Discord bot with Python or Node.js: which should you choose?
Both Python and Node.js are excellent for Discord bots, and neither is better in every case. The right choice mostly depends on what you already know and what else your bot needs to do.
The main libraries
- Python: discord.py is the most popular library, and several forks and extensions exist.
- Node.js: discord.js is the most widely used, with a large community and plenty of examples.
Both support slash commands, buttons, embeds and voice features, though voice usually needs extra dependencies.
Choose Python if
- You are new to programming and want readable code.
- Your bot does data work, scraping, or uses machine learning libraries.
- You like simple scripts that are easy to change quickly.
Choose Node.js if
- You already know JavaScript or build websites.
- You want your bot and a web dashboard to share one language.
- You like the huge npm package ecosystem.
What about hosting?
On a panel-based host, both run the same way: you upload your files, set a start command or main file, and press Start. Resource use is usually small for a bot that serves a few servers. Python bots often start with modest RAM, while Node bots can use a bit more as they grow, but this depends heavily on your code and how many servers the bot joins.
Version matters
Make sure your hosting environment uses a Python or Node.js version that your library supports. Libraries drop old versions over time, so check the library documentation for its minimum version before you upload.
Getting started
- Create an application and bot token in the Discord Developer Portal.
- Write a small bot that replies to one slash command.
- Test it on your own PC first.
- Upload it to your server and start it from the Console tab.
If you are undecided, pick the language you are most comfortable debugging. A bot you can fix quickly beats a bot written in the theoretically best language. You can open a ticket in our Discord if you need help setting up either runtime.