Table of Contents
What is web development?What makes Python suited for web development?Advantages of developing web applications in PythonWhat kinds of web applications can you build with Python?Python web frameworksWhat are web frameworks, and why are they important?What are some popular Python web frameworks?Which should you use?Python libraries for web developmentA Roadmap for Web Development with PythonStep 1: HTML + CSSStep 2: JavascriptStep 3: DOM & jQueryFrontend Framework (optional)Step 4: PythonStep 5: Django + DatabaseHow to create your first web application in PythonInstalling FlaskFlask appFastAPI: Modern Python web developmentWhat is FastAPI?Why FastAPI became popularExcellent performanceBuilt-in async supportAutomatic API documentationStrong developer experiencePopularity in AI and cloud-native systemsFastAPI vs Flask vs DjangoWhen to choose DjangoWhen to choose FlaskWhen to choose FastAPIYour first FastAPI applicationInstallationBasic API endpointRunning the applicationWhat's happening here?Why AI and machine learning teams love FastAPIWhich Python web framework should beginners learn?Choose Django if:Choose Flask if:Choose FastAPI if:The rise of API-first developmentDjango vs Flask vs FastAPI: Which framework should you learn?Framework comparisonDjangoBest forReal-world examplesFlaskWhy developers like FlaskBest forReal-world examplesFastAPIWhy FastAPI stands outBest forReal-world examplesPerformance comparisonWhich framework should beginners learn?Choose Django if:Choose Flask if:Choose FastAPI if:Decision matrixBecome a Python web developerContinue reading about Python and web dev
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A complete guide to web development in Python

A complete guide to web development in Python

Learn web development in Python using Django, Flask, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, databases, and modern backend frameworks. Explore Python web architecture, APIs, full-stack development roadmaps, and real-world web application development.

17 mins read
Jun 09, 2026
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In the past few years, Python has exploded in popularity. The programming language has surpassed Java in popularity, but, for many, this is no surprise. With the rise in machine learning, data analysis, and web application development, many developers utilize Python for its powerful and abundant libraries, easy-to-learn syntax, and portability.

Without a doubt, it’s a great time to be a Python developer. Today, you will learn how Python is utilized in web development.

We will cover the following:

What is web development?#

Flask: Develop Web Applications in Python

Cover
Flask: Develop Web Applications in Python

This project-based course is a detailed guide to web application development using the increasingly popular Flask framework. Flask is known for being simple, lightweight and having a small learning curve. If you've got some experience in Python, picking up Flask will be a breeze. It's got a booming job market and will put you on track to becoming an in-demand full-stack developer. What's not to love?

10hrs
Intermediate
2 Cloud Labs
68 Playgrounds
widget

For those new to programming, you might be wondering what exactly web development is. Though it’s impossible to pinpoint an exact term, web development is loosely defined as building, creating, and maintaining websites. Typically, web development involves a frontend, everything that interacts with the client, and a backend, which contains business logic and interacts with a database.

Want a good overview of web development? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Web Development article.

What makes Python suited for web development?#

Advantages of developing web applications in Python#

  • Easy to learn: Python is the most popular language for first-time learners for a reason. The language relies on common expressions and whitespace, which allows you to write significantly less code compared to some other languages like Java or C++. Not only that, but it has a lower barrier of entry because it’s comparatively more similar to your everyday language so you can easily understand the code.

  • Rich ecosystem and libraries: Python offers a vast range of library tools and packages, which allows you to access much pre-written code, streamlining your application development time. For example, you have access to Numpy and Pandas for mathematical analysis, Pygal for charting, and SLQALchemy for composable queries. Python also offers amazing web frameworks like Django and Flask, which we’ll dive into later in the article.

  • Fast prototyping: Because Python takes significantly less time to build your projects compared to other programming languages, your ideas come to life a lot faster, allowing you to gain feedback and iterate quickly. This quick development time makes Python especially great for startups who can hit the market sooner to gain a competitive edge.

  • Wide-spread popularity: Python is one of the most popular languages in the world, with communities from all over the world. Because of how popular the language is, Python is continuously updated with new features and libraries, while also providing excellent documentation and community support. Especially for new developers, Python provides extensive support and framework for one to begin their developer journey.

What kinds of web applications can you build with Python?#

Python is used to power a wide range of modern web applications, from lightweight startup MVPs to large-scale enterprise platforms serving millions of users. One reason Python web development remains so popular is the flexibility offered by frameworks like Django and Flask, which support both rapid prototyping and production-scale systems.

For example, Python is commonly used for building SaaS platforms, e-commerce websites, dashboards, REST APIs, content management systems, analytics tools, automation portals, and machine learning-powered applications. Django is especially popular for applications that require built-in authentication, admin panels, database management, and scalable backend architecture. Flask, on the other hand, is often chosen for microservices, APIs, lightweight applications, and highly customizable backend systems.

Python also plays a major role in data-driven web applications. Since the language already dominates machine learning, automation, and analytics ecosystems, developers can integrate AI models, recommendation engines, reporting systems, and real-time data pipelines directly into web platforms more easily than in many other backend ecosystems.

This versatility is one reason companies like Instagram, Spotify, Dropbox, and Netflix rely heavily on Python-based technologies in various parts of their infrastructure and product ecosystems.

Python web frameworks#


What are web frameworks, and why are they important?#

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Think of a toolbox. A web framework is a collection of packages and modules made up of pre-written, standardized code that supports the development of web applications, making development faster and easier, and your programs more reliable and scalable. In other words, frameworks already have built-in components that “set up” your project, so you have to do less grunt work.

Python web frameworks are only utilized in the backend for server-side technology, aiding in URL routing, HTTP requests and responses, accessing databases, and web security. While it is not required to use a web framework, it is extremely recommended because it helps you develop complex applications in significantly less time.

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Django and Flask are, by a wide margin, the most popular Python web development frameworks

Django is a Python web framework that offers an open-source, high-level framework that “encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design.” It’s fast, secure, and scalable. Django offers strong community support and detailed documentation.

Django is incredibly flexible in which you can work with MVPs to larger companies. For some perspective, some of the largest companies that use Django are Instagram, Dropbox, Pinterest, and Spotify.

Read out tutorial on Django for more details: What is Django Python? Build your first program from scratch

Flask is considered a microframework, which is a minimalistic web framework. It’s less “batteries-included,” meaning that it lacks a lot of features and functionality that full-stack frameworks like Django offer, such as a web template engine, account authorization, and authentication.

Flask is minimalistic and lightweight, meaning that you add extensions and libraries that you need as you code without automatically being provided with it by the framework.

The philosophy behind Flask is that it gives only the components you need to build an app so that you have the flexibility and control.

Flask is also a prevalent and powerful web framework as it’s used by large companies like Netflix, Linkedin, and Uber.

Other notable frameworks:

  • Pyramid
  • Web2Py
  • Turbogears

Which should you use?#

So, you might ask yourself: what framework should I choose? The answer is that it depends. Consider your skill level as a web developer. If you are quite experienced, consider developing your program with something more “barebones.”

Whereas if you are a junior dev, it might be better to use a framework that provides more support like Django.

Also, ask yourself, would you prefer a “foundation” codebase to build off or have the flexibility to build the backbone of your codebase? If you prefer the first option, go with Django; if you prefer the second option, go with Flask.

At the end of the day, they can both achieve the same functionality, and it’s more important to start coding rather than fretting over which framework is better.


Python libraries for web development#

Some useful Python libraries for web development to keep note of:

  • If you ever need a web crawler to extract data for your application, Scrapy is great for that. It’s a widely used library for scraping, data mining, automated testing, and more.

  • Zappa is a powerful library for developing a serverless application on AWS Lambda.

  • Requests is a library that allows you to send HTTP requests easily, which is used to communicate with an application, allowing you to get HTML pages or data, for example.

  • Another useful library is Dash, which helps those developing web applications that have to do with data visualization. Built on top of Flask, it offers features like charts, graphs, dashboards, and more.


A Roadmap for Web Development with Python#

widget

Step 1: HTML + CSS#

When you’re starting with web development, it’s important that you first learn HTML and CSS, which are the fundamentals of learning how to build websites. It would be best if you learned how to structure responsive static pages to start your web development journey. It might also be helpful to learn concepts like the internet, HTTP, browsers, DNS, hosting, and more.

You can also learn a CSS framework like Materialize or Bootstrap, which significantly speeds up your development, but it’s not needed.


Step 2: Javascript#

An excellent next step is to learn vanilla Javascript. You should learn basic concepts like data types, variables, general conventions, string manipulation, arithmetic and operators, control statements, loops, etc. Learning the basics of Javascript will make it easier for you when you’re applying Javascript to the client-side code.


Step 3: DOM & jQuery#

After you learn javascript fundamentals, you should learn how to manipulate the DOM and jQuery, which is a javascript library that makes DOM manipulation easier. Now you know how to create dynamic pages.


Frontend Framework (optional)#

While it’s not required to learn a frontend framework like React to build a functional full-stack web application, it’s recommended. Not only does it help you create beautiful SPAs, but it’s also often a requirement to be hired as a frontend or full-stack developer.


Step 4: Python#

Now, onto the backend. You should cover the basics of Python just like you did for Javascript before learning DOM manipulation. Learning the fundamentals will prepare you for Django, so you don’t have as much head-ache jumping right in. Learning introductory Python shouldn’t be too tricky, though, as many of the concepts will be similar to Javascript.


Step 5: Django + Database#

With Django, you’ll be able to set up your backend environment and develop the business logic. You will also have to learn about databases such as SQLite, how to make queries, and the CRUD function. With this, you can make a full-stack application!


How to create your first web application in Python#

You will create a Flask ‘hello world’ app as an introduction to Python web frameworks

Installing Flask#

The first thing you need to do is install Flask. Depending on what version of Python you are using, you will have to use pip or pip3.

pip install flask


Flask app#

Next, create a filed called hello.py with the following code.

Python
from flask import Flask

app = Flask(__name__)



@app.route("/")

    def hello():

        return "Hello World!"



if __name__ == "__main__":

    app.run()

  • Line 1 imports Flask

  • Line 2 instantiates Flask with app variable, using the __name__ attribute

  • Line 4 sets up a route / for your index, or default, page. When a user goes to locahost:5000/, you can set up particular code to be triggered

  • Line 5 creates a function called hello

  • Line 6 returns the string Hello World! to the user

  • Line 8 tests to make sure the right script is being run

  • Line 9 runs the application from the app variable we initialized so that the user can visit the web application by going to localhost

FastAPI: Modern Python web development#

If you've been researching Python web development, you've probably encountered Django and Flask. These frameworks have been popular for years and continue to power thousands of applications. However, a newer framework—FastAPI—has rapidly become one of the most widely adopted tools for building APIs, microservices, and cloud-native backend services.

FastAPI reflects how modern software is built. Today's applications often consist of frontend frameworks, mobile apps, AI systems, and cloud services communicating through APIs. Instead of focusing on traditional server-rendered websites, FastAPI is designed specifically for this API-first world.

That's why many developers learning Python web development in 2025 are adding FastAPI to their toolkit alongside Django and Flask.

If you're learning Python web development in 2025, FastAPI is one of the most valuable frameworks to know alongside Django.

What is FastAPI?#

FastAPI is a modern Python web framework designed for building APIs and backend services quickly and efficiently.

It is built around Python's type hints and automatically handles many common development tasks, including:

  • Request validation

  • Data serialization

  • API documentation

  • Error handling

Unlike older frameworks that require additional libraries for these features, FastAPI provides them out of the box.

A few key characteristics of FastAPI include:

  • Modern Python-first design

  • Built-in support for asynchronous programming

  • Automatic OpenAPI and Swagger documentation

  • Excellent performance

  • Strong developer experience

FastAPI's popularity comes from solving many pain points developers faced with traditional API development.

Excellent performance#

FastAPI is built on Starlette and Pydantic, allowing it to achieve performance levels close to frameworks written in languages such as Go and Node.js.

Built-in async support#

Modern applications frequently handle thousands of concurrent requests. FastAPI makes asynchronous programming straightforward using Python's async and await keywords.

Automatic API documentation#

Every API endpoint automatically generates interactive documentation.

Developers can visit:

and immediately test API endpoints through a web interface.

Strong developer experience#

Type hints provide:

  • Better editor support

  • Automatic validation

  • Clearer code

  • Fewer runtime errors

Popularity in AI and cloud-native systems#

FastAPI has become a common choice for:

  • AI model serving

  • Machine learning APIs

  • Microservices

  • Cloud-native applications

  • Internal platform services

FastAPI vs Flask vs Django#

Framework

Best for

Learning curve

Performance

Built-in features

Typical use cases

Django

Full-stack web applications

Medium

Good

Extensive

Large websites, CMS platforms, business applications

Flask

Lightweight web development

Easy

Good

Minimal

Small web apps, learning web fundamentals, simple APIs

FastAPI

APIs and backend services

Easy–Medium

Excellent

Strong API tooling

Microservices, AI backends, cloud services, REST APIs

When to choose Django#

Django is ideal when you want:

  • User authentication

  • Admin dashboards

  • Database management

  • A complete web application framework

When to choose Flask#

Flask works well when you want:

  • Maximum flexibility

  • A lightweight framework

  • A simple learning environment

  • Small applications and services

When to choose FastAPI#

FastAPI shines when you want:

  • API development

  • Modern backend systems

  • High-performance services

  • Cloud-native architectures

Your first FastAPI application#

Installation#

pip install fastapi uvicorn

Basic API endpoint#

from fastapi import FastAPIapp = FastAPI()@app.get("/hello")def say_hello():return {"message": "Hello, World!"}

Running the application#

uvicorn main:app --reload

You can now visit:

Expected response:

{"message": "Hello, World!"}

What's happening here?#

The @app.get("/hello") decorator creates an API route that responds to GET requests.

FastAPI uses Python type hints to automatically:

  • Validate inputs

  • Generate API schemas

  • Create interactive documentation

Once the application starts, documentation becomes available automatically:

This Swagger UI interface lets you explore and test your API without writing additional code.

Why AI and machine learning teams love FastAPI#

One reason FastAPI has grown so quickly is its popularity in AI and machine learning workflows.

Machine learning models are often deployed behind APIs. A typical workflow looks like this:

Client Application↓FastAPI Service↓Machine Learning Model↓Prediction Result

FastAPI works particularly well with frameworks such as:

  • PyTorch

  • TensorFlow

  • Scikit-learn

  • Hugging Face Transformers

Because it supports asynchronous operations and high request throughput, FastAPI is commonly used for:

  • Model serving

  • Inference APIs

  • Recommendation systems

  • AI-powered SaaS products

This has led to adoption by both startups and large enterprises building AI-driven applications.

Which Python web framework should beginners learn?#

The best framework depends on your goals.

Choose Django if:#

  • You want full-stack web development

  • You like batteries-included frameworks

  • You want authentication and admin features built in

  • You're building content-heavy websites

Choose Flask if:#

  • You want to learn web fundamentals

  • You prefer minimal frameworks

  • You enjoy configuring components yourself

  • You're building small applications

Choose FastAPI if:#

  • You want modern backend development

  • You're interested in APIs

  • You plan to work with cloud technologies

  • You're interested in AI or machine learning

  • You want to build microservices

None of these frameworks is universally better than the others. Each solves different problems and serves different types of projects.

The rise of API-first development#

Modern software increasingly revolves around APIs.

Today, a single backend service may support:

  • Web applications

  • Mobile apps

  • Desktop applications

  • Partner integrations

  • AI systems

Instead of rendering everything on the server, many applications expose APIs that multiple clients consume.

This trend is often called API-first development, and FastAPI was designed specifically for it.

As organizations continue adopting cloud-native architectures, microservices, and AI-powered applications, API-focused frameworks are becoming more important than ever.

Django, Flask, and FastAPI all remain valuable tools in the Python ecosystem. Django excels at full-stack web applications, Flask provides a lightweight introduction to web development, and FastAPI offers a modern approach to APIs and backend services.

For beginners exploring Python web development, understanding FastAPI is increasingly important. Even if you start with Django or Flask, familiarity with FastAPI can open doors to modern backend engineering, cloud-native development, and AI-powered applications.

Django vs Flask vs FastAPI: Which framework should you learn?#

One of the biggest decisions you'll make when learning Python web development is choosing a framework. The good news is that Python has several excellent options, each designed for different types of applications and developer preferences.

The three most popular frameworks today are Django, Flask, and FastAPI. While they all help you build web applications and backend services, they take very different approaches. Django focuses on providing a complete development platform, Flask emphasizes simplicity and flexibility, and FastAPI is designed for modern API development.

The best framework depends on your goals. Rather than asking which framework is "best," it's more useful to ask which framework is best for the type of projects you want to build.

For most developers in 2025, learning FastAPI alongside either Django or Flask provides the broadest Python web development skill set.

Framework comparison#

Framework

Best For

Learning Curve

Performance

Built-in Features

Typical Project Size

API Development

Full-Stack Development

Job Market Demand

Django

Full-stack web applications

Moderate

Good

Extensive

Medium to Large

Good

Excellent

High

Flask

Learning web fundamentals, lightweight apps

Easy

Good

Minimal

Small to Medium

Good

Limited

High

FastAPI

APIs, microservices, cloud-native systems

Easy–Moderate

Excellent

Strong API tooling

Small to Large

Excellent

Limited

Rapidly growing

Django#

Django follows a "batteries-included" philosophy. Instead of requiring developers to assemble dozens of libraries, Django provides many essential features out of the box.

Some of Django's most valuable built-in capabilities include:

  • Object-Relational Mapping (ORM)

  • User authentication

  • Admin dashboard

  • Form handling

  • Security protections

  • URL routing

  • Template rendering

This allows developers to focus on application features rather than infrastructure setup.

Best for#

Django works particularly well for:

  • SaaS products

  • Content-heavy websites

  • Enterprise applications

  • Business platforms

  • Internal company tools

Real-world examples#

Django has historically been associated with large-scale applications such as:

  • Instagram (early architecture)

  • Pinterest

  • Numerous enterprise business applications

Because so much functionality is built in, Django is often the fastest way to build complete web applications.

Flask#

Flask takes the opposite approach.

Instead of providing everything upfront, Flask gives developers a lightweight foundation and lets them add only the components they need.

This minimalist design makes Flask one of the easiest Python web frameworks to learn.

Why developers like Flask#

Flask offers:

  • Simple architecture

  • Minimal setup

  • Excellent documentation

  • High flexibility

  • Easy experimentation

You decide which database library, authentication solution, or templating engine to use.

Best for#

Flask is often a great choice for:

  • Learning web development

  • Small projects

  • Internal tools

  • Startup prototypes

  • Lightweight APIs

Real-world examples#

Common Flask use cases include:

  • Internal dashboards

  • Startup MVPs

  • Small REST APIs

  • Automation portals

  • Prototype applications

Because Flask stays out of your way, it's often recommended for developers who want to understand web fundamentals before adopting larger frameworks.

FastAPI#

FastAPI is a newer framework that reflects how modern backend systems are built.

Rather than focusing on traditional server-rendered websites, FastAPI is designed specifically for APIs and backend services.

It leverages modern Python features such as:

  • Type hints

  • Async programming

  • Automatic validation

  • Automatic API documentation

Why FastAPI stands out#

FastAPI provides:

  • High performance

  • Async-first architecture

  • Automatic OpenAPI documentation

  • Strong developer experience

  • Excellent support for modern cloud environments

One of its most popular features is automatic Swagger documentation generation.

When you create an API, FastAPI automatically generates interactive documentation without additional configuration.

Best for#

FastAPI is particularly well suited for:

  • REST APIs

  • AI and machine learning backends

  • Microservices

  • Cloud-native systems

  • Backend services for web and mobile applications

Real-world examples#

FastAPI is commonly used for:

  • Machine learning model serving

  • Recommendation engines

  • Microservice architectures

  • Mobile application backends

  • Internal platform APIs

Its popularity has grown significantly among startups and companies building AI-powered products.

Performance comparison#

FastAPI

Fastest

Flask

Fast

Django

Moderate

Performance isn't the only factor when choosing a framework, but it can matter for API-heavy workloads.

FastAPI generally achieves the highest performance because it uses ASGI and supports asynchronous request handling efficiently.

Flask is lightweight and performs well for many applications, though it lacks some of FastAPI's modern async advantages.

Django typically trades some raw performance for productivity by providing a rich set of built-in features. For many business applications, this trade-off is well worth it.

Which framework should beginners learn?#

The answer depends on the type of developer you want to become.

Choose Django if:#

  • You want to become a full-stack developer

  • You prefer batteries-included frameworks

  • You want authentication and admin features built in

  • You plan to build complete web applications

Django helps beginners learn how large web applications are structured.

Choose Flask if:#

  • You want the easiest learning path

  • You want to understand web fundamentals

  • You prefer flexibility

  • You enjoy assembling your own technology stack

Flask is often the simplest introduction to Python web development.

Choose FastAPI if:#

  • You want modern backend development

  • You are interested in APIs

  • You plan to work with cloud platforms

  • You want to build microservices

  • You are interested in AI or machine learning

FastAPI aligns closely with many current backend engineering trends.

Decision matrix#

Learn web development fundamentals

Flask

Build a complete website

Django

Build REST APIs

FastAPI

AI/ML backend development

FastAPI

Startup MVP

Flask or FastAPI

Enterprise web application

Django

Microservices

FastAPI

Django, Flask, and FastAPI are all excellent frameworks, but they solve different problems.

Django excels at building complete web applications with minimal setup. Flask provides a lightweight environment for learning and experimentation. FastAPI offers a modern approach to API development, cloud-native systems, and AI-powered applications.

For beginners, the best choice is often the framework that aligns most closely with your goals. If you're unsure, Flask provides a gentle introduction to web development, Django teaches full-stack application architecture, and FastAPI prepares you for many of today's backend engineering and cloud development workflows.


Become a Python web developer#

Congrats! You’re well on your way to becoming a proficient web developer with Python. You should have a good overview of how Python operates within web development and its uses. With this understanding, you have many directions you can pursue when learning Python.

If you’re ready to start learning and get your hands dirty, we recommend Educative’s course Flask: Develop Web Applications in Python. This project-based course is a detailed guide to web application development using the increasingly popular Flask framework.


Continue reading about Python and web dev#

Here’s a list of resources for you to learn more about web development with Python.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start web development with Python?

  • Learn the basics: Understand HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for front-end development.
  • Pick a framework: Choose a Python web framework like Django or Flask.
  • Set up the environment: Install Python, a text editor/IDE (e.g., VS Code), and the chosen framework.
  • Build projects: Start with simple projects, such as a personal blog or a to-do list app, to practice and understand the framework’s features.
Written By:
Aaron Xie
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