Django vs Ruby on Rails: A Comprehensive Comparison

There are a lot of choices to make when developing an eCommerce platform, especially for companies venturing into the online retail space for the first time. One of the key decisions you need to make right off the bat is which framework you will use for your site. This is something that will directly impact the back-end development of your eCommerce store, so you need to ensure you and your IT team pick the right framework. 

Right now, two of the most popular full-stack web frameworks are Django and Ruby on Rails. These two platforms have similarities, but they’re also quite different when it comes to the details that can make or break a development project. Keep reading for a full Django vs Ruby on Rails comparison! 

What is Django? 

Django is a Python-based web full-stack framework released in 2015 that plays a crucial role in Python development. This high-level framework encourages clean and rapid development and was created by Python developers to help build pragmatic and efficient designs. Approximately 84,493 websites have been built with Django so far. 

What is Ruby on Rails? 

Ruby on Rails is a full-stack framework built for programming using the Ruby language. This open-source web framework allows developers to conduct object-oriented programming using Ruby. There are currently 435,455 websites using Ruby on Rails, which shows how well established this framework is. 

Django vs Ruby on Rails Comparison

Language:

Ruby on Rails is, as one would expect, based on the Ruby programming language. On the other hand, Django is based on the Python coding language. While these are both object-oriented, interpreted, and dynamic languages, there are still differences between them. 

Ruby is a programming language frequently used for web development, making Ruby on Rails a natural choice for creating web servers and testing APIs. Python is a more general programming language that has many different purposes, including game development, machine learning, and data analytics features. 

Speed and performance: 

When it comes to the Django vs Ruby on Rails comparison in terms of speed, Ruby on Rails is generally observed to be 0.7% faster. That’s in fact one of the main differentials of this full-stack web framework and the Ruby programming language. This is thanks to its large depository of plugins and libraries that enhance the performance of the Ruby framework. Though Django still allows for a fast development process, as its REST framework delivers convenience and optimization through different features. 

User interface and learning curve:

The user interface of Django and Ruby on Rails are considerably similar. The difference between the interfaces is more aesthetic than functional, as both are up-to-date with 21st-century web development. You can’t really go wrong with either of them, so our recommendation is that you get a feel for both web frameworks and decide based on how it feels to navigate them. 

As far as the learning curve goes, Python is easier to pick up as a complete beginner, and so is Django. Though if you’re familiar with the Ruby principles, the Ruby on Rails framework shouldn’t give you much trouble. 

Stability: 

Ruby on Rails is a flexible web framework, striking a good balance with the necessary stability needed to reuse the code and implement new features within the same project. Django is nothing like this when it comes to stability, as it has one way and only one way to do things right, leading to lengthy development detours when you need to innovate. 

Architecture: 

When it comes to Django vs Ruby on Rails, both frameworks follow a similar architectural pattern. Still, Ruby on Rails is dependent on the Model-View-Controller design pattern while Django follows the Model-View-Template architecture. Both architecture types are almost identical, with the slight difference that, in Ruby on Rails, all the control-specific functions for Controller need to be manually coded instead of automatically generated like with the Django framework. 

Installation: 

This is one of the areas of the Django vs Ruby on Rails comparison in which it’s the easiest to tell which framework does better. Django is extremely simple to install, with the process usually taking less than a minute to complete. On the other hand, Ruby on Rails is not as straightforward when it comes to installing its different packages. Only after you understand what bundle and gems are, then you can run Command Gem Install Rails and download the framework.

Syntax:

One distinct characteristic of the Ruby programming language and the Ruby on Rails framework is the syntax flexibility of the two of them. Ruby on Rails is a highly flexible web framework and this can lead to different issues during the development process, as collaboration is trickier when one feature can be made in several different ways. On the other hand, Django is a more static framework and makes the path easier to follow for everyone on the team. 

Is Django better than Ruby on Rails?

Truth is, while Django is certainly increasing its popularity, both frameworks are excellent for developing a full-stack web application. Still, there are cases where Ruby on Rails will be the best option for your business and others where Django could be the better fit. 

Django is the better option if you’re looking for an easy framework to use that still allows developers to build complex and detailed features. Projects using this framework could take a little longer, but are well managed, especially if they include a large development team or a sizeable database. On the other hand, Ruby on Rails is a speedy web framework that can help to make the development process much more efficient, though less detailed. 

Are you looking to build a Django or Ruby on Rails eCommerce platform? 

Now that you know the ins and outs of the full Django vs Ruby on Rails comparison, you can choose which platform to use when developing your eCommerce website. No matter the framework of your preference, be it Django or Ruby on Rails, at Resolve Digital we have years of experience developing eCommerce websites. We offer full-stack development and maintenance services to help your online business keep growing. Contact us today to learn more about our custom eCommerce development services!