Best Python Web Development Frameworks for Building Robust Websites

Choosing the right framework for web development is not easy with so many options available. The wrong choice can lead to limited scalability or a project that doesn’t meet user expectations.

For businesses, this can result in costly delays, compromised performance, or the need to completely rebuild applications. The key to overcome this challenge lies in understanding which framework aligns best with your project’s goals and technical needs.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the best Python web development frameworks used by web development experts. It will help you make an informed decision and build efficient, scalable, and robust web applications. So, let’s begin!

What is a Python Framework?

A Python framework is a set of pre-written code libraries and tools used by developers to make the process of developing websites easier. They provide predefined components, such as templates, libraries, and much more, which handle common tasks like routing, database interactions, and user authentication.

Key Features of Python Frameworks

• Pre-Built Components: They have modules, libraries, and tools that handle common tasks such as routing, database interactions, form handling, and much more.
• Code Reusability: Frameworks encourage code reuse, thus avoiding the writing of redundant code from scratch.
• Efficiency: They accelerate development by automating routine tasks and focusing on application logic.
• Security: Many frameworks have inbuilt security features to prevent common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
• Scalability: Frameworks often support scaling up from small prototypes to large, complex applications.

It is like working with a toolkit when you use a Python framework rather than building everything from scratch. This allows you to use pre-built tools for constructing a robust and efficient application.

Types of Python Frameworks

The general classification of Python frameworks is based on their features, functionalities, and purposes. The primary categories of Python frameworks are categorized as follows:

Full-Stack Frameworks

These are integrated solutions that come with everything one needs to create a full web application: from client-side to server-side. Everything from routing to templating and database integration, to many other things is covered.

Examples: Django, Web2py, and TurboGears.

Micro-Frameworks

Micro-frameworks are light and very minimalistic frameworks providing only the core features necessary to construct web applications. They have far-reaching uses in simpler applications or even those cases where more flexibility is needed, and application structure should be at your complete discretion.

Examples: Flask, Bottle, and Falcon.

Asynchronous Framework

The asynchronous frameworks are designed for those operations that can run concurrently without blocking other tasks, and their primary use will be for applications requiring high concurrency and real-time processing.

Examples: FastAPI, Sanic, and Tornado.

These were the most common types of python development frameworks. Let’s now dig into some of the best Python frameworks you ought to use.

Top Python Web Development Frameworks​

There are plenty of web development frameworks in Python and they have varied according to any specific requirement. Here is the overview of some of the leading Python web development frameworks:

Flask

Flask is a micro-web framework with a minimalist core. This is a framework aimed at building small to medium-sized applications. It has an extension mechanism, so the need to choose the right core is not mandatory to accommodate all your extensions. Therefore, Flask suits application projects requiring speed of development and simplicity.

Key Features:

• Minimalistic and lightweight design.
• Built-in development server and debugger.
• Flexible templating using Jinja2.
• RESTful request handling.
• Extensive third-party extension support.

Ideal For: Small to medium-sized web applications and APIs with flexibility and simplicity.

Django

Django is a high-level, full-stack framework that promotes rapid development and clean design. It comes with lots of “batteries included,” like an ORM, authentication system, and administrative interface, so third-party integrations are less required. The “batteries-included” approach of Django makes it ideal for developing complex websites.

Key Features:

• Extensive ORM for database operations.
• Included authentication system.
• Automatic admin interface for content management.
• Security features like CSRF and XSS protection.
• Scalable and suitable for large applications.

Ideal For: Full-stack, scalable, and secure web applications that require quick development.

CherryPy

CherryPy is an object-oriented web application framework that lets the developer build web applications like he writes a Python program. It has its own multi-threaded web server, meaning that applications can run standalone without needing external servers. CherryPy is good for python developers with simplicity and power.

Key Features:

• Embedded multi-threaded web server.
• Built-in support for plugins and extensions.
• Framework-agnostic templating system.
• HTTP-compliant applications out of the box.
• Handles sessions and cookies efficiently.

Ideal For: Developers looking for a minimalist framework to build custom web applications.

Web2py

Web2py is a full-stack framework designed with ease of use and rapid development in mind. It comes with a web-based integrated development environment, code editor, debugger, and deployment tools. The focus on developer productivity makes Web2py an extremely attractive choice for building web applications quickly.

Key Features:

• Integrated web-based development environment.
• Built-in ticketing system for error tracking.
• No installation required; runs on any system.
• Pre-configured for multiple database backends.
• Automatic form and CRUD generation.

Ideal For: Database-driven web applications with minimal setup and configuration.

Pyramid

It’s a very flexible framework that works well for either simple or complex applications. One can start small and scale up as needed with Pyramid, because it is pretty flexible in letting developers choose any templating engine or database layer they want to use. With Pyramid, flexibility is one reason why projects can be undertaken without much difficulty and with evolving requirements.

Key Features:

• Suitable for both small and large-scale projects.
• Flexible routing with URL dispatch and traversal.
• Extensive add-on ecosystem.
• Built-in support for authentication and authorization.
• Adaptable templating and asset management.

Ideal For: Flexibility and scalability are ideal for all types of projects, from small-scale to big-scale systems.

TurboGears

TurboGears is a full stack framework. Several existing frameworks benefit from this package. The whole strength is transferred to provide this development platform. It begins in a micro-frame approach, as the project can scale up on a full-scale solution. Thus, the best part about it is modularity and flexibility when it comes to applications.

Key Features:

• Combines SQLAlchemy and Genshi for efficiency.
• Support for both micro and full-stack projects.
• Built-in MochiKit JavaScript library.
• Reusable components with a modular architecture.
• Easy-to-use admin interface.

Ideal For: Full stack web applications developed rapidly, based on modular components.

Tornado

Tornado is a Python web server and web application framework that supports scalability and is non-blocking. This makes it efficient for dealing with large amounts of simultaneous connections; hence it’s ideal for real-time web services. It supports both simple and complex applications to provide flexibility and modularity.

Key Features:

• Non-blocking asynchronous framework.
• Handles real-time applications like chat or streaming.
• Scalable to thousands of simultaneous connections.
• Integrated support for WebSockets.
• High-performance HTTP server.

Ideal For: Real-time applications with a requirement for high performance and asynchronous networking.

Bottle

Bottle is a minimalist, single-file micro-framework designed for small web applications and APIs. It is lightweight and easy to use, making it ideal for quick development and prototyping. Developers often use Bottle to build RESTful APIs or integrate it into larger projects.

Key Features:

• Single-file deployment with no dependencies.
• Built-in support for HTTP request and response handling.
• Simplified URL routing and mapping.
• Lightweight templating engine.
• Excellent for building RESTful APIs.

Ideal For: Small web applications, APIs, and rapid prototyping with minimal dependencies.

These frameworks provide developers with a wide variety of choices ranging from light-weight web development tools that allow rapid development to full-stack solutions. Every framework has its own strengths that make them useful for certain types of projects.

Python Framework vs Python Library

Whenever working on projects using Python, you encounter several frameworks and libraries. Both serve useful purposes while addressing problems with better efficiency. Still, their usage differs with different roles while working on any project.

A framework is a pre-built structure that dictates the flow of your application, providing a skeleton to build upon. On the other hand, a library is the collection of pre-written code that you can call upon to perform specific tasks. Knowing the difference can help you choose the right tool for your project.

Aspect	Python Framework	Python Library
Definition	A collection of pre-written code that provides structure to an application.	A set of functions and tools that help solve specific tasks in a project.
Control Flow	Inverts control flow, meaning the framework dictates the flow of the application.	You control the flow of the application by calling library functions.
Purpose	Provides a foundation to develop applications with specific guidelines and rules.	Helps you perform specific tasks, such as making HTTP requests or manipulating data.
Customization	Less flexible as it follows a set structure (convention over configuration).	More flexible, giving you more control over how you use the functions.
Examples	Django, Flask, Pyramid	NumPy, Requests, Pandas
Integration	Often requires that you build your application around it.	Can be used as needed in any part of the application.
Size and Complexity	Larger and more complex as it offers a full development environment.	Smaller and focused, doing one thing well.

The major difference between a Python framework and a Python library is control. A framework supplies a structure that helps you go through the process of creating a website, while libraries provide tools that can get a given job done. In relation to your project, choosing between a framework or a library will make the web development process easy.

FAQs About Python Web Development Frameworks

Wrapping Up

The choice of a framework largely depends on the project requirements:

• If you are developing large-scale applications with lots of built-in features, a full-stack framework like Django is ideal.
• If you need a lightweight solution with minimal overhead, a micro-framework like Flask or Bottle would work best.
• If your application needs to handle high concurrency, consider an asynchronous framework like FastAPI or Sanic.

By understanding the different types of Python frameworks, you can choose the one that best suits your project’s needs. If you are still finding it difficult to choose and develop your website checkout our recommendations on the best python development companies. It will help you choose the best web development service provider.