Web frameworks are pre-built structures of programming code that developers use as the foundation for their own custom code. The most popular frameworks gain cult followings among developers for their flexibility, power, and ease of adoption.
Developers rely on these popular frameworks to speed up development, automate key website processes and reduce the risk of costly errors. Choosing the wrong framework for your project could be an expensive mistake, requiring developers to backtrack and redo months of work. But choosing the right framework can be like ‘fast-forwarding’ through your project.
To help you decide which frameworks match the task you have in mind, here is a quick roundup of today’s most popular frameworks.
Frameworks: Front-End vs Back-End
Though there are several well-known web frameworks to choose from but are not all suitable for every project or every aspect of development.
Some frameworks are front-end or client-side frameworks. These handle the part of the website the user sees and interacts with, like text, graphics, animations, buttons, and navigation tools.
Other frameworks are back-end or server-side frameworks. These deal with how a website functions in the background, like connecting with the server and handling data.
At WillDom, we carefully select the ideal front and back-end framework solutions on a project-by-project basis.
Most Popular Website Frameworks for Front-End Web Development
Front-end frameworks are primarily written in the same decades-old web languages which form the backbone of the Internet: JavaScript, HTML and CSS. These are the most popular JavaScript frameworks for front-end development:
React
Developed by Facebook (now Meta), React remains one of the most widely-adopted open-source frameworks for front-end development since its launch in 2013. React is currently the reigning favorite among front-end developers, especially to build cross-platform projects.
One notable downside is that React developers must commit to staying current with Meta’s frequent updates to React, and how those changes impact their projects’ functionality.
Angular
This framework was created by Google in Typescript (which in turn was developed by Microsoft as an evolution of JavaScript).
Angular has been in use since 2009 and is therefore one of the most stable and well-established framework options. It remains an excellent choice today, though newer developers may find it challenging to learn.
Vue js
This framework boasts a reputation for speed and flexibility. Developed by a former Google engineer in 2014, it combines some of the best features of Angular and React.
It’s one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly frameworks to learn, enjoying wide support in the developer community. However, it may not be the best choice for large-scale enterprise applications.
Svelte
This framework is more streamlined than Angular and React, and is measurably faster than most other popular JavaScript frameworks. It’s considered best used for smaller application projects.
Because it is relatively young, this framework boasts less community support than Angular, React, and Vue, which means developers may have a harder time finding answers when they need to troubleshoot.
Ember
Released in 2011, Ember has weathered the test of time. Today, it remains popular for developing apps for mobile and desktop.
It comes with several integrations already included ‘out of the box’. The downside of Ember is that newer developers can find the learning curve steep, and the structure of the framework rigid and unforgiving.
Most Popular Web Frameworks for Back End
While front-end frameworks are coded primarily with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, most back-end frameworks are built on Python, Java, Ruby, PHP, C#, and JavaScript programming languages.
Django
Free, open-source, and with front-end applications, this web framework is the most popular Python-based option. It comes with several integrated functionalities, saving programmers the time and effort of installing separate libraries.
Though popular for complex, large-scale projects, its steep learning curve and lack of conventions can confuse and intimidate less experienced developers.
Flask
This lightweight, stripped-down microframework is based on Python.
Developers largely find it flexible and user-friendly, perfect for Python newcomers intimidated by Django. On the other hand, its lightweight nature makes Flask unsuited for large-scale or complex applications.
Laravel
This full-stack, PHP-based framework comes with several built-in features. Developers like that it is relatively easy to learn, scale, and customize, integrating easily with third-party libraries.
However, Laravel receives frequent updates, which can cause issues when older versions unexpectedly lose functionality. It’s also not as nimble as other options.
Nodejs
This back-end framework is notable for running on JavaScript, used primarily for front-end development. This allows developers to write an entire web application in the same language (JavaScript) if they so choose.
Nodejs allows JavaScript programmers to be full-stack developers, able to work on the front and back end of an application. The popular ExpressJs framework, used by Netflix and Uber, is a web application of Node.
Ruby on Rails
As the name suggests, this open-source web framework was written in Ruby. It is one of the oldest back-end frameworks still in popular use, having been released in 2004. It’s also a full-stack framework, applicable to front and back-end development.
Its time-tested stability makes it a favorite for developing e-commerce applications. However, its popularity has begun to wane, thanks to several newer options.
To learn more about popular frameworks and find the right engineering talent for your development project, visit us at our website or connect with us on LinkedIn. At WillDom, our teams are readily available to help you meet your project needs!
