Choosing the right framework for your web-based project can mean the difference between a well-made and an ordinary project. After learning the basics of web development every beginner runs into the question of which JavaScript framework is best for them. As there is no official JavaScript framework, a lot of developers have made their own. The plethora of frameworks makes the choice of choosing the right framework is even harder for beginners. This post has been written to specify the advantages and disadvantages of different frameworks so that the process of choosing the right framework becomes easier. But before learning about different frameworks we should first know what even is a framework:

What are JavaScript Frameworks?

Frameworks reduce redundancy and increase reusability of code by providing pre-written code which can be used to render objects on applications. Of Course, these objects can be rendered by using plain HTML, CSS and JavaScript but the frameworks provide already written code for common tasks which can greatly reduce the time and effort put in by the developer.

Top 10 Most Popular JavaScript Frameworks for Web Development

1. Node.js
Node.js is a framework which allows developers to run code written in JavaScript in runtime environments outside of web browsers. This makes it ideal to be used for back-end, server-side development. Node.js is beginner friendly and allows JavaScript code to be run on the server-side irrespective of the technology being used on the front-end. As many web developers are already familiar with JavaScript, back-end development becomes easier for them with the help of Node.js. Node.js can be used to build apps which can handle simultaneous requests and is known for its non-blocking I/O model.

Node.js is suitable for building highly-scalable, real-time applications which are data intensive and have microservices. It is being used by international companies like PayPal, Netflix and Walmart.

2. Vue.js
Vue.js is one of the fastest, lightweight, open-source frameworks of JavaScript which has made its name in the dev community in a very short amount of time. It is used to build faster, creative UIs using shadow DOM. Vue.js is easy to learn for beginner web developers who already have basic knowledge of HTML and JavaScript. It is even being used by big companies like stackoverflow.

Vue.js is ideal for interactive elements, graphics and animations. Some of its features include CLI for faster development of plugins and instant prototyping, dual integration mode, templates and two-way data binding.

3. Angular
Angular is another feature rich TypeScript based JavaScript framework which is open source and is mainly used to build Single Page Applications. Developed and operated by Google, this framework is being used by many Google app developers. Google itself uses Angular for many of its sites like YouTube and Gmail. Google’s support makes this framework extra reliable. Angular offers two-way data binding and is best suited for video-streaming, real-time data and e-commerce apps. Angular supports a component-based structure which is very similar to React.

4. Backbone.js
In this framework all back-end functions flow through an API resulting in simplicity of complex UI design and avoidance of spaghetti code as complex functionalities can be implemented using a lot less code. It is adaptable, easy to integrate and is best for developing SPA (single-page applications). Backbone.js uses the MVC design paradigm and gives developers the option to select the tools which work best for them.

5. ReactJs
ReactJs is technically not a framework, rather it is a library of JavaScript but it’s strong ecosystem and flexibility allows developers to build entire frameworks around it. Originally created by Facebook to manage Facebook Ads, ReactJs was later made available to the public and quickly rose in popularity. ReactJs is most suited to be used in large scale applications which are rich in features.

Overall ReactJs is easy to learn and maintain, SEO friendly, fast rendering library which provides reusable coding structures which make it easier to build dynamic web applications.

6. Ember.js
Ember.js is another well thought out JavaScript framework for front-end web development. It is the best choice for modern, scalable, large web apps but can also be used for smaller projects. It has many features built into it like a CLI, a great collection of add-ons and tons of other features and libraries. Its plethora of features also come with a disadvantage which is the size of the framework. In addition to being harder to learn, it is also really heavy and can be too big for smaller projects.

Ember.js has a strong community and well written documentation which makes it ideal for long term projects.

7. Svelte JS
Svelte JS is another efficient front-end web framework which is used to build static lean web applications. The most unique thing about Svelte JS is that it compiles code into smaller standalone framework-less JavaScript modules unlike other frameworks which make use of virtual DOM. It has a very small community and does not have many dev tools, but it is still one of the best when it comes to creating reusable, efficient code for simple web apps.

8. Express
Express.js is built on top of Node.js and is a back-end JavaScript framework. It is known for its minimalistic design and great performance. Despite its minimalistic approach it has many quality features such as middleware packages, plugins integration in server-side code and easier management of routing available. With Express.js you can even create APIs to integrate with other applications.

9. Meteor
Originally named skybreak, this framework was later renamed to Meteor. This framework is an isomorphic model which means that it can render on both back and front end seamlessly without any hiccups. In addition to being used in the back and front end it can also be used in database management as it easily integrates with MongoDB. It provides full stack solutions and other important features such as reactive templates and minification of JavaScript on the production server. Meteor is easy to learn, has an active/strong community and is one of the fastest ways to build cross-platform JavaScript apps. Meteor has its own CLI and web server debugging tool along with built-in security measures.

10. Polymer
Just like React.js, polymer is another JavaScript library which has an extensive area of application due to its flexibility and powerful features. Built by Google this library is used to create web apps with minimal complexity. While Angular is Google’s full-scale framework, polymer is just a library for designing web elements. Polymer supports both one-way and two-way data binding along with offering other useful features such as allowing developers to make their own customizable, reusable elements.

Conclusion

JavaScript frameworks save a ton of time and allow developers to show extreme productivity. The choice of the right framework can often be challenging. One must keep in mind project requirements, complexity, compatibility and learning curve when choosing a framework for their project. Each framework is unique and has been optimised for certain use cases. So, it is imperative for a developer to choose the right framework.