Backend web development is the most important part of the entire web development process. Backend development entails a developer using various frameworks to guarantee the smooth operation of the code for every kind of website, as necessary. There are plenty of backend development frameworks available in 2025. However, there is a recent debate has arisen between Ruby on Rails vs Django about which is the best backend development framework in 2025.
Most developers use such frameworks using different backend programming languages. One of the most important choices in web development is selecting the right backend framework for your project. Out of all the possibilities, Django vs Ruby On Rails are two of the most well-liked and potent frameworks. Both are firm, open-source, and offer multiple tools to boost the creation of web applications. They each have unique features and philosophies, though, which make them appropriate for particular use cases.
Many Python Django development businesses evaluate the fundamental aspects of the applications of Django vs Ruby on Rails to guarantee the highest performance and maximum efficiency in the process of creating the product.
Keep reading and learning to find out the main difference between Django vs Ruby on Rails popularity, which are the most popular backend frameworks in 2025.
Table of Contents
Ruby on Rails vs Django: Understanding Both Frameworks
Although both Ruby on Rails vs Django are the most popular backend frameworks in web development, we’ll first discuss the key concepts and working of both frameworks before getting directly into the comparison.
What is the Ruby on Rails Framework?
The open-source project server-side Web application framework Ruby on Rails, or simply Rails, is created using the Ruby programming language. It adheres to the convention-over-configuration philosophy and makes an effort to facilitate development by employing a focused strategy, maintaining application standardization, and speeding up the backend web development process.
Without creating their own rules and logic, developers may program for logical scenarios by using the Convention Over Configuration approach. Programming becomes a breeze with RoR’s environment, which can be connected with front-end web frameworks as well as libraries like React, Angular, and Vue. Because of this web application framework’s great degree of adaptability, developers may experiment with the products they create.
The world of web development saw fresh and distinctive characteristics when Ruby on Rails was initially released in 2005. Rails introduced a new approach to web application development with its Conventions over Configuration (CoC) philosophy.
The CoC software design paradigm is implemented by Rails, giving web developers a tool that drastically cuts down on coding time. Writing boilerplate code is no longer necessary.
If any of the following are necessary for your project, use Ruby on Rails.
- Rapid growth of MVPs
- Quick prototypes
- E-commerce online apps that are safe and secure
- Easy to use and very effective
Now, let’s discuss the Django framework before getting into the main Ruby on Rails vs Django comparison.
What is the Django Framework?
Django is a robust Python-based backend framework. Because of its “batteries-included” design philosophy, it comes with a full suite of integrated tools that make creating scalable and secure online applications easier. Django’s emphasis on security, which guarantees developers follow web development best practices, is one of its most notable characteristics, considering ROR vs Django.
Through a simplified cycle and the provision of tools for data validation, logging, paginating, authentication, and static file management, the Django web development framework assists programmers in expediting the whole project development process. Following the “Don’t Repeat Yourself” tenet, Django seeks to remove formulaic redundancies, a mistake that frequently happens when building structures out of code.
Because it is a free, open-source, and general-purpose framework, it is readily available. Django, which relies on the Python programming language, expands all of Python’s ideas to give developers a useful, easy-to-use, and portable platform. Therefore, you can say that it is the best backend framework in web development, especially if you want to develop a highly secure website.
Developers give Django’s features high marks. Django makes the process of building intricate, database-driven websites easier. This is a framework that promotes quick development and has a clean, practical design.
If your project calls for the following, use Django.
- ML and AI-enabled modern web applications
- Mathematical and scientific programming
- Extremely secure websites
- Managing a large database
- A sizable development team
Now, let’s come to the main point of this blog, which is the Ruby on Rails vs Django comparison.
Also Read: What is a Framework: An In-depth Look at Frameworks
Django vs Ruby on Rails: Key Differences
Despite the many similarities between applications of Django vs Ruby on Rails, these web frameworks are utilized for different projects and have distinct development goals. To better understand which one works best, let’s go over the fundamental traits that influence competitiveness.
Performance
Although both Ruby on Rails vs Django frameworks are capable of producing high-performance applications, the underlying infrastructure and the particular use case will determine how quickly they do it. Ruby on Rails effectively handles complex operations thanks to its straightforward technologies and systems. Ruby’s somewhat slower runtime performance compared to Python could affect applications with high traffic.
Still, Django’s light framework and Python’s efficient request processing make it quicker for easy tasks. Django’s ORM makes light work of difficult database queries.
Also Read: Flask vs Django: A Side by Side Comparison For Beginners
Architecture
The Model View Template (MVT) architecture, which is a component of Django, shows a database that describes data structures. Because this framework is completely automated, developers do not need to write code for every control-specific function for the Controller.
RoR or Ruby on Rails also uses the Model View Controller (MVC) architecture. Posts, images, comments, and other database data are all interpreted by this model. Because it easily isolates business logic from databases, queries, and UI-UX code, it has become popular as a prominent web design process pattern.
Programming Language
First, let’s examine the Ruby on Rails vs Django programming language that these two frameworks for web development employ. The programming languages RoR and Django employ are Ruby and Python, respectively. Although both are excellent programming languages, Python prevails because of its recent surge in popularity. Django is notable for its capacity to improve the readability and clarity of the code.
However, because Ruby offers developers more flexibility and freedom, it poses a serious threat to Django. Since Django is a Python framework, it is easier to learn, write, and implement. Meanwhile, Ruby is one of the best programming languages that aims to make web development more pleasant.
Scalability
GitHub and Shopify are just two examples of scalable apps that Ruby on Rails has a long history of supporting. Its adaptability to many cloud-based VPS hosting options and modular architecture.
Additionally, Django is renowned for its scalability, having been successfully implemented at businesses such as Pinterest and Instagram. Python is a great option for companies expecting a spike in traffic because of its strong ecosystem, which further improves its capacity to handle quick expansion. That is why it is the best backend framework when comparing Ruby on Rails vs Django in 2025.
Job Market
When learning a new programming tool, developers should also think about how their choices will affect the market. Developers with experience in Ruby on Rails might make an average of USD 100,000 annually, according to Glassdoor on Ruby on Rails vs Django jobs. On average, Django developers make about $90,000.
Also Read: Is Ruby On Rails Dead Or Still Good Choice For Building Apps?
User Interface
Developers can discover significant distinctions between the user interfaces of Django and Rails by comparing them. Django is easier to use, responds quickly, has an excellent interface, and is more direct.
Because Ruby on Rails is flexible, it promises to provide a better user interface. The framework is a great choice for building top-notch websites with an interactive, user-friendly design and is readily adaptable to contemporary solutions.
Therefore, a developer’s tastes and abilities, in addition to the project criteria that must be met, will largely determine how convenient the product is to use. Therefore, both are the winners in our Ruby on Rails vs Django comparison in terms of their user interface.
Consistency
Ruby on Rails strikes the ideal mix of stability and flexibility. In addition to implementing new, creative features, it enables users to reuse the code to remove dependencies.
Additionally, it integrates the CoC or Convention over Configuration approach, which relieves programmers of additional work. It offers the foundation to lessen the burden for Ruby on Rails developers while maintaining its adaptability and ease of manipulation.
Django, however, has strong opinions. In Django, there is only one way to accomplish things, and it takes a lot of effort to attempt something different. Django makes a concerted effort to stop new implementations. Web developers’ inventiveness and adaptability might have a significant impact on this. Therefore, Django is the clear winner in our Django vs Ruby on Rails comparison in terms of their consistency.
Popularity
Depending on their Ruby on Rails vs Django popularity, every framework is thriving and growing at its own pace. Rails is a little bit less favored than Django, however. 185,161 active websites use it; product owners on StackOverflow have given it over 14.65% of their votes. Still, Rails is not lacking in any way then. It currently has more than 638,562 active websites in addition to the 3,182,630 previously reported sites.
Like Django, it has 5.83 percent of product owners’ votes on StackOverflow. Though it seems to have fewer votes than Django, the reference nonetheless clearly shows. Django and Rails are predicted to expand more in 2024 and provide greater chances for project owners, based on data from Google Trends.
Syntax
Although Ruby on Rails is based on the Ruby programming language—hence the name—Django works on Python. Generally speaking, Ruby and Python are both interpreted, dynamically typed, object-oriented programming languages.
By contrast, Python is a more flexible programming language offering many solutions with capabilities for data analysis, artificial intelligence, and ML, among other things. Still, Ruby on Rails is mostly employed for internet APIs and web server programming, making it the best backend framework in our Ruby on Rails vs Django comparison.
Learning Curve
The expertise and skill level of the developer also affect how complex the Ruby on Rails vs Django frameworks are. The greatest Python community is found in the language that powers the Django framework. It’s also among the best choices for big data tools projects on a larger scale.
Ruby on Rails offers more contemporary programming paradigms, whereas Python Django is simpler to learn. Additionally, RoR demands at least a basic familiarity with Ruby, so getting started will involve a significant amount of work.
Ruby on Rails vs Django: What is the Best Backend Framework?
Having too much knowledge about the differences between ROR vs Django may not make you decide right away. To choose which choice is best for your online project, let’s now quickly review each one’s potential.
Small businesses and early-stage companies benefit more from the Ruby on Rails framework. Rails can thus be used if your project calls for a straightforward web application to be provided in the smallest amount of time!
Conversely, Django will work well for big businesses looking for a standardized, extensive web development solution. It is the best option for applications involving large databases since it is more basic and powerful.
Conclusion
Choosing the proper web framework is a key first move that might have a big influence on the entire progression of the project. The project specifics, corporate goals, and expectations all together have much influence in deciding the final reply to the Ruby on Rails vs Django issue. Considering the above components will certainly help you to choose the most practical and effective alternative.
Django is best used for handling complex internet apps that call for thorough content and information management. Its convenient data management and ability to generate bespoke material come from its combined administrative user interface and ORM. Additionally, its Rest Framework gives developers access to all the necessary API frameworks, making it simple for them to create web APIs.
However, Ruby on Rails is the best option for quick prototyping and development. Convention-over-configuration and built-in scaffolding are two of its most notable features, which make working with Ruby on Rails developers easier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Django Better Than Ruby on Rails?
There is no one “better” framework between Ruby on Rails (Ruby) and Django (Python); rather, the best option relies on the particular project needs and team experience. While Ruby on Rails thrives in quick prototyping and projects that prioritize convention over configuration, Django is the best choice for large-scale, data-heavy applications and AI/ML projects.
Is Ruby on Rails A Dying Language?
In 2024, Ruby on Rails remains important and active in the online development space. The framework has the support of a robust community of Ruby on Rails developers. Ruby on Rails engineers are still in great demand in the labor market. The benefits of Ruby on Rails include a full-stack framework and sophisticated syntax.
Is Ruby on Rails Better Than Python?
Python and Perl are less structured than Ruby. Ruby allows programmers to anticipate and automatically write code. Python is slower than Ruby. Compared to developers using any other programming language, developers utilizing a well-known web-based framework on Ruby required 40% less time. Python supports a wide number of libraries.
Why Is Ruby on Rails Losing Popularity?
React got the lead, even if it may affect performance or human productivity. Every framework that used outdated server-side templates (ERB for Rails) to render HTML began to deteriorate. Because of UI-driven programming, Rails was already less popular.