Ruby on Rails vs Node.js: Which Is Better?

What is Node.js?

Node.js is an asynchronous event-driven JavaScript runtime that's designed to build a scalable network application. It is built on top of Chrome’s V8 engine and runs on the server side. It performs a non-blocking I/O operation through the assistance of an event loop.

What is Ruby on Rails?

Ruby on Rails, or Rails, is a server-side web application framework written in Ruby under the MIT license. It uses the model-view-controller (MVC) framework that gives default structures for databases, internet services, and sites. It encourages and facilitates the utilization of web standards like JSON or XML for data transfer and HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for user interfacing.

Additionally, Rails emphasizes the utilization of other well-known software engineering patterns and paradigms, including convention over configuration (CoC), don't repeat yourself (DRY), and therefore, the active record pattern.

Features of Node.js vs Ruby on Rails

Let’s compare some of the features of these technologies side-by-side.

Pros and cons of Node.js vs Ruby on Rails

Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks of Node.js and Rails.

Advantages of Node.js

• Node.js is predicated on one of the fastest engines, Google V8, which earns it the power to write high-speed asynchronous code. This is considered a truly killer feature.
• Node.js applications are scalable.
• It is often used for web, mobile, and desktop applications.
• The possibility of using JavaScript both at the frontend and backend makes development faster and easier.
• You only need to learn JavaScript and you’ll be ready to build mobile, web, and desktop applications.

Disadvantages of Node.js

• It is inconsistent. Its API changes constantly.
• Unlike Ruby on Rails, it is not suitable for CPU-intensive applications.
• Not too good on the security front.

Advantages of Ruby on Rails

• It’s very easy to learn, making it a good choice for beginner developers.
• It’s known for its security capability.
• It forces you to stay with the standard.
• It accelerates development
• The massive community makes it easier to seek help if you encounter an issue while debugging.
• It’s quick and straightforward.

Disadvantages of Ruby on Rails

• Not the best for complex applications.
• It’s slower than Node.js.
• It isn’t scalable.

Uses of Node.js

Node.js is used for collaborative tools, data streaming applications, and real-time applications.

Collaborative tools

Node.js is capable of building an application that needs real-time updates, such as collaborative tools. An example is the famous project management application, Trello. This real-time flow is possible because of Node.js’s feature, which is an event-driven and non-blocking model.

Data streaming applications

Node.js’s writable and readable feature makes it great for transmitting and receiving an outsized amount of data in a smaller package instead of a single batch. This is super helpful for audio and video streaming applications. The in-built modules make the task simple. Companies like Netflix leverage Node.js’s streaming capability.

Real-time applications

Node.js is popular for its speed and performance, making it useful for creating real-time messaging and chat applications. For instance, WhatsApp Messenger, Facebook Messenger, etc. There’s enormous support for the heavy traffic of multiple short messages or chat rooms when messages are shown to several users in real-time.

Uses of Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is used for ecommerce applications, social networking applications, and content management systems.

Ecommerce applications

Rails is known for its simplicity. It also provides plenty of helpful gems to accomplish specific tasks. This is why building an ecommerce application with it is easy and straightforward.

Social networking applications

Rails is used to build social network apps. Even Twitter uses it. What sets it apart is that there’s no need to write too many lines of code to make the implementation work.

Content management systems

For anyone wishing to develop a content-focused website, Rails is the solution. Thanks to the extensive material available, anyone can easily create an internet site with ready-to-use tools that are excellent for producing and disseminating content. The libraries are chock-full of plugins and extensions.

Popular applications built with Node.js and Ruby on Rails

Node.js

1. PayPal

Well-known fintech company, PayPal, is written with Node.js. The platform allows users to swiftly and conveniently conduct financial transactions with each other online in more than 100 different currencies.

2. Yahoo

The multinational technology firm headquartered in the United States is best known for its online portal, program, and related services. The program accounts for 1.65% of the 4.57 billion consumers who use search engines worldwide.

3. LinkedIn

LinkedIn allows both companies and job seekers to post positions and is usually used for professional networking and career advancement.

4. Netflix

Among the companies employing Node.js, Netflix is perhaps the most well-known to people. It offers consumers a streaming service for television and movies.

5. Uber

Uber is another name that uses Node.js. It provides ride-hailing, food delivery (via Postmates and Uber Eats), package delivery, courier, and freight transportation services.

Ruby on Rails

1. GitHub

GitHub is a web hosting solution for Git-based version control and software development. It offers each project access control, bug tracking, software feature requests, task management, continuous integration, and wikis in addition to Git's distributed version control.

2. Airbnb

This is a popular web marketplace with a focus on experiences and short-term homestays. As a broker, the business takes a commission from each reservation.

3. Shopify

Through one streamlined interface, Shopify's user-friendly ecommerce platform enables small businesses to make an online store and conduct online sales.

4. Zendex

Zendex offers software-as-a-service (SaaS) items for customer communications, sales, and customer support.

5. Hulu

This is a popular American subscription streaming service with a majority of it owned by The Walt Disney Company. NBCUniversal, a Comcast company, owns the remaining shares.

Which is better?

Node.js is a very advanced technology that is continually developed and updated. It is frequently used for large-scale applications. In contrast, Ruby on Rails is a simple-to-learn framework that is ideal for small IT businesses. It can be used for both frontend and backend development. As for which is better, we can only draw one conclusion: the more Node.js and Ruby on Rails expertise you have, the better. The choice to use either technology should be based on the needs and goals of your project. Having knowledge of both will also open up numerous opportunities for Node.js developer jobs and Ruby on Rails jobs.