Which Backend Survives This Stress Test?
Is Java actually "old" or is it just built different?
In this video, I put the ultimate debate to the test: Spring Boot (Java) vs. NestJS (Node.js). I built the exact same backend twice - same endpoints, same logic, same Docker limits—and threw a massive traffic storm at both using Grafana K6 to see which one breaks first.
The results weren't just surprising; they were uncomfortable.
What we’re covering:
The Setup: Building a modern backend with Spring Boot 4.0.6 (Gradle/Groovy) and NestJS (PNPM).
The Logic: In-memory store, product management, and profit tracking—no DB bottlenecks, just pure runtime performance.
The Stress Test: Scaling up to 10,000 requests per second to find the physical ceiling of each engine.
The Deep Dive: Analyzing Heap usage, Garbage Collection spikes, and why "stable" memory metrics in Node.js might actually be a warning sign.
The Reality Check: Throughput, response times, and the "Single-Threaded Wall."
While one runtime looked relaxed, the other actually delivered the results. Whether you're a Java veteran or a TypeScript enthusiast, this breakdown reveals the engineering truth behind high-sustained loads and multi-core architecture.
Key Timestamps:
0:00 The Big Debate: Java vs. Node.js
0:30 Setting up the Spring Boot Project
1:11 Setting up the NestJS Project
1:28 The Logic: Same code, different runtimes
2:33 Docker & Multi-stage Builds
2:49 The Traffic Storm: 10k RPS with K6
3:39 Memory & Heap Analysis: The Science of Chaos
4:27 Throughput Results: 5x Difference?
5:24 Why Node.js hit the wall (The Stall Test)
6:09 CPU Utilization & Multi-core Scaling
7:03 Final Verdict: Which one should you choose?
Useful Links & Resources:
https://x.com/ivanermolaev_
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