TOP JavaScript Frameworks in 2024

In 2022, JavaScript was polled by software developers as the most commonly used language. The first place is not inferior to other programming languages in the last 10 years and it is the choice of more than 65% of people. One of the main reason for its popularity is the versatility, because JS can be used for interface, internal development and software testing. Find the best JS framework for 2024 is not easy, because all of them have specific features of use, pros and cons. The choice is very large and it is important to focus on the exact project, its goals. In this article, let's break down the best options for 2024 as a list of the best JavaScript frameworks for UI, backend and testing.

The 7 best JavaScript frameworks for frontend development

For 20 years, JavaScript has been actively used to create interfaces. Popular choices include React, AngularJS and Vue.js. They are constantly competing with each other for primacy, but they remain in the top and will hold those spots in 2024 as the best frameworks.

React.js

It is considered one of the best solutions for interface development. Distinguished by open source, development of the creators of Facebook from 2011. Thanks to React, a breakthrough was made in terms of web development and laid the beginning of the applications we often see today.

The framework helps develop interactive user interfaces, often for single-page software. Great visualization, simple JSX syntax instead of JavaScript. Learning curve with support from a large developer community, lots of tutorials.



It has been ranked number one among the best interface frameworks for 8 years, ahead of Vue.js and AngularJS.

The advantages of working with React:

• Reusable elements. Developers can implement or reapply interface elements instead of writing new code.


• Ease of implementation. The feature makes it easy to integrate with other frameworks, which helps to achieve perfect software performance.


• Directional data flow. React.js has a top-down data flow architecture, so child elements don't affect parent elements and the code itself is more stable, free of bugs.


• Simple syntax. JSX JavaScript extension is used to work, reading, understanding and maintaining is much easier.


• Virtual DOM. It guarantees high performance by comparing the virtual DOM with the real one. This factor shows only the changed sections, not the full page.


• SEO. React.js is as SEO friendly as possible, making page crawling easier and faster.


• Continuous improvement. The framework is developing and refining all the time, with new features, including Hooks, Fiber, Concurrent Mode, Suspense, etc. This all reduces code, speeds up rendering, and impacts performance, which is what makes the framework the best in 2024.


• Strong support from the community. React has a community of 1600 users on GitHub and a large amount of tutorials available to anyone starting development.

Disadvantages of React:

• JSX can form a barrier to learning for new people.


• React differs from its competitors in its steeper curve.


• Complaints about poor documentation are not uncommon.

There are many sites based on React: Among the most popular are Dropbox, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Paypal, Snapchat, Twitter, Uber, WhatsApp.

AngularJS

The next JavaScript framework is AngularJS, designed to work with interfaces. The platform is from Google, is open source based on TypeScript and is suitable for single-page applications. The framework was developed in 2010, after the release of React all the shortcomings were seen and AngularJS from 2016 was completely rewritten. Today AngularJS is considered to be the safest solution among JavaScript interface frameworks. It is suitable for corporate software development, and among the giants that use it we will highlight Google, Forbes, IBM and Microsoft.



The main benefits of AngularJS:

• Component architecture, which appeared after the refusal of MVW. It simplified significantly the reuse of components in software, improved code readability and maintenance.


• Performance. AngularJS has support of caching and some other features which guarantee high performance of the server.


• MVC. This tool establishes key features, among which data binding, scopes. This approach provides isolation of the interface and application from each other.


• Two-way data binding. It helps to form a connection of different levels.


• Third-party integrations. A wide collection of integrations are available to developers to improve software.


• Community support. There is support from Google, a large community (over 1600 members of GitHub). Framework with good documentation, data libraries.

Disadvantages include:

• It is important to use TypeScript to work with. Although working with it has many pluses, but adds difficulties for beginners, which serves as a barrier to entry.


• For small applications, the framework may not be suitable because of its "weight", the order of 550-600 KB.


• Poor SEO, so if it is the basis of the project, it is better to give preference to React.

AngularJS is popular worldwide, famous resources based on it - Forbes, IBM, Lego, Microsoft Office, Xbox, YouTube.

Vue.js

Vue.js or Vue is one of the lightest frameworks suitable for creative user interfaces. It is distinguished by its open source, high performance. Many features have been adopted from ReactJS and AngularJS, but they have been significantly improved by the creator, which gives ease of use and a secure environment. The framework has two-way data binding and a "virtual DOM". Other pluses include:

• Simplicity is the main trump card, because any React or AngularJS developer can easily master it. The structure makes it possible to write more code with a tapeless syntax. HTML, CSS and JavaScript lie in a single file.


• Built-in MVC gives easy customization and high speed.


• Quick learning curve due to the lack of the necessity to learn JSX or TypeScript. Everything is done in HTML templates without complicated code.


• Optimal size as a key advantage, given the possibilities. Archived version will be up to 20 Kb, which is many times less than competitors from the list.


• The framework can be used not only for high-speed applications from scratch, but also for integration into existing software without any problems with the development of new components.

Among the disadvantages we can highlight only the community. It is small and does not have the support of Facebook or Google, similar giants in the market. On GitHub, Vue has more than 360 members. Among the famous sites based on the described framework, we can distinguish: Adobe, Apple Swift UI, BMW, Louis Vuitton, Wizzair, Zoom, etc.

Ember.js

Ember.js is a great option for developing scalable applications customized for business. The Model-View-ViewModel architecture is basic. Ember has a key feature that makes it one of the best frameworks - command line interface, which has a positive effect on performance.



Compared to the frameworks described above, Ember.js is the oldest, but it is no less effective in business and features a large user base, including Microsoft, LinkedIn, Netflix, Twitch and others.

The advantages of Ember.js are:

• Simple API structure.


• Using CoC approach, you can immediately start writing code and develop software without configurations.


• Good documentation with detailed description and support, availability of training materials, reference books for quick, easy mastering.


• A productivity tool in the form of the Ember CLI command line. It makes it easier to configure projects and create components, controllers through automatic generation.


• Inspector Tool, a tool (Chrome and Firefox extension) for real-time software monitoring and editing.


• Two-way data binding and backward compatibility with earlier versions.

There are also many disadvantages to Ember.js:

• Learning is difficult in comparison to Vue.js or React.


• Very complicated for large applications and hard for small software.


• Any deviation from classic programming actions can cause negative consequences.


• Does not attract new developers, has stagnated in recent years.

At the same time, the framework should not be written off, it has many advantages and opportunities. Well-known sites based on it - Ghost, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Netflix, Twitch, Yahoo.

Svelte

One of the best JavaScript environments based on TypeScript. It is characterized by open source and first launched the framework in 2016, causing great popularity. Today's developers believe that it is a revolutionary idea that significantly changes the method of software development.

Compared to others, Svelte has no virtual DOM. Instead of working with templates, components are created with simple HTML, CSS and JavaScript code and there is no need for high browser processing.



Only 3 years after its launch, the framework made the list of the best in JavaScript and became the most used, surpassing competitors Ember.js, Preact, etc. In 2022 came a big hit.

The advantages of Svelte are:

• Component-based framework, like React or Vue.js, but they are improved and it makes it easier to reuse components with code reduction.


• Easy to learn and has a smooth curve. Good for beginners. Reusable components are made with simple HTML, CSS and JavaScript code, learning TypeScript or JSX is not necessary.


• Small size.


• Good performance and fastest rendering.


• Optimization for SEO.

The disadvantages are the lack of tools for debugging software and a small community.

Alpine.js

Alpine.js is a minimalistic JavaScript framework designed for building web applications focused on interactivity and usability. It was created by Caleb Porzio in 2019 and has gained the popularity due to its simplicity and ease.

The Alpine API consists of 15 attributes, six properties and two methods. The goal of this framework is to provide performance augmented by subtleties such as:

• event organization


• central storage

Alpine.js has been compared to major frameworks such as Vue.js and React. However, it takes a different approach that makes static HTML templates interactive by enhancing its syntax with Javascript implementation.

Alpine.js features and concepts:

• Declarative syntax. Alpine.js introduces custom HTML attributes that allow you to declaratively add interactive behavior to HTML elements.


• Data binding. Alpine.js binds HTML attributes such as x-data, x-bind, and x-model to JavaScript data properties.


• Server-Side Rendering (SSR).js is a framework for projects where SEO and performance on initial load are important.


• Transition effects. It is possible to add simple transition effects when elements enter and exit the DOM using the x-transition directive.


• No build step. Alpine.js does not require a build step or package manager. It can be included directly in the HTML using the script tag.

Alpine.js is the best JavaScript framework in 2024 for creating small projects and working with static websites. It will also suit those who are just starting their journey in IT and want to become a FrontEnd developer.

Backbone.js

Backbone.js is a JavaScript framework that is used to develop single-page applications and support synchronization between client and server.

The framework was first introduced in 2010. In order to work with Backbone.js, you only need jQuery and one JavaScript library, Underscore.js.

Backbone.js provides building blocks such as models, events, routers, and collections for building client-side web applications. Backbone.js is used by more than 3.3 million developers and 1.2 million websites. This makes it one of the most popular JavaScript frameworks in 2024.

Benefits of Backbone.js:

• Simplified debugging and scalability. Backbone.js structures code in a more logical and scalable way using the MVC pattern.


• The Backbone.js core library contains only the models, views, collections and routers needed to build web applications.


• Simplicity. Each component is created and tested separately before being incorporated into the main program.

Backbone.js is required in the following cases:

• When developing a web application that requires a lot of JavaScript


• When you want to give the code structure and make the application scalable


• When a web application needs to work with jQuery to move around the DOM or create animations

Backbone.js supports Model-View-Controller architecture, which allows developers to separate business and GUI logic.

The model consists of the data and the logic for fetching data from the server; the view consists of the code that is responsible for the final user interface; the controller is the core application logic that is the link between the model and the view.

Top 5 best JavaScript frameworks for server-side development

JavaScript is the most versatile programming language in the world, which has caused such demand, success. With Node.js there is an opportunity to work not only with client development, but also the server side. Among the most in demand and popular consider Node.js, Next.js and Express.js, etc. Before making a precise choice, it is important to consider the performance, scalability, flexibility of the software and other factors. Let's try to break down the most popular JavaScript frameworks for the server side.

Node.js

A server-side platform, is open-source, suitable for most popular operating systems, and uses the Node.js JavaScript Engine V8, which allows code to run outside of the browser. With this framework, it manages to reduce page load time by up to 60%.

The advantages of Node js are:

• Performance is not lost when it scales.


• Ability to reduce software development costs.


• Improved efficiency of sites.

Disadvantages:

• Not recommended for programs that require a lot of CPU resources or perform multiple input and output operations.


• Node.js does not have its own way of multi-threading or parallel processing. The work is done in a single process.


• Possible development difficulties for inexperienced users.

Among the popular sites using Node.js we can single out eBay, Netflix, GoDaddy, Groupon, Uber, Walmart, etc.

Next.js

Next - SSR-server-side visualization engine, end-to-end rendering environment. The framework is built on the principle of doing it once and making it work everywhere. This makes it possible to develop applications for smartphones, web applications, desktop software and other kinds of software.



Pros of working with Next.js:

• SSR out of the box gives high performance.


• Optimization for SEO, allows you to create dynamic meta tags in headers.


• Automatic code splitting - the tool makes it easy to break software code into multiple packages. You can load them separately as needed without running all the code.


• Preload function.


• In case of changes, it automatically reloads the page with a hot code relaunch.


• Next.js will help to create websites, corporate software, smartphone software and other products.

Among the disadvantages, developers highlight weak performance compared to Gatsby and Nuxt. It will require a server-side part to provide the data.

Express.js

A minimal JavaScript environment for application development, creating APIs. Characteristic difference of the framework is fast server-side coding, so the most complex tasks can be solved in a few minutes. Additionally, there is a robust routing system for dealing with URLs.

Advantages:

• Extensive community support and excellent documentation with all the details, lots of tutorials and resources.


• Fast development capability, which simplifies the application creation process.


• Middleware for different types of tasks (code execution, making changes, etc.). Express has 5 kinds of middleware.


• Powerful URL-based routing and HTTP methods.


• Fast integration with databases (MongoDB, MySQL, and Redis).


• The most popular pattern engines (Pug, HAML and EJS) can be implemented in a few minutes and ready to go.

The disadvantages of working with Express include security, which directly depends on the quality of the written code and the developer's experience in these matters. The framework itself does not provide ready-made security solutions. It can be difficult for newcomers to master because of the lack of a clear and structured method of doing things. But for experienced users, it's an opportunity and freedom of action.

 Nuxt

A progressive product based on Vue.js ecosystem for developing powerful server-side applications. The framework combines Vue.js libraries and components, server-side renderer, metadata. Suitable for creating 3 kinds of applications:

• Single-page web applications (SPA).


• Server-side renderable web applications (SSR).


• Universal applications.

Advantages of Nuxt:

• High speed of installation and development using the initial template and creating it through the command line.


• Development of universal applications. JavaScript code runs on the client side of the server. These factors increase the speed of downloads, improve SEO.


• Code structuring out of the box and setting default main directories.


• Creating a static version of the application with better settings. This allows you to divide the main JavaScript code of the application into chunks and increase the speed, performance.

There can be problems when integrating custom libraries. When debugging problems can be difficult, there is little experience. Additionally, the disadvantages include scarce documentation, few good resources and a small community.

Gatsby

A modern and flexible framework which is based on React and GraphQl. Suitable for productive, SEO-optimized sites. Developers can pull information from any source (WordPress, Drupal, Netlify, Contentful, etc.) or API. Gatsby can't do server-side rendering, but generates client-side HTML content at build time. This factor gives better performance, excellent security and high SEO.



Let's highlight a few advantages:

• Performance at a high level. All sites on Gatsby will be three times faster than products from a different technology stack. Gatsby compiles automatically the best configuration, out of the box works with optimization, preloading and delayed loading, there is a fast rendering.


• Optimization for SEO. Content made by Gatsby is great for search engines, readable without hindrance.


• Ready-made PWA that makes a full-fledged application out of a website and improves the user experience.


• Support for a variety of data sources.


• High degree of security.


• Availability of a wide architecture of plugins for different kinds of tasks (analytics, work with images, site map development, caching, etc.).

There are a few disadvantages:

• Not used for large-scale sites for corporate clients. It is not suitable for stores, sites with a large amount of content or media resources. Building will take a long time and depends on the amount of content and the performance in this case greatly sags. Gatsby is ideal for small and medium applications.


• Some knowledge of React and GraphQl is required, though Gatsby is very easy to learn.

After studying the best JavaScript frameworks 2024, React is the easiest to learn when compared to Angular. It also gives a better chance of getting a good job. Among the most difficult basics of JavaScript is the Ember architecture, but after learning it you can easily and quickly develop client applications.

Top 5 best JavaScript frameworks for testing

JavaScript is often used for testing websites and applications. Many companies are starting to move to test automation, and the JavaScript environment is more often used for unit checks, integration tests and end-to-end testing. Below is a summary of the JavaScript frameworks that need to be learned in 2024 to effectively test finished products.

Jest

A Facebook development with a focus on simplicity. Features good support for automatic browser testing. Pros:

• User-friendly API.


• It's possible to work with screenshot testing.


• Tests are faster than other JavaScript testing environments due to the fast file system.


• Parallel running of tests.

Disadvantages include limited functionality, which is not suitable for complex tasks, additional libraries will be needed. Jest snapshots create an additional burden on test maintenance.

Mocha

A product that runs on Node.js and is heavily used for asynchronous testing. Tests in Mocha do sequences, the output is accurate and flexible reporting. BDD and TDD environments are supported for automation.

Advantages:

• Easy to develop test cases, suitable for all browsers, extensible through plugins.


• Ability to reduce the cost of tests and accelerate them through Express.js, Should.js and Chai libraries.


• Easy development of high quality tests.

The disadvantages include versatility, which is worse than other platforms, because you need to make additional and complex settings.

Storybook

A free tool for developing individual UI elements and tests. Pros:

• You can control how isolated components and pages are applied. Add-ons provide simulation of any components.


• Automation of basic processes for accessibility and visual testing.


• Selective testing during development.

Disadvantages include customization limitations, which can be extended through additional code and plugins. React and Storybook components double the load.

Cypress

A full-featured automated testing environment. Engineers can use unit, end-to-end, regression, or integration testing with the addition of organizing or combining results.

Benefits:

• Snapshots are available during the test.


• Support for all browsers.