In 2025, which backend—Node.js or Python—is better for high-concurrency real-time workloads?

Compares performance, throughput, and use-case suitability between Node.js and Python for modern backend systems.

• Node.js performs exceptionally in I/O-heavy, real-time applications—handling around 90,000 requests/sec with 31 ms latency utilizing V8 and clustered Node architectures. • Python, while slower due to the GIL, excels in ML, analytics, backend APIs, and rapid prototyping when using async frameworks like FastAPI, especially when combined with JIT compilers. Tags: nodejs, python, backend, performance, scalability, real-time