Django REST Framework vs. Django Ninja

When building APIs in Django, developers often choose between two robust frameworks: Django REST Framework (DRF) and Django Ninja. Both aim to simplify API creation but in different ways. This guide compares their key features, helping you decide which suits your project best.

Overview

Django REST Framework

Django REST Framework is a comprehensive toolkit for building Web APIs. It's popular due to its rich features and extensive documentation, integrating seamlessly with Django's ORM.

Also, Read Django Advance ORM Query

Django Ninja

Django Ninja is a newer framework designed for high performance and simplicity. It uses Pydantic for data validation and FastAPI for request handling, resulting in faster development and execution.

Key Features Comparison

Serialization

Django REST Framework uses serializers to convert complex data types to native Python types.

from rest_framework import serializers
from .models import User 

class UserSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
    class Meta:
        model = User
        fields = ['id', 'username', 'email']

Django Ninja uses Pydantic models for a more Pythonic and type-safe approach.

from pydantic import BaseModel

class UserSchema(BaseModel):
    id: int
    username: str
    email: str

Also, Read Proven Techniques for Django Query Optimization and Better Performance

Routing

Django REST Framework uses a router system for URL routing.

from django.urls import path, include
from rest_framework.routers import DefaultRouter
from .views import UserViewSet 

router = DefaultRouter()
router.register(r'users', UserViewSet)

urlpatterns = [
    path('', include(router.urls)),
]

Django Ninja uses decorators for straightforward routing.

from ninja import Router

router = Router()

@router.get("/users")
def list_users(request):
    return {"users": []}

Authentication and Permissions

Django REST Framework offers a comprehensive authentication and permissions system out of the box.

from rest_framework.permissions import IsAuthenticated
from rest_framework.views import APIView
from rest_framework.response import Response 

class SecureView(APIView):
    permission_classes = [IsAuthenticated]

    def get(self, request):
        return Response({"message": "Hello, authenticated user!"})

Django Ninja supports various authentication methods through dependencies.

from ninja.security import HttpBearer
from ninja import Router

class BearerAuth(HttpBearer):
    def authenticate(self, request, token: str):
        # Implement your token authentication logic here
        if token == "secret-token":
            return token

auth = BearerAuth()
router = Router()

@router.get("/secure", auth=auth)
def secure_route(request):
    return {"message": "Hello, authenticated user!"}

Also, Read Tenant Schema In Python Django

Performance

Django Ninja generally offers better performance due to its asynchronous capabilities and Pydantic's data validation, making it suitable for high-performance applications.

Choosing the Right Framework

Use Django REST Framework if:

• You need a mature, feature-rich framework.
• Your project heavily relies on Django's ORM.
• You require built-in authentication and permissions.

Use Django Ninja if:

• You prefer a modern, type-safe approach.
• Performance is critical.
• You want to leverage Pydantic's capabilities.

Conclusion

Both Django REST Framework and Django Ninja are excellent for building APIs. DRF is mature and feature-rich, while Django Ninja offers modern simplicity and performance. Choose based on your project needs and preferences. Happy coding!

Disclaimer: Always refer to the latest official documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information.