Well, not everyone, yet still many companies — tech giants with budgets and startups alike — are after web development with Python. Over the course of its evolution, of all the versatile and in demand programming languages for this purpose, Python has captured the eyes of both developers and businesses around the world. The 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey reported that Python is imminently among the top languages of its category and is the most desired among developers.
Source: Stack Overflow Developer Survey.
So, why is Python like this? Short answer — it’s simple, it’s flexible, and you can easily achieve complex tasks with little code. It helps meteorologists, simulates biomolecules, assists in air traffic control, powers collaborative robots, and enhances unstable APIs — the magnitude of its application can’t but make you truly admire its dominance. It is so dominant that it has taken over JavaScript on platforms like GitHub to become the most popular language.
Source: GitHub.
In this article, we are going to discuss why Python is a good choice for web development projects, alongside a couple of genuine use instances of Python by money-generating businesses.
A Bit of History on Python
Before getting down to business, we need to make a quick detour and talk a little bit about the language’s origin so that when we go into its nature, we will be on the same page with you.
Python can be traced back to the late 1980s, when Dutch programmer Guido van Rossum began creating a general purpose language which goal was to endorse code readability and support multiple programming paradigms. Python was released in 1991, largely influenced by languages as ABC and Modula-3. Though we tend to attribute the language’s name to famous large-size snakes, in fact, it has nothing to do with them. The name stemmed from the British group Monty Python, whose fan Guido is believed to be. It is interpreted to represent how the creator wanted programming to be both accessible to understand and enjoyable.
Unlike with C++ or Java in their day, with Python, programmers got the chance to express concepts in fewer lines of code than would be required with its peer languages. This simplicity proved revolutionary, making Python an excellent choice no longer only for writing basic scripts, but also for writing large scale applications. When version 2.0 came out, Python became an open source project and a thriving global community of developers developed and still continuing to add to its features and ecosystem.
Let’s create something effective together with the language so rich in opportunities.
What’s in the Language? Advantages of Python for Web Development and Beyond
Python has been around for quite a time already and remains standing. Despite this fact, there is often lack of understanding of its advantages over its competitors, especially when we consider web development, a fruitful area of the language’s application, yet one of many. Let us scrutinize its strong features and discover how it powers software on a global scale.
Fast Development Cycles
Python is a true powerhouse if you seek for quick prototyping and smooth iterations so common in modern software projects. Its easy and flexible syntax combined with extensive libraries of pre-written code makes app scripting and software testing faster and more efficient. For its part, this efficiency can be particularly useful for startups, since the shorter the time-to-market, the larger the difference it can provide in terms of a competitive advantage.
Great Libraries
The power of Python lies in the access to a massive number of advanced libraries to speed up development. It allows software engineers to re-use a myriad of pre-written pieces of code and frees them from having to reinvent the wheel for common tasks. They are particularly valuable for handling and transforming data, which makes Python a most sought after choice for continuous data processing in Machine Learning (ML).
Python has often been dubbed a “batteries included” language, a reference to the Python Package index (PyPI), where you can access over 70,000 pre-existing libraries. In addition to that, there is a suite of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) to shape web programming into a more efficient and comfortable process.
Asynchronous Coding
When you master web development with Python, you can manage asynchronous code without having problems like deadlocks and resource contention. Python’s advantage in this regard is that it can handle various tasks independently, which makes it faster to solve problems and an ideal choice for the companies, if they want to accelerate product development.
With Python’s asynchronous programming libraries, such as asyncio and Tornado, developers can build real-time web applications. These libraries are particularly efficient for chat applications, online gaming platforms, and other interactive systems that require instant data processing and responsiveness.
Object-Oriented Programming
Under the paradigm of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), behaviors and properties are arranged into their own classes and objects, each with their own set of functionality. The approach is modular, so that an error in one part of the code doesn’t affect others, which makes it more reliable. OOP with Python is designed to be the simplest, cheapest, and shortest to incorporate; hence the speed of development.
Dynamic Typing
In simpler terms, this implies that Python scripts don’t require compiling (or translating) before execution. As opposed, they’re executed at runtime. This is practical for web development, since it requires less coding and simplifies debugging.
Portability and Interactivity
Dynamic semantics supported by interactivity and portability stand behind Python’s rapid prototyping capabilities. It can easily work with any application, even if created in different programming languages. Its ability to be embedded easily into different environments enables quick fixes, addition of modules, and extensions to what the core functionality exposes. That’s why Python is often referred to as a ‘glue language’ — it connects all disparate components with easy interoperability across systems.
Open Source
Python is open source, meaning that it is free to use, modify, and distribute, so no wonder the language enjoys the popularity among both individual developers, startups, and larger enterprises. This collaborative environment allows for quick issue identification and resolution, thus keeping Python fast and safe. Python continues to lead the way in programming, thanks largely to its thriving community that propels its growth, and provides developers with access to the most advanced solutions without the restrictions that come with proprietary development.
Security while Using Open Source Python
Security
Python’s built-in security features allow software developers to write code in accordance with the best secure coding practices. An example of this are tools to handle user sessions, account authorization, user input validation and encrypting sensitive data. All of these features help protect applications against common vulnerabilities. Python has standard libraries especially for SSL encryption and hashing algorithms as well.
Easy and Readable Syntax
This is the underlying characteristic of Python which rattled the developer community at large when the language was first presented to the public. True, it is exceptionally easy to read, so software developers have no hard time figuring out what their peers wanted to write when they see their code. This feature enables more effective communication between developers engaged in the same Python project.
Low Entry Barrier
This boon results from the peculiarities of Python’s syntax. “I tried reading Java and C++, and couldn’t make head nor tail of it. So I opted for Python as my next learning target”, would be a common answer among newbies who learn Python. The language resembles the English language of our daily life, yet on the other hand it enables developers to work with comprehensive systems with a higher pay. It’s crystal clear why it’s #1 choice for new learners.
Source: Stack Overflow.
Similarity to Legacy Languages
It is old and new all at once: old because of similarity to old web languages, PHP and Perl, and new right because it is modern, popular, which means not only newbies will have no trouble learning it, but also seasoned developers tasked to move the software to newer technologies.
Large and Active Community
The world of Python programming has one of the most active communities out there. The Python community boasts thousands of experienced developers working together to create and maintain libraries, frameworks, and tools which are used to build web applications. The fact that there is a huge variety of resources out for web developers means that it is a lot easier to add Python to the technology stack and you can actually use it to build web apps.
The Python community is also famous for being welcoming and easy to reach. This open source language encourages new developers to join in on the fun and has resources available for beginners just starting to learn this coding language.
Python’s Flexible and Versatile Nature
The flexibility of Python is its biggest strength. Resorting to Python development services, you can build web applications compatible with different operating systems. This also makes Python a great language for Minimum Viable Product (MVP) programming for startups where they need technical agility to shape and perfect their solutions.
Another important virtue of Python is its compatibility with other languages and technologies. It interfaces easily with C, C++, and Java and works well with tools such Apache, Nginx, AWS. Due to its scalability, Python can be equally used for basic projects as well as for complex and big applications.
These strengths have contributed to Python being a main choice of language for projects across a number of different fields including special effects, data analytics, deep learning, and, of course, web development.
Prototyping
Python is very agile and perfectly suitable for rapid prototyping. It facilitates easy code refactoring so that developers can quickly create, amend and transform initial prototypes into final products. As a result, you keep the time low and reap the benefits of the fast transition from concept to completion.
Enterprise Application Integration
Python has become one of the top choices for enterprise software since it integrates easily with languages like Java, PHP, and .NET. It can call and talk to Java, C++, and C code, enabling precise process control and the implementation of the most common protocols and data formats. Furthermore, Python is capable of unifying old and new infrastructure, which is a common occurrence during complex mobile app development.
Enterprise Python
Application Scripting
Python also comes handy for application scripting due to its strong integration with C, C++, and Java. It’s designed to be embeddable from day one and can be very useful for customizing big apps and writing extensions to them.
Data Visualization
Presenting data in comprehensible form is done with the help of various plots and charts. They are regarded as an effective method to convey information and inform about subsequent insights. Web development companies normally use different Python libraries such as Matplotlib which enables them to represent data and develop quality visual reports.
Software Testing
Another highly beneficial area of Python’s use is manifested in test automation. The main reasons many QA automation specialists opt for Python should be obvious to you by now:
- it has a low threshold for getting started;
- it is perfect for those whose technical experience is somewhat limited;
- good community support;
- syntactic clarity;
- and easy to read.
Python even has an easy to use unit-testing frameworks (for example, you can make geolocation testing for a mobile application with it).
Data Science, ML/AI
ML and AI are now the two most frequently used technologies, so more and more developers experiment with their implementation in different projects. It gets better if done in the right language. With web development using Python, you can then harness all its capabilities for ML and AI tools. Python also has optimal ML packages and tools to visualize results, transcending data analysis and other features that benefit this field of application.
Source: kdnuggets.com
How Good Is Python for Web Development
As we’ve already mentioned before, Python is a dynamically typed language, which means it is flexible and can yield results in implementing different web development tasks. Apart from that, the language is compatible with different OSs, that is why Python development services can cover web apps on varied platforms delivered within the same time frame.
Let’s pull back the curtain to reveal what other tasks handled by Python can be of special importance within the rich and evolving landscape of web development.
Content Management Systems (CMS)
Some of the most popular CMSs today, such as WordPress and Plone, use Python for backend web development. Due to the flexibility of the language, all the necessary additional functions (plugins and themes) can be developed and integrated into the CMS to extend its capabilities and adjust to the needs of a certain company.
Data Processing
Data manipulation gets easier with Pandas and NumPy libraries that help to extract and analyze data from web applications. Tools like Matplotlib and Seaborn take raw data bits and turn them into practical information and intelligence that can be consumed by users.
Web Scraping
Libraries like Beautiful Soup and Scrapy provide excellent tools to scrape or extract data from websites. These capabilities are important for developing data intensive web services, analyzing competitor information, as well as obtaining decision-support information.
RESTful APIs
Python is loved for its clarity of syntax and the capability to produce readable code, which makes it perfect for creation of RESTful APIs. Some of the essential tools to work with APIs are Flask-RESTful and Django Rest Framework that target API endpoints.
Server-Side Scripting
Python enhances the speed of server-side scripting. The resulting code enables you to develop operational modules in addition to constructing algorithms for various interactions between a user and the system. Besides, Python supports graph interfaces, which makes web development even more practical.
Web Development with Python Frameworks
What is especially great about Python web development is that the language comes with a diverse range of frameworks (Django, Flask, Pyramid, etc.) that contribute to streamlining back-end development. These frameworks offer pre-built templates, authentication systems, and database connectors, saving Python developers effort and time. Freely available on PyPI, they are secure, scalable, and efficient, reducing complexity while capitalizing on Python’s straightforward syntax.
Here’s a glimpse at the most widely used Python frameworks.
| Framework | Best For | Key Features | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Django | Large-scale web apps with complex requirements (e.g., CMS, e-commerce, social networks, enterprise apps) | – High-level web framework – ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) – Form handling – Authentication mechanisms – Built-in features for DRY principle – Works with Oracle SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and more | – Rapid development and clean design – Reduces redundancy – Extensive built-in features | Steep learning curve for beginners |
| Pyramid | Small projects that may need scaling and flexibility later | – Plugin support – Works with various databases and applications | – Flexible and extensible – Scalable for growing applications | Requires careful configuration |
| TurboGears | Fast and efficient web applications | – Based on MVC architecture – Repoze, WebOb, Genshi components – Modes: minimal or full-stack | – Supports both small and complex apps – High maintainability | Smaller community compared to Django and Flask |
| Flask | Lightweight apps, APIs, prototypes, and scalable small-to-medium solutions | – Minimalistic microframework – Routing, templating, and session management – Customizable via extensions | – Simple and manageable – Great flexibility – Ideal for prototyping and scaling | Lacks built-in ORM, authentication, or form validation |
| FastAPI | High-performance APIs, microservices, real-time applications | – Built on Starlette and Pydantic – Asynchronous capabilities – Automatic validation and interactive documentation | – Exceptional performance – Modern features – Great for performance-critical projects | Smaller community and extension ecosystem |
Yet this all was theory and abstractions. Now it’s high time to put this knowledge to practice and look at a selection of genuine cases of Python for web development.
Real-Life Use Cases of Python for Web Development
Believe it or not, but we use Python all the time. From consuming the latest episode of our favorite series on Netflix to scrolling through DMs on Instagram — many of the well-known websites and applications have long incorporated Python into their stack.
The conquering pace of Python shows no signs of slowing down, due in no small part to big companies that embraced the language with both hands long ago and has since been substantially contributing to its evolution. Who are they?
NASA
NASA relies extensively on Python as a programming language for numerical computation, data analysis, and mission-critical software. The extensive library processing capabilities combined with ease of use make it a good choice for processing of large amounts of scientific data NASA surely has a grasp of. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and other research institutes use it in such applications as satellite imagery analysis, climate simulation, and spacecraft control systems.
Uber
The back end at Uber, including such functionality as data analytics for supply and demand, user surges, and arrival time estimates, is created with the help of Python. With Tornado being one of the math tools, Python makes up about 35% of their stack.
Netflix
Innovative applications that run on Python shape Netflix’s growth across the entire content pipeline. The language is incorporated in security tools, recommendation engine, and Open Connect, their own CDN (content distribution network) for delivering streaming content to users. Python is a fundamental part of the company’s web development choices.
Reddit has its server-side functionality delivered in Python. If you enter a request in your browser and hit enter, Python takes your request and translates it on the server level and sends you the needed HTML which is displayed in your browser. Python is placed at the middle level that connects the server and the user interface level.
Spotify
Approximately 80% of the interconnected systems used in web back end by Spotify are written in Python. In the same way, the company utilizes an in-house data analysis tool coded in Python known as Luigi to support features such as Radio, Discover, and recommendations for people you might want to follow.
Dropbox
Dropbox has been using Python from the beginning, on both the server and client sides. The language’s compatibility across different platforms and its readability enables fast and easy testing of features and their integration. Dropbox is also an ardent believer in the open-source philosophy and even hired Python’s creator, Guido van Rossum, for 2012–2019.
Quora
Quora makes heavy use of Python since the language supports the creation and testing of new features with less effort through fewer lines of code. Python’s simplicity of use enables designers, data analysts, or any non-engineer person to write code as and when needed. Tornado and PyPy are Python libraries used for the back end of the site.
Google’s mantra says: “Python when we can, C++ when we must.”
Python is an “official language” at Google, used for system design, system administration, and code review. The language powers rapid deployments across a vast array of the tech giant’s applications, penetrating further into machine learning, AI, robotics, services like YouTube and the famous search engine.
YouTube
The world’s largest video streaming web application is an embodiment of Python web development in flesh. Python guarantees the service’s operations run well, including video views, admin controls, and data management. Originally designed with PHP, to yield better speed, performance and flexibility, YouTube was rewritten in Python, which is a testimony of Python’s outstanding characteristics.
Originally, the social platform’s back end relied on Django which is still in use. After Meta acquired Instagram, the integration between the two became even more complicated. APIs, search algorithms, and other features are all written in Python.
Disadvantages of Python for Web Development
After all the benefits we’ve gone through that Python adds to software development, one may wonder why there are still so many other languages. Python seems to be so perfect you wouldn’t need any alternative. However, nothing’s perfect, and this programming language has some skeletons in the closet. We invite you to get acquainted with certain drawbacks to know where the bodies are buried and make more informed decisions.
Less Seasoned Talent
As Python has only recently seen its surge in popularity, it can be problematic to find tried-and-tested Python developers. Python has a huge audience base, but in comparison to languages like Java, it doesn’t have many senior professionals. Python developers are in high demand, leading to the increase in salaries, which makes it even more challenging for companies to fill roles with experience.
Lack of True Multiprocessing
We cannot disavow such Python’s benefit as multiprocessing support, yet for this purpose the language may exhibit less flexibility or convenience compared to other languages. It can further impose certain limitations on the app development process, and you may have a hard time implementing efficient multitasking with Python if we compare the same task done in other languages with more favorable multiprocessing capabilities.
Speed Limit
You may often hear that Python is too slow compared to compiled languages such as C/C++ or Java, since it’s an interpreted language. Nevertheless, in specific cases, it turns out that Python can outperform these languages on some benchmarks. Although Python’s speed may be classified as limited, its popularity continues to grow as this issue can be resolved with smart performance optimizations.
Limited Compatibility with Certain Technologies
Although Python works fine on many platforms, integrating it with Microsoft .NET can be tricky and is often not included in the primary installation setup. Furthermore, Python is not a popular choice for mobile development — it works better with desktop applications and server-side scripting.
Rare Choice for Mobile App Development
We cannot say that you won’t be able to build mobile apps with Python at all, yet it is way behind native iOS/Android or React Native development. That is why if you are looking for developers to take up the challenge of Python mobile development, get ready to spend notably much time trying to fill in that blank. The same can be said about Python for front end web development. Can happen, but cases are rare.
Memory Beast
Python is very flexible with data types and consumes a lot of memory as a result, making it less favorable for memory-intensive tasks. It requires significant memory allocation because almost every code element is handled as an object. Although Python’s Garbage Collector facilitates memory management to a certain extent, Python web development has all the chances to fill up your RAM during complex scripts.
Design Constraints
Due to dynamic typing, you will be able to execute tasks at runtime. In reality, it can constrain design flexibility and cause potential program delays. Moreover, concurrency and parallelism in Python are not as elegant as with other languages and may exert a considerable influence on the overall sophistication of the application.
Is Python Good for Web Development?
“Well, that’s all very much great, but I still can’t figure out whether Python is the right fit for me,” you might say, and we totally agree with your confusion.
For starters, we are no fortune tellers and cannot give you a 100% warranty without having at least a quick look at your idea and project vision. Still, there are certain criteria that might point you in the right direction.
Python may be a good language for web development in cases when the overall speed of development has more weight for you than raw execution performance. Originally, the language was not crafted to serve the goals of web development, yet its general-purpose characteristics and ease of use facilitate its application in a variety of web projects. As we’ve discussed above, it has a simple and developer-friendly syntax, making room for rapid prototyping. It levels it to a good choice for startups and teams seeking to quickly breathe life into their software vision without adding complexity to the process.
If you consider Python for backend development, you’ll surely be able to assemble a development team within the shortest time frame, since even junior developers can deliver acceptable results and there are lots of them in the market. This is a smart option for those in need to scale up fast or with limited budget. That said, if your budget has some space for maneuvering, consider hiring a dedicated development team with guarantees of high-quality deliverables from the tech vendor.
The language is also a great fit for industries handling large, complex data sets — fintech, medtech, business analysis, etc. Since it is widely used in data analysis, machine learning, or artificial intelligence applications and the world has accumulated a considerable amount of expertise in the field, Python will be invaluable for processing vast amounts of information. If your sector pays critical attention to accuracy and fast decision-making, the language can be both the primary technology and a supportive tool in such systems.
However, our last piece of advice would be to contact a software development company with a rich portfolio of technologies in its basket and ask for preliminary technical assessment. Normally, such guys are the best option if you want to truly make the right decision. One way or another, you’ll be able to meet the right choice for your particular mission.
