Software development is one of the fast-evolving niches globally. The increasing usage of desktop, web, and mobile apps is an incredible way to foster visibility and acquisitions. As speed and the need for quality solutions rank high, more businesses have outsourced their requirements to countries that rank high on offshore development. The IT outsourcing market is expected to generate $1.06 trillion by 2023 (GlobalNewsWire).
The software market is currently divided into SaaS and on-premise solutions. There is an increasing demand for quality SaaS solutions as they can help small and medium-sized businesses operate seamlessly. The SaaS market is expected to reach $208 billion by 2023 (Statista). Owing to the increasing demand for quality solutions, accelerated development, and cost-effective methods, more development companies are focusing on adopting the framework-development method.
The suitable software development framework comprises the tools and resources needed to push app development and enhance the quality of solutions.JavaScript ranks high among the programming languages used to build powerful applications, closely followed by HTML and SQL (Statista). JavaScript is known for its ease of development and low learning curve.
With the several libraries built on this programming language, it has become easier for developers to create smooth and useful mobile apps. This guide will look at the top three frameworks based on JavaScript – Angular, React, and Vue. We will compare the frameworks in detail to understand the differences and when to use which.
What is Angular?
Angular is a front-end, structural framework that was built using JavaScript programming language. This open-source framework comprises tools and resources that help developers create unique and experiential front-end web and mobile application solutions. Angular vs AngularJS is a more complex and advanced framework. Angular is originally a model view controller structure; however, it is embedded in the model-view-view model structure.
The JavaScript library allows you to create dynamic web applications. Owing to features like dependency injection and data binding, you can easily create applications with minimal code.
The framework can expand your HTML syntax into a defined and documented code. It is server or browser-agnostic, making it compatible with all devices.
The Key Features
Offers an automatic flow of data between model and view, making it apt for experiential interfaces.
The scope within these applications allows them to create movement between the controller and the view.
The dependency injection subsystem within this framework allows you to create and test apps easily.
The filters feature selects a few items from a single array and then transmits it to a new array.
Angular CLI can help develop, design, and test the applications.
Pros and Cons of Using AngularJS
Pros
Cons
It is backed by Google, which is why it is one of the most reliable frameworks for web development.
Limited optimization options.
It offers an incredible load time owing to its incredible compilers.
Steep learning curve and limited documentation availability.
It can integrate with third-party Angular applications with ease.
Not suited for complex and advanced applications.
Does the framework ensure tight and robust security?
What is React?
React is an open-source JavaScript library specifically developed to build frontends for mobile and web applications. It is backed and maintained by Facebook, several developers, and large-scale communities.
The framework is based on Virtual DOM, a DOM built using JavaScript components but doesn’t exist in the physical realm. With minimal DOM manipulation, this VDOM can update the React components and enhance development speed.
This simple and highly productive framework makes single-page or web application development easy and effortless.
The workflow is designed to make things simple for the developer. It is an efficient framework.
The Key Features
Virtual DOM is one of the most significant features of this framework. It helps upgrade development speed and ensures maximum usage of virtual memory to complete tasks.
JSX (JavaScript XML) makes it easier for developers to create the foundation or components for React applications.
With declarative UI, the developers can write easy-to-read code. It also makes identifying bugs and fixing issues easy.
As it is built using a component-based architecture, the data can flow through the framework without impacting the DOM.
Pros and Cons of Using React
Pros
Cons
Extremely easy to learn and use.
Poor documentation and fewer tutorials available.
Provides the necessary environment to test applications.
Used to deliver the application interface. It cannot be used for other application development aspects.
Reusable components make developing and delivering applications easy.
Virtual DOM enhances the performance of the application.
It is an SEO-friendly framework.
What is Vue?
This open-source JavaScript library is known as the progressive framework. Owing to the extensive community, this framework is continuously updated to meet the scaling demands of the developers.
The structure is a fairly simple model-view-view model, which is used majorly to create a front for web and mobile applications. It is also used for single-page app development.
The framework offers adaptable architecture that includes declarative rendering and component composition. As a result, it helps create useful and usable frontends.
The framework extends HTML syntax into reusable code to save time and money while developing applications.
The Key Features
It offers a data-binding feature that allows developers to create apps using minimal code.
Components enable developers to create custom elements to meet business requirements.
It uses directives such as v-if, v-else, v-show, and v-bind to improve client interactions.
The Vue-router feature enhances navigation and improves the user experience.
You can install this framework using the vue-cli command.
Pros and Cons of Using Vue
Pros
Cons
This is lightweight; so, it is fast and easy to install.
The community is majorly built in China, which is why most of the discussions occur in Chinese. This can cause a language barrier.
It offers an enhanced memory allocation.
There is limited to no support for large-scale projects from the community.
With this framework, you get a 19% faster startup time, which can improve usability.
Two-way data binding enhances code development and simplifies the application.
An In-depth Comparison between Vue, React, and Angular
Let’s compare the three frontend frameworks on different points to see which one stands out and when.
Community and Development
Vue: This community on GitHub has 35.1k stars, 764 watchers, 6.4k forks, and 375 contributors.
React: This community on GitHub has 8.6k stars, 213 watchers, 6.8k forks, and 1689 contributors.
Angular: This community on GitHub enjoys 86.2k stars, 3k watchers, 23k forks, and 1672 contributors.
Verdict and Reason: If we look at the GitHub ratings, you will notice that Angular and Vue enjoy good community and development backing. Vue completely depends on the community to develop the latest components, add new solutions or even create empowering solutions. Angular is backed by Google and the community, while a good part of React is dependent on Facebook.
If you look at community development, we can safely say that Vue is the winner among the three.
How it all Started
Vue: This framework was developed in 2014 by an ex-Google employee. However, the platform underwent a significant change in the years since its inception. It now has a GitHub repo, as the community mostly backs it.
React was developed by Facebook in 2013 and is used to create meta products (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp).
Angular: This framework was first developed in 2010 by Google and is one of the oldest JS-based web development frameworks. It was developed on the TypeScript platform.
Verdict and Reason: All three frameworks have significantly developed since inception and are at par regarding performance and offers.
License
Vue: It uses an MIT license and is an open-source framework. As a result, you can reuse the source code to build your application.
React: React is also based on the MIT license and offers extensive source code reusability
Angular: Angular.JS uses the MIT license, which allows the developers to reuse the source code
Verdict and Reason: All three frameworks can be used if you want to reuse the source code and publish custom applications.
Popularity
To determine this measure, we will use the recent StackOverflow survey.
Vue: 18.82% of developers use Vue to build their web applications
React: 42.62% of developers prefer to React for creating web and single-page applications
Angular: 20.39% of developers prefer using Angular to build applications
Verdict and Reason: As per the survey of the most popular developer community, ReactJs enjoys maximum popularity.
Vue: As it is a community-backed framework, it is less popular among developers. Limited modules and resources are available, so it is only suited for some business requirements. Hence it is rare in the job market.
React: This is more popular, considering Facebook backs it. Moreover, most startups use React to build their applications. With the rising number of startups, this framework has more opportunities
Angular: More complex and advanced business requirements are fulfilled by Angular. It is an expert’s framework. There is a niche job market for Angular applications development. The market is comparatively bigger for AngularJs in Angular vs AngularJS. Hiring Angular developers is important to deliver apps.
Verdict and Reason: React. Plenty of jobs are available, and all business types and sizes use it.
Migrations
Vue: While much is the same between Vue 1.0 and Vue 2.0, there is a migration helper tool that ensures quicker updates.
React: As stability is core to Facebook, React announces version-based updates. You can use the scripts such as react-coded to implement the version upgrades. These are the easiest ways to update an application Angular: This framework releases an update twice a year. The AngularJs developers have enough time to implement the updates and enhance the application. Verdict and Reason: React. This framework offers version-based upgrades and can be easily done without external helpers or tools.
Size/Load Times
Vue: The production size is 30.67kb, and the development size is 279 kb. It offers a fast-loading speed.
React: The production size is 109.7kb, and the development size is 774.7kb. It offers a nominal loading speed
Angular: The production size is 167kb, and the development size is 1.2 MB. It offers a slightly low loading speed
Verdict: Vue.Js is the winner as it is fast and lightweight compared to all the other platforms.
Components
Vue: Akin to React, Vue also uses components to design the UI and track the behavior. It takes the components one step further by allowing useful customizations that sync the user interface with the business’s needs.
React: In React, the components design the UI and determine the behavior or interactions.
Angular: The components in Angular are known as Directives. They are markers of DOM elements that can help create and track the behavior of the elements in the UI. They don’t help create the UI.
Verdict and Reason: VueJS emerges as a winner as it allows you to customize the components to derive the behavior and interactions needed by your user
Learning Curve
Vue: It is way easier to learn as it contains components from both React and Angular
React: There is proper documentation and guide that makes learning easy and efficient
Angular: This framework comes with a steep learning curve as you need to understand TypeScript and MVC to master Angular. You must hire Angular developers to benefit from this framework.
Verdict and Reason: React, as it offers a low learning curve plus the documentation needed to enhance the learning.
Ready-to-use Libraries
Vue: Vue has a great number of libraries. However, they are fewer than React. Vuetify is a popular library for this framework
React: There are extensive libraries available for React to plan your application and speed up development. Material Kit React 2 is one such library
Angular: Angular is a complete set of tools required to plan your application. You may need help finding the library needed to build an application with Angular. Paper Kit 2 Pro Angular is one such library that is extensively used.
Verdict and Reason: This framework has maximum libraries, and the community is working towards creating more pre-built and reusable components to add advanced code and interface elements.
Which Framework to Choose and When?
Here are all the use cases for the three frameworks. It will help you realize which frontend framework to choose when.
Use Cases for Vue
It is used when you have a smaller work scope and require maximum performance.
This can be used when you have JavaScript developers on the team. This framework doesn’t require hiring experts in Vue.JS.
It is best suited for native app development or single-page applications.
Use Cases of React
It is the best fit for accelerated deployment.
If you are building scalable and high-performing applications, React is your best friend.
It is good for mobile apps and front-end development of websites/web applications.
Use Cases for Angular
If you are working on a large-scale and complex application, you should use Angular. It is crucial to hire Angular developers with expertise in your niche for swift deliveries.
It is the best fit for web and hybrid applications.
Angular vs React vs Vue: Who Wins?
The framework war doesn’t end with the emergence of a single winner. It is purely based on the use case and requirements of your business. If you are building an application where performance is critical, you should use React. For interactive elements, React is the best choice.
Angular is best suited for complex and advanced app development. If you want solid backing from a community and a relatively low learning curve, you can choose Vue. However, you might face syntax issues if you don’t have an expert.
Conclusion
It is crucial to choose the appropriate framework to help release the business application. You should base your choice of tech stack on the business requirements, timeline, budget, and coding needs. Make sure to look for frameworks that give you ease of integration, maximum flexibility, and enhanced user experience.
Best Remote Team will support you with the hiring part. You can find resources of your choice within your budget in no time with our team. We offer flexible engagement models and provide excellent timelines too. Connect with our team to learn more about the hiring models and development strategy.
Jatin Savaliya
Content Marketing Specialist
I'm working with Best Remote Team, which is an India-based company that provides dedicated remote developers on an hourly and monthly basis. I'm a tech enthusiast and write content to give readers the lowdown on different technologies and their related trends.
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