If possible, I would at least build a web server using vanilla node at least once. Just a quick personal project. One thing that was especially difficult compared to express was serving static assets. I would incorporate that into the exercise as well. Bare minimum, it helped me appreciate how much easier express was. But I also got familiar with reading the documentation for Node and helped me understand some of the lower level elements as well. Answer from HoneyBadgeSwag on reddit.com
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GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › node.js › node-js-vs-express-js
Node vs Express - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - Node JS is a platform for building ... JavaScript. Express JS is a framework based on Node JS which is used for building web applications using approaches and principles of Node JS's event-driven architecture....
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/node › node.js + express.js, or node.js alone?
r/node on Reddit: Node.js + Express.js, or Node.js alone?
January 31, 2024 -

So I wanted to learn Node.Js thoroughly and recently I’ve been learning Node.js from online tutorial and it seems they are focusing on Node.js with express.js and not Node.js alone. Is it okay to learn it with express? Or should I complete this course and later learn few other things, OR, skip this course and learn only Nodejs??????? (In my company I want to switch internally where they require Node.js developer with some exp.)

People also ask

When should I choose between Express.js and Node.js?
You should choose Node.js when you need a server-side runtime environment for JavaScript. On the other hand, you should choose Express.js when you want to build web applications or APIs with a structured framework on top of Node.js.
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radixweb.com
radixweb.com › blog › nodejs-vs-expressjs
Node.js vs Express.js: Key Differences for Your Web App Success
What is the key difference between Node.js and Express.js?
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment enabling JavaScript execution outside the browser, focusing on server-side capabilities. Express.js is a minimal, flexible web application framework built on top of Node.js that simplifies backend development with structured routing, middleware support, and easier HTTP handling.
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zignuts.com
zignuts.com › blog › nodejs-expressjs
Node.js vs Express.js: Key Differences & Comparison Guide
What are the typical use cases for Node.js and Express.js?
Node.js suits applications requiring non-blocking I/O like real-time data streaming and microservices. Express.js is a go-to framework for RESTful APIs, web applications, and services needing organized routing and middleware support.
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zignuts.com
zignuts.com › blog › nodejs-expressjs
Node.js vs Express.js: Key Differences & Comparison Guide
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Curotec
curotec.com › home › insights › node.js vs. express.js – how to use them together
Node.js vs. Express.js - Which is Better? Use Them Together
August 5, 2025 - Express.js abstracts much of this complexity by providing built-in methods and middleware, allowing you to focus more on building the features that make your application unique. ... Node.js: Use Node.js for its high performance, especially in real-time, data-intensive applications that require handling many simultaneous connections. Its foundation on the V8 engine ensures that JavaScript runs quickly and efficiently on the server side.
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Radixweb
radixweb.com › blog › nodejs-vs-expressjs
Node.js vs Express.js: Key Differences for Your Web App Success
July 11, 2024 - Explore the differences between Node.js and Express.js in our comprehensive blog, helping you understand when to use each for your web development projects.
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iSpeech
zignuts.com › blog › nodejs-expressjs
Node.js vs Express.js: Key Differences & Comparison Guide
Express.js simplifies the process of routing, middleware integration, and request/response handling. ... Node.js is the runtime executing the JavaScript code.
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Bigrock
bigrock.in › home › how-tos › learning and resources › what is the difference between node.js and express.js?
What is the Difference Between Node.js and Express.js? - Bigrock
August 7, 2024 - Express.js: It comes with pre-built solutions for common web development tasks and at the same time it also provides a higher level of abstraction. It also reduces the amount of boilerplate code you need to write.
Find elsewhere
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Simplilearn
simplilearn.com › home › resources › software development › express.js vs node.js: unraveling the web development enigma
Express.js vs Node.js: Unraveling the Web Development Enigma
July 31, 2025 - Explore the battle of Express.js vs Node.js: Which is better for your project? Dive into a detailed comparison & make an informed decision for your web development needs.
Address   5851 Legacy Circle, 6th Floor, Plano, TX 75024 United States
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The Knowledge Academy
theknowledgeacademy.com › blog › express-js-vs-node-js
Express js vs Node js: Key Differences
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime for server-side apps, while Express.js, a Node.js framework, simplifies web app development through routing, and middleware.
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Scaler
scaler.com › topics › express-js-vs-node-js
Express.js vs Node.js - Scaler Topics
May 17, 2023 - Express is built on top of Node, ... apps. Node is just a Javascript environment with libraries to make it easy to write software, whereas Express extends Node specifically to add middleware, routing, and much more...
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Coderanch
coderanch.com › t › 776964 › engineering › Express-js-Pure-Node-js
Express.js vs. Pure Node.js for Web Application Development (General Computing forum at Coderanch)
Express.js extends the functionality of node.js by adding support for routing or middleware that allows you for better structuring of the server application. Here is an example "stolen" from Express JS Tutorial. The get handler is declared but in plain nodejs one has to write a listener and check the data of the request in the code.
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ProCoders
procoders.tech › home › web development › express js vs. node js: difference between the technologies
Express JS vs. Node JS: Difference between the Technologies | ProCoders
Express is a framework that runs on NodeJS, making it easier to handle routing, middleware, and HTTP requests, while NodeJS provides the runtime environment that enables JavaScript to be executed server-side.
Published   March 14, 2022
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SkillGigs
skillgigs.com › travel nurse › it contractor › private talent marketplace › healthcare hiring - travel nurses › join us
Key Differences Between Node.js vs Express.js
May 7, 2024 - While Node.js provides the runtime environment for executing server-side JavaScript code, Express.js offers a minimalist framework for building web applications on top of Node.js.
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Softude
softude.com › home › expressjs vs nodejs: a developer’s guide to choose the right backend technology
Express.js vs Node.js: Which Backend Technology Should You Choose?
May 22, 2024 - Instead, Node.js is a runtime environment to help you execute the code on the server side and not in a web browser. This open-source platform is built on JavaScript language and uses a single-threaded approach.
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QIT Software
qit.software › home › blog › express.js vs. node.js: explaining the differences in 2024
Express.js vs. Node.js: Explaining The Differences in 2024
July 7, 2024 - ExpressJS is a Node.js-based web framework that enables you to create web applications that can respond to a wide range of various HTTP requests. ExpressJS is a Javascript framework built on NodeJS. The former (ExpressJS) makes it quick and ...
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DEV Community
dev.to › vyan › nodejs-vs-expressjs-mastering-server-side-javascript-development-7a1
🚀 Node.js vs. Express.js: Mastering Server-Side JavaScript Development - DEV Community
August 24, 2024 - This example showcases Node.js's ability to handle file uploads without any external libraries, demonstrating its raw power and flexibility. Express.js builds upon Node.js, offering a structured framework that simplifies web application development.
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HostAdvice
hostadvice.com › blog › web-hosting › node-js › express-js-vs-node-js
Node.js vs. Express.js: Comparing Performance & Functionality
August 13, 2025 - Node.js and Express.js have some significant differences in their features and functionality. Let’s start by reviewing and comparing the features of both frameworks: Node.js is an open-source server-side JavaScript runtime environment used to build real-time, scalable, and high-performance ...
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Diligentic
diligentic.com › blog › express-js-vs-node-js
5 Powerful Differences: Express.js vs Node.js: Pros, Cons
So, when developers discuss Express.js vs Node.js, they compare core runtime capabilities with a streamlined web framework built on top — not choosing one over the other, but understanding how they work together. ... High Speed: Thanks to the V8 engine, it executes code very quickly. Non-blocking I/O: Handles multiple requests without blocking threads. Same Language Everywhere: Use JavaScript for both frontend and backend.
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Elluminati Inc
elluminatiinc.com › node-js-vs-express-js
Node.js vs Express.js: The Right Pick for Your Next Project - Elluminati Inc.
May 29, 2025 - Due to Node.js’s immense popularity, its other framework Express.js is also dominating the market as it is one of the best web application frameworks for Node.js and provides developers some easy-to-use APIs with basic functionality that can be expanded when needed. By enabling programmers to write JavaScript on the server side for the first time, Express.js and Node.js provided JavaScript newborn backend functionality.
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Medium
medium.com › @affinecipher › express-js-vs-node-js-aeaf9e0e4c07
Node.js vs Express.js | by Affine Cipher | Medium
February 6, 2024 - Express is built on top of Node, ... apps. Node is just a Javascript environment with libraries to make it easy to write software, whereas Express extends Node specifically to add middleware, routing, and much more...