Which Rust web frameworks will still be around in 2023?

Web development frameworks are the backbone of modern web applications. In the article on characteristics of the modern web application, Microsoft Learn claims that demands for performance, usability, and availability of web applications are only growing. Thus, choosing a robust web development framework is of utmost importance. Such frameworks not only provide a better development experience but also ease the maintenance and future expansion of web applications.

Rust web development can be rather tricky and it’s crucial you approach it well-prepared. How do you know which web framework fits the best your next Rust project? There are lots of choices out there, suiting diverse Rust use cases. In this article, we’d like to discuss which Rust web frameworks will still be supported, actively worked on, and useful in 2023. Web frameworks we’re going to go through are Rocket, Actix Web, Tide, and Hyper. More than that – we’ll give you a few practical tips on how to successfully start your Rust web project. But let’s begin with things you should consider before looking for the best-fit web framework.

Which project criteria impact the choice of the Rust web framework

The choice of a web framework largely depends on what kind of Rust application you are developing, the complexity of its features, and the amount of time and money you’re ready to invest in developing it.

The following is a list of criteria that will impact the choice of the suitable Rust web framework:

Performance. You should consider performance as one of the critical factors when choosing the Rust web framework. Ideally, it should be fast enough to handle high-traffic websites and handle any changes in the application code without affecting its performance. For instance, according to the 2022 TechEmpower web framework benchmarks, Hyper is the best Rust web framework in terms of performance, while Rocket takes the last place.

Ease of Use. The framework should be easy for developers to use without spending hours learning its syntax or APIs. This is especially relevant for beginner developers who are taking their first steps with Rust for web development.

Community support. The best options also have strong community support behind them which helps if there is an issue with a particular component or library used by your application (or if you have questions about how something works). A supportive community is one of the most common and inherent Rust benefits so most likely you won’t have many issues with it whatever framework you choose.

Documentation. You also should consider how much documentation exists for a particular web framework, as this will help you if you get stuck. It’s especially relevant if you are starting a project from scratch.

These were a few typical factors to consider when choosing the most suitable Rust web development framework. Now, we can proceed to discuss the pros and cons of each Rust web development framework separately.

Rocket: pros and cons

Rocket is a web framework for Rust that provides a clean, intuitive, and type-safe API. It is ideal for building web applications that require a high degree of security and customization.

Pros:

Rocket provides an easy-to-use and well-documented API that allows developers to write secure code.
The framework has a wide range of robust built-in functionality, such as request guards, templates, and middleware.
Rocket offers an active and growing community that contributes to its development.

Cons:

Rocket has a steeper learning curve than other Rust web frameworks, making it less suitable for developers new to Rust.
The framework has limited support for asynchronous programming, which may limit its scalability in certain situations.
Rocket has a smaller community compared to other Rust web frameworks, which may result in slower bug fixes and updates.

Actix Web: pros and cons

Actix Web is a powerful, high-performance web framework for Rust that is well-suited for developing scalable and efficient web applications. Projects that require high throughput and low latency can benefit the most from this framework.

Pros:

Actix offers a fast and efficient runtime.
The framework also provides excellent support for asynchronous programming, making it highly scalable.
Actix has many integral features, such as request routing, middleware, and response rendering.

Cons:

Just like Rocket, it can be difficult to learn Actix due to its advanced functionality.
Actix may not be suitable for small to medium-sized projects due to its focus on high performance and scalability.

Tide: Pros and Cons

Tide is another popular Rust web framework that has been growing popular in the Rustacean community. It is a secure, minimalistic, and easy-to-use framework that offers many useful features, such as middleware, routing, and state management.

Pros:

Tide is easy to learn and use, making it a great choice for beginners or small projects that require quick development.
It has a small and dedicated community that offers active support and frequent updates.
Tide is highly scalable, which means that it can handle high traffic and complex applications with ease.

Cons:

Tide is a relatively new framework and may not have all the features or functionalities that other frameworks offer.
It has a limited plugin ecosystem, which may complicate integration with critical development tools or services.
Tide may not be as performant as other Rust web frameworks, especially for highly intensive or CPU-bound tasks.

Hyper: Pros and Cons

Hyper is a lightweight, low-level Rust web framework that offers high performance and flexibility. It is built on top of the popular tokio asynchronous runtime and offers a modular and extensible architecture.

Pros:

Hyper is highly performant and can handle large amounts of traffic and requests with ease.
It offers a modular architecture for developers to have the possibility to customize and enhance the framework when necessary.
Hyper has a strong and active community that provides frequent updates and support.

Cons:

Hyper is a low-level framework and may not be suitable for beginners or developers who are looking for a more high-level and opinionated solution.
It may require more effort and time to set up and configure than other Rust web frameworks.
Hyper may not have all the features or functionalities that other frameworks offer, which may require additional development effort to implement.

We hope this overview of Rust web frameworks sheds some light on which solution to choose for your web development. In the next section, we give you some practical tips to help you start a successful web project in Rust.

Starting a Web Project in Rust: Final Tips

If you are considering starting a web project in Rust, here are some final tips to keep in mind:

Choose the right Rust web framework based on your project’s requirements, size, and complexity.
Consider the framework’s performance, scalability, and community support when making your decision.
Make sure to read the documentation for your web development framework and follow its instructions to ensure a seamless and efficient development process.
Use testing and debugging tools to timely identify and handle issues early in the development process.
Take advantage of the Rust ecosystem and community to leverage existing libraries, plugins, and tools.

Rocket, Actix Web, Tide, and Hyper are all popular Rust web frameworks with their unique strengths and weaknesses. Consider your project’s requirements and priorities when making your decision, and make sure to follow best practices and leverage the Rust ecosystem and community for a smooth and efficient development process. If choosing the right framework for your web project all by yourself seems frustrating and requires much effort, you can seek guidance from a professional software development company.