When I first heard about NestJS, I thought it was “just another backend framework.” But as a developer who’s spent time working with both Express.js and full-stack setups like Next.js, I’ve come to realize that NestJS is more than just a trend — it's a major shift in how we build backend applications in 2025.
In this blog, I’ll break down:
Let’s dive in.
NestJS is a progressive Node.js framework designed for building scalable, maintainable, and efficient server-side applications. It’s fully written in TypeScript and heavily inspired by Angular in terms of structure — using decorators, modules, services, and dependency injection.
While it runs on top of Express.js (or optionally Fastify), it gives your project an actual architectural pattern, which is something traditional Express projects often lack.
I’ve noticed more and more backend job listings mention NestJS — and here’s why:
NestJS embraces TypeScript out of the box, making type safety a default, not an afterthought — ideal for building large-scale apps.
You break your app into modules — like UserModule, AuthModule, BlogModule, etc. This makes the codebase clean, testable, and easy to scale.
NestJS comes with built-in support for:
class-validator)I didn’t need to wire everything from scratch like I usually would with Express.
Big companies love structure, and NestJS brings that to Node. It’s no longer just a hobbyist or startup tool — it’s enterprise-ready.
Here’s how I personally see it, having used both:
| Feature | Express.js | NestJS |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Minimal, manual | Modular, opinionated |
| TypeScript | Optional | Fully built-in |
| Learning Curve | Easy to start | Slightly higher, but worth it |
| Use Case | Quick APIs, MVPs | Scalable apps, microservices, real-world systems |
| Features | Add via middleware | Many features come built-in |
| Testing Support | Manual setup | Integrated testing ecosystem |
Express is like writing in plain JavaScript. NestJS feels like using a proper framework — similar to how Next.js feels structured compared to vanilla React.
This is a question I get often, especially from frontend developers:
“Are NestJS and Next.js part of the same ecosystem?”
Not at all. Despite the similar names, they serve very different purposes:
| Area | NestJS (Backend) | Next.js (Frontend/Full-stack) |
|---|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript (Node.js) | React + JavaScript/TypeScript |
| Role | Backend API Framework | Frontend Framework with SSR/SSG/ISR |
| UI Layer | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| API Support | ✅ First-class (REST, GraphQL) | ✅ API Routes (lightweight) |
| Rendering | ❌ None | ✅ SSR, CSR, SSG |
They can absolutely be used together — many developers build their frontend with Next.js and connect to a NestJS backend via REST or GraphQL.
If you're serious about backend development — or even full-stack — yes, 100%. Here’s why I believe so:
Then NestJS is a natural upgrade. It gives your app structure, power, and maintainability.
You’ll feel right at home with decorators, typed services, and interfaces.
Unlike Express, NestJS scales really well, and it brings best practices built-in.
NestJS is not just a trend — it’s solving real-world problems with real structure.
If you’re coming from the Express world, NestJS is a breath of fresh air.
If you're a frontend dev wanting to become more “full-stack,” NestJS might seem overwhelming at first — but it’s absolutely learnable.
If you're serious about building scalable APIs, learning clean architecture, and writing testable code, NestJS is not just worth it — it’s what’s next.