If you are into web development, you must know that apart from HTML and CSS, JavaScript is also the key technology that is powering the modern web. The biggest advantage of learning and choosing JavaScript as your mainstream programming language is that it can work seamlessly for both front and back-end development.
Designed by Brendan Eich and released for the first time in 1995, JavaScript is an event-driven, multi-paradigm, dynamically typed, and prototype-based programming language. JavaScript has today become one of the most essential skills for web developers.
Whether you are an aspiring JavaScript developer or a seasoned developer with years of experience, you may need to learn the best JavaScript frameworks that are in high demand. In this article, we will present you with the list of 9 top-rated front-end and back-end Javascript frameworks. So, without further ado let’s get started!
Best JavaScript Frameworks for Front-end Development
1. React
Release Year- 2013
Latest Version – 17.0.0
Before discussing React, you need to know that React is not a JS framework but a library. However, due to the fact that React is at the apex of its popularity, it gives fierce competition to leading JS frameworks.
React or React JS is an open-source front-end web development JavaScript library developed and maintained by Facebook. Although it was made publicly available in 2013, it has garnered huge popularity in a short time span.
The biggest advantage that React offers is that it allows you to develop high-performance and enterprise-grade web apps with ease. Also, if you are well-versed with JavaScript, learning and mastering React would be a fairly straightforward task.
2. Vue.js
Release Year – 2014
Latest Release – 3.2.28
Although Vue.js is a relatively new JS framework in comparison with many of its counterparts, it has become popular today. Released in 2014, VueJS has become a well-known front-end framework among JavaScript developers.
Vue.js is an ideal choice for creating single-page applications. Evan You, the developer of Vue.js, was inspired by various features of AngularJS. He developed Vue while keeping in mind certain characteristics, including high-performance and a lightweight build.
3. Angular
Release Year- 2016
Latest Release – 13.1.1
Angular is currently among the most popular JavaScript frameworks, and it is widely used for creating single-page applications (SPAs) and complex web applications. One of the biggest reasons for the widespread popularity and acceptance of Angular is that it is developed by Google. Also, many people confuse Angular with AngularJS, however, the former is the successor of the latter. AngularJS represents versions 1.X.X while Angular represents versions 2 and above of the Angular framework.
One important thing to learn about Angular is that it utilizes the TypeScript programming language, which is a superset of JavaScript. While you can work with Angular using JavaScript, you need to get familiar with TypeScript to make the most out of the Angular framework for building modern and feature-rich web applications.
4. Backbone.js
Release Year- 2010
Latest Release – 1.4.0
Backbone is yet another popular JS library for developing client-side applications and single-page applications. The best thing about BackboneJS is that it is easier to learn compared to many other JS frameworks and libraries, such as Angular.
This JavaScript library doesn’t have a templating engine and this gives developers the flexibility to use tools of their choice. Also, Backbone reduces the need to write lengthy code as it focuses on making the server-side functions flow through an API.
5. Ember.js
Release Year – 2011
Latest Release – 4.1.0
Ember.js is another well-known framework for developing client-side applications. This front-end JavaScript framework is open-source and facilitates the creation of enterprise-grade applications. Also, EmberJS is an ideal choice for developing single-page applications that are easily scalable.
One of the notable things about Ember.js is that apart from being a web framework, you can use it to build mobile and desktop applications by making use of a hybrid app pattern. The first version of Ember.js was released back in 2011 and since then it has undergone several major improvements to meet the changing web development trends.
Best JavaScript Frameworks for Back-end Development
6. Express.js
Release Year – 2010
Latest Release – 4.17.2
Express.js or Express is probably the most popular JavaScript framework for back-end development. Also, Express is one of the key components or technologies of the MEAN stack, which is a JavaScript technology stack for developing modern, feature-rich web apps from scratch. ExpressJS is an unopinionated framework that works with Node.js to build server-side applications or the back-end for web applications.
With Express, you can leverage all the features of Node but you have to code less to implement the same functionality. In short, ExpressJS makes server-side or back-end development with NodeJS quick and more efficient. Also, the framework makes the debugging process easy and accurate.
7. Next.js
Release Year – 2016
Latest Release – 12.1.0
Next.js is another emerging back-end JavaScript framework that has become quite popular in recent years. This framework is based on the popular front-end development framework React.js and offers server-side rendering. Also, NextJS follows the Build Once, Run Everywhere principle that makes it a suitable choice for developing both web and mobile applications.
One of the remarkable highlights of Next is that you can use it to build progressive web applications (PWAs). Also, the framework is SEO-friendly, and thus ranking the websites and web apps built with it becomes easier for webmasters.
8. Nuxt.js
Release Year – 2016
Latest Release – 2.15.2
Nuxt.js is yet another JavaScript library for back-end development that is becoming more and more popular with each passing day. One of the key highlights of this library is that is largely inspired by the Next.js framework and is based on the Vue.js framework. It is an open-source library and is completely free to use.
You can use this JS library to develop feature-rich and high-performance server-side apps. However, it is important to note that Nuxt.js is not a full-fledged backend development technology. Thus, you can couple it with other web development technologies to build superior web applications.
9. Meteor
Release Year – 2012
Latest Release – 2.1
Meteor is among the best back-end JavaScript web frameworks, all thanks to its wide range of features that facilitate the development of modern and feature-rich applications. It is an open-source JS framework created using Node.js. The key highlight of MeteorJS is that it allows you to develop client-side as well as server-side applications.
While developing apps with Meteor.js, you can even use other JS frameworks like Angular and Express.js. Also, it can integrate well with MongoDB, thus it can easily fulfill all the database-related requirements of your server-side apps. By using Meteor, you can create full-fledged web apps with one single programming language, i.e., JavaScript.
To Conclude it All
The primary intention behind using a library or framework is to make the development process more efficient. Libraries contain pre-written code for certain functionalities that saves developers from reinventing the wheel. It means that you do not have to write code to add certain functionalities to your application.
On the other hand, frameworks act as a platform that defines certain rules to develop applications and come with support for libraries.
There are several JavaScript frameworks and libraries that JavaScript developers use to develop modern and feature-rich applications quickly and more efficiently. In this article, we have listed some of the most popular JavaScript web frameworks for front-end and back-end development.
Is your favorite JavaScript library or framework missing in the above list? Share it in the comments section below and also tell why you prefer that particular JS library or framework.
Hi! I am Pankaj, a full-time content specialist and a part-time programmer and marketer. I love to explore new places and also new ideas. I am an inquisitive person with a passion to learn new skills through every possible opportunity that comes in the way.