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Nikhil Plavalappil Kuttan
Nikhil Plavalappil Kuttan

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A Production-Ready & Scalable Express + TypeScript API Starter - Compared with NestJS

#webdev #programming #typescript #productivity

Every time I start a new backend project, I face the same question:

Should I use NestJS, or keep things simple with Express + TypeScript?

NestJS is powerful and popular. But in many real-world projects, I found myself dealing with too much abstraction, decorators, and framework rules when all I wanted was a clean, scalable Express API.

That’s why I built express-ts-api-starter — a production-ready and scalable Express + TypeScript starter focused on clarity over magic.

In this post, I’ll:

  • Compare it honestly with NestJS
  • Show real code examples
  • Help you decide which approach fits your project

What Problem Does This Starter Solve?

If you’ve built multiple APIs, you’ve probably repeated:

  • Project structure
  • Error handling
  • Environment configuration
  • Module separation
  • TypeScript setup

This starter extracts those production patterns into a reusable foundation — without turning Express into a framework.

Project Structure Comparison

NestJS 

src/
 ├─ app.module.ts
 ├─ app.controller.ts
 ├─ app.service.ts
 ├─ users/
 │   ├─ users.module.ts
 │   ├─ users.controller.ts
 │   ├─ users.service.ts
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NestJS enforces architecture using modules, decorators, and dependency injection.

express-ts-api-starter 

src/
 ├─ app.ts
 ├─ server.ts
 ├─ modules/
 │   └─ users/
 │       ├─ routes.ts
 │       ├─ controller.ts
 │       ├─ service.ts
 │       └─ types.ts
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This structure scales because:

  • Features are isolated
  • Responsibilities are clear
  • Everything is plain TypeScript

👉 No decorators. No reflection. No hidden lifecycle.

Route Handling: Side-by-Side

NestJS 

@Controller("users")
export class UsersController {
  constructor(private service: UsersService) {}

  @Get()
  getUsers() {
    return this.service.getAll();
  }
}
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express-ts-api-starter 

router.get("/", controller.getUsers);
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export const getUsers = async (req, res) => {
  const users = await userService.getAll();
  return res.json(users);
};
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Key difference:

  • NestJS relies on decorators and DI
  • This starter relies on explicit, readable code

Debugging is easier because nothing is abstracted away.

Dependency Injection: Magic vs Explicit

Aspect NestJS express-ts-api-starter
DI system Built-in Plain imports
Abstraction High Minimal
Debugging Harder Very easy
Learning curve Steep Very low

In this starter:

JavaScript itself is the DI system.

Scalability (The Big Myth)

A common misconception:

NestJS is scalable, Express is not.

Reality:

  • Both scale well when architecture is done right.

express-ts-api-starter scales because:

  • Feature-based modules
  • Thin controllers
  • Isolated services
  • No framework lock-in
  • Easy refactoring as the codebase grows

👉 Scalability comes from architecture, not decorators.

Performance & Control

Area NestJS express-ts-api-starter
Startup time Slower Faster
Runtime overhead Medium Minimal
Express control Partial Full
Middleware Nest-specific Native Express

If you want raw Express control, this starter wins.

Production Readiness

Both approaches support:

  • Centralized error handling
  • Environment configuration
  • Middleware and logging
  • Testing support

This starter provides production-safe defaults without forcing a framework.

Honest Rating (Out of 10)

Category NestJS express-ts-api-starter
Production readiness 9/10 9/10
Scalability 9/10 9/10
Learning curve 6/10 9/10
Debuggability 7/10 9/10
Flexibility 8/10 9/10

Final score

  • NestJS: 8.1 / 10
  • express-ts-api-starter: 9.0 / 10

When Should You Choose Which?

Choose NestJS if:

  • You have a large enterprise team
  • You want strict framework rules
  • You prefer Angular-style architecture

Choose express-ts-api-starter if:

  • You want production-ready Express without magic
  • You value simplicity and control
  • You want faster onboarding
  • You want zero framework lock-in

Try It Yourself 

npx express-ts-api-starter my-api
cd my-api
npm install
npm run dev
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📦 npm package:

https://www.npmjs.com/package/express-ts-api-starter

Final Thoughts

NestJS is a framework.

express-ts-api-starter is a foundation.

If you prefer clarity over abstraction and want something that scales naturally in production, this starter might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Feedback, issues, and PRs are welcome

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