FWIW I was planning to respond “yes, it is the de facto solution, even if I wish it weren’t” and probably leave it at that. Granted I don’t have my pet project to recommend (I left it behind with previous employer), and maybe I would if I had it to recommend. But I’d still acknowledge first that express is the de facto solution.

Also FWIW, there are a bunch of other popular options… but nearly all of them have roughly the same interface and follow the same general principles as express. Again, I wish it weren’t so. But you’re right, that isn’t responsive to the question being asked.