Express has been the default Node.js framework for over a decade, but Hono is now challenging that position with its edge-native design. If you're starting a new project in 2024, the choice between Hono vs Express will shape your deployment options, performance ceiling, and developer experience.
The Hono vs Express decision isn't about which framework is "better" — it's about where your app will run and how much you care about cold starts. I've built production systems with both, and the differences go far beyond benchmark numbers.
Hono vs Express: The Key Differences
The fundamental split is architectural. Express is a Node.js-only framework built on the classic request-response cycle with the native http module. Hono is a web standard framework — it runs on any JavaScript runtime that supports Request and Response objects: Node.js, Deno, Bun, Cloudflare Workers, and edge functions.
This changes everything about how you deploy:
// Express — tied to Node.js runtime
import express from 'express';
const app = express();
app.get('/api/users', (req, res) => {
res.json({ users: [] });
});
app.listen(3000);
// Hono — runs anywhere, same code
import { Hono } from 'hono';
const app = new Hono();
app.get('/api/users', (c) => {
return c.json({ users: [] });
});
// Deploy to Node:
export default app;
// Or to Cloudflare Workers:
export default app;
Express uses callback-style handlers with req and res objects that mutate state. Hono uses Web Standard Request and Response, which means zero vendor lock-in. You write once, deploy anywhere.
Another major difference: middleware. Express middleware chains mutate req and res in place. Hono middleware returns new values, which makes it more predictable and easier to compose. Hono also has first-class TypeScript support out of the box — Express requires @types/express and often fights you on typing.
Performance matters too. Hono's benchmark numbers are consistently 5-10x faster than Express in Node.js, primarily because it avoids the overhead of Node's http module and uses optimized path routing. But raw speed rarely decides a project — deployment flexibility does.
When to Use Hono
Use Hono when you're building for serverless or edge environments. If you're deploying to Cloudflare Workers, Vercel Edge Functions, or Bun, Hono is the natural fit — Express simply won't run there without compatibility layers.
Hono also shines in microservices and API gateways where you need many small, fast endpoints. The framework's bundle size is around 14KB vs Express's 200KB+, which matters for cold starts on serverless platforms.
Here's a concrete example — a rate-limiting middleware that works identically across runtimes:
import { Hono } from 'hono';
import { rateLimiter } from 'hono-rate-limiter';
const app = new Hono();
app.use('/api/*', rateLimiter({
windowMs: 60 * 1000,
limit: 100,
standardHeaders: 'draft-7',
}));
app.get('/api/data', (c) => {
return c.json({ message: 'Rate limited endpoint' });
});
export default app;
That same code deploys to Cloudflare Workers, Deno Deploy, and Node.js without modification. Try that with Express.
When to Use Express
Stick with Express when you're building a traditional monolithic Node.js server that runs on a single machine or a container. If your team already has deep Express experience, or you're maintaining a legacy codebase, migrating to Hono isn't worth the churn.
Express also wins in the ecosystem department. It has 15 years of middleware, tutorials, and Stack Overflow answers. If you need something obscure — like a specific session store or legacy authentication flow — Express probably has a package for it. Hono's ecosystem is growing fast but still young.
Express is also the safer choice for large teams that need maximum hiring pool compatibility. Most Node.js developers know Express. Hono is still niche, though it's gaining traction quickly.
// Express shines when you need deep integration with Node-specific APIs
const express = require('express');
const session = require('express-session');
const app = express();
app.use(session({
secret: process.env.SESSION_SECRET,
resave: false,
saveUninitialized: false,
store: new RedisStore({ client: redisClient })
}));
app.get('/dashboard', (req, res) => {
if (!req.session.user) return res.redirect('/login');
res.send(`Welcome, ${req.session.user.name}`);
});
That session middleware ecosystem is mature and battle-tested. Hono has session support, but it's not as deep.
Hono or Express: Which One Should You Pick?
Pick Hono if: you're building serverless or edge functions, you want TypeScript without friction, you need multi-runtime portability, or you're starting a greenfield API project in 2024.
Pick Express if: you're maintaining a legacy Node.js monolith, you need the massive middleware ecosystem, your team is Express-only, or you're deploying exclusively to traditional Node.js servers.
The real answer: If you're starting fresh today, Hono is the better bet. The industry is moving toward serverless and edge computing, and Hono positions you for that future without sacrificing Node.js compatibility. Express isn't dead, but it's maintenance mode for most new projects.
My Take
I've replaced Express with Hono in three production projects this year — two on Cloudflare Workers and one on Bun. The migration was painless, the TypeScript experience is dramatically better, and the cold start improvements were immediate. I wouldn't start a new Express project unless a client explicitly requires it.
That said, Express isn't going anywhere. It's the jQuery of Node.js — ubiquitous, reliable, and eventually you stop reaching for it once something better comes along.
The one thing that makes this decision obvious: if your code runs on more than one runtime, Hono wins. If it only ever runs on Node, Express is still fine — but you're betting against the direction the industry is heading.