In this tech-savvy generation having a web application for your business is a necessity. It allows your business to reach a huge target audience and gain skyrocketing popularity. The best method to attract new users is to create smart and intuitive websites.
In order to simplify the web development task and build a robust, scalable, flexible, and secure web app quickly multiple frameworks have been invented. Some have been in use for decades. However, others have gained popularity in recent years.
In this blog, We’ll learn about the top 10 most popular web development frameworks for both backend and frontend development. What is a Framework? A web framework is a software platform which acts like a skeleton of the website which you utilize to build a web application quickly using the available tools and features and then further extend it to meet the requirements. There is no better way to create rich and interactive online applications than to use frameworks, which have been endorsed by thousands of developers worldwide.
Why do we need a Framework? If there are no frameworks available the software engineers have to make all the things from the scratch like database setup, business logic, security option, etc. Web development frameworks simplifies these tasks.
Some major reasons we use framework are:
Higher Performance Web frameworks are loaded with inbuilt features and tools to ease up the development task and increase the performance of the application.
Faster development With Inbuilt features, ready-made components, libraries, and highly efficient tools for integration purposes, Web frameworks ensure the rapid development of web applications.
Reliability and security Web frameworks consist of ready-made components or features that are thoroughly tested by a large development community and ensure that your project won’t get stuck if any error comes up. And web frameworks are often designed in such a way that they prioritize the security of the application in all cases.
What are the types of Frameworks? A web application is made of two components the server-side i.e the Backend and the client-side i.e. The Frontend and to make the development process smooth we have web frameworks available for both backend and frontend development. Nonetheless, some special web Framework like Django supports both backend and frontend development.
There are two types of Frameworks:
Frontend Frameworks They are responsible for building the client-side i.e the user interface. They are based on frontend programming languages such as HTML,CSS, Javascript, etc. They deal with the UI/ UX design of the web application.
Backend Frameworks They are responsible for building the server-side i.e. the backend of the application like database setup, business logic, etc.They uses backend programming languages such as Python, Java, Ruby, PHP, Javascript etc.
There is a vast choice of web development frameworks available today. Listed below are the top 10 web development frameworks which are most trendy in the IT industry.
1. Angular (Frontend) Angular is one of the most important frameworks used for frontend development by numerous companies. Its first version which was based on javascript was developed in 2009. Later in 2016, it started using Typescript in place of Javascript. It is used to develop client-side dynamic web pages. It is comparatively harder to learn compared to other programming languages as it has many components like libraries, controllers, directives, and many more. It is based on MVC (Model View Controller) architectural pattern. It can be used to develop high-quality single-page applications, mobile-web, native mobile and, native desktop applications. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Paypal Upwork, Lego, Netflix use it.Advantages
It contains numerous Angularjs development services.
It is based on MVC architecture.
The rapid development of web applications can be achieved.
Disadvantages
It is large in size which causes slower processing.
The learning curve is very steep.
Its documentation is not well organized and can be hard to follow by beginners.
2. React(Frontend) React is an open source Javascript library introduced by Meta(earlier known as Facebook). Even though it is a library, it still can work as a framework and is used to develop efficient single-page web applications. Moreover, it also supports the development of mobile applications which is not the case with other frameworks. It interacts with other libraries to provide features like API integration, state management, SEO optimization etc. Companies like Facebook and Instagram use it.Advantages
It offers rapid manipulation in HTML documents because of its virtual DOM feature.
Integration with other libraries is very easy and helpful.
It also supports mobile application development.
Disadvantages
Its documentation is not well organized.
It has a complicated structure that can be difficult to work on.
3. Vue(Frontend) Vue Js is another open-source web development framework for frontend development of single-page web apps as well as user interfaces for web apps. It is based on highly adaptable MVVM structure. It is lightweight and can be used to create functional user interfaces with numerous tools and features available. It can be easily integrated with 3rd party tools and it is very easy to use and learn. It is a perfect fit for developing single page and dynamic applications.Companies using it are Gitlab, Behance, Grammarly, 9GAG and many more.Advantages
It is easy to use.
It is lightweight.
It is easy to integrate with 3rd party solutions.
Disadvantages
Its tools are not very stable.
It is not supported by big enterprises such as Google and Microsoft.
4. Jquery(Frontend) Jquery is another javascript library that is open source and can be used for building web apps user interfaces. It is popular for its schematic approach and cross-browser compatibility. It provides easy integration between DOM elements and its syntax structure. It is trendy because of its exceptional ability to create effects and animations in Web apps. It is small in size and has numerous plugins to provide functionalities whenever needed.Advantages
It is easy to use.
It supports multiple libraries.
It is open source.
The documentation is easy to follow.
Disadvantages
Its javascript file needs to be included in the app to make it work.
Very few functionalities are included in its framework.
5. Laravel(Backend) Laravel is a web development framework based on most popular programming language PHP. Taylor Otwell developed Laravel in 2011. It is based on MVC( Model View Controller) architectural pattern. It supports API development and has numerous packages that make the framework more efficient. It is used to develop the backend of web applications. It can be used to build mid-range web applications. It can be easily learned using its tutorial website Laracasts which has numerous helpful videos. Companies like Neighbourhood, Travel, Deltanet, Lender are using it.Advantages
It has a good documentation.
It has the latest features of PHP.
It has integrated mail services and cache facilities.
Disadvantages
It does not support payment gateways.
It is not suitable for mobile application development.
6. Express(Backend) Express is an open source Javascript-based Node JS API. It is highly efficient and prominently used in large enterprises because of its flexibility. It provides multiple built-in features and functionalities such as third-party integration, routing, server-side scripting, and many more. It can be used to create web applications, APIs and mobile solutions. It is used by companies like Accenture, IBM, Uber MuleSoft, Myntra, and Myspace.Advantages
It is highly flexible.
A good tool for developing APIs.
It is fully loaded with features and functionalities.
Disadvantages
High learning curve.
Monotonous call back.
7. Spring(Backend) Spring is an open source Java-based web development framework. It was invented by Pivotal Software. It can be used to develop enterprise-level applications. Since, it is based on Java language which is used by major enterprises it will not lose its populartiy in the coming years. It lets you scale your project quickly. Websites like Wix, TicketMaster, Deleokorea, Intuit, Zalando, MIT, Zillow and BillGuard are users of this framework.Advantages
It is lightweight.
It has a vast supporting community.
Disadvantages
Steep learning curve, especially if you don’t know java.
8. Rails (Backend) Ruby on Rails(Rails or ROR) is one of the oldest open source web development frameworks for backend development. It is based on the Ruby programming language and follows MVC architecture. It supports complex algorithms usage for building solutions to complicated business problems. It can be used to create cloud-based applications using its powerful libraries and tools.It has a vast community that can help anytime you get stuck while creating a robust and high speed solution to your business problem using its incredible features. Airbnb, GitHub, Hulu,GroupOn and Shopify are primary users of Rails.Advantages
It allows the rapid development of web applications.
It provides numerous tools and libraries.
Disadvantages
Its documentation is not very good.
It experiences slow processing.
9. ASP.Net (Backend) ASP.Net is a popular web development framework that is used to develop dynamic desktop and mobile web applications. It was developed by Microsoft to allow developers to build magnificent web application and services. It is based on C# programming language.Asp.net core is a version of Asp.net which is popular for its speed, power and productivity. Some famous companies using ASP.NET are TacoBell, GettyImages, StackOverflow.Advantages
It is lightweight.
High performance.
Disadvantages
It doesn’t support many platforms like Java.
It doesn’t support many CMS.
10.Django (Backend + Frontend) Django is one the best framework among all these framework as it supports both backend and frontend development of incredibly scalable, secure, and flexible web applications. It is based on Python programming language and follows MVT (Model View Template) architecture for developing efficient web apps. It has numerous key features such as messaging, authentication system, caching, administration panel, and many more. It can be easily used to build large and complex enterprise projects.It is used by companies like Google, Youtube, Pinterest, Disqus, YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram.Advantages
It allows the rapid development of complex projects.
It supports an inbuilt authentication system to make the application secure as Security is Django’s priority.
Its documentation is well organized and is very easy to follow even for beginners.
It has huge community support.
It can be used to create SEO optimized web applications.
Conclusion A web framework plays an integral and indispensable role in the software development process. All the above mentioned frameworks have their own features, advantages and disadvantages.
It is highly recommended to utilize the most suitable framework to build your web application because it can save you from the hustle and bustle of building every features and architecture from scratch.
The 10 best web development frameworks are listed above to help you create a spectacular online presence for your business, and you may choose the one that best suits your needs. Developing websites with these popular frameworks can substantially speed up the process.
Startxlabs, one of India’s top digital transformation service providers. Launched in 2014, Startxlabs aims in innovating a digital future by developing technology for the web and mobile platforms. From our beginning as a technology development company, we’ve tried to stay true to our core beliefs and to deliver exceptional services to our clients. Whether it’s people we work for or people who work for us, we value honesty, passion, and the desire to explore. We have expertise in website development, android app development, iOS app development, Flutter, React Native app development, UI/UX design, and marketing strategy. With the engagement of our highly technical team, we have delivered over 110+ projects providing a positive impact on the users.
