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Django vs FastAPI

Two sides of the backend framework decision: batteries included and minimal router. When each fits, what it costs, who moves from one to the other, and what makers who chose it say.

DjangoBatteries included
FastAPIMinimal router
Ask your AI about this, with this page as the source:ChatGPT ↗Claude ↗Perplexity ↗

Which fits you

Choose Django if
  • The backend is the product — many models, an admin, jobs and emails

Use it whenYou need an internal admin to manage data without building one.

Trade-offConventions to learn, and a modern interactive frontend is a separate piece.

Choose FastAPI if
  • Your backend needs Python for AI or data work

Use it whenYour backend needs Python for AI or data work.

Trade-offNo built-in ORM, admin or auth; you assemble those from separate libraries.

At a glance

DjangoFastAPI
Used by37 makers' products · 58 open-source projects29 makers' products · 319 open-source projects
Moved to it on GitHubpull requests since Oct 202425 from FastAPI43 from Django
Downloads11.7M/wk128.7M/wk
PricingFree (open source).Free (open source).
Free tierYesYes
Open sourceYes · self-hostableYes · self-hostable

Who moves from one to the other

Public pull requests on GitHub since Oct 2024 whose title says "Django to FastAPI" or the reverse — real code changes, by developers in general rather than makers only.

FastAPI → Django25 PRs
All matching pull requests on GitHub ↗
Django → FastAPI43 PRs
All matching pull requests on GitHub ↗

What makers say

Makers on using it for backend framework, from Product Hunt and Starter Story interviews, each linked to the source. Products with a page of their own and fuller notes first.

On Django
Django makes my life easy. I've used it at least 4 projects. It's been around for a while so it's stable and LLMs have a ton of knowledge about it. It's a great project that I will continue to use for life.
CamelAI, the makerSep 2026 ↗
We chose Django for its robust framework and built-in tools, allowing us to build and maintain the backend efficiently with secure, scalable architecture.
Layer, the makerSep 2026 ↗
I don't think there is a better framework for creating web apps with Python, simply amazing!
Hexpay, the makerSep 2026 ↗
15 more on the Django page →
On FastAPI
We use FastAPI for our API written in Python. The tool is very easy to use and we believe this is part of the best combination for SaaS development.
Ranova, the makerSep 2026 ↗
We love building our APIs with FastAPI. It streamlines development by handling much of the boilerplate, allowing us to focus on business logic.
Small Hours, the makerSep 2026 ↗
FastAPI stood out over Flask with its built-in features like automatic documentation and async support. It made developing Cure AI’s backend faster and more streamlined while keeping the codebase clean and easy to manage.
Cure AI, the makerSep 2026 ↗
18 more on the FastAPI page →

Loved and watch-outs

Themes that recur in makers' words and Hacker News comments, each linked to what it summarises.

Django
Most loved
  • Admin panel, ORM, migrations, password resets and security features come built in and work together, so makers skip rebuilding them. PHPH 2PH 3HN
  • It is mature and stable with thorough documentation, and LLMs write it consistently because they know it well. PHHNHN 2
  • When something is missing, a third-party package usually already covers it. PHPH 2
Watch-outs
  • It trades runtime performance for development speed, and template-level database access makes pages slower still. HNHN 2
  • Dynamic Python offers weaker runtime guarantees, pushing some teams toward statically typed stacks, especially for agent-written code. HNHN 2
On Product Hunt: 5.0★, 25 reviews · mentioned most: batteries included, built-in tools, rapid development
FastAPI
Most loved
  • OpenAPI docs are generated automatically, so interactive documentation and typed client SDKs come almost for free. PHPH 2
  • Type hints with Pydantic validation catch bad input and bugs during development rather than in production. PHHN
  • It removes most API boilerplate, making it the fastest way to deliver a Python API or microservice. PHPH 2HN
Watch-outs
  • Its single-maintainer governance makes some teams weigh community-run alternatives like Litestar. HN
On Product Hunt: 5.0★, 32 reviews · mentioned most: ease of use, fast performance, automatic OpenAPI schema

Who uses each

Django37 makers' products
3D AI StudioAntiquotedBaboo TravelBadger MapsBoondockers WelcomeButtondownCamelAIEpixel SolutionsEvolweFormulaerHexpayLayer+25 more
FastAPI29 makers' products
AiTermAtlas.coCure AIDropITGAIAGlazedNeuralAgentPermit.ioRanovareflexSmall HoursSmart Chrome Tabs+17 more

What makers pair each with

With Django
Frontend Framework
Payments
Hosting
Web Analytics
With FastAPI
Frontend Framework
Database
Hosting
Transactional Email

Neither quite right?

See the whole backend framework decision →
HonoMinimal routerSmall TypeScript APIs that run on Node, Bun, Deno or edge platforms like Cloudflare Workers.vs FastAPI →
ExpressMinimal routerNode.js servers where you want a widely documented default and a huge middleware catalog.vs FastAPI →
FastifyMinimal routerNode.js APIs that want low overhead, JSON-schema request validation and a structured plugin system.
Ruby on RailsBatteries includedFull-stack Ruby apps where one developer builds models, views, jobs and emails with strong conventions.vs Django →
LaravelBatteries includedPHP apps with ORM, queues, auth scaffolding and an optional paid ecosystem for hosting and admin panels.vs Django →
NestJSStructured TypeScriptLarger TypeScript backends organized into modules, with dependency injection and decorators.vs FastAPI →