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Better-T-Stack offers multiple backend framework options, each optimized for different use cases and runtime environments.

Backend Frameworks

Hono

Lightweight, ultrafast web framework.Runtime Support:
  • Bun
  • Node.js
  • Cloudflare Workers
Best For:
  • Edge deployments
  • High-performance APIs
  • Lightweight services

Express

Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for Node.js.Runtime Support:
  • Node.js
  • Bun (compatibility mode)
Best For:
  • Traditional Node.js apps
  • Teams with Express experience
  • Extensive middleware ecosystem

Fastify

Fast, low-overhead web framework for Node.js.Runtime Support:
  • Node.js
  • Bun (compatibility mode)
Best For:
  • Performance-critical APIs
  • Schema-based validation
  • Plugin architecture

Elysia

Ergonomic web framework for building backend servers.Runtime Support:
  • Bun (primary)
Best For:
  • Bun-first projects
  • Type-safe APIs
  • Modern TypeScript

Special Backend Modes

Use your frontend framework’s built-in API routes instead of a separate backend.Available For:
  • Next.js (App Router API routes)
  • TanStack Start (Server functions)
  • Nuxt (Server routes)
  • Astro (API endpoints)
What’s Included:
  • No separate backend package
  • Frontend handles API routes
  • Simplified monorepo structure
  • Shared type definitions
Best For:
  • Simpler project structure
  • Full-stack frameworks
  • Teams preferring unified codebase
When to Choose:
  • Your frontend supports server-side features
  • You don’t need a separate API server
  • You want to deploy as a single unit
Reactive backend-as-a-service platform.What’s Included:
  • Real-time database
  • Server functions
  • Authentication integration
  • File storage
  • Automatic API generation
Frontend Compatibility:
  • TanStack Router
  • React Router
  • TanStack Start
  • Next.js
  • Nuxt
  • Svelte
  • React Native (all variants)
Not Compatible With:
  • Solid
  • Astro
Best For:
  • Real-time applications
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Serverless architecture
  • Teams wanting managed backend
Template Location: templates/backend/convex/
No backend server.Use Cases:
  • Static websites
  • Frontend-only applications
  • JAMstack architecture
  • Using external APIs only
What Happens:
  • No backend package created
  • No database setup
  • No authentication (unless using Clerk)
  • Frontend-only monorepo

Server Framework Details

All server frameworks (Hono, Express, Fastify, Elysia) include:
  • TypeScript configuration
  • tsdown for bundling
  • Development and production scripts
  • CORS configuration
  • Environment variables support
Template Location: templates/backend/server/base/

Runtime Compatibility Matrix

BackendBunNode.jsWorkers
Hono
Express⚠️
Fastify⚠️
Elysia
ConvexN/AN/AN/A
SelfDepends on frontendDepends on frontendDepends on frontend
⚠️ = Works in compatibility mode but not optimized

Choosing Your Backend

1

Consider Your Runtime

  • Bun: Elysia, Hono
  • Node.js: Express, Fastify, Hono
  • Workers: Hono only
2

Evaluate Your Needs

  • Performance: Hono, Fastify, Elysia
  • Ecosystem: Express
  • Type Safety: Elysia, Hono
  • Simplicity: Self mode
  • Real-time: Convex
3

Check Frontend Compatibility

  • Some frontends require specific backends
  • Self mode only for Next.js, TanStack Start, Nuxt, Astro
  • Convex not available for Solid or Astro

Advanced Configuration

When you select a database, the appropriate ORM and connection setup is automatically configured for your backend framework.See Database Options for details.
Better-Auth or Clerk can be integrated with any backend framework (except none).See Auth Options for details.
Add tRPC or oRPC for type-safe API communication between frontend and backend.The CLI will configure the API layer based on your selections.

Next Steps

Database Setup

Configure your database and ORM

Authentication

Add user authentication

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