Sails
Sails is an open-source MVC (Model-View-Controller) framework for Node.js, designed to simplify the development of custom, enterprise-grade applications.
Our verdict
Who it's for
Build custom, enterprise-grade Node.js apps with an MVC framework and real-time capabilities.
Who should look elsewhere
Learning curve for developers new to MVC or Node.js frameworks
Pros
- +Accelerates Node.js app development with MVC conventions
- +Unified JavaScript stack reduces context-switching
- +Powerful ORM supports diverse database types, including cross-database joins
- +Automates common API tasks, reducing boilerplate code
- +Seamlessly integrates WebSockets with existing routes
Cons
- −Learning curve for developers new to MVC or Node.js frameworks
- −Reliance on Grunt for asset pipeline might not suit all workflows
- −Community adapters for databases may vary in maturity compared to official ones
Key features
- ✓100% JavaScript development for both front-end and back-end
- ✓Waterline ORM for database agnosticism (MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, etc.)
- ✓Auto-generated REST APIs with blueprint actions
- ✓Automatic WebSocket integration for real-time features
- ✓Declarative, reusable security policies (compatible with Express/Connect middleware)
- ✓Front-end agnostic, compatible with any client-side technology
- ✓Flexible asset pipeline with Grunt integration (LESS, SASS, CoffeeScript, etc.)
- ✓Built on Express for HTTP and Socket.io for WebSockets
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Billing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $600 | month | Designed for individual developers and smaller teams of up to 4; Support tickets answered by a core team member within 1 business day; Virtual office hours available |
| Commercial | $1200 | month | For teams of up to 10; Support tickets answered by a core team member within 4 business hours; Priority office hours available |
| Custom | — | month | Don’t see exactly what you need? We can probably work something out.; Just drop us a note, and someone from our team will be in touch to discuss enterprise options. |