Express vs Sails.js
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A minimal, unopinionated web framework for building servers and APIs with Node.js.
Open source · MIT
A Node.js web framework for building MVC-style apps and APIs, with realtime features like chat.
The short answer
Choose Express if you need…
- Developers building JavaScript or Node.js back-end servers
- Teams building REST-style APIs in Node.js
- People who want a small framework and prefer choosing their own libraries
- Learners who want to understand how web servers handle requests
Choose Sails.js if you need…
- JavaScript developers who want a Rails-style MVC structure in Node.js
- Teams building realtime features such as chat, as the README highlights
- Developers migrating or extending an existing Express project, since the README says Sails actions are compatible with Connect middleware
- Projects that may need to switch databases, thanks to Waterline's adapter system
Side-by-side
| Express | Sails.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Framework | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 69.6k | 22.8k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 4 days ago | 5 months ago |
What each one is
Express
Express is a small web framework for Node.js, the JavaScript runtime that runs outside the browser. It helps you handle web requests, define routes, and send responses without writing all the low-level server code yourself. It is described as unopinionated and minimalist, so it leaves most structural choices to the developer.
Sails.js
Sails.js is a web framework for Node.js that helps you build custom server-side apps and APIs. Its structure resembles the MVC pattern used in frameworks like Ruby on Rails, and the README says it is especially good for realtime features such as chat. It is built on Express and Socket.io and includes Waterline, an ORM that connects to several databases.
Best for
Express
- Developers building JavaScript or Node.js back-end servers
- Teams building REST-style APIs in Node.js
- People who want a small framework and prefer choosing their own libraries
- Learners who want to understand how web servers handle requests
Sails.js
- JavaScript developers who want a Rails-style MVC structure in Node.js
- Teams building realtime features such as chat, as the README highlights
- Developers migrating or extending an existing Express project, since the README says Sails actions are compatible with Connect middleware
- Projects that may need to switch databases, thanks to Waterline's adapter system
Strengths
Express
- Minimal core that is easy to learn and extend
- Unopinionated, so it fits many project structures
- Widely used, with 69,580 GitHub stars and an MIT license
Sails.js
- Familiar MVC structure that the README says resembles Ruby on Rails
- Built-in realtime support via Socket.io, with WebSockets usable alongside the API
- Waterline ORM supports several databases through a documented adapter system
Not ideal for
Express
- People who want a full, batteries-included framework with conventions decided for them, since Express leaves most structure to you
- Non-programmers, because it requires writing JavaScript code
- Projects that do not use Node.js
Sails.js
- People new to JavaScript or Node.js, since it assumes familiarity with the ecosystem
- Developers who want a minimal framework with little built-in structure, as Sails provides a fairly complete MVC layout
- Projects needing a database with no available adapter, since support depends on Waterline adapters
Trade-offs
Express
- Leaves structure, validation, and many features to third-party packages, which means more decisions for you
- Requires familiarity with Node.js and JavaScript
Sails.js
- The README mentions upgrade guides between major releases, which implies version changes you will need to follow
- Community adapters vary in maintenance, and the README links many of them to old or search pages
- The README is truncated and does not detail the full feature set or requirements
Getting started
Sails.js
Install Sails globally
npm install sails -gCreate a new app
sails new my-appFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Express and Sails.js?
Express: A minimal, unopinionated web framework for building servers and APIs with Node.js. Sails.js: A Node.js web framework for building MVC-style apps and APIs, with realtime features like chat. Express suits developers building javascript or node.js back-end servers, while Sails.js suits javascript developers who want a rails-style mvc structure in node.js.
Are Express and Sails.js free?
Express: Free and open source. Sails.js: Free and open source.
Is Express or Sails.js more popular?
Express has more GitHub stars (69.6k) than Sails.js (22.8k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Express and Sails.js?
Other options people compare them with include Fastify, Koa.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.