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Django vs. Flask: Which Framework to Choose?

Ankit Sahu
20 Feb 20244 mins read
Software comparisons

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Django vs Flask, which of these two Python frameworks is better for web development? Many Python-based web frameworks make it easy for developers to create scalable apps quickly. These frameworks can handle everything from simple to complicated websites. 

Django vs Flask is a popular debate topic because both languages are similar in many ways. 

In this post, we’ve provided an overview of Django vs. Flask to help you understand the applications of each.

Let’s dive in. 

Django vs Flask: What is Django?

Django is a web framework for rapidly developing applications. Two programmers at the Lawrence Journal-World newspaper, Adrian Holovaty, and Simon Willison, built Django in 2003 when they grew tired of PHP and moved to Python. 

Named after the musician Django Rheinhart, the duo created Django to make Python more scalable in the long run. Initially, Django was intended to be only a Content Management System (CMS). 

Django uses the model-template-views (MTV) architectural paradigm, a software design that separates the business logic from the user interface (UI). The model is in charge of the data, whereas the template is in charge of the user interface. The view carries data and renders the template by executing the logic and collaborating with the model. 

Django promotes component reusability and pluggability, less code, low coupling, rapid development, and the idea of “Don’t Repeat Yourself” (DRY).

When should you use Django?

Django allows users to construct web applications quickly. As a result, users can speed up complicated web development using Django. Django was even named one of the top 10 frameworks for web app development in the Stack Overflow 2020 Developer Survey. 

Django allows developers to create user interfaces and work on back-end processes such as server-side scripting, database querying, and API development.

Which companies use Django?

Here’s a list of a few companies that prefer Django over Flask: 

  • Instagram
  • Django was one of the only technologies that could boost Instagram’s efficiency when the app wanted to scale exponentially. 
  • National Geographic
  • With their custom-built CMS, NG uses Django to handle their website. The CMS manages the website’s pictures, ads, modules, and other elements. 
  • Pinterest
  • Django empowers Pinterest to run at a high degree of performance while also scaling as needed.

Django vs Flask: What Is Flask?

Flask is a Python-based microweb framework. It is called a microframework because it does not necessitate using any specific tools or libraries. For example, it doesn’t have a database abstraction layer or other components that rely on third-party libraries to finish tasks.

Armin Ronacher, who led a team of international Python enthusiasts called Poocco, developed Flask. 

Deny.py, the first version of Flask, was created as an April Fool’s joke. It was a single file that didn’t require any installation or configuration. The project’s popularity demonstrated that a framework with few-to-no dependencies could be useful, and as a result, Flask was born.

When should you use Flask?

Flask is a back-end web development framework used to create server-side apps. Flask’s most compelling feature is its ability to build apps from the ground up. In addition, Flask provides reduced development time and faster run times.

Which companies use Flask?

Here’s a list of a few companies that prefer Flask over Django: 

  1. Netflix
  2. Netflix is a video-on-demand service that relies on Flask APIs for a lot of its more analytical and infrastructure work.
  3. Related Post: Netflix, GitHub, and Honeycomb.io Use These Metrics for Continuous Improvement
  4. Reddit
  5. Reddit hosts thousands of communities allowing online strangers to connect and converse. Reddit uses Flask extensively to manage its micro pages.
  6. Lyft
  7. Lyft uses Flask to implement its microservices architecture. Lyft’s microservices architecture consists of small services working together to produce a more complicated app.

Django vs Flask: Head-to-head comparison

While Django is a full-featured framework that takes care of a lot of the heavy lifting for its users, Flask gives complete control on a smaller scale. 

Django vs. Flask: Here’s a quick rundown of the significant differences between the two.

Django vs. Flask: Comparison 

Related post: React vs. Angular: Which JS Framework Should You Choose?

Conclusion

Although Django and Flask share many similarities, selecting the correct framework depends on whether you want to work on something simple or complex. But in general, Django outperforms Flask in several areas.

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Ankit Sahu

Ankit is a writer and editor who has contributed his expertise to Govt of India, Reebok, Abbott, TimesPro, Chitale Bandhu, InsideAIML, Kolte Patil Dev., etc.

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