Express.js vs Fastify: Key Differences & When to Use Each

Comprehensive side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and metrics

Key Differences

Compare Express.js and Fastify across features, pricing, integrations, and community metrics. Express.js / Fastify.

Feature

Express.js

Web Framework

Fastify

Web Framework

Side-by-side comparison of developer tools
Fast, unopinionated web framework for Node.js
Fast and low overhead web framework for Node.js
GitHub Stars
⭐ 68,987
⭐ 36,169
Contributors
👥 380
👥 881
Pricing
✓ Free
Enterprise: Contact sales
✓ Free
Enterprise: Contact sales
Languages
JavaScript
JavaScript
Features
  • • Express
  • • Javascript
  • • Nodejs
  • • Server
  • • Hacktoberfest
  • • Nodejs
  • • Performance
  • • Speed
  • • Webframework
Integrations
No integrations listed
No integrations listed
Momentum Score
47/100 (stable)
41/100 (stable)
Community Health
57/100 (moderate)
63/100 (moderate)
Maturity Index
71/100 (established)
60/100 (growing)
Innovation Score
59/100 (progressive)
59/100 (progressive)
Risk Score (higher is safer)
36/100 (medium)
62/100 (low)
Developer Experience
36/100 (poor)
68/100 (fair)
Links
🌐 Visit Website View on GitHub
🌐 Visit Website View on GitHub

Express.js Strengths

  • ✓ More popular (68,987 stars)

Fastify Strengths

  • ✓ Larger community (881 contributors)
  • ✓ More features (5 listed)

When to Use Express.js vs Fastify

Use Express.js when its strengths align better with your stack and team needs, and choose Fastify when its ecosystem, integrations, or cost profile is a better fit.

Related comparisons

Express.js vs Django → Fastify vs Django → Express.js vs Laravel → Fastify vs Laravel → Express.js vs Spring Boot → Fastify vs Spring Boot → Express.js vs Flask → Fastify vs Flask → Express.js vs Ruby on Rails → Fastify vs Ruby on Rails → Express.js vs Phoenix → Fastify vs Phoenix →

More Comparisons

View Express.js → View Fastify → Search More Tools →

Data source: GitHub API

Last updated: 5/4/2026