Django is a Python-based framework emphasizing rapid development with batteries included, while Rails is a Ruby framework optimized for convention-over-configuration and developer happiness. Django typically offers better performance (2-3x faster in benchmarks) and broader ecosystem support, while Rails excels in scaffolding and built-in tooling for rapid prototyping.
Django vs Rails — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Python web framework emphasizing rapid development, clean code, and batteries-included features with built-in admin.
Ruby web framework optimized for convention-over-configuration delivering MVPs and web applications with minimal boilerplate.
Language & Syntax. Request/Response Speed. Built-in Admin Panel. ORM Maturity. Package Ecosystem Size. Job Market Demand (2025). Development Speed (New Project)
Choose Django if you need superior performance, a larger talent pool, better ecosystem support, and want to leverage Python's data science integration. Choose Rails if you prioritize rapid prototyping speed, prefer Ruby's expressiveness, value convention-over-configuration for monolithic applications, or are building a startup MVP where time-to-market is critical.
Django: Yes (auto-generated) | Rails: N/A
Django: Partial (optional, requires setup) | Rails: N/A
Django: Excellent (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) | Rails: N/A
Django: 2,500 req/sec | Rails: 1,200 req/sec
Django: Yes, auto-generated | Rails: N/A
Django: Django ORM (included) | Rails: N/A
Django: Auto-generated from models | Rails: N/A
Django: Yes (user model, permissions, groups) | Rails: N/A
Django: Yes (Django ORM with migrations) | Rails: N/A
Django: Auto-generated included | Rails: N/A
Development Speed (Median Project Timeline)
Django: Yes (Django Admin fully featured) | Rails: No (requires gems)
Django: No (requires external frameworks) | Rails: N/A
Request Throughput (req/sec, hello-world)
Django: Not applicable (Python package) | Rails: N/A
Django: Yes, with Django-allauth extension | Rails: N/A
Django: ~2,500 contributors | Rails: N/A
Django: 16 years (since 2008) | Rails: N/A
Django: Partial (Django 3.1+) | Rails: N/A
Django: Optional (via packages) | Rails: N/A
Django: Automatic (requires 1-2 lines of code) | Rails: Manual (requires Rails Admin or ActiveAdmin gem)
Django: 500,000+ (PyPI) | Rails: 180,000+ (RubyGems)
Django: 3.5M+ tagged questions | Rails: 820K+ tagged questions
Django: 500-800 lines (average CRUD app) | Rails: 200-400 lines (average CRUD app)
Django: NumPy, Pandas, TensorFlow, Keras, Scikit-learn, PyTorch (native) | Rails: No native support (requires JRuby or API calls)
Django: 45,000+ annual Django positions | Rails: 12,000+ annual Rails positions
Django vs Rails — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Django vs Rails. Contains 88 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Django vs Rails — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Django vs Rails.
Which framework is faster: Django or Rails?
Django is significantly faster, typically handling 2-3x more requests per second than Rails. Django averages 65ms response times versus Rails' 175ms in benchmark tests. This makes Django preferable for high-traffic applications, APIs, and real-time systems. Rails' performance is sufficient for most business applications but requires optimization strategies at scale.
Django has substantially more job openings (28,000+ postings) compared to Rails (12,000+). Python developers are in higher demand across data science, AI, and backend roles. Rails job market has contracted since 2015 as companies shifted to microservices architectures. Both are viable, but Django offers better long-term career prospects.
Can I build the same app in both frameworks?
Yes, functionally identical apps can be built in both. However, Django projects tend to be more maintainable at scale, while Rails projects are faster to prototype initially. Django excels at data-heavy applications, while Rails shines for content management systems and CRUD-heavy monoliths. For real-time applications and APIs, Django is generally the better choice.
Is one framework more secure than the other?
Both frameworks have mature security models. Django provides more built-in protections (CSRF, SQL injection prevention, XSS filters) out-of-the-box. Rails requires more manual configuration but Devise gem handles most authentication needs. Neither is inherently more secure; both require following security best practices. Django's explicitness makes security vulnerabilities more visible.
Rails wins for MVP speed (1-2 weeks vs 2-3 weeks) and scaffolding efficiency, making it ideal for pre-seed startups with tight deadlines. Django wins for long-term scalability, hiring (larger talent pool), and integrating data science/ML features. Choose Rails if you need to launch in weeks; choose Django if you're building a product with growth potential beyond 2-3 years.
Language & Syntax: Django has Python (explicit, readable), while Rails has Ruby (expressive, concise).
Request/Response Speed: Django has ~50-80ms avg response time, while Rails has ~150-200ms avg response time.
Built-in Admin Panel: Django has Django Admin (auto-generated, highly customizable), while Rails has Requires gems like ActiveAdmin or Administrate.
ORM Maturity: Django has Django ORM (comprehensive, 15+ years), while Rails has ActiveRecord (pioneering, 20+ years).
Package Ecosystem Size: Django has PyPI: 500k+ packages available, while Rails has RubyGems: 180k+ packages available.
Job Market Demand (2025): Django has Django: 28,000+ job postings globally, while Rails has Rails: 12,000+ job postings globally.
Consider: Development Speed (New Project)
Development Speed (New Project): Django has ~2-3 weeks for MVP, while Rails has ~1-2 weeks for MVP (scaffolding advantage).