NestJS vs Spring Boot: A Comprehensive Comparison (With Code Examples)

When selecting a backend framework for your application, the choice can significantly affect performance, scalability, and maintainability. NestJS vs Spring Boot are two leading frameworks for backend development, tailored for the JavaScript/TypeScript and Java ecosystems, respectively. Both offer robust features for building scalable applications, but their architecture, language, and use cases differ.

In this blog, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between NestJS and Spring Boot, including annotated code examples for a detailed understanding. If you’re deciding between these frameworks, this comparison will help you make an informed choice.

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What is NestJS?

NestJS is a TypeScript framework built on top of Node.js. Inspired by Angular’s architecture, NestJS emphasizes modular development and provides a robust Dependency Injection (DI) system. It’s widely used for building REST APIs, GraphQL servers, and microservices.

• Language: TypeScript
• Best Suited For: Lightweight applications, real-time services, microservices, and modern web APIs.
• Popular Features: Middleware, guards, GraphQL support, and easy integration with libraries like Swagger.

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What is Spring Boot?

Spring Boot is a popular Java framework that simplifies the development of enterprise-grade applications. Built on the Spring Framework, it reduces boilerplate code and accelerates application setup. Spring Boot is a favorite for monolithic or microservice-based architectures.

• Language: Java (also supports Kotlin)
• Best Suited For: Enterprise-level systems, monolithic and distributed systems, and applications requiring robust transaction management.
• Popular Features: Auto-configuration, Spring Data, AOP, and cloud-native microservice support.

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Key Similarities Between NestJS and Spring Boot

1. Dependency Injection: Both frameworks use DI to improve code modularity and testability.
2. Modular Architecture: Encourages organizing application logic into modules.
3. Annotation/Decorator-based Design: Use annotations (Spring Boot) or decorators (NestJS) for defining components, routes, and configurations.
4. Microservice-Ready: Provide tools for implementing microservices and inter-service communication.

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Key Differences Between NestJS and Spring Boot

Feature	NestJS	Spring Boot
Language	TypeScript/JavaScript	Java (or Kotlin)
Performance	Non-blocking I/O, suitable for I/O-heavy apps	JVM-based, suitable for complex computations
Learning Curve	Easier for JavaScript developers	Steeper for beginners
Ecosystem	Growing with JavaScript/Node.js tools	Mature and enterprise-ready
Scalability	Best for small to medium-sized apps	Enterprise-grade scalability
Out-of-the-box Features	Minimal tooling, requires third-party libraries	Rich, with comprehensive built-in tools

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Code Examples: NestJS vs Spring Boot

1. Basic Controller Example

A simple HTTP endpoint for returning a “Hello World” response.

NestJS

typescriptCopy codeimport { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common';

@Controller('hello')
export class HelloController {
  @Get()
  getHello(): string {
    return 'Hello, World!';
  }
}

Spring Boot

javaCopy codeimport org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.GetMapping;
import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.RequestMapping;
import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.RestController;

@RestController
@RequestMapping("/hello")
public class HelloController {
    @GetMapping
    public String getHello() {
        return "Hello, World!";
    }
}

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2. Dependency Injection

NestJS

typescriptCopy codeimport { Injectable } from '@nestjs/common';

@Injectable()
export class HelloService {
  getHello(): string {
    return 'Hello from Service!';
  }
}

Spring Boot

javaCopy codeimport org.springframework.stereotype.Service;

@Service
public class HelloService {
    public String getHello() {
        return "Hello from Service!";
    }
}

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3. Middleware Example

Both frameworks allow request interception and processing with middleware.

NestJS

typescriptCopy codeimport { Injectable, NestMiddleware } from '@nestjs/common';
import { Request, Response, NextFunction } from 'express';

@Injectable()
export class LoggerMiddleware implements NestMiddleware {
  use(req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) {
    console.log('Request Received...');
    next();
  }
}

Spring Boot

javaCopy codeimport org.springframework.stereotype.Component;
import javax.servlet.Filter;
import javax.servlet.FilterChain;
import javax.servlet.ServletRequest;
import javax.servlet.ServletResponse;

@Component
public class LoggerFilter implements Filter {
    @Override
    public void doFilter(ServletRequest request, ServletResponse response, FilterChain chain) {
        System.out.println("Request Received...");
        chain.doFilter(request, response);
    }
}

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Performance Comparison

• NestJS: Leveraging Node.js’s event-driven, non-blocking I/O, NestJS is highly efficient for real-time and I/O-heavy applications.
• Spring Boot: Despite JVM overhead, Spring Boot excels in CPU-intensive and enterprise-grade applications, offering stability and scalability.

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SEO-Friendly Conclusion: Which Framework Should You Choose?

Choosing between NestJS and Spring Boot depends on your project requirements and development team expertise.

• Choose NestJS if:
  • Your team is proficient in TypeScript/JavaScript.
  • You’re building lightweight, real-time, or microservice-based applications.
• Choose Spring Boot if:
  • You need to develop large, enterprise-grade systems.
  • Your team is experienced with Java, or the project requires complex business logic.

Both frameworks shine in their respective ecosystems, making them versatile choices for modern web development.

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FAQs

1. Is NestJS better than Spring Boot?
NestJS is better suited for TypeScript/JavaScript developers and lightweight applications. Spring Boot is ideal for enterprise-grade and large-scale systems.

2. Which framework offers better performance?
NestJS often performs better for I/O-heavy tasks due to Node.js’s non-blocking I/O, while Spring Boot excels in CPU-intensive scenarios.

3. Can I use both NestJS and Spring Boot in the same project?
Technically, yes, but it’s uncommon. They are built for different ecosystems, and integrating them may lead to complexities.

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By leveraging this detailed NestJS vs Spring Boot comparison, you can select the right framework for your next project and build robust backend systems. For more tutorials and insights, subscribe to our blog and stay updated!