Why Speed Isn't Everything: 2026 HTTP Framework Benchmark Analysis
Disclaimer: This article was produced by Gemini AI based on prompts and research directions provided by the author.
When choosing a backend framework, Requests Per Second (RPS) often takes center stage. However, real-world performance requires more than just peak speed; it demands consistency. This analysis dissects the latest benchmark results to see which frameworks truly excel when the workload reaches its peak.
1. Comprehensive Comparison: Speed vs. Stability
The data below covers all tested frameworks, sorted by the Coefficient of Variation (CV)—a metric indicating stability (the smaller the percentage, the more stable).
| Framework | Mean (RPS) | Stddev | CV (%) | Stability Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deso | 45,028.46 | 2,244.43 | 4.98% | Highly Ideal |
| Megalo | 46,134.64 | 2,358.28 | 5.11% | Highly Ideal |
| Fast | 49,406.42 | 2,618.30 | 5.30% | Highly Ideal |
| Vixeny (Deno) | 49,175.37 | 2,638.78 | 5.36% | Highly Ideal |
| NHttp | 49,281.89 | 2,710.77 | 5.50% | Highly Ideal |
| Fastro | 49,930.86 | 2,886.21 | 5.78% | Highly Ideal |
| Hono | 48,535.62 | 2,973.15 | 6.12% | Stable |
| Deno (Native) | 54,030.73 | 3,968.07 | 7.34% | Stable |
| Node | 19,107.30 | 1,688.66 | 8.83% | Stable |
| Express | 6,457.69 | 920.02 | 14.24% | Fluctuating |
| Stric | 79,214.05 | 12,276.05 | 15.49% | Fluctuating |
| Bun | 79,325.22 | 12,298.07 | 15.50% | Fluctuating |
| Elysia | 66,488.49 | 11,395.25 | 17.13% | Fluctuating |
2. Understanding Coefficient of Variation (CV)
Why should we care about CV? In statistics, CV is calculated using the formula:
$$CV = \left( \frac{\sigma}{\mu} \right) \times 100\%$$
Where $\sigma$ = Standard Deviation, and $\mu$ = Mean.
This figure tells us how much the server's performance varies:
- Low CV (< 6%): The server maintains a constant pace. Users experience the same speed every second. This is crucial for maintaining P99 Latency (guaranteed speed for 99% of users).
- High CV (> 15%): The server experiences "jitters." Even if the average is high, there are moments where performance drops significantly—often due to Garbage Collection or Event Loop lag. Users will feel the application is "blazing fast" one moment and "stuttering" the next.
3. Fastro: A Leader in the "Elite Stability Club"
Looking closely at the data, there is an elite group categorized as Highly Ideal (CV < 6%). This is where true reliability lies:
- Top Speed in its Stability Class: Among all frameworks in the "Highly Ideal" category, Fastro is the fastest at 49,930 RPS. It outperforms Deso and Megalo, which are slightly more stable but significantly slower in throughput.
- Efficiency vs. Fluctuation: Compare this to Bun or Stric. While they reach ~79k RPS, their fluctuation rate hits 15.5%. This means their performance is 3x more unstable than Fastro's.
- The Goldilocks Balance: Fastro occupies the ideal sweet spot. It isn't "cold" (slow) like Express, yet it isn't "unstable" (jittery) like Bun. It is the perfectly balanced choice for industrial applications that require high performance without unpleasant latency surprises.
4. Final Analysis: When to Choose Which?
- Choose Bun/Stric: If your workload is massive and latency variation is not a primary concern for your system.
- Choose Hono/Deno: If you require a mature ecosystem and massive community support.
- Choose Fastro: If you prioritize Predictable Performance. Fastro proves to be the fastest Deno framework within the top-tier stability group.
Conclusion
Don't just chase the peak numbers on a benchmark chart. A great application is a consistent one. With a fluctuation rate under 6%, Fastro delivers more than just numbers—it provides a guarantee of stable performance for your production systems.
Data processed from: denosaurs/bench