Django vs Django REST Framework (DRF)

Django is a powerful web framework that simplifies the development of web applications using Python. It comes with built-in features like an ORM, authentication, and an admin panel. However, when it comes to building APIs, Django alone isn't enough. This is where Django REST Framework (DRF) comes into play. In this blog, we'll compare Django and DRF, their differences, and when to use each.

What is Django?

Django is a high-level Python web framework that promotes rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. It follows the Model-View-Template (MVT) architecture and provides built-in functionalities like:

• ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) for database interactions
• Authentication system
• Admin panel
• Form handling
• Middleware support
• Ease of library attachment
• Media configuration easement

Django is ideal for building full-fledged web applications with both frontend and backend capabilities.

What is Django REST Framework (DRF)?

Django REST Framework is an extension of Django that simplifies API development. While Django is focused on rendering HTML pages, DRF is designed to build web APIs that can communicate with frontend applications or other services.

Key features of DRF:

• Serializers for converting data between JSON and Python objects
• ViewSets and Routers to simplify API routing
• Authentication mechanisms like JWT, OAuth, and Token-based authentication
• Throttling, rate limiting, and permission handling
• Browsable API interface for easy testing

DRF is primarily used for building RESTful APIs, which makes it an essential tool for modern web and mobile applications.

Key Differences: Django vs DRF

Feature	Django	Django REST Framework (DRF)
Primary Purpose	Web application development	REST API development
Data Representation	HTML templates, Forms	JSON, XML
Authentication	User model, Sessions	JWT, OAuth, Token-based
Database Interaction	ORM (models, queries)	ORM + Serializers
URL Routing	Django's URL patterns	Routers & ViewSets
Frontend Integration	Direct rendering via templates	API responses for frontend apps

When to Use Django

• When building traditional web applications with both frontend and backend using Django templates.
• If the application does not require external API integrations.
• When you need an admin panel for content management.

When to Use Django REST Framework (DRF)

• When developing APIs for mobile or frontend applications (React, Angular, Vue, etc.).
• If your project requires external API integration or microservices.
• When implementing headless architecture (backend only, frontend built separately).
• If you need API authentication using tokens, JWT, or OAuth.

Conclusion

Django and DRF serve different purposes but complement each other well. While Django is great for traditional web development, DRF is the go-to choice for building APIs. Understanding when to use each will help in designing scalable and efficient applications. If your project involves RESTful API development, leveraging DRF with Django is the best approach!