Web Development
Updated: Feb 5, 2025

Django Web App Development Framework: A Detailed Guide for 2025

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An accomplished Software Maestro with 9 years of industry expertise. Mounil is a reliable expert at Radixweb and holds a certification in Google Data Analytics Professional.
Guide to Django Web App Development Framework

A Quick Roundup: Although Django is the one true framework to simplify the process of web development, its wide-ranging benefits are still unfamiliar to newcomers. Hence, in order to help them create incredible web experiences, we’ve crafted this all-in-one blog to decode everything about Django, from its features and benefits to use cases and best practices. Stay tuned!

Choosing the right framework for your next project should not be an impromptu decision. There are too many factors that you have to consider before coming up with an informed choice.

Your development will go smoothly with the right tools, but the wrong technology will worsen the issues.

When selecting a framework, there are three main factors to consider: the language used, the tools available, and the framework's popularity in the industry.

The Django web framework can be the one that passes all the parameters with quality outcomes. It is popular among many businesses and developers because of its flexible architecture and template engine. Hence, one of the most well-known web development stacks available today is Django.

But like every framework, Django too comes with its pros and cons.

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Let’s look under the hood of this framework and explore the factors that make it a core web technology. With this blog, we hope to help you explore Django basics and decide if Django is an ideal choice for your next project.

On This Page
  1. What is Django?
  2. How Does Django Work?
  3. What Other Modules Does Django Support?
  4. Key Features of the Django Web Framework
  5. Why Do Developers Choose Django?
  6. Is Django Used for Frontend or Backend?
  7. Best Use Cases of Django
  8. Pros and Cons of the Django Framework
  9. Top Companies Using the Django Framework
  10. Why Do We Use the Django Framework?
  11. Experience the Power of Django with Radixweb

What is Django?

Django is an open-source web app development framework based on Python programming language. It is used to develop backend web applications. Its key objectives are integrating reliability, scalability, adaptability, and simplicity into the web development process.

Django's functions and components have their own names (for instance, HTTP replies are referred to as "views"). Additionally, it offers numerous technological features, including an admin interface that is easier to use than those in Laravel or Yii.

How Does Django Work?

The Django framework architecture is based on a Pythonic structure. Model-View-Controller (MVC) was the original structure and is still in the most recent version.

The MVC architecture enables developers to modify an app's business logic and visual components independently without affecting the other. But in reality, the model-view-template (MVT) is how developers typically refer to the Django architecture.

In the Django MVT architecture, Model, View, and Template are the three layers, with additional URLs, and each layer has a different function and can be utilized independently.

MVT Architecture of Django

  • Model

A model is "the one authoritative source of knowledge about your data," according to the Django documentation. The key fields and behaviors of the data you're saving are included in it. Each model typically corresponds to a single database table. There are often four databases used by applications: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and Oracle, which Django officially supports.

Models represent attributes and contain information about your data. A model does not know other Django layers because it is a simple Python class. An application programming interface is the only means of communication between layers (API).

Furthermore, models store data manipulation-related elements such as attributes, custom methods, and business logic. Objects (data sets) in the original database can also be created, read, updated, and deleted with the help of models.

  • View

The view performs three tasks, including HTTP request acceptance, a business logic application using Python classes and methods, and HTTP response generation for client requests. To put it another way, the view retrieves data from a model and either grants access to specific data for each template to be presented or prepares data for display.

  • Template

Django includes a robust template engine and a rich toolkit for its own markup language. Templates are HTML-coded files that are used to render data. These files' contents may be static or dynamic. A template exists only to present data; it contains no business logic.

  • URLs

The URL defines the URL routing and mapping for the application. They are defined in the urls.py file that maps the user's request to a specific view based on the URL pattern.

In short, the model handles the data and business logic, the view handles the presentation logic, the template handles the user interface, and the URL handles the routing and mapping of the web app. This leads to better code organization, maintainability, and scalability.

What Other Modules Does the Django Framework Support?

Except for the MVT architecture, Django programming is compatible with a lot of modules for a seamless web development process, such as:

  • Forms - Django provides a forms module that simplifies the process of creating HTML forms. It enables you to easily create forms with validation, error handling, and customization. You can create forms for user input, search, and even custom forms for your application.
  • User Authentication - With Django's authentication system, you can authenticate users, authorize them to access certain parts of your application and manage user sessions. You can also customize the authentication system to fit your product’s needs, including using third-party services like Google, Facebook, or Twitter.
  • Site Administration - The built-in admin site provides an easy-to-use interface for managing your application's data. You can create, read, update, and delete records in your application's database without writing any code.

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Key Features of the Django Web Framework

The Django Python web framework, being open-source, regularly introduces new Django MVT architecture and updates to improve its features and address the needs of its users. Some of its essential features include:

Django Web Framework Features

  • Object-Relational Mapping (ORM)

Django's ORM maps database tables to Python classes. Thus, it is incredibly easy to work on databases without having to write SQL queries.

  • Authentication and Authorization

With a robust authentication and authorization system in place, Django allows you to seamlessly manage user authentication and permissions.

  • Admin Interface

The admin interface provides an out-of-the-box dashboard for managing data in the database. It is highly customizable and you can extend it to include personalized functionalities.

  • Internationalization

It supports internationalization and localization, making it easy to create multilingual websites or web apps based on demographics.

  • URL Routing

The URL routing system enables developers to define URLs to view functions or methods, and create clean, readable, and scalable URLs.

  • Templating Engine

Django has a built-in templating engine to create dynamic web pages by allowing developers to mix HTML with Python code.

Why Do Developers Choose Django?

Web developers choose Django because it offers a high level of scalability, security, and rapid development. This is reflected in the higher popularity of Django compared to React and Vue, with 74% of developers favoring Django as their go-to framework, according to The State of Django 2024 survey.

Most Used Web Framework

Apart from the fact that it helps them create robust Python-based web applications, here are a few more important factors:

Faster Development

Django provides a range of pre-built components that developers can use to add functionality to their apps, such as user authentication, content management, RSS feeds, etc. It results in reduced development time and allows developers to focus on the unique features of the product.

Moreover, Django has a robust community of experienced Python developers. Hence, for web developers who are aspiring to learn this framework, there are plenty of resources available to get started, report issues, and find solutions.

Cost-Efficiency

Django has a large and active community of web developers who contribute to the framework, offer support, and share knowledge. This can save developers time and resources in terms of troubleshooting and problem-solving.

Additionally, you can host Django sites and apps on a wide range of platforms, including cloud-based solutions that offer cost-effective scaling and maintenance options.

Popularity

There are a number of Django development use cases for large-scale projects and complex web applications, including content management systems, social networking platforms, and eCommerce sites, for its “batteries included approach”.

This framework has been adopted by many high-profile organizations, such as Instagram, Pinterest, Atlassian, and Mozilla. This justifies its popularity and credibility among developers.

Python Foundation

Web development in Django is deeply tied to Python. As this language is gaining traction in recent years with the rise of AI, Django benefits from it too. Python’s growth in AI is creating a ripple effect and is giving Django more visibility and usage.

Developers need a robust framework to manage the web interface and the results of their AI models. Django fits into this ecosystem because it’s built on Python and is perfectly capable of handling scalable, secure, and data-driven web platforms.

Is Django Used for Frontend or Backend?

Django is a web development framework that developers primarily use for backend web development. It is written in Python and provides a set of tools and libraries to help you build web apps quickly and efficiently.

Although Django offers some support for front-end development, its main focus is on the backend. Django can generate HTML pages, but it's not a frontend framework. Instead, Django is typically used with a frontend framework or library, such as Angular.js, React.js, or Vue.js, which handles the presentation layer of the web app.

As a matter of fact, with the stable updates of Django and its safe integration with frontend technologies, 73% of developers are likely to use this framework for full-stack development.

Reasons to Use Django

In short, while Django is a backend framework designed to handle server-side logic, such as managing databases, generating responses to client requests, and handling user authentication and authorization, it can also support frontend and full-stack development with the help of other technologies.

Best Use Cases of Django

Django's ability to power a strong backend, handle large datasets and user bases, and support advanced functionalities makes it one of the top web development tools.

Accordingly, there are multiple Django use cases across industries, such as:

  • Building financial platforms with comprehensive analytics capabilities
  • CRM systems made for data internalization
  • B2B CRM programs for companies
  • B2C communication platforms
  • Shopping portals
  • Ticket booking portals
  • Android and iOS apps
  • Real estate apps
  • Document management systems

Django is a great platform for creating web applications and has a variety of other uses. Moreover, the platform can be used to develop particular features for apps, including:

  • Email notification systems
  • Algorithm-based code generators
  • Advanced filtering systems
  • Investment fund management interfaces
  • Data analysis tools
  • Facial recognition systems
  • Admin dashboards

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Pros and Cons of the Django Framework

No technology is perfect. The same is true for Django as well. Despite being a top-tier Python web framework and offering a range of benefits, working with Django can be challenging at times. Let's look at the major Django pros and cons for a better understanding.

Pros of Django

First, let’s discuss the advantages of the Django framework:

1. “Batteries Included” Framework

Django follows a 'batteries-included' philosophy, which means Django comprises many built-in features and functionalities. It has a lot of useful stuff in it that allows you to import the packages for adding functionalities, instead of writing your own code.

This saves developers time and allows them to focus on adding out-of-the-box functionalities.

Some of the high-level functionalities or batteries that Django provides include:

  • ORM
  • Database migrations
  • Multi-site and multi-language support
  • MVC layout
  • User authentication with auth package
  • Admin interfacing with admin package
  • RSS and Atom feeds
  • Free API
  • URL routing
  • AJAX support

and so on...

2. Smart Application Development Capabilities

Django is a key framework for building modern applications. Developers working on Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) algorithms prefer it. Its computing capabilities make it the perfect platform for AI/ML applications. Powerful Python libraries like PyTorch, NumPy, and others are also compatible with it.

Hence, Django is ideal for the development of intelligent IoT, AI, or ML applications because it has regression and prediction capabilities.

3. Python Ecosystem

Since Python is the primary Django language, the framework can take advantage of some of Python's main advantages, including simplicity, increased productivity, and support for external libraries. All of these factors speed up the development process.

Using Python's syntax rules, Django makes it easier for programmers to create applications with clear, readable, and maintainable code. Developing customized web apps without additional code also makes it simple for developers to reduce the time spent on development.

4. Versatility And Scalability

Even the busiest websites can benefit from Django as it helps in scaling up to handle increased traffic. Django is used in various fields and applications, such as content management, scientific computing, intelligent automation, and enterprise administration, showing its adaptability.

5. The Django Community

One of Django's best features is its strong and active community, which is constantly trying to make the framework more dependable and user-friendly. Even the documentation is comprehensive and serves as a useful Django tutorial for beginners.

6. Security

This framework, created by the top web developers in the world, leaves very little room for security flaws. It also protects against widespread attacks like cross-site request forgery and SQL injections.

Django Pros and Cons

Cons of Django

Despite all the advantages it offers, there's a reason why Django is still not the primary framework for a lot of programmers. Some of the issues that come with Django for web development are:

1. Lack of Conventions

Django's absence of conventions is why many programmers dislike it. Contrary to other frameworks like Ruby on Rails, everything in Django needs to be defined directly. Because of the configuration boilerplate, the development process is slow. Developers who are familiar with frameworks that prioritize convention over configuration find it challenging.

2. Monolithic Nature

For some programmers, Django's monolithic structure may be a benefit, but it is a disadvantage for the majority. Before starting any project, programmers must become familiar with a specific collection of files and preset variables in Django. The framework has a specific method for carrying out activities.

Although it is simple to understand, its mandatory nature means developers cannot utilize their own file structure. When using Django, the guidelines must be followed.

3. Not for Smaller Projects

There is a lot of code in the Django web design that uses the server's processing power and time. This can take its toll on low-end websites with very little bandwidth. Because of this, it is not suitable for products and projects with a limited number of features and requirements.

4. Inability to Handle Multiple Requests Simultaneously

Django cannot allow individual processes to handle multiple requests simultaneously, unlike many modern web frameworks. This puts pressure on developers to create ways to make individual processes handle multiple requests efficiently.

5. Difficult to Learn

The steep learning curve of Django is one of its main drawbacks. It has several aspects that are difficult for developers to understand. The transition for developers coming from other languages might be extremely difficult. Additionally, the different syntax makes it challenging for developers to rapidly pick it up. Therefore, learning Django can be really challenging for developers sometimes.

Top Companies Using the Django Framework

Due to its robustness, scalability, and resourcefulness, the Django Python framework is the choice of many tech giants around the world. Some of the top companies using Django include:

Businesses built with Django

  • Instagram - Instagram, the popular social media platform, uses Django as its primary framework for its web interface.
  • Pinterest - Pinterest, another social media platform for visual discovery, uses Django to power its backend API.
  • Mozilla – This non-profit organization that develops the Firefox web browser, uses the Python Django framework to build its web applications.
  • Spotify - Spotify, the popular music streaming service, uses Django to build its web applications and backend services.
  • Dropbox - Dropbox, the cloud storage and file sharing service, uses Django to build its web interface and API.
  • NASA - NASA, the space agency of the United States, relies on Django development to build its web applications and data visualization tools.
  • The Washington Post – As one of the largest newspapers in the United States, The Washington Post uses Django to power its website and content management system.
  • Bitbucket - Bitbucket, the web-based hosting service for Git repositories, uses Django for web interface and API development.

Why Do We Use the Django Framework?

As a leading software development company, we love Django because it encourages development with little redundancy. The framework's simple and useful architecture streamlines the creation of any web application. Moreover, the website development toolbox is conveniently located in one place.

With Django, we can develop new apps using the relevant code that makes them unique rather than starting from zero. Everything does not have to be created from scratch. We don't have to worry about reinventing the wheel while building a social networking website or a customized enterprise app.

Being one of the best web development frameworks, Django provides the basics for us, and we put into practice what our clients expect from us. We have access to libraries of third-party plugins and extensions in addition to developer inputs for customization. The Django community is also very resourceful and supportive of other developers who need assistance with their projects.

For a detailed overview of our approach and the solutions we have implemented so far, take a look at how we built a high-capacity web app with Django.

In this project, Django’s powerful features, especially its built-in database management (ORM) and MVT architecture, made it easy to store and organize data. We used its modular design to break the app into individual components, which helped us add new features quickly and keep the code clean.

What really worked in our favor was Django’s database management (ORM), MVT architecture, and its ability to handle heavy traffic and big datasets. Plus, it has built-in security features that have raised the web app’s security standards from online threats. Overall, we could focus on creating a user-friendly experience without worrying about backend issues.

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Experience the Power of Django with RadixwebIt cannot be easy to decide which frontend or backend framework should be used for your project. At present, developers have an abundance of options, which makes it easier than ever to take an idea from concept to execution.Amid this sea of choices, Django rises above as a reliable and efficient framework. Hardly any other framework offers the much-needed robustness to support large-scale, resource-heavy assets as well as the simplicity to support small-scale projects. The steady fame it has been enjoying so far speaks volumes about its usefulness.That said, if you would like to discuss the scope and opportunities of Django for your project, connect with us right away. Based on your requirements, we’ll come up with the most viable Django development solutions. Like the framework itself, our development process is simple, reliable, secure, and transparent.Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or just want to talk about Django’s potential!

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Mounil Shah

Mounil Shah

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About the Author

Mounil Shah works as a Software Maestro with a diverse skill set that span across multiple technologies and domains. With expertise in Android, Flutter, Java, Microservices, AWS Services, ReactJs, PostgreSQL, and so forth, Mounil excels at architecting and delivering complex software solutions. His ability to combine technical acumen with strong leadership skills allows him to guide and inspire cross-functional teams, driving successful project outcomes.