# Express

- **Canonical URI:** https://www.vioscale.ai/software/express
- **Category:** Web Frameworks
- **Vendor:** OpenJS Foundation
- **Homepage:** https://expressjs.com
- **Also known as:** express.js, expressjs
- **Profile claimed by vendor:** no
- **Last updated:** 2026-08-05T12:46:09.987Z

## Vioscale score

**65.1 / 100**, confidence 55% (medium).

Composite of weighted, independently-sourced signals (no user reviews, no vendor payment).

| Signal | Score | Weight | Contribution | Evidence present |
|---|--:|--:|--:|:--:|
| price_level | 100 | 0.046 | 4.6 | ✓ |
| reliability | 0 | 0.062 | 0 | - |
| capabilities | 28.9 | 0.123 | 3.6 | ✓ |
| github_stars | 90.8 | 0.038 | 3.5 | ✓ |
| integrations | 35.4 | 0.062 | 2.2 | ✓ |
| github_activity | 50.8 | 0.138 | 7 | ✓ |
| release_cadence | 33.3 | 0.077 | 2.6 | ✓ |
| security_posture | 5 | 0.1 | 0 | - |
| package_downloads | 97.8 | 0.2 | 19.6 | ✓ |
| pricing_transparency | 55 | 0.062 | 3.4 | ✓ |
| stackoverflow_activity | 88.9 | 0.092 | 8.2 | ✓ |

## Pricing

_As of 2026-08-05, [verify at source](https://expressjs.com). Independently observed._

Open source

> Open source

## Platform & deployment

- **Platforms:** CLI

## Integrations (16)

_Independently observed._

- body-parser
- compression
- cookie-parser
- cookie-session
- cors
- errorhandler
- method-override
- morgan
- multer
- response-time
- serve-favicon
- serve-index
- serve-static
- session
- timeout
- vhost

## Capabilities

_The capabilities that matter for Web Frameworks. "-" = undocumented, not absent._

| Capability | Supported |
|---|:--:|
| **Core** | |
| Rendering model | - |
| File-based routing | - |
| **Rendering** | |
| Server components | - |
| Streaming SSR | - |
| **Fullstack** | |
| Built-in API / backend routes | ✓ |
| **DX** | |
| First-class TypeScript | - |
| Fast refresh / HMR | - |
| **Core** | |
| Language | JavaScript/Node.js |
| **Deployment** | |
| Edge runtime support | - |

## FAQ

### What is Express and what programming language does it use?

Express is a minimalist web framework for Node.js that provides core routing and middleware capabilities for building web applications and APIs. It is written in JavaScript and runs on the Node.js runtime environment, requiring Node.js 18 or higher for use.

_Source: [https://expressjs.com](https://expressjs.com)._

### Is Express open source and what is its license?

Yes, Express is open source software maintained by the OpenJS Foundation and released under the MIT license, a permissive open source license that permits commercial and private use. The project is publicly available on GitHub as expressjs/express and receives community contributions.

_Source: [https://github.com/expressjs/express](https://github.com/expressjs/express)._

### What are the core capabilities of Express?

Express enables developers to define HTTP routing (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.), handle requests through middleware functions, serve static files, render dynamic templates, handle errors, and connect to databases. It provides these features through a thin, extensible layer over Node.js without imposing a specific architecture.

_Source: [https://expressjs.com/en/starter/basic-routing.html](https://expressjs.com/en/starter/basic-routing.html)._

### How does Express handle requests and what is middleware?

Express uses middleware functions to process HTTP requests in a pipeline. Middleware are functions that have access to the request and response objects, allowing developers to execute code, modify requests/responses, end the request cycle, or pass control to the next middleware function.

_Source: [https://expressjs.com](https://expressjs.com)._

### What makes Express different from other Node.js frameworks?

Express is explicitly unopinionated and minimalist, providing only fundamental web application features and leaving architectural decisions to developers. This differs from more opinionated frameworks that provide a complete structure and predetermined patterns for application organization.

_Source: [https://expressjs.com](https://expressjs.com)._

### Can Express be used with TypeScript?

Yes, Express can be used with TypeScript by installing type definitions via npm (@types/express and @types/node), and developers can run TypeScript files directly with recent versions of Node.js (22.18.0 or higher) without requiring a separate build step.

_Source: [https://expressjs.com/en/starter/installing.html](https://expressjs.com/en/starter/installing.html)._

### What types of projects is Express suitable for?

Express is well-suited for building REST APIs, full-featured web applications, mobile app backends, and microservices running on Node.js. Its lightweight nature makes it effective for projects requiring quick setup and customization without imposed patterns.

_Source: [https://expressjs.com](https://expressjs.com)._


## Facts

Every value below carries its source and our confidence. Facts are re-crawled on a freshness schedule.

### adoption

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adoption.package_downloads_weekly | 34,000,000 | [link](https://www.npmjs.com/package/express) | 2026-07-30 | 85% (high) |
| adoption.github_stars | 65,000 | [link](https://github.com/expressjs/express) | 2026-07-30 | 90% (high) |
| adoption.stackoverflow_questions | 96,000 | [link](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/express) | 2026-07-30 | 75% (high) |

### activity

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| activity.commits_last_30d | 40 | [link](https://github.com/expressjs/express/pulse) | 2026-07-30 | 70% (medium) |

### release

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| release.cadence_days | 120 | [link](https://github.com/expressjs/express/releases) | 2026-07-30 | 60% (medium) |

### license

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| license.spdx | MIT | [link](https://github.com/expressjs/express/blob/master/LICENSE) | 2026-07-30 | 95% (high) |

### pricing

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pricing.model | commercial | [link](https://expressjs.com) | 2026-08-05 | 60% (medium) |
| pricing.price_level | free | [link](https://expressjs.com) | 2026-08-05 | 60% (medium) |
| pricing.transparent | yes | [link](https://expressjs.com) | 2026-08-05 | 60% (medium) |

### language

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| language.primary | JavaScript | [link](https://github.com/expressjs/express) | 2026-07-30 | 90% (high) |

### integrations

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| integrations.count | 16 | [link](https://expressjs.com) | 2026-08-05 | 60% (medium) |

### market

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| market.availability | `{"source":"https://expressjs.com","hqCountry":"US","confidence":0.95,"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | [link](https://expressjs.com) | 2026-07-30 | 95% (high) |

### content

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"Express is a minimalist web framework for Node.js that provides core routing and middleware capabilities for building web applications and APIs. It is written in JavaScript and runs on the Node.js runtime environment, requiring Node.js 18 or higher for use.","source":"https://expressjs.com","question":"What is Express and what programming language does it use?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Yes, Express is open source software maintained by the OpenJS Foundation and released under the MIT license, a permissive open source license that permits commercial and private use. The project is publicly available on GitHub as expressjs/express and receives community contributions.","source":"https://github.com/expressjs/express","question":"Is Express open source and what is its license?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Express enables developers to define HTTP routing (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.), handle requests through middleware functions, serve static files, render dynamic templates, handle errors, and connect to databases. It provides these features through a thin, extensible layer over Node.js without imposing a specific architecture.","source":"https://expressjs.com/en/starter/basic-routing.html","question":"What are the core capabilities of Express?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Express uses middleware functions to process HTTP requests in a pipeline. Middleware are functions that have access to the request and response objects, allowing developers to execute code, modify requests/responses, end the request cycle, or pass control to the next middleware function.","source":"https://expressjs.com","question":"How does Express handle requests and what is middleware?","confidence":0.93},{"answer":"Express is explicitly unopinionated and minimalist, providing only fundamental web application features and leaving architectural decisions to developers. This differs from more opinionated frameworks that provide a complete structure and predetermined patterns for application organization.","source":"https://expressjs.com","question":"What makes Express different from other Node.js frameworks?","confidence":0.92},{"answer":"Yes, Express can be used with TypeScript by installing type definitions via npm (@types/express and @types/node), and developers can run TypeScript files directly with recent versions of Node.js (22.18.0 or higher) without requiring a separate build step.","source":"https://expressjs.com/en/starter/installing.html","question":"Can Express be used with TypeScript?","confidence":0.94},{"answer":"Express is well-suited for building REST APIs, full-featured web applications, mobile app backends, and microservices running on Node.js. Its lightweight nature makes it effective for projects requiring quick setup and customization without imposed patterns.","source":"https://expressjs.com","question":"What types of projects is Express suitable for?","confidence":0.93}]` | [link](https://expressjs.com) | 2026-07-30 | 94% (high) |

### security

| Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | [link](https://expressjs.com/.well-known/security.txt) | 2026-08-05 | 60% (medium) |

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*Source: Vioscale (https://www.vioscale.ai/software/express). Independent, evidence-based software intelligence. Cite the canonical URI.*