Django vs. Pyramid - comparing Python Web Frameworks

Intro

We have many Python web frameworks to choose from. Django, Pyramid, Flask, Bootle, Tornado, Pecan, Falcon, Diesel, and a few more try to grab a developer’s attention. However, there are two that usually stand out and are worth taking a closer look at.

The article will present the main features, dependencies, and differences between Django and Pyramid.

Although they both serve the same goal, it’s not always easy to choose one that may suit our project better.

About the frameworks - features of Django & features of Pyramid

Django

Django is a free, open-source, highly scalable Python framework for rapid web development used widely by multinational corporations and enterprises.

It’s known and praised for its simplicity of use and a number of built-in features that cover most of the essential topics: website management panel, form validation, authentication, a mechanism to upload files, and many more.

Besides Python’s extensive library and features, Django is known for its vast and supportive community, excellent documentation, and rapid exponential developments.

Pyramid

Pyramid is one of the most widely used Python-based, general-purpose web frameworks with a plentitude of features and capabilities for smaller and larger projects.

Previously known as repoze.bfg, it is built based on the WSGI framework - an interface between a web server and an application, allowing smooth communication between different servers and frameworks and switching from the dev to the prod environment when needed.

The framework is based on Pylos and Zope, can be enhanced with some third-party modules, and doesn’t impose using any particular project architecture. It supports microframeworks, single-file web apps, and synchronous requests.

Django vs. Pyramid: head-to-head comparison

Design

Both Django and Pyramid can be extended and customized depending on specific project needs and successfully speed up creating custom web applications.

Django offers a vast set of different components, allowing developers to build digital products without additional tools. Pyramid, on the other hand, is a more flexible solution that lets programmers choose their own, most proper manners of work.

Flexibility

Django includes a template system, an object-relational mapper (ORM) system, and built-in security functions.

Pyramid, a lightweight web framework, doesn’t provide any of them. However, it allows developers to select a template system and an ORM of their own choice, depending on the project’s requirements, thus being a more flexible solution.

Template system

Supporting a model-view-controller (MVC) concept, Django and Pyramid enable separating the user interface from business logic.

Read more about business logic in Django

However, Django provides a built-in template system that helps developers create UIs and display and modify variables before display. This mini-language allows programmers to perform numerous varied operations using specific tags.

Database support

Apart from applying widely used relational database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, NoSQL, or Oracle, Django uses an ORM system to make this work more seamless and smooth. Its task is to fill the gap between the database engine and its model, fully supporting the systems mentioned above.

Although Pyramid doesn't provide an ORM system, developers can use SQLAlchemy - a powerful database toolkit for Python.

Admin interface

Django provides developers with a ready-made web-based admin panel with an intuitive and friendly interface that conveniently performs varied necessary tasks. It enables efficient user and group management and testing with CRUD actions - creating, reading, updating, and deleting operations on the web app’s module.

Pyramid doesn’t provide an admin interface but allows using some third-party tools.

Code layout

Django perceives a project as a set of different applications, making it easier for programmers to update or maintain a product by modifying individual modules, and even providing self-contained code and third-party components as applications.

Pyramid, on the other hand, treats the whole web app development project as an individual file.

Bootstrapping mechanism

Django and Pyramid are both featured with some built-in bootstrapping tools, yet their mechanisms are slightly different.

Developers who use Django can create applications with certain commands. Pyramid doesn’t require following precise code, although it recommends using scaffolds to adopt a bootstrapping mechanism.

Usage

Django and Pyramid are used by the most renowned internet giants, including many high-traffic websites of different sizes, scales, and characters.

For example, Django is applied by Google, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest, whereas Pyramid was used to create sites like Easy Blog Network, LinkPeek, ITCase, or Environmental Health News.

Django is a good match with large and complex web applications due to its batteries-included approach and MVC programming paradigm support. Although Pyramid allows adjusting adequate tools precisely to a project’s requirements, it has to be properly extended to meet complex web app needs.

Community strength

As open-source web frameworks, Django and Pyramid are supported by a vast and devoted community. However, the statistics show that Django currently outdistances the rest of Python’s frameworks, including Pyramid. This is because fresh features are added to every new version of Django, making it more and more powerful.

Which should I choose: Django or Pyramid?

So, which of these two is a better tool for a web application developer’s everyday job?

As always - it depends.

Both frameworks provide a complex selection of tools and features, and both have pros and cons.

Django is a perfect choice while creating a robust MVT-based app. It enables quick prototype creation and seamless evolution into a full-fledged product. Nonetheless, if a project requires a high-class performance or a developer doesn’t want to be confined to a particular, limited set of features, Pyramid is probably a better pick.

Summary

Now, you’ve got a whole set of information to make a solid decision adjusted to your project’s needs. Remember that the described frameworks give many wonderful possibilities, being powerful players in the Python family.

However, it’s impossible to state clearly which of the two wins the battle, as Django and Pyramid were created with similar goals and fill the same niche.

Contact us

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Read more

1. 10 Django packages you should know
2. How to use Elasticsearch with Django
3. The Ultimate Tutorial for Django REST Framework: Login and Authentication (Part 2)
4. 10 Best Python Web Frameworks
5. Which framework to choose - Django or Node.js?
6. Django vs. Flask: Which one should you choose for your project?

Articles mentioned in the post:

1. Django, Flask, or Pyramid? How to choose the right Python framework for your project?
2. What is Django and how to get started?
3. Where to put business logic in Django