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Top Backend & APIs

The most-starred MIT projects in Backend & APIs.

How it's ranked: Sorted by GitHub stars. A project can appear in up to two categories. Data from GitHub as of 2026-11-02.

1. 1axiosA promise-based HTTP client that works in both browsers and Node.js.axios · JavaScript★ 109k
2. 2DenoA runtime for running JavaScript and TypeScript programs, with secure defaults.denoland · Rust★ 109k
3. 3FastAPIA Python framework for building web APIs quickly, using standard type hints.fastapi · Python★ 105k
4. 4GinA fast Go web framework for building HTTP APIs and web services with a simple routing API.gin-gonic · Go★ 89.5k
5. 5HoppscotchOpen-source app for building, sending, and testing API requests in the browser, desktop, or CLI.hoppscotch · TypeScript★ 80.7k
6. 6NestJSA TypeScript/JavaScript framework for building structured server-side Node.js applications.nestjs · TypeScript★ 77k
7. 7json-serverA fake REST API server built from a JSON file, for prototyping and testing front ends.typicode · JavaScript★ 75.7k
8. 8awesome-scalabilityA curated reading list of articles and talks on designing large systems that scale, stay reliable, and performbinhnguyennus★ 75.3k
9. 9ExpressA minimal, unopinionated web framework for building servers and APIs with Node.js.expressjs · JavaScript★ 69.6k
10. 10TraefikA reverse proxy and load balancer that configures itself from your container or orchestrator.traefik · Go★ 65.4k
11. 11Socket.IOA JavaScript library for real-time, two-way messaging between clients and servers.socketio · TypeScript★ 63.2k
12. 12NuxtA free, open-source framework for building full-stack web apps and sites with Vue.js.nuxt · TypeScript★ 61k
13. 13RailsA Ruby web framework for building database-backed web apps using the MVC pattern.rails · Ruby★ 58.8k
14. 14servietteA no-code server that answers questions from your documents and updates answers when files change.pathwaycom · Python★ 58.7k
15. 15JSON for Modern C++A single-header C++ library for reading, writing and manipulating JSON data.nlohmann · C++★ 50.8k
16. 16TanStack QueryA library for fetching, caching, and updating data from servers in web apps.TanStack · TypeScript★ 50.5k
17. 17LocalAIOpen-source engine that runs AI models (text, vision, voice, image, video) locally behind an OpenAI-style API.mudler · Go★ 50.1k
18. 18BrunoFree, offline-first desktop app for exploring and testing APIs, storing collections as files.usebruno · JavaScript★ 48k
19. 19copypartyA portable file server you run from one Python file, for uploading and sharing files via web browser.9001 · Python★ 47.2k
20. 20Full Stack FastAPI TemplateA starter project combining a FastAPI backend, React frontend, and PostgreSQL database, with login and Docker fastapi · TypeScript★ 46.1k
21. 21PayloadOpen-source Next.js framework that adds a TypeScript backend and admin panel to your app.payloadcms · TypeScript★ 45.6k
22. 22AlamofireA Swift library that makes HTTP network requests in apps simpler to write.Alamofire · Swift★ 42.4k
23. 23tRPCA TypeScript library for building APIs whose types are shared between server and client, with no code generatitrpc · TypeScript★ 40.8k
24. 24FiberAn Express-style web framework for building fast HTTP servers and APIs in Go.gofiber · Go★ 40.2k
25. 25ruoyi-vue-proJava admin-system template (Spring Boot + Vue) with permissions, workflow, multi-tenancy and many business modYunaiV · Java★ 40.2k