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Today, there is no sphere of activity for which a strong online presence is not considered one of the key growth drivers. According to Forbes Advisor, in 2023, 71% of businesses have a website, and 28% of all business activities are conducted online.
Frameworks are one of the most popular tools in web application development. Any framework is essentially a collection of code snippets and serves as a higher-level platform for its base programming language. It offers ready-made solutions for typical tasks and various mechanisms and tools to simplify and expedite development ready-made solutions for typical tasks and various mechanisms and tools to simplify and expedite the development process. Framework-based web development offers:
- Reduced project complexity and fewer errors due to built-in solutions for standard low-level processes such as data binding or configuration
- Code length condensing by providing code generation features for implementing standard functionality
- Improved security, thanks to strict architecture patterns and built-in security features
- Streamlined debugging and maintenance through specialized functions like code autocompletion or unit testing
- Ability to reuse code more efficiently by following specific code standards or conventions
Much like the web development process itself, web frameworks can be categorized into two main groups: frontend (client-side) and backend (server-side), with the addition of the full-stack frameworks, that integrate the functionalities of both.
Frontend frameworks are designed to manage the user interface and experience, focusing on creating interactive and user-centric websites, multiple device optimization, and routine task automation.
Backend frameworks operate in the background, on the server side, ensuring the smooth functioning of the website and its logic. They handle user authentication, database interaction, URL routing, and more.
So, which web frameworks on the market are the best, and what advantages do they have?
Best Framework for Frontend Web Development
React JS
React JS, an open-source JavaScript library introduced by Facebook in 2011, can be easily named as the best framework for frontend web development, used by 40,58% of developers according to Statista's recent survey. It is a part of one of the most popular web development stack MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js). Focused on the view layer of MVC architecture, React employs a component-based approach to create reusable UI elements.
React shines in terms of performance through its use of a Virtual DOM, expediting UI changes. Its one-way data flow simplifies state management, and it is user-friendly, bolstered by valuable tools like Redux for state management.
Companies that use React — Netflix, Instacart, Instagram, Salesforce, Dropbox, and Asana.
Pros
- Development speed
- Virtual DOM
Cons
- Debugging complexity
- No built-in routing and state management
Svelte
Svelte, developed by Rich Harris in 2016, is a free and open-source front-end library that compiles HTML templates into highly efficient code, directly manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM). Its simplified JavaScript Vanilla-like syntaxis improves code readability and makes debugging easier.
It excels in reactive programming, where changes in data trigger automatic updates to the user interface. This simplifies state management, making creating dynamic and responsive web applications easy. Svelte converts your app into ideal JavaScript at build time instead of interpreting its code at run time. This way, you avoid the performance costs of the framework's abstractions and do not face longer waiting when the app loads for the first time. Its lightweight 1.7 KB library significantly improves page-loading time, making Svelte the perfect choice for small to medium projects seeking performance and speed.
Companies that use Svelte — Yahoo, Bloomberg, Meta, Apple, The New York Times, Spotify, Reuters and Ikea.
Pros
- Highly reactive
- Less boilerplate code
Cons
- Small community
- Limited resources and tools
Angular
Angular, a TypeScript (high-level superset of JavaScript with static typing feature) open-source web application framework, built and maintained by Google's Angular Team. Angular conforms to the model-view-viewmodel (MVVM) architecture and offers a vast ecosystem of tools and solutions. Angular truly shines among other frontend frameworks for web development when utilized for building highly customized enterprise-level web applications and is used by 17,46% of web developers.
Companies that use Angular — PayPal, Upwork, Google, and Nike.
Pros
- Enhanced design architecture
- Custom directives
Cons
- Limited SEO options
- Poor CLI documentation
Vue JS
Vue.js (Vue) emerges as a formidable contender among frontend libraries for web development due to its unique blend of flexibility and performance. With a focus on HTML and CSS, Vue follows the model-view-viewmodel (MVVM) architecture, representing the view-model layer. Reactive data binding is another potent and efficient feature within Vue.js, empowering developers to seamlessly link a component's data with its user interface (UI). This linkage ensures that any alterations to the data are automatically mirrored in the UI.
Companies that use Vue — Trustpilot, Nintendo, Gitlab, Netlify, 9GAG, and Behance.
Pros
- Reactive data binding
- Well-structured documentation
Cons
- No large-scale projects support
- Limited resources
Best Framework for Backend Web Development
Express.js
Express.js is a JavaScript backend framework favored for its simplicity, flexibility, and robust community support. According to the Statista 2023 survey, it is the most popular framework for backend web development, used by 19,28% of developers. Its intuitive API and minimalistic design help them stay focused, while 14 template engines let them tailor their applications to their precise needs. Express.js offers seamless middleware functionality, opening up possibilities for server customization. Express.js excels in performance, scalability, and cross-platform functionality, making it one of the best backend frameworks for web development. Together with MongoDB, Node.js, and Angular it forms MEAN, one of the most popular full-stack web development solutions.
Companies that use Express — Medium, Netflix, Uber, PayPal, and LinkedIn.
Pros
- Middleware Support
- Seamless backward compatibility
Cons
- Lack of Structure and Convention
- Lack of Strong Typing
Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails is a fast and one of the best full-stack web development frameworks, released in 2005. This open-source MVC framework offers both security and scalability, and it benefits from an array of third-party libraries that accelerate development. It excels in creating Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) due to its fast prototyping, robust ecosystem, and simple iterations. Additionally, RoR is a superb choice for Content Management Systems (CMS), offering easy navigation, SEO tools, and faster development times.
Companies that use Ruby on Rails — Airbnb, Kickstarter, BaseCamp, and CafePress.
Pros
- Time efficiency
- Giant active community
Cons
- Performance time
- Low flexibility
ASP.NET Core
ASP.NET Core, a Microsoft-developed C#-based framework, offers a compelling blend of scalability, flexibility, and high performance. Highly favored for crafting secure, modern, and high-performing web applications, ASP.NET Core is today used by 16,57% of web developers.
It is perfect for creating robust web applications with remarkable power, productivity, and speed. Razor Pages, an integral component of ASP.NET Core, provides a page-based web development framework that seamlessly integrates both frontend and backend logic, making it a comprehensive full-stack solution.
Companies that use ASP.NET Core — GettyImages, TacoBell, and StackOverflow.
Pros
- Cross-platform
- Microsoft support
Cons
- Performance time
- Low flexibility
Django
Django, an open-source Python-based backend framework for web development, is increasingly favored by developers and enterprises for its ability to streamline the creation of complex, highly scalable, and data-driven web applications. Built by experienced engineers, Django is particularly well-suited for constructing API features, including seamless GraphQL integration. Django proactively addresses security risks, safeguarding against issues like CSRF, XSS, and SQL injections.
Companies that use Django — YouTube, Instagram, and Spotify.
Pros
- Development speed and Scalability
- High-quality documentation
Cons
- Cannot Simultaneously Handle Multiple Requests
- No conventions
Laravel
Laravel, introduced by Taylor Otwell in 2011, stands out for its simplicity, elegance, and readability — 7,5% of Statista 2023 survey respondents use it as a backend framework for web development. Operating on an MVC architecture using PHP, Laravel offers a user-friendly and consistent syntax for common tasks like routing, data management, and authentication. It reuses different frameworks' existing components, allowing a more efficient and pragmatic approach to web application development.
Companies that use Laravel — Watchseries, Deltanet Travel, MyRank, Laracasts, and Neighbourhood Lender.
Pros
- Automated testing support
- Build-in access control system
Cons
- No build-in support
- No conventions
Spring Boot
Spring Boot, a library for Java-based backend framework Spring, is renowned for its developer-friendly approach and adaptability to microservices and cloud-native development. According to Statista, 11.95% of developers utilize it for creation of stand-alone web applications and microservices with minimal setup, streamlining development and enhancing productivity. Compatibility with multiple JVM technologies like Kotlin, Groovy, and Scala allows developers the flexibility to choose their preferred programming languages. And its Spring Boot actuator offers production-ready monitoring and managing features like application auditing, health checks, metrics, etc.
Companies that use Spring Boot — VMware, Salesforce, Zensar Technologies and Health Care Service Corporation.
Pros
- Automated testing support
- Build-in access control system
Cons
- No build-in support
- No conventions
The Bottom Line
The immense size and diversity of the web and application development field eliminate the possibility of a single perfect solution. Each of the technologies presented deserves to be called the best framework for web development, yet each has its unique niche to shine. If you are still not entirely sure about your choice, seek guidance from Emerline — we will be delighted to help you transform your idea into reality and ensure its success with our custom web portal development and e-commerce development expertise.
Update: January 18, 2024
