FastAPI vs Sanic vs Robyn: Which is the Ultimate Python Framework?
Which Asynchronous Python Framework Reigns Supreme for REST APIs: FastAPI, Sanic, or Robyn?
Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash
Introduction: Because Regular APIs Just Aren’t Fast Enough
Welcome, dear reader, to the thrilling world of web development, where we’re never satisfied with “fast enough” and always need something faster. The tech world is ever-evolving, and we constantly seek new frameworks that are easy to learn, fast, and more secure.
Enter FastAPI, Sanic, and Robyn, three Python frameworks that promise to turn your sluggish API into a cheetah on steroids.
FastAPI: For When You Want Your API to Have a Superiority Complex
FastAPI was created by Sebastián Ramírez and first released in November 2018. The framework was born out of Ramírez’s experience with other Python frameworks and his desire to create something that combined the best features of existing tools while leveraging modern Python features like type hints.
Key features and advantages:
Performance: Built on Starlette and Pydantic, FastAPI offers high performance.
Type Hints: Leverages Python’s type hinting for request/response validation and auto-documentation.
Async Support: Native support for asynchronous programming.
Auto-Documentation: Generates interactive API documentation (Swagger UI) automatically.
Data Validation: Built-in data validation using Pydantic models.
When to use FastAPI:
When you want to impress your colleagues with how little work you actually do. “Oh, this fully documented, validated API? I whipped it up during my coffee break.”
Create a virtual environment:
python -m venv venv
- venv\Scripts\activate on windows or
- source venv/bin/activate on unix/mac
- pip install fastapi
#app.py
from fastapi import FastAPI
app = FastAPI()
@app.get("/")
async def index():
return {"message": "Hello, World!"}
if __name__ == "__main__":
import uvicorn
uvicorn.run("main:app", host="0.0.0.0", port=5000, reload=True)
Sanic: Built for Speed
The Sanic web framework in Python was originally created by Adam Hopkins and the Sanic Community Organization in 2016. Sanic was developed with the goal of providing a simple and fast asynchronous web server, taking full advantage of Python 3.5+’s async/await syntax.
Sanic is known for its performance and is designed to handle asynchronous requests natively, making it suitable for building high-performance web applications and APIs.
Key features and advantages:
- Asynchronous: It’s so async, it finishes tasks before you even think of them.
- Performance: Benchmarks? Where we’re going, we don’t need benchmarks.
- Scalability: Handles more connections than a celebrity’s LinkedIn profile.
- Simplicity: An API so simple, even your project manager could understand it. (But please don’t test this theory.)
When to use Sanic:
When you need your application to go faster than your career after learning a new JavaScript framework. Or when you’ve had too much coffee and regular coding just feels too slow.
Equivalent endpoint in Sanic:
create a file main.py
from sanic import Sanic
from sanic.response import text
app = Sanic("HelloWorld")
@app.get("/")
async def hello_world(request):
return text("Hello, world.")
To run this code, simply type this in your terminal
- sanic main
Robyn
Robyn is the newest of the three frameworks, created by Sanskar Jethi and first released in 2021. It was developed with the goal of pushing the boundaries of performance in Python web development by leveraging Rust for its core components.
Key Features and Advantages:
Rust-Powered: Core is written in Rust, with Python bindings.
Simplicity: Aims for a minimalist API design.
Performance: Claims to outperform other Python frameworks in speed.
Modern: Designed with modern web development practices in mind.
Active development with potential for rapid improvement.
from robyn import Robyn
app = Robyn(__file__)
@app.get("/")
async def hello_world(request):
return "Hello, world"
app.start(port=8080, host="0.0.0.0")
Performance — May the Fastest Framework Win
In the red corner, we have FastAPI, the youngling with a need for speed. Built on Starlette, it’s like the caffeinated teenager of web frameworks — fast, energetic, and slightly overeager.
In the blue corner, Sanic, the speed demon that’s been around the block. It’s so fast, it makes The Flash look like he’s running in molasses. If your application needs to go from zero to production in 2.5 seconds, Sanic’s got your back.
And in the… wait, is that Rust I smell? It’s Robyn, the new kid on the block, flexing its Rust-powered muscles. It claims to be faster than speed of light, but let’s be honest, we’re all still waiting for those independent benchmarks. It benchmark makes other framework look like comparing the hare to the snail and tortoise.
Learning Curve — Climbing the Mountain of Knowledge
FastAPI is like that nerdy friend who’s always excited to teach you something new. “Hey, want to learn about type hints? How about some Pydantic models? Oh, and did I mention async programming?” It’s not the easiest to master, but boy, does it make you feel smart.
Sanic, on the other hand, is the cool, laid-back teacher. If you’ve ever used Flask, you’ll feel right at home. It’s like Flask went to the gym, got buff, and learned some new party tricks. Just don’t ask it about decorators after midnight.
Robyn? Well, learning Robyn is like trying to ride a unicycle while juggling flaming torches. It’s not impossible, but you might singe your eyebrows in the process. But hey, no pain, no gain, right?
Documentation and Community — It Takes a Village
FastAPI’s documentation is very well written with a lot of examples. It’s comprehensive, detailed and easy to follow through, it explain concept very clear. The community? It’s like a bustling city, always alive with activity and new ideas.
Sanic’s documentation is comprehensive and well-structured. To improve the onboarding experience for beginners, Sanic should consider creating a series of beginner-friendly tutorials. These tutorials could provide clear explanations of core concepts, along with illustrative examples to solidify understanding. By investing in quality tutorials, Sanic can help new users quickly grasp its capabilities and start building powerful asynchronous applications.
Robyn’s documentation is well-written and shows a commitment to quality. It’s like watching a promising newcomer with great potential. While the community may be small, it is enthusiastic and supportive. The Robyn community should consider creating various tutorials that clearly explain key concepts. These tutorials can help new users avoid frustration and ensure a smoother learning curve, ultimately encouraging more people to invest time in this framework.
API Validation and Documentation — Crossing Your T’s and Dotting Your I’s
FastAPI is the overachieving student who not only does their homework but also color-codes it, adds sticky notes, and presents it in a leather-bound folder. Automatic API documentation? Check. Strong validation? Double-check. It’s so thorough, it might make you feel a bit inadequate.
Sanic is more of the “you figure it out” type. It gives you the basics, and if you want more, well, there’s always third-party libraries.
Robyn is still figuring out this whole “documentation” thing. It’s like watching a teenager try to explain quantum physics — the enthusiasm is there, but the details are a bit fuzzy.
The Verdict: Choosing Your Champion
Choosing between FastAPI, Sanic, and Robyn is like choosing between coffee, tea, or a mysterious energy drink from the back of your fridge. They’ll all wake you up, but the experience (and side effects) might vary.
If you’re building complex APIs and you like your documentation like you like your novels (long and detailed), FastAPI is your soulmate. Just be prepared for a bit of a learning curve — it’s not rocket science, but it might feel like it sometimes.
If you’re all about that async life and you need speed like you need oxygen, Sanic is your spirit animal. It’s fast, it’s furious, and it doesn’t afraid of anything (except maybe comprehensive built-in API validation).
And if you’re the type who likes to live on the edge, who laughs in the face of “stable releases” and “documentation,” then by all means, hop on the Robyn train. Just don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure (and maybe a Rust manual).
In the end, remember: no matter which framework you choose, someone on the internet will tell you you’re wrong. But hey, that’s half the fun of being a developer, right? Now go forth and build something awesome and may the coding force be with you by guiding through your live journey as you continue to learn your preferred framework.
Remember to stay hydrated and stay safe. If you get frustrated by a bug in your code, don't worry—you can consult your favorite AI for help and also read the documentation (a developer's nightmare). Take breaks and avoid sitting for too long.
Stay curious, never stop learning, and keep experimenting. You might just hit the jackpot.