This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Hamza Khan
When building backend applications in JavaScript/TypeScript, two names come up repeatedly: Express.js and NestJS.
- Express is minimal, flexible, and lightning-fast to get started.
- NestJS builds on top of Express (or Fastify) but enforces structure, scalability, and maintainability.
So, which one should you choose for your next project in 2025? Let’s dive deep.
🏗️ Express.js – The Minimalist Approach
Express is essentially unopinionated. You can structure your project however you like. This is amazing for small projects but can get messy as your app grows.
👉 Example: A simple route in Express:
// server.js
const express = require("express");
const app = express();
app.get("/users", (req, res) => {
res.send("List of users");
});
app.listen(3000, () => {
console.log("Server running on port 3000");
});
âś… Quick to set up
âś… Minimal boilerplate
❌ No enforced structure (your team decides everything)
❌ Harder to scale in large applications
🏛️ NestJS – The Opinionated Framework
NestJS is built on top of Express (or Fastify) but adds a modular architecture inspired by Angular.
👉 Example: A simple route in NestJS:
// users.controller.ts
import { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common';
@Controller('users')
export class UsersController {
@Get()
getUsers(): string {
return 'List of users';
}
}
// app.module.ts
import { Module } from '@nestjs/common';
import { UsersController } from './users.controller';
@Module({
controllers: [UsersController],
})
export class AppModule {}
âś… Built-in support for TypeScript
âś… Dependency Injection out of the box
âś… Modular & maintainable architecture
âś… Built-in testing utilities
❌ More boilerplate than Express
❌ Slightly steeper learning curve
⚡ Code Comparison: Express vs NestJS
Let’s compare how both handle a POST /users endpoint.
Express.js
// server.js
const express = require("express");
const app = express();
app.use(express.json());
app.post("/users", (req, res) => {
const { name, email } = req.body;
res.json({ message: "User created", user: { name, email } });
});
app.listen(3000, () => {
console.log("Server running on port 3000");
});
NestJS
// users.controller.ts
import { Controller, Post, Body } from '@nestjs/common';
@Controller('users')
export class UsersController {
@Post()
createUser(@Body() userData: { name: string; email: string }) {
return {
message: 'User created',
user: userData,
};
}
}
👉 Notice how NestJS enforces structure (Controllers, Modules, Decorators), while Express gives full freedom but at the cost of consistency.
🚀 Why Structure Beats Speed in the Long Run
- Small apps → Express shines with quick setup.
-
Large teams & enterprise apps → NestJS wins because:
- Clear modular structure
- Enforced best practices
- Built-in support for GraphQL, WebSockets, Microservices, Testing, and more
- Long-term maintainability
As projects scale, the cost of lack of structure in Express often outweighs its initial speed advantage.
đź”® Final Thoughts: Which Should You Pick in 2025?
-
Choose Express if:
- You’re building a small project, prototype, or API with minimal complexity.
-
Choose NestJS if:
- You’re working with a team.
- You expect your project to scale.
- You want built-in TypeScript, testing, and architectural patterns.
👉 In 2025, NestJS is becoming the go-to choice for enterprise-grade apps, while Express still dominates in lightweight services.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Hamza Khan
Hamza Khan | Sciencx (2025-08-18T08:36:38+00:00) NestJS vs. Express: Why Structure Beats Speed in the Long Run 🚀. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/08/18/nestjs-vs-express-why-structure-beats-speed-in-the-long-run-%f0%9f%9a%80/
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