time Services
• High-Quality Performance
• High-Quality Output
• Web Templating
• Support for User Authentication
• Support for Third-Party Authentication and Authorization
• Interpretation and Localization Support

9. AIOHTTP

Type: Asynchronous Framework

This Python framework is asynchronous and relies on Python 3.6+ features, including async/await. AIOHTTP leverages Python’s asyncio library, which puts it in this category of frameworks. It supports both the client and server side of HTTP requests and Web-Socket out-of-the-box and eliminates Callback Hell, which makes it ideal for your web app development project.

To redirect queries to functions that can handle them, AIOHTTP enables a request object and router. It allows the effective building of web apps via Middleware support and signals.

Checklist to choose AIOHTTP

• Effective Building of Views
• Signals
• Pluggable Routing
• Middleware Support with Websocket
• Client and Server WebSockets Support without Callback Hell

10. Grok

Type: Full-Stack Framework

Grok is an open-source Python web framework designed with Zope Toolkit (ZTK) technology. Designed with a mission to create a tool that’s easy to use, and that supports rapid application development, Grok enables agile development for developers by choosing convention-over-configuration and DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself).

Using Grok, a developer can access a wide network along with independent libraries and choose according to the requirements of the task. This framework comes with a UI that is similar to Pylons, Django, and TurboGears.

It has a component architecture of Python, which comes with many defaults and conventions, enabling developers to reduce the unpredictability of app development with the help of views, content objects, and controllers.

Overall, Grok offers the building blocks that are required to build worthwhile custom web apps.

Checklist to choose Grok

• Enhanced Web App Development
• Support for Custom Web App Development
• Upsurging Core Technology (Martian’s grokcore.component)

How MindInventory Can Help

There are so many Python web frameworks – you could be left spoilt for choice! But this list should make it easy for you to choose one.

Still confused? Let MindInventory help you choose the right Python framework as per your application objectives. Share your project requirements with us, schedule an appointment to consult our Python developers, and get the best-fit technology stack curated that meets the same.

FAQs on Python Frameworks