Django V/S Flask, What make them different?

Django and Flask are the two most popular web development Python frameworks today. Python is the most versatile programming language and is most commonly associated with data science and analysis. But it can also be used to build powerful web applications. As we know, Python provides a wide range of web frameworks. Django and Flask are only two among them. Each framework has a unique quality and we can use it according to the project requirement. Django is a full-stack web framework, which is used for a large and complex web applications, whereas Flask is a lightweight and extensible web framework.

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What is Django?

Django is one of the most powerful Python web development frameworks today. The framework is nothing but which is a set of components that helps you to build a website easier and faster. If you are building a website definitely you need a similar set of components like authentication modules, forms, administration panels for your website, etc. Luckily most of the module for building a new website is available in Django as ready-made components. It is being used by a lot of companies including, Instagram, Pinterest, Spotify, Bitbucket, Udemy, Dropbox, Mozilla, Reddit, etc.

Advantages of Django

• Setting up a project and running the framework is easy and quick
• Suitable and easy admin panel by default
• Support dynamic HTML pages
• Easy and highly developed documentation
• Highly secured

Disadvantages of Django

• The code size is often large
• Allows you to handle only one request at a time
• Monolith framework
• Not good for smaller projects

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What is Flask?

A Flask is a micro web framework written in Python programming language. It was introduced by Armin Ronacher in 2010 as a trial method of joining two solutions i.e; Werkzeug(a server framework) and Jinja2(a template library). Flask is categorized as a micro framework because it does not depend on external libraries to perform the task of a framework. It has tools, technologies, and libraries to support the functionalities of web application development. Since the framework is more independent and flexible. Flask supports multiple types of databases by default because it has no default model. This also simplifies the integration of databases into flask applications. Some companies use flask; Netflix, Reddit, Zillow, MailGui, Lyft, etc.

Advantages of Flask

• Adaptable to the latest technologies
• Suitable for small case projects
• Easy to build a quick prototype
• Require small codebase size for simple functions
• Extensible and easy core systems

Disadvantages of Flask

• When compare with Django it has limited support and a smaller community
• Not suitable for big applications or projects
• Higher maintenance costs for more complex systems
• Security is uncertain, with no function for user authentication or login

Some differences in the common aspects?

Parameter	Django	Flask
Created	2005	2010
Framework	Full-stack web framework	Light-weight framework
Architecture	MVT (Model View Template)	Provide developers flexibility on application structuring
Layout	Suitable for multiple-page applications	Suitable for single-page application
Bootstrapping tool	In-built bootstrapping tool	Does not come with an in-built bootstrapping tool
Database support	Django supports the most popular relational database MySQL, Oracle, etc	Flask does not support the basic database management system and uses SQLAlchemy for database requirements
Flexibility	Django has less flexibility than a flask. Because of its inbuilt features and tools. Developers cannot make changes to it.	Flask is a micro framework with extensible libraries making itself a flexible framework for developers.
Template Engine	Django is inspired by the Ninja2 template but it has a built-in model view template that makes the process easier.	Use Ninja2 template design
Control	Developers do not have full control over modules, because of built-in libraries	Flask allows developers to have full control over the applications with no dependencies from external libraries.
Debugger	Django does not support any virtual debugging	Flask has a built-in debugger that offers virtual debugging
Routing and Views	Mapping of URLs to views through request	Mapping of URLs to class-based view through Werkzeug
HTML	Support dynamic HTML pages	Does not support dynamic pages
Best Features	Great community support, Secure, Fast development	Lightweight framework, Minimal features, Full control over the project
Usage	Suitable for high-level project	Best for smaller projects
Maturity	Very mature framework	The much younger platform when compared to Django

At the end

Many developers have one common question, which framework is better? basically, you can start with some necessary programming skills, but Django needs some prior homework for you to write a simple ‘hello world’.

You should use Flask when

• Working on smaller projects with code flexibility
• Need API support and want to include more extensions in future
• You want more control over the project and database
• Best choice for creating static websites, rapid prototypes, and RESTful web service

You should use Django when

• If you are on a large project and deadlines are the deciding factor
• Do you want to scale up the more complex tasks in future
• Need an active online community and support
• When creating web apps with ORM support, API backends, and incorporating high-end technologies like machine learning in future