AdonisJS vs Sails.js: What are the differences?

Key differences between AdonisJS and Sails.js

AdonisJS and Sails.js are both Node.js web frameworks that simplify the development of scalable web applications. However, there are key differences between the two frameworks that developers should consider when choosing which one to use for their projects.

1. Architecture: AdonisJS follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture, which provides a clear separation of concerns and promotes code organization. On the other hand, Sails.js follows the convention-over-configuration approach, allowing developers to focus on writing application code without worrying about complex configurations.

2. ORM: AdonisJS uses its own ORM called Lucid, which is a query builder and database adapter. It provides a fluent and intuitive way to interact with databases. Sails.js, on the other hand, supports multiple ORMs like Waterline and Sequelize, giving developers the flexibility to choose the one that best suits their needs.

3. WebSocket support: AdonisJS has built-in support for WebSockets through the use of its own WebSocket server implementation. This makes it easy to build real-time applications that require bidirectional communication. Sails.js also supports WebSockets, but it requires additional configuration and the use of external libraries.

4. Community and ecosystem: AdonisJS has a smaller but growing community compared to Sails.js. It has an active core team that maintains the framework and regularly releases updates. Sails.js, on the other hand, has a larger community and a more mature ecosystem with a wide range of plugins and libraries available.

5. Learning curve: AdonisJS has a steeper learning curve compared to Sails.js due to its more opinionated approach and the use of its own ORM. Developers familiar with MVC frameworks may find it easier to pick up AdonisJS. Sails.js, on the other hand, has a shallower learning curve and is more beginner-friendly, thanks to its convention-over-configuration approach.

6. Performance: AdonisJS is known for its high performance, thanks to its efficient database query builder and WebSocket server implementation. Sails.js, on the other hand, may have slightly lower performance due to its ORM abstraction layer and the need for additional configurations.

In summary, AdonisJS and Sails.js have different architectural approaches, ORM choices, WebSocket support, community size, learning curves, and performance characteristics. Developers should consider these key differences when choosing between the two frameworks for their projects.