🌐 What to Use in 2024: Node.js, Bun, or Deno? 🚀 A Comparative Analysis

As the JavaScript ecosystem evolves, the debate over which server-side runtime to use is intensifying. Node.js has been the standard-bearer for over a decade, but new challengers like Bun and Deno (especially with the release of Deno 2.0) are pushing the boundaries with performance and developer experience.

This article explores Node.js, Bun, and Deno 2.0 from various angles—performance, ecosystem, security, and more—to help you choose the right runtime for your next project. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of which tool suits your needs best in 2024.

🧑‍💻 The Contenders at a Glance:

🌲 Node.js: The Reliable Veteran

Node.js has been a workhorse in server-side JavaScript development since 2009. Built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine, it brought JavaScript out of the browser and into the server room. As the most mature and widely adopted runtime, Node.js offers extensive support, tools, and community resources.

💡 Key Features:

• V8 Engine: Optimized for speed and efficiency, V8 powers Node.js’s JavaScript execution.
• NPM Ecosystem: Boasting the largest package registry in the JavaScript world, Node.js offers endless third-party modules.
• Asynchronous I/O: Node’s non-blocking architecture excels in handling multiple connections concurrently.

🚀 Performance and Startup Time:

• Startup Time: Node.js startup is generally good, but not as fast as Bun. For example, a typical API server may take 60-100ms to boot.
• Concurrency: Node.js can handle thousands of concurrent connections thanks to its event-driven, non-blocking I/O model.

🧪 Benchmarks:

• JSON Parsing: Node.js processes 100k JSON ops/sec, behind Bun but competitive with Deno.
• HTTP Requests: Node.js serves 35k requests/sec (plain JSON response) on a modern server.

⚙️ Best For:

• Large-scale applications that require mature tooling and enterprise-level performance.
• When NPM’s extensive library of modules is essential.

🌀 Bun: The New Speed Demon 🏎️

Introduced in 2022, Bun is a modern runtime built from the ground up for speed. Written in Zig, it aims to optimize JavaScript and TypeScript performance, offering built-in tools like bundling, transpiling, and testing to streamline development.

💡 Key Features:

• Safari’s JavaScriptCore Engine: Unlike Node.js and Deno (which use V8), Bun uses WebKit’s JavaScriptCore engine, known for its speed in real-world web applications.
• All-in-One Tooling: Bun includes TypeScript, bundler, and test runner built-in, reducing reliance on external tools like Webpack and Babel.
• NPM Compatibility: Bun can install NPM packages, making migration easier from Node.js.

🚀 Performance and Startup Time:

• Startup Time: Bun’s startup time is exceptional—an API server can boot in 5-20ms, making it about 5-10x faster than Node.js.
• Concurrency: Bun’s architecture is designed for extremely high concurrency with minimal memory overhead.

🧪 Benchmarks:

• JSON Parsing: Bun outperforms both Node.js and Deno, clocking in at 200k JSON ops/sec.
• HTTP Requests: Bun handles a staggering 70k requests/sec (plain JSON response), which is nearly 2x faster than Node.js.

🏎️ Best For:

• Performance-sensitive applications where speed is crucial (e.g., real-time services, gaming, and large-scale APIs).
• Simplified development, as Bun minimizes the need for multiple tools and configurations.

🦕 Deno 2.0: The Secure and Modern Challenger

Created by Ryan Dahl, the original developer of Node.js, Deno was designed to address the flaws Dahl identified in Node.js. With Deno 2.0, the runtime has matured into a robust alternative, offering better security and modern web standard support.

💡 Key Features:

• Secure by Default: Deno operates in a sandboxed environment, meaning it requires explicit permission for file access, network requests, and more.
• Native TypeScript Support: Unlike Node.js, Deno supports TypeScript out of the box without the need for additional transpilation.
• Web Standards Alignment: Deno embraces web APIs like fetch, WebSocket, and File natively, providing a seamless transition between browser and server environments.

🚀 Performance and Startup Time:

• Startup Time: Deno has made major strides in version 2.0, with an average startup time of 40-80ms, still not as fast as Bun but competitive with Node.js.
• Concurrency: Deno handles concurrency well, although it slightly lags behind Bun’s optimized speed.

🧪 Benchmarks:

• JSON Parsing: Deno processes 120k JSON ops/sec, slower than Bun but still faster than Node.js.
• HTTP Requests: Deno handles 38k requests/sec (plain JSON response), edging Node.js but not matching Bun’s raw speed.

🔒 Best For:

• Secure applications where permissions and sandboxing are important (e.g., finance, healthcare).
• Modern JavaScript/TypeScript projects that want to take full advantage of native web standards and minimal setup.

⚔️ Detailed Performance Breakdown: Benchmarks (2024)

Bun consistently leads the pack in raw performance benchmarks, but both Node.js and Deno are competitive for different types of workloads.

🔥 Concurrency & Scalability

🌲 Node.js:

• Event-driven model: Node.js uses an event loop and non-blocking I/O, which allows it to handle multiple requests simultaneously. It’s widely known for its ability to scale applications that need to manage numerous connections, such as real-time apps like chat systems.

🌀 Bun:

• High concurrency optimization: Bun is optimized for handling thousands of concurrent requests while maintaining high throughput. Its integration with JavaScriptCore allows it to handle multiple connections faster and more efficiently than V8-based runtimes.

🦕 Deno 2.0:

• Security and concurrency balance: Deno is optimized for secure concurrency. While it doesn’t match Bun’s raw speed, it is designed to be safe by default, making it ideal for handling tasks that require strict security constraints.

🎯 When to Choose What?

• 🌲 Node.js:

  • You need stability, extensive community support, and access to the vast NPM ecosystem.
  • Perfect for large enterprise applications and projects with complex dependencies.

• 🌀 Bun:

  • If speed is critical—such as in real-time apps, APIs, or gaming services.
  • Ideal for startups and innovators who want the latest in performance and simplified tooling.

• 🦕 Deno 2.0:

  • When security and modern web standard compliance are the priority.
  • Best for TypeScript-heavy projects and developers looking for a more secure alternative to Node.js.

🏁 Conclusion:

2024 brings us a diverse set of tools for server-side JavaScript development. Node.js remains reliable and scalable, but Bun is taking the crown in pure performance. Meanwhile, Deno 2.0 offers a modern and secure alternative. Your choice should ultimately depend on your project’s specific requirements, be it speed, security, or tooling flexibility.