If you've been in backend development for even a short while, you’ve probably noticed a pattern. Every year, a new backend framework or technology claims to revolutionize web development. First, it was Rails, then Express.js, then NestJS, then Deno, and now people are talking about Bun, h3, and other "next-gen" runtimes.
At first, it’s exciting—better performance, simpler architecture, fewer headaches! But after years of jumping from Express to Fastify to NestJS to Bun, I’ve come to a realization:
Constantly chasing the latest backend framework is a waste of time.
I’m not against innovation, but at some point, you have to ask yourself:
"Am I actually solving problems, or am I just rewriting the same APIs in different frameworks?"
The Backend Hype Cycle Never Stops
Backend developers, just like frontend devs, are obsessed with new tech. There’s always a new framework, a new ORM, a new database query language, a new API structure, or a new serverless runtime. The cycle looks like this:
A new backend framework appears—faster, leaner, more scalable.
Tech bloggers, influencers, and conference speakers start hyping it up.
Startups experiment with it, but most businesses ignore it because they need reliability.
The framework matures, gains features, and becomes just as bloated as its predecessors.
A new framework emerges, and the cycle repeats.
Remember when everyone thought Ruby on Rails was the future? Then Node.js took over. Then Go was supposed to replace them both. Now we’re in an era of Bun, Rust-based APIs, and edge computing. But guess what?
Django and Flask are still running thousands of enterprise applications.
Spring Boot is still dominating Java-based backends.
Express.js is still the most widely used Node.js backend framework.
PHP (yes, PHP!) still powers a significant portion of the web.
Laravel is still one of the most loved PHP frameworks for building modern web applications.
At some point, I had to ask myself:
"What am I actually gaining by switching frameworks every year?"
Rewriting Your Backend is a Waste of Resources
I love experimenting with new tech. It’s exciting to see better performance numbers and a fresh approach to solving old problems. But there’s a huge cost to switching backend frameworks:
Rewriting APIs & business logic: Moving from Express to Fastify or NestJS means refactoring routes, middlewares, and authentication logic.
Learning new quirks & edge cases: Every framework has its own set of issues and undocumented behaviors.
Reworking DevOps & deployment: A new backend framework might require a different hosting approach, monitoring tools, or CI/CD setup.
Convincing the team: If you work with others, they have to learn it too, and that takes time.
And for what?
To serve the same JSON responses, process the same API calls, and connect to the same database?
Instead of chasing new frameworks, I realized I should focus on optimizing what I already use.
There Is No "Best" Backend Framework—Only Trade-offs
Developers love debating which backend framework is “the best,” but the reality is:
Every framework is just a tool, and each has trade-offs.
Express.js → Simple, unopinionated, but lacks structure for large apps.
NestJS → Scalable, structured, but adds unnecessary complexity for small apps.
Django → Powerful, but can feel restrictive.
Flask → Lightweight, but lacks built-in scalability.
Spring Boot → Feature-rich but bloated.
Fastify → Faster than Express, but lacks the same ecosystem.
Bun/Deno → Cool, but not production-ready for most businesses.
Laravel → Elegant and feature-rich, with great ORM (Eloquent) and built-in tools for routing, authentication, and testing, but can be heavy for small applications.
Every framework has strengths and weaknesses. The moment you switch, you just trade one set of challenges for another.
The Job Market Doesn’t Care About the Latest Backend Trend
Here’s a harsh truth: Companies don’t hire based on the latest backend framework.
The backend job market still revolves around:
Node.js (Express, NestJS, Fastify)
Django & Flask (Python)
Spring Boot (Java)
Ruby on Rails
Laravel (PHP)
Golang (for performance-heavy APIs)
A few startups might experiment with Deno, Bun, or Rust-based backends, but most companies prioritize stability, maintainability, and reliability over trendy frameworks.
No one is rewriting their entire backend every year just because "something new is trending on Twitter."
Frameworks Won’t Make You a Better Backend Developer
At one point, I convinced myself that learning every new backend framework would make me a better developer. But I was wrong.
What actually makes you a better backend developer?
✅ Mastering core programming concepts (data structures, algorithms, performance optimization).
✅ Understanding system design (scalability, caching, microservices vs monoliths).
✅ Knowing how databases work (SQL, NoSQL, indexing, query optimization).
✅ Writing maintainable code (clean architecture, logging, error handling).
✅ Learning DevOps & infrastructure (CI/CD, Docker, Kubernetes, cloud deployment).
A good backend developer isn’t the one who can write an API in 10 different frameworks. It’s the one who can design a system that handles real-world traffic, scales efficiently, and is easy to maintain.
What I’m Doing Instead
I’m not saying I’ll never try a new backend framework again. But I’ve changed my approach:
✅ Stick to frameworks that are widely adopted (Express, Django, Spring Boot, Laravel).
✅ Only switch when there’s a real business need (not just because Twitter says so).
✅ Focus on backend fundamentals, not just syntax differences.
✅ Build scalable, maintainable APIs, not just experiment with new tech.
The next time a new backend framework drops, I won’t be rushing to rewrite my API. Instead, I’ll be focused on optimizing performance, improving security, and making my backend architecture more resilient.
Final Thoughts
Backend frameworks come and go. The skills that matter—system design, database optimization, and scalable architecture—stay with you for life.
If you’re always jumping from one backend framework to the next, ask yourself:
"Am I actually improving as a backend engineer, or just running in circles?"
Let’s talk—are you still chasing backend frameworks, or have you stepped off the hype train too? Drop a comment below.
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