11 Best Django Books for 2024 [Learn Django ASAP]

Today we’re looking at the best Django books for this year.

🧠 Did you know? According to Grand Soft, the first version of Django was released in November 2005.

What is Django?

Django is a high-level Python framework.

Suitable for both front-end and back-end, it contains a collection of Python libraries that enables you to quickly build web applications using less code.

Django is also known for being both secure and scalable.

What companies use Django?

According to Career Karma, some companies that use Django include:

✅ NASA

✅ Boeing

✅ Pinterest

✅ Robinhood

✅ National Geographic

And more.

This post contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you buy something. Read our disclosure for more details.

TLDR: Best Django Books

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Django for Beginners: Build Websites with Python and Django

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Django 3: For Beginners

💸 Best Value 💸
Beginning Django 3: Build Full Stack Python Web Applications

Best Django Books

Now let’s take a look at some of the best Django books of this year.

The first 8 books are for developers new to Django.

Books 9-11 are for intermediate and advanced Django developers.

You’ll discover their:

• features
• core concepts
• layout
• comparisons

And more.

Best Django Books for Beginners

Now let’s dive into some of the best Django books for beginners this year.

1. Django for Beginners: Build Websites with Python and Django

↘️ Ideal for: experienced Python developers new to Django
↘️ Topics covered: building websites using Python and Django

This book is ideal for beginners who have never built a website before.

You’ll use Django 4.0.

➡️ In our opinion, Django for Beginners is one of the best Django books overall.

With this fast-paced introduction to Django, you’ll learn about Django by working on projects.

In fact, you’ll build five websites from scratch including a blog and newspaper.

Using best practices, you’ll discover how to:

✅ write and run tests

✅ customize your sites

✅ integrate user authentication

✅ add permissions and authorizations

You’ll also learn how to identify common mistakes so you can quickly write and deploy your own websites.

What Django developers are saying about Django for Beginners:

William did a very thorough job of explaining not only how Django works but its relationship to HTML and CSS; I had so many ah-hah moments when reading this book.

– prk

---

2. Django 3: For Beginners

↘️ Ideal for: Django newbies
↘️ Topics covered: Python, Django 3

This book is similar to Django for Beginners.

But in this book, you’ll use Django 3 instead of Django 4.0.

➡️ We believe Django 3: For Beginners is one of the best Django books for absolute beginners.

You’ll find that this book takes a step-by-step approach while teaching you the basics of app development.

You’ll start by learning the fundamentals of Python programming including:

✅ syntax

✅ variables

✅ data types

Then you’ll switch your focus to Django 3 where you’ll learn everything from Django basics to deploying applications to the cloud.

Django 3: For Beginners can be considered a complete guide to the Django lifecycle.

What Django developers are saying about Django 3: For Beginners:

… You learn things by implementation, which is the best part about this book… An excellent book for beginners.

– Trader

---

3. Beginning Django 3: Build Full Stack Python Web Applications

↘️ Ideal for: Python developers new to Django
↘️ Topics covered: Django 3

Like Django 3: For Beginners, Beginning Django 3 focuses on Django 3 instead of Django 4.0.

But this book is a little easier on the wallet.

➡️ Beginning Django 3 is arguably one of the best Django books for developers on a budget.

With this hands-on guide, you’ll build your very first Django app.

With bite-sized chapters, you’ll learn about:

✅ project structure

✅ the Django admin interface

✅ generating HTML pages with templates

✅ understanding the database

✅ authorization

✅ deployment

And much, much more.

The book focuses only on the essentials of Django to get you up and running with your first project.

---

4. Django 3 By Example

↘️ Ideal for: Python developers new to Django
↘️ Topics covered: building applications using Python, implementing advanced functionalities

Django 3 By Example is similar to Django 3: For Beginners and Beginning Django 3 Development because all focus on Django 3.

But with this book, you should have prior experience with HTML and JavaScript.

➡️ We think Django 3 By Example is one of the best Django books to build Python web applications from scratch.

Using best practices, you’ll use Django 3 to build four real-world web applications in Python while implementing functionalities like:

• a user activity stream
• full-text search engine
• a recommendation engine

Then with step-by-step examples and sample code, you’ll learn Django essentials like:

✅ models

✅ views

✅ ORM

✅ URLs

✅ templates

And much more.

After that, you’ll touch on advanced Django features like custom template tags and middleware.

Finally, you’ll add real-time features using Django Channels and WebSockets.

What Django developers are saying about Django 3 By Example:

This book is a good introduction to Django, the examples are clear and the instructions easy to follow…

– Armando De La Torre

---

5. Web Development with Django

↘️ Ideal for: Python developers new to Django
↘️ Topics covered: building applications, developing web forms

Web Development with Django is similar to Django 3 By Example.

But with this book, you’ll work on different projects.

➡️ Web Development with Django is perhaps one of the best Django books for building modern web applications.

You’ll start by learning about Django functionality and the Model-View-Template (MVT) paradigm.

Then you’ll explore advanced concepts like REST API implementation and third-party module integration.

Throughout the book, you’ll build a book review website.

Along the way, you’ll add features as you discover them.

What Django developers are saying about Web Development with Django:

… Whether new to Django, or very experienced, this book has something for you…

– Marci Sprouse

---

6. Mastering Django

↘️ Ideal for: Python developers new to Django
↘️ Topics covered: models, views, templates, forms

Mastering Django is similar to other beginner books on our list.

But with this book, you’ll also learn a fair amount of advanced concepts.

Included in Mastering Django is a Django 4 supplement.

➡️ We think Mastering Django is one of the best Django books for learning beginner and advanced Django concepts.

Starting with the absolute basics, you’ll get a step-by-step introduction to installing Python and Django.

Then you’ll explore Django fundamentals like:

✅ models

✅ views

✅ templates

✅ forms

Finally, you’ll reveal advanced Django concepts such as advanced views, advanced templates, Django admin and advanced user management.

What Django developers are saying about Mastering Django:

Mastering Django connected all the dots for me so I actually understood how to use Django to build a website.

– Steven H

---

7. Test-Driven Development with Python: Using Django, Selenium, and JavaScript

↘️ Ideal for: Python developers new to TDD
↘️ Topics covered: test-driven development, Django, Selenium, Git, jQuery, and Mock

Test-Driven Development with Python is the only book on our list that explores test-driven development (TDD).

➡️ Test-Driven Development with Python is quite possibly one of the best Django books for learning TDD.

You’ll learn the basics of Django, Selenium, Git, jQuery, and Mock while uncovering the process of test-driven development.

Throughout the book, you’ll develop a real end-to-end web application while writing and running tests for each part of your app.

If you want to learn test-driven development with Django, snatch this book!

---

8. Django for APIs: Build web APIs with Python and Django

↘️ Ideal for: Django developers
↘️ Topics covered: building web APIs with Python and Django

Django for APIs is a fast-paced introduction to Django for developers who have never built an application programming interface (API) before.

➡️ In our opinion, Django for APIs is one of the best Django books for fast-paced learners.

In this project-based guide, you’ll:

✅ set up a new project

✅ learn how APIs work

✅ use advanced testing and deployment techniques

You’ll build three separate projects including a todo API, library API and blog API.

Along the way, you’ll learn about:

• user authentication
• permissions
• viewsets
• routers

And, of course, best practices.

---

Best Django Books for Intermediate and Advanced Django Developers

Now let’s check out some Django books for experienced devs.

9. Django for Professionals: Production Websites with Python & Django

↘️ Ideal for: experienced Django developers
↘️ Topics covered: building production-ready websites

Django for Professionals shows you how to build production-ready websites with Python and Django.

➡️ We believe Django for Professionals is one of the best Django books for intermediate Django developers.

While building a bookstore website, you’ll touch on concepts previously unseen such as:

✅ using Docker and PostgreSQL to mimic production settings

✅ implementing advanced user registration with email

✅ writing comprehensive tests

✅ advanced security improvements

In all, you’ll learn best practices for building and deploying websites.

---

10. Django 3 Web Development Cookbook

↘️ Ideal for: experienced Django developers
↘️ Topics covered: recipes for building robust, secure web apps using Django 3 and Python

Django 3 Web Development Cookbook is a bit different than any other Django book on our list.

That’s because you’ll find a list of “recipes” to solve common problems in Python web development.

➡️ Django 3 Web Development Cookbook is arguably one of the best Django books for finding solutions to modern web development challenges.

Following a task-based approach, you’ll lean how to develop professional web applications using Python and Django.

While employing security best practices, you’ll learn how to:

✅ understand full stack web development

✅ build a database structure

✅ set basic configurations

✅ import data

By the end of this book, you should be able to build fast, secure and scalable applications.

---

11. The Temple of Django Database Performance

↘️ Ideal for: experienced Django developers
↘️ Topics covered: tools, best practices, advanced techniques

This book has a Dungeons and Dragons-type layout where you’ll follow quests to learn about Django tools, best practices and advanced techniques.

It’s also filled with tons of dark artwork.

➡️ The Temple of Django Database Performance is arguably one of the best Django books for fantasy-oriented developers.

While mastering database performance, you’ll learn how to:

✅ use profiling and measurement tools

✅ use advanced techniques

✅ move slow queries

And more.

With over 60 examples, you’ll go beyond API documentation to master Django.

---

Best Django Books: Conclusion

Today we looked at the best Django books including:

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Django for Beginners: Build Websites with Python and Django

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Django 3: For Beginners

💸 Best Value 💸
Beginning Django 3: Build Full Stack Python Web Applications

So whether you’re just getting started with the framework or are ready for advanced Django concepts, we think these are the best Django books for this year.

---

Readers of Best Django Books are also reading:

• 30 Best Python Resources for Beginners
• 14 Best Python Books for Beginners
• 18 Best Python Courses for Beginners
• 12 Best Python Testing Books
• 9 Best Test Driven Development Books

---