Best Frontend Frameworks 2024

Selecting the proper frontend framework for your web application can significantly impact the success of your project! This guide explains the differences between the three most popular frameworks, React, Angular, and Vue, and also looks at Svelte, a promising newcomer among the Frontend Frameworks. We will explore their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal use cases to help you make an informed decision.

What do we mean by Frontend Frameworks?

A Frontend Framework in software development manages pre-written code, tools, and libraries designed to help developers build applications more efficiently. Frameworks provide a structured and standardised way to develop and deploy software, offering reusable components and predefined patterns that simplify common tasks.

In this article, we will discuss four well-used frontend frameworks. React, Angular, Vue, and Svelte are tools for building websites and applications.

They are unique because they only handle the part of your application you can see and interact with, like buttons and pages, not the server or database side (e.g. the user interface (UI) and client-side logic). These frontend frameworks use components to separate design from functionality, each managing its display view (design) and behaviour (functionality).

This approach enhances modularity and reusability in web development. Each works differently: React uses reusable components that update efficiently, Angular provides a complete framework for big applications, Vue is easy for beginners and integrates smoothly, and Svelte speeds things up by doing more work upfront during the build process. All are independent of the backend, meaning they can work with any server or database system.

These frontend frameworks use components to separate design from functionality. React and Vue often mix HTML structure with JavaScript/TypeScipt logic using JSX/TSX/VUE and templates, allowing developers to describe how the UI should look based on different states. Angular uses HTML templates linked to TypeScript classes for better separation. Svelte compiles component templates into efficient JavaScript at build time, integrating styles directly in the component, which can lead to faster performance and less code.

Comparison of Frontend Frameworks

Framework Overview

1. React: Developed by Facebook, React is not just a library but a robust ecosystem that excels at building dynamic user interfaces. Its virtual DOM and component-based architecture, which updates and renders UI components effectively, make it highly efficient and scalable for complex applications. A unique application for React is the ability to develop cross-platform mobile apps for iPhone and Android.
2. Angular: This full-fledged framework from Google is designed for building large-scale, high-performance applications. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features, including two-way data binding, dependency injection, and a robust module system. With its comprehensive approach, Angular includes everything from project setup to code deployment, using TypeScript to enhance development. Angular was initially released in a different version than the present version, and that version became known as AngularJS. The present version is part of a completely rewritten version launched as Angular in 2016. While powerful, Angular has been criticised for being a bit heavy, but with its latest version – Angular 18– it is becoming lighter.
3. Vue: Known for its simplicity and ease of integration, Vue is a progressive JavaScript framework ideal for developing lightweight applications. It combines the best features of React and Angular, providing an approachable and flexible framework that integrates easily with existing projects. It offers a gentle learning curve and is highly adaptable, making it a favourite among startups and small teams.
4. Svelte: As a newer entrant, Svelte shifts traditional paradigms by being a compiler rather than a framework, which leads to smaller bundle sizes and faster runtime performance. It compiles components into highly efficient JavaScript at build time, reducing runtime overhead and improving performance. It simplifies state management by integrating reactivity directly into its language.

Each frontend framework provides a structured environment and powerful tools to help developers build dynamic, responsive, high-performance web applications.

Key Considerations

Learning Curve

• React, and Angular require a steeper learning curve due to their comprehensive ecosystem and advanced concepts.
• Vue provides a more accessible entry point with its straightforward structure.
• Svelte offers an easy start, especially for those familiar with HTML and JavaScript.

Performance and Scalability

• React and Vue are suitable for handling high-load and dynamic applications with efficient rendering models. Both frameworks are known for excellent performance using a virtual DOM, which updates only the changed parts of the page, reducing the amount of work done and improving rendering speeds.
• Angular excels in enterprise-level applications requiring robust features and scalability. Angular improves performance through incremental DOM updates, lazy loading, and more efficient change detection mechanisms. It’s highly optimised for complex projects.
• Svelte offers outstanding performance by compiling components at build time, removing the need for a virtual DOM and reducing overhead at runtime. This leads to faster initial loads and smoother updates.

Ecosystem and Community Support

• React boasts a vast array of libraries and tools backed by a large community and significant tech companies. Microsoft provides a UI library that aligns with its fluent/fabric design systems.
• Angular offers a rich set of features that are out of the box and supported by Google’s long-term vision. Google also provides a sophisticated UI library that implements its material design.
• Vue has a vibrant community that contributes to a moderate but growing ecosystem.
• Svelte, while newer, is gaining traction due to its innovative approach and growing community.

When to Use Each Frontend Framework

• React is best for applications with dynamic interfaces, such as single-page and mobile apps requiring a scalable structure.
• Angular is ideal for enterprise-grade applications where consistency and reliability are critical.
• Vue is well-suited for new businesses and small projects that benefit from quick development cycles and easy scaling.
• Svelte is perfect for projects prioritising performance and low overhead, such as embedded systems or progressive web apps.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

Choosing between frontend frameworks such as React, Angular, Vue, and Svelte should be based on specific project requirements, team expertise, and desired outcomes. Of the frontend frameworks, React and Angular offer robust solutions for large-scale developments, while Vue and Svelte are excellent choices for projects requiring quick setups and performance efficiency. As you weigh your options, consider not only the technical capabilities but also factors like developer availability and future maintenance.

By understanding the unique advantages of each frontend framework, you can better align your project goals with the right technology, ensuring a successful implementation and scalable solution.

At Gislen Software, we work extensively with frontend frameworks, particularly Angular, React, and Vue. As I write this, we have not yet used Svelte. Svelte is an interesting, promising technology, and we included it here because it has a growing user community, especially among startups, and it may well take its rightful place among the leaders in the future. Please contact us to discuss how we can help you with frontend development.

Thanks to Aravind, Madhan, and Ebenezar for your reviews and feedback! Without your help I would not have been able to finish this article.

More reading

• React vs. Angular vs. Vue.
• Angular vs. React vs. Vue.
• Choosing the Right Frontend Framework: React vs. Vue vs. Svelte
• Some applications are still built on the old, obsolete version of Angular – AngularJS. Please read more about migration to newer frontend frameworks.