A Python framework makes developers' lives easier by providing a structure for application development. It automates the implementation of common solutions, thereby reducing development time and allowing developers to focus on application logic rather than routine elements.
We share with you the list of Python frameworks the most popular ones. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, this list will help you choose the framework best suited to your project.
How to choose the right framework?
The choice mainly depends on the size and complexity of your project.
| Size / needs | Recommended framework type |
| Small project or simple API | Microframeworks (Flask, Bottle, Falcon...) |
| Medium to large project | Full-featured framework (Django, Pyramid…) |
| Real-time applications | Asynchronous framework (Tornado, Sanic…) |
Full Python frameworks
A full-stack framework is an all-in-one solution with libraries configured to work together seamlessly, often including routing, databases, authentication, and template management. They are perfect for complex web applications.
Django: the most popular Python framework
Django is a full-stack framework, very popular, that allows you to create web applications of all sizes. It includes everything you need to get started quickly: authentication, database management, a template engine, and URL routing. Its community is large and active, and it is known for its scalability and security.
Key points:
- Integrated authentication and user management
- Powerful ORM with database migrations
- URL routing and native template engine
- Enhanced security (CSRF, XSS, SQL injections)
- Compatible with PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Oracle
- Large ecosystem of packages and plugins
Codeur.com's view: We recommend Django for full projects or MVPs, as it combines development speed and robustness. It is often preferred when the application requires many native features, strong security, and good scalability from the outset.
Pyramid: another flexible, modular Python framework
Pyramid is a flexible framework capable of handling both small applications and large, complex projects. It offers a lot of freedom in choosing components and allows you to build custom applications while remaining simple to configure.
Key points:
- Suitable for both simple and complex applications
- Extensible, modular configuration
- Advanced URL generation
- Support for many template engines
- Flexible authentication and authorization
- Excellent testing and documentation support
Codeur.com's view Pyramid is well suited to projects where you want to avoid an overly heavyweight framework while retaining a solid architecture. It is a good choice when Django feels too restrictive but a microframework would be insufficient.
TurboGears: a web framework for Python
TurboGears is a open-source web application framework, built on many middleware components and libraries and was originally designed to combine the best parts of other Python frameworks, making it a comprehensive and modular framework.
Key points:
- MVC architecture
- Support for multiple databases
- ORM: SQLAlchemy and SQLObject
- Form validation with FormEncode
- Kid and Genshi templates
- Built-in command-line tools
- JavaScript integration with MochiKit
Codeur.com's view : TurboGears seems particularly interesting for data-oriented applications that require a full-featured framework while leaving some freedom in the choice of components. However, it remains less common than Django or Flask.
Tornado: an asynchronous Python framework
Tornado is an asynchronous, non-blocking Python framework designed to handle long-lived connections and a large number of concurrent requests. It is particularly suited to real-time applications and high-load services.
It does not rely on traditional WSGI servers, which makes it ideal for applications where latency must be minimized.
Key points:
- High-performance native HTTP server
- Asynchronous programming with an event loop
- Native WebSocket support
- Async/await compatible
- Built-in cookie and security handling
- Does not rely on WSGI
- Low latency and high scalability on modern architectures
Codeur.com's view: if you have a real-time application project, Tornado is the Python framework you need, thanks to the high performance of its services. It is rarely used for classic websites.
FastAPI: a modern Python framework for RESTful APIs
FastAPI is a modern framework dedicated to building fast, reliable RESTful APIs. It relies on Python type annotations to provide automatic data validation and an excellent developer experience.
Key points:
- Automatic validation with pydantic
- Automatically generated documentation (Swagger, ReDoc)
- Native async/await support
- Based on Starlette (ASGI)
- Excellent performance
- Easy to test and maintain
- Ideal for modern architectures
Codeur.com's view : FastAPI is an excellent choice for developing modern APIs. It is often preferred to Flask or Django when high performance, strict data validation, and automatic documentation are sought.
Python microframeworks
A Python microframework, or minimalist framework, does not include most of the features of a full framework, such as a web template engine, authentication functionality, user accounts, input validation, and input sanitization.
A microframework is intended to provide only the set of components necessary to build an application. It can also focus on providing the features needed for a particular area.
Flask: a lightweight, flexible Python microframework
Flask is a lightweight, flexible microframework designed to give the developer maximum freedom. It provides a simple base on which extensions can be added according to project needs.
Key points:
- Minimalist, modular framework
- Built-in development server and debugger
- Unit testing support
- HTTP request and session management
- Compatible with many ORMs
- Based on Werkzeug and Jinja2
- Large ecosystem of extensions
Codeur.com's view : Flask is suitable for all types of web projects. It is often the default choice when Django proves too heavy or unsuitable for the need.
Bottle: a minimalist Python microframework
Bottle is an extremely lightweight microframework with no external dependencies. It is mainly used for simple projects, prototypes, or for learning.
Key points:
- All-in-one in a single file
- No external dependencies
- Simple and efficient routing
- Built-in template engine
- Supports Mako, Jinja2 and Cheetah
- Built-in HTTP server compatible with WSGI
Codeur.com's view Bottle is mainly used for very simple projects, prototypes, or learning. It is rarely chosen for medium- or large-scale professional applications.
CherryPy: a minimalist, extensible Python microframework
CherryPy is a minimalist web framework that allows you to create web applications like regular Python programs. It includes its own web server and emphasizes extensibility.
- Built-in multithreaded HTTP server
- WSGI compatible
- Session, cookie and file management
- Powerful configuration system
- Extensible plugins and tools
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
Codeur.com's view CherryPy can be suitable for specific projects requiring an integrated server and a high degree of technical freedom. However, it remains less popular and less documented than other microframeworks.
Also read : 5 frontend frameworks as alternatives to Bootstrap
Sanic: an asynchronous microframework
Sanic is an asynchronous microframework designed to deliver very high performance. Inspired by Flask, it is mainly aimed at APIs and real-time applications.
Key points :
- Asynchronous framework based on async/await
- High performance
- Native WebSocket support
- Syntax similar to Flask
- Dynamic routing
- Supports middlewares and blueprints
Codeur.com's view: Sanic is a good choice for APIs or real-time applications that require high performance. It is often considered when Flask reaches its limits in terms of asynchrony.
Falcon: a performance-oriented minimalist Python microframework
Falcon is a minimalist, performance-oriented microframework designed to build large-scale RESTful APIs. It prioritizes code clarity and efficiency.
Key points :
- Very fast and lightweight
- Low memory footprint
- Designed for REST APIs
- Simple, flexible middleware
- ASGI compatible
- Little magic, explicit code
Codeur.com's view Falcon is particularly well suited to microservices and high-load API backends. It is often chosen when performance is more important than rapid setup or developer convenience.
Find the Python framework that suits you
While there are many other frameworks, this list covers the most well-known and widely used worldwide.
Whether you are a beginner or not, chances are you will use one of these frameworks at some point to develop a Python application!
Do you have a Python development project? Post a free job ad on Codeur.com to quickly receive quotes from freelance Python developersThey will probably use one of the Python frameworks mentioned above to build your project!
