There are tons of web application frameworks available out there in the market. Choosing the best framework is one of the difficult tasks that you might face if you are new to development and seeking the best one.
Below is the list of best web application frameworks trusted by many popular websites and web developers across the globe. The best web application framework pick might vary from person to person considering different features, needs, and facts.
Best Web Application Frameworks
There are 2 types of web development; frontend and backend. Here, we will discuss the best of both worlds. In this article, we will list out the best frontend as well as backend frameworks.
Technically, ReactJS is a JavaScript library and not a web application framework, however, owing to its remarkable capabilities that easily outshine many other popular web development frameworks, it is listed among the best web application frameworks.
Created and curated by Facebook, React is a powerful option for developing fully functional user interfaces. It supports mobile development (via React Native) and offers cross-platform support.
Features:
- Flexible across web and mobile.
- Virtual Document Object Model.
- Easy to learn.
- Enhanced speed and performance.
- Highly compatible with other JS libraries.
- Stable.
- Unidirectional data binding.
Popular Companies Using React JS
Some well-known companies around the world are using the React framework. Some of the most notable ones are:
- Tesla
- Netflix
- Codecademy
- Airbnb
Google came up with Angular in the year 2010, however, the rewritten version of Angular, dubbed Angular 2.0, came up in 2016. This more stable version of Angular stole the limelight and gathered attention from several big tech players. To distinguish the two versions, the original one was dubbed AngularJS.
As Angular is from Google, it receives consistent updates. These updates add new features and improvements to the popular web app framework.
Features:
- Two-way data binding.
- Modular development structure.
- Typescript based.
- Easy maintenance.
- Great flexibility.
- High performance.
- Dependency injection.
Popular Companies Using Angular
There are many popular websites created using Angular, some of which you might even use on a daily basis. For example:
- The Guardian
- Forbes
- IBM
- PayPal
- Upwork
- Freelancer
Vue.js is yet another prestigious web development framework based on Javascript. It also has great capability for building amazing websites. Vue was created by a former Google employee.
The intent of creating VueJS was to fix many of the complexities with Angular. So, being simpler and versatile gives it a place on the list of best web development frameworks.
Features:
- Simple and versatile.
- Easy to understand.
- Small in size.
- Better compatibility.
- Organized documentation.
- Virtual Document Object Model.
- Brilliant transitions.
Popular Companies Using Vue JS
Many major companies have adopted VueJS for fulfilling their in-house web development needs. Some of which are listed below:
- GitLab
- Laravel
- Behance
- 9GAG
- Netlify
- Chess
- Aircall
Released in 2011, EmberJS is one of the most productive JavaScript frameworks. Moreover, it contains HTML and CSS. In 2015, Ember 2.0 was released with great improvement and stability. Thereafter, it soon became a well-known web development framework.
Features:
- Stable framework.
- Built-in functionalities.
- Better integration with web standards.
- Giant ecosystem.
- Provides instance initializers.
Popular Companies Using Ember JS
A few popular sites that are using Ember.js are:
- Apple
- Intercom
- DigitalOcean
- CodeChef
Backbone JS was created by Jeremy Ashkenas who is also behind the development of CoffeeScript and Underscore.js. It is one of the lightest web application frameworks available for frontend development based on the Model View Presenter (MVP) model. Backbone.js also supports various extensions.
Features:
- Auto updation of HTML code.
- Many extensions are available.
- Supports omitting tedious code.
- Allows developing compact web applications using jQuery.
- Supports backend sync for restful APIs.
Popular Companies Using Backbone JS
There are plenty of popular brands leveraging Backbone JS, including:
- Bitbucket
- Freelancer
- Amazon
- PayPal
Django is regarded as one of the best web application frameworks for backend development. It is a server-side, Python-based framework that provides ease and comfort in the development of complex and data-driven websites.
Moreover, it helps in creating highly functional web applications using Python. Django also helps to create clean and more readable code.
Features:
- Standalone server for development as well as testing.
- Compatible with most of the operating systems and databases.
- Follows the Model View Controller architecture.
- Enhanced security.
- Active community.
Popular Companies Using Django
Django is used by many giant companies around the world. Some of the most popular Django-based web applications are:
- Spotify
- Quora
- Firefox
- YouTube
- Dropbox
Laravel is a web app framework for backend development based on PHP, the popular scripting language powering the web. Created by Taylor Otwell, the web development framework is highly versatile. It can be used by anyone, ranging from a bootstrap startup to a fully expanded large-scale business.
Features:
- Database system support.
- MVC architecture.
- Easy to migrate.
- CLI-based.
- Built-in “Artisan” command.
- Modular systems and libraries.
Popular Laravel Web Applications
There are many well-known web applications developed using Laravel, such as:
- YouTube
- Hack the Box
- GitHub
- Bookstack
- Laracasts
ASP.Net provides the necessary tools to create various types of web applications. It expands the components of building some specific apps. Please note that ASP.NET and .NET are similar but not the same. While the former is a web development framework, the latter is an application development platform.
Features:
- Base framework for web requests in C# and F#.
- Web page templating syntax.
- Includes editors and tools.
- Libraries for web patterns, such as MVC (Model View Controller).
- Authentication system.
- Editor extensions.
Popular ASP.NET Web Applications
There are a lot of popular companies using ASP.NET, including:
- StackOverflow
- Microsoft
- GoDaddy
- Dell
- Visual Studio
- WildTangent
- Ancestry
Conclusion
So that concludes our list of the 8 best web application frameworks used and trusted by professionals and organizations around the globe. Choose one based on your requirements. Do you agree or disagree with our list? What names should or shouldn’t be on the list? Let us know in the comments.
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.