How Much Traffic Can Node.js Handle? (2024)

What is Node.js System Service?

JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages. It is also the standard language for browser-based programming. In addition, it is a leader in server-side language. Its prolific nature means that it's relatively easy to find developers who can work in JavaScript.

Node.js web application development is an open-source development platform that executes JavaScript code on the server-side. Node.js is an asynchronous event-driven JavaScript runtime. It is designed to build scalable network applications. Node.js executes JavaScript programming language on the server side.

Why is Node.js So Prolific?

Node.js has many advantages including:

- It does not block input/output (I/O). I/O refers to data transfer through any operation, program, or device.

- Low-latency, real-time apps respond well with Node.js.

- Node’s framework was built for JavaScript, which is highly used and this makes any barriers to entry and sharing information between developers low.

- Node makes JavaScript programming available to do server programming.

- Node.js is a welcoming community with an open-source mentality.

- Fewer servers are necessary to deliver results with Node.js.

While its speed is remarkable, it's widely used and it functions super efficiently, can Node.js handle high levels of traffic? Just how much traffic can Node.js handle? How many requests per second can Node.js do?

Concurrency

Concurrency is an environment where multiple computations are occurring simultaneously. It is a common occurrence in programming and concurrency scenarios: multiple computers in a network, multiple apps running on one computer, or multiple processors in a single computer. Web-based applications must be able to handle concurrent requests. So how do we handle concurrency?

Threading

One means of handling JavaScript concurrent requests is known as threading. A thread functions as a central command of control inside a running program. It is the home base where the program is being run and it is also home to the stack of calls whereby it will be necessary for the request to return through.

Most web servers handle concurrency by creating a new thread for every connection. In most platforms, this comes with a price: heavy memory use. In JavaScript the concurrency default stack size is 512KB. So if 1,000 concurrent connections happen, the program will consume half a gigabyte of memory for stack space alone.

Another issue is that threading between systems and using a context switch between two threads is a slow process.

Node.js Event Loop

Node to the rescue! To address these threading concerns, Node.js uses a single thread with an event-loop. In this way, Node can handle 1000s of concurrent connections without any of the traditional detriments associated with threads. There is essentially no memory overhead per-connection, and there is no context switching.

Node.js was the first language to make the event-loop highly popular. Event-loop uses single thread methodologies to handle concurrent events. It is the heart of the Node.js processing model and uses JavaScript call-back mechanism.

The way that Input/Output (I/O) was generally handled when in concurrent use wasn’t ideal. Creator Ryan Dahl identified the problem and came up with a solution.

Node.js Requests Per Second

A benchmark made by Fastify, shows that Express.js— a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework with a robust set of features for web and mobile— can handle approx 15,000 requests per second and the basic HTTP module, 70K requests per second. This is very fast.

In an engaging article, Davit Vardanyan did his own experiment to test these Fastify benchmarks. He found using a 2015 Macbook Pro he achieved almost similar results. But noted that the published results using Express.js are generally not accurate for a real-world API. To have a real-world API one has to create a handler that communicates with a database or other services. So he set out to conduct his own experiment with a smaller API and did load tests.

He employed Heroku, a $25/mo hardware, and received results of an average of 515 results per second with his Node.js instance. Then using a technology that is not single-threaded, he employed the Django app and achieved results of 389 requests per second on average. Next Vardanyan used his Node.js application as a real production application and deployed it in AWS. He used 3 Node.js instances with AWS load balancing, and these three instances could handle 19k requests in ten seconds, which breaks down to 1858 requests per second.

The result is that Node.js is very fast. While this was one person's experience and experiment it gives an idea of how many requests Node.js is capable of handling per second. Node.js may very well be the right fit for your app if you’re looking for quick, real time data updates. And we all know that immediacy is the name of the game, however, any good developer knows that you cannot compromise integrity and security for speed. This is why Node.js can be such a great tool, when executed correctly, it is fast, delivers results and can be done with proper security.

Finding the Right App Development Partner

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re either a developer or a very savvy individual creating an app and you want to learn the best coding language to build in. While it depends on what your app’s needs will be, you want to work with a partner who knows the options and can offer you the best technology.

There are many factors to consider that go into a great partnership, including your budget and time-frame. You also want to ensure your development partner has experience in delivering projects similar to yours, the ability to provide tailored solutions that fit your unique business needs, and that there is a culture fit between companies and employees. For further reading, check out our post The Everything Software Development Guide, meant as an introduction to software development. Follow that up with an article dedicated to helping you find the right cultural fit for your development needs.

At Pixel506, our years in the industry and development experience have earned us accolades and recognition. We work with clients to make sure every project is custom-tailored to their needs and desires. Our nearshore status makes our services competitively priced. Our talented developers are experienced in Node.js and we are an end-to-end agency, capable of working with our clients past the development phase and into ongoing support and maintenance, product launches, and life cycles.

Key Takeaways

• Node.js is an open-source development platform that executes JavaScript code on the server-side.
• One means of handling JavaScript concurrent requests is known as threading. Another issue is that threading between systems and using a context switch between two threads is a slow process.
• To address these threading concerns, Node.js uses a single thread with an event-loop. In this way, Node can handle 1000s of concurrent connections without any of the traditional detriments associated with threads.
• A benchmark made by Fastify, shows that Express.js can handle approx 15,000 requests per second and the basic HTTP module, 70K requests per second.
• In another study using 3 Node.js instances with AWS load balancing, found they could handle 19,000 requests in ten seconds, which breaks down to 1,858 requests per second.

About Pixel506

Pixel506 is an award-winning nearshore agency that helps companies succeed in the digital world. We develop websites, design mobile applications, provide social media support, create content, conduct keyword research, set up SEO and SEM campaigns, and design customized brand styles from the ground up—and our engineers and developers are versed in Node.js to help make real-time applications function with ease.

Since 2009, we have continuously expanded our knowledge, skills, and experience. Today, as an end-to-end marketing agency, Pixel506 offers a wide variety of services across the creative, digital and technological landscape. Our people-focused, data-driven, and results-oriented philosophy ensures that everything we produce is wholesome, measurable, and efficient.

We invest heavily in developing and maintaining strong client relationships. By working closely with our clients, we ensure that we offer customized solutions and deliver high-quality, insightful, and actionable results. Most of our team members are located in Latin America, but we are a Brooklyn-born company with a strong client base in North America.Are you considering software development nearshoring? Looking for a reliable partner agency? Interested in learning more about our services? Leave us a message and we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.