Most Popular Web Frameworks for 2024

Web development frameworks are represented by a set of tools, libraries and rules. They simplify the development of a new application and other software. The frameworks give structure to the code, making it easier to perform common tasks. Many types of frameworks are available in the IT sector, which are necessary for server-side and client-side work. In this article, let's try to break down the most popular web frameworks for 2024.

What are the frameworks and why they are important?

A framework is a software platform for application development. The kit includes general functionality, the ability to add your own code to improve a particular piece of software. Developers with the help of a framework get a basis for deployment, creating software.



Such products may have compilers, additional software and tools, libraries, APIs. The importance of using frameworks for web development follows from this:

• Simplifying the creation of software, because there are ready-made solutions to perform routines, including routing, state management, working with requests, responses, etc.


• Improvement of code quality and standardization, which positively affects readability and overall quality.


• Security and availability of support, because many frameworks have built-in protection systems, and the community is often large and gives frequent updates, high reliability.

Software creation is a complex procedure involving tasks like:

• designing;


• coding;


• testing.

A framework simplifies the work of developers, speeds up the creation of applications and makes the control process easier through a single platform.

What is frontend and backend?

Frontend is the environment that people directly interact with. Interface products provide ready-made code variants that can be used as an off-the-shelf base, reducing the burden on programmers.

Some of the popular client-side frameworks include React, Vue, Angular, and Svelte. They are the most popular, each type has pros and cons, and the choice depends on the specific requirements of the project. React provides flexibility and is characterized by a large community, but the learning curve is too steep. Vue is easy to learn, but it has insufficient control compared to React. Angular is powerful but very difficult to implement. Svelte is characterized by novelty, innovative approach, but the ecosystem and community is still weak.

Backend - libraries of programming languages for working with internal software customizations. They include tools to help create tasks for authorization, security, routing and database operations. Their use helps to exclude the creation of the project from scratch and reduces the number of necessary settings.

For the server side, Express.js (Node.js), Django (Python), Laravel (PHP), and ASP.NET (C#) are often chosen. Express.js has a flexible and minimalistic approach, but requires more in-depth customization. Django gives a lot of features at once, but is difficult for small projects. Laravel is characterized by simple syntax, sufficient functionality, but performance is low for large projects. ASP.NET is a productive framework, especially for working with Microsoft products; among the disadvantages is a steep learning curve.

Current Trends in Web Development

React and Express.js are currently very popular among frameworks due to their flexibility and large community. Every year, the complexity of applications is increasing and JavaScript language is becoming more popular. Experts expect frameworks to be much more important than ever before, with new variations emerging to meet current requirements and technology trends.

The choice of a particular framework directly depends on the project objectives, requirements, resources and a number of other factors, among them development skills, time, etc. The right choice allows you to quickly create web stores that will have excellent functionality and beautiful design. The overall performance, security and success of the project also depends on the choice of a particular option.

The most popular web frameworks in 2024

Any web framework in 2024 is considered to be an integral part of developments due to the increasing standards of applications, other software and complexity of technology. For this reason, they are in demand all over the world and help in making clear, interactive and functional software in a small span of time. Let's break down the most popular web frameworks for 2024 that can fit any project.

React (Frontend)

React is well-known in the IT world under the names ReactJS or React.js. It is a JavaScript interface library, has an open-source code, which simplifies work with creating unique elements of the user interface. The framework has support from Facebook and some large companies. It is suitable as a base for creating software for mobile devices or for single-page software.



As the framework is only suitable for managing state and passing it to the DOM, it is difficult to develop full-fledged software without auxiliary libraries (routing, additional functionality).

Pros:

• High performance, full-featured, stable operation and availability of virtual DOM.


• You can reuse components, which makes it easier for specialists to work together or reuse elements in other parts of the software.


• Great replacement for writing code when working with React Hook.


• All tools are not only new, advanced, but also remain useful in 2024.


• There's a free syntax extension to simplify overall work.


• SEO orientation.


• The platform will provide developers with a complete set of components to build software.

React has secure and stable code. The framework is flexible on the web and smartphones, there is a virtual DOM. Developers opt for React due to its high speed and performance, ease of learning, extensibility. It is well suited for many libraries, there is an extension of JavaScript syntax, and debugging software is fast and easy.

Angular (Frontend)

One more candidate for the best web framework in 2024 for frontend. Angular is based on TypeScript and the creators are Google. The development is done to eliminate the gap between classic models that give excellent results and the rapid development of technology.



The relevance of the framework is preserved by the two-way data binding feature. In other words, data is synchronized in real time. The solution will be ideal for creating web and mobile applications, as well as developing scalable software or multi-page products. Some of the big companies using Angular include Forbes, BMW and Xbox.

Advantages:

• Availability of built-in functionality for instant real-time updates.


• High quality code due to the architecture.


• All elements are reusable, easy manageability.


• Easy to detect bugs and easy to fix.


• Ability to maintain the structure, clarity and crispness of the code.


• Google (LTS) support, large community.

Among the features and expressed characteristics are two-way data binding, cross-platform, use of MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. The framework guarantees high flexibility, exceptional performance for single-page applications, regardless of their size.

Vuejs

An open-source JavaScript framework that is ideal for creating single page applications, user interface. The entire framework is backed by the creator (Edwan Vuejs), and a strong community that is quite active.



Vue differs from other platforms in its simplicity and understandability, easily solves popular development problems that engineers using Angular may face. The framework makes it possible to do many tasks, perform dynamic and simple processes, including web and mobile applications, innovative software.

The platform itself is made for optimizing the performance of software, solving complex tasks. However, the framework is not very popular among other giants.

At the same time, the structure is already used by large corporations, among them:

• Xiaomi;


• Alibaba;


• Reuters.

In terms of the number of users for 2023, the statistics are increasing and gradually growing. Among the pros we will highlight:

• The simplicity of the framework is the main plus, because developers can get high results with the ability to code in a few lines.


• Codes are saved in a single file, require average costs.


• The framework can be integrated into other platforms, among them React.


• general usability and ease of learning. It is enough to understand the basic principles of CSS, HTML and JavaScript.


• Works with classic editors.


• All functionality is accessible and easy to use, and the software can be customized for any needs based on the project objectives.


• High flexibility, minimum limitations.


• Excellent documentation, large community with support and frequent updates.

Other features worth mentioning include the presence of built-in CSS transitions and animations, virtual DOM, and HTML-based templates. The syntax of the framework is simple, as well as its integration, which gives ease of understanding. Additionally, there is a Vue router for navigation between pages.

ASP.NET Core

ASP.NET Core is a web framework for building cloud applications. The first version appeared in 2016 as a reworking of Microsoft's ASP.NET. The goal of the web framework is to simplify the product development process through compactness and modularity.





Key features of ASP.NET Core:

• High performance. The framework has a new modular design that improves caching and optimization.


• Cross-platform. ASP.NET Core runs on both Windows, macOS, and Linux. 


• Razor Pages. This is a new programming model that makes it easier to create page-oriented applications.

Microsoft dropped "Core" from the name, leaving only ".NET." The first version to use this naming is ".NET 5", released in November 2020.

jQuery

Considered the earliest frontend platform, remaining relevant and popular in 2024, even as technology advances. The framework provides developers with a simple and lightweight environment to work in, minimizing the need to write large JavaScript code. In case of questions or issues, there is a large community that is always helpful.



The jQuery platform is suitable for manipulating DOM and CSS, optimizing interactivity and functionality of software. Previously, it was not possible to create applications for smartphones through this framework, but the latest updates have allowed scaling. They also allow native software deployment due to HTML5-based user interface. The framework works well with browsers.

The main pros are:

• Widespread use, which is due to its ease and simplicity.


• Easy to learn at the level of intuition, because the library is made using short and simple codes.


• Cross-browser.


• Powerful and clear syntax that simplifies the selection of DOM components.


• Compact, open source jQuery library.


• Interesting animations, effects.


• Fast page loading and highly extensible.


• Convenience for SEO and work with dynamic content.

The framework can be extended by connecting additional modules.

Ember.js (Frontend)

Ember.js is a JavaScript framework on a template system. This feature helps to create scalable single-page software by incorporating the best solutions into the framework. A few notable sites applying the framework are:

• Square;


• Apple Music;


• LinkedIn;


• Chipotle;


• Twitch.

Frequently, the platform is used for the Internet, but the framework will prove useful for developing applications for PCs or smartphones. The most striking example of this is Apple Music. Among the advantages, let's highlight:

• Fast development, which is related to the command line interface.


• Excellent performance.


• Two-way data binding.


• Availability of proprietary debugging tools.


• Clear documentation.


• Ease of integration with large-scale teams.


• Stability of work.

Ember.js development is based on HTML and CSS, while the framework itself is well suited for JavaScript application developers. The main functions are routes, and they also help with URL management. If the content of the application changes, the templates will allow for automatic model updates.

Django

A free Python-based framework based on the MTV model. The main goal of the platform is to provide a resource that will simplify the development of complex sites, applications under the control of databases. The focus is on pluggability and reusability of elements, small amount of code and fast development.



Python is actively used in software work, it is even used for files or settings. The framework provides users with a convenient interface for creating, reading, deleting and other works, there is a self-diagnostic function.

The main pros are:

• The framework is Python-based, so it is easy to learn and master.


• Django and Python are some of the best solutions in IT. They are used by Google, NASA and other large corporations, and are also used for the IoT and FinTech sector.


• a great number of features, including MVC layout, free API, support for different languages, AJAX, etc.


• Large and clear documentation.


• There is an administration interface.


• A large community.


• Scalability and customization options.


• High degree of security.


• Template system.

The framework is characterized by SEO support and gives high security to users. It has a universal nature and other advantages will help to develop new projects quickly.

Flask

According to Statista, Flask is among the top 15 most popular web frameworks of 2023. Along with Django, it simplifies the work of BackEnd developers by providing a platform for creating Python solutions.



Flask relies on an external WSGI library and the Jinja2 templating engine. It is an out-of-the-box framework that allows you to get started right away.

There are other advantages of Flask, such as:

• Flexibility. While moving the project in a different direction, rest assured that if you change any part, the structure will remain intact.


• Integration with other libraries. Libraries such as SQLAlchemy, WTForms, Redis are used in working with Flask.


• Documentation. Flask developers have provided structured documentation that talks about customizing templates, testing applications, signals, etc.

Organizations like Netflix, Reddit, CRED, and over 1150 other companies use Flask. As of this writing, the developers have released 54 updates. The project is evolving and may become the most popular web framework in 2024.

Spring Boot

Spring Boot is a Java framework used to create microservices. It provides tools for creating REST APIs, handling HTTP requests, and rendering views using templating engines like Thymeleaf.

Spring Boot provides the following features:

• Spring Boot starters. Configured templates for applications to save development time by installing required dependencies and configurations.


• Autoconfiguration. Configures components and settings based on project dependencies.


• Built-in servers. Runs applications using Tomcat or Jetty.


• Production-ready features. Provides metrics, health checks, and external configurations.

The framework also supports Spring Cloud, which provides features such as service discovery and load balancing.

Laravel

Another free PHP framework based on Symfony. Laravel is made for creating web applications based on the MVC model. Some of the interesting features include utilities that assist in software maintenance and startup, different methods of database access and a focus on syntax-friendliness.



Among the pros, we note:

• Simple solutions for implementing authentication, along with creating authentic logic and software access control.


• Ability to work with drivers for Mailgun, SMTP, SparkPost and other useful functionality.


• Support for cache backends, including Redis.


• All software with this framework turns out to be highly secure against cross-site request forgery, scripting and SQL injection.


• Automated testing and ready-to-use phpunit.xml file for applications.


• API with a wide range of different backends.

Other features of Laravel include built-in lightweight templates, a large number of widgets including JS and CSS code. Command tools are available out of the box, with their help facilitating the automation of programming tasks that are constantly repetitive.

Ruby on Rails

A server-side framework with MVC architecture. It makes it easier to work with XML or JSON, CSS, JavaScript and HTML for user interaction. In addition to the work architecture itself, special attention is paid to the application of well-known paradigms, among them CoC, DRY and the active write pattern.



The framework appeared in 2005, providing great opportunities for creating applications. In 2024 Ruby on Rails is still relevant and many frameworks in different languages often use the ideas of this platform.

Among the pros we should note:

• Completely free software with work on Linux.


• MVC centralizes the business logic of the software. 3.


• Easy change management.


• Availability of built-in security features.


• High performance.


• Flexibility, because the software can apply Rails backend and frontend features.

The Rails community is active, following updates and constantly working to fix vulnerabilities. It is easy to modify existing code with the framework.

Express JS

The backend web application framework for Node.js. The framework was originally freeware, suitable for working with APIs and web applications. It is characterized by a large set of functions in the form of separate utilities.



Express.js is a popular server-side element with a MERN, MEAN or MEVN stack, along with a JavaScript library. Pros include:

• Easy customization.


• Quick and easy software creation.


• The URL and HTTP methods help define software routes.


• Easy integration with Vash, Jade, EJS, etc.


• Availability of different middleware modules to fulfill additional purposes.


• Middleware - an element of the framework for database access.


• Uncomplicated maintenance of applications.

Server-side development is accelerated with Express.js. For developers, there is an improved routing mechanism and high-performance template creation tools for dynamic content.

FastAPI 

FastAPI is a Python-based web framework that emerged in 2018 to create an application programming interface. It is built on the Starlette web server and includes automatic data validation, error handling and interactive API documents.



FastAPI Benefits:

• Compatible with OpenAPI dictionary and JSON Schema, as well as OAuth 2.0 and external providers


• Builds GraphQL API using the Python "graphene-python" library


• Checks the data type even when using nested JSON requests