Node.js vs Python: Which backend is better for real-time and scalable applications in 2025?

Compares Node.js and Python for backend development in terms of throughput, latency, scalability, and ideal use cases.

As of 2025 benchmarks: • Node.js leads in I/O concurrency, handling up to ~90,000 requests/sec with latency around ~31ms, making it top choice for real-time APIs and microservices environments. • Python—while slower under the Global Interpreter Lock—excels in analytics, ML-driven apps, and rapid development using Django, Flask, FastAPI, or tools like Numba and PyPy to close the performance gap. Tags: nodejs, python, backend, performance, scalability, real-time