Table of Content:
What Are Front-End Frameworks?
Top 10 Front-End Frameworks For Software Development In 2022
For every business constructing a website, the user experience is paramount. Irrespective of the intricacy of the underlying operations and duties, the user's perception and experiences have to be flawless.
That is the guiding philosophy upon which some of the world's most successful businesses operate—Netflix, Facebook, and Instagram, to name a few.
Consider any of these websites; they are all strong, straightforward, and have an excellent user interface, thanks to the plethora of frameworks that operate under the hood. However, as consumer and market needs continue to grow, there is an ongoing push to improve usability and functionality. That is when issues begin to surface.
In this article, I cover the best frontend frameworks for web development. This way, you can quickly weigh their advantages and disadvantages, look at how each framework defines itself in its current state, and decide how you can choose one for your future development needs.
What Are Front-end Frameworks?
Front-end web development is a method of converting data to a graphic-based interface through the use of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, allowing people to engage with and explore the data.
While well-known backend frameworks like Django and RoR assist in the development of good logic and functionality, frontend frameworks such as Vue and React assist in the development of user accessibility.
Numerous web development platforms such as Joomla, WordPress, and Drupal, can be used to create the website's frontend. The distinction between producing a well-designed scalable site lies in understanding which technologies are most suited for specific jobs.
Front end developers take these things into account while implementing accessible strategies and technologies in the software development process. With increasing development for mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, designers demand that the site perform well across all browsers.
This may be accomplished easily by creating responsive websites using CSS style sheets. Performance objectives are primarily concerned with render time, with CSS, HTML, and JavaScript used to ensure that the website loads quickly.
Front-end frameworks, alternatively referred to as “CSS frameworks,” are collections of pre-written, homogeneous code organized in files and folders. They provide a foundation for development while yet allowing for design freedom.
Front-end frameworks are distinguished by the following components:
- The grid simplifies the process of establishing the site's design characteristics.
- Font styles that are well-defined and vary according to their intended use (differences in font between headers and body)
- Stable components of the site that have been pre-built, such as buttons, navigation bars, and side panels.
Top 10 Front-End Frameworks for Software Development In 2022
With all this in mind, let’s take a look at the top 10 frontend frameworks that you should keep an eye on in 2022 and beyond.
1. React
ReactJs justifiably occupies the top spot for the finest front-end library. React is maintained by Meta (Previously Facebook) and a community of companies and individual frontend developers.
Facebook was a fledgling application that required continuous updates and enhancements, making it difficult to fix and maintain the code portion. With the help of React, they were able to update the code very easily. The distinguishing feature of React is its excellent Virtual Document Object Model (DOM).
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
React is most frequently used to create single-page mobile and web applications, as well as server-side rendering. However, it is a framework designed exclusively to build or design a powerful UI. It's quite useful when you're tasked with creating an interactive interface for mobile and web applications due to the framework's component reuse.
On the other hand, JSX can be quite tough to learn for a beginner. Secondly, an understanding of JavaScript is required in order to use React. If you are unfamiliar with JavaScript, React is not the best solution for you.
2. Angular
Google launched Angular in 2016 as a robust frontend framework. Angular appears on every list of top frontend development frameworks as a complete dynamic solution. This is unsurprising, given the framework's superior efficiency and helpful functional capabilities, which include directives, filters, two-way data binding, and dependencies. Initially Angular 1.x came with an architecture of type MVC but later on Angular 2+ launched with an architecture of MVVM.
Large firms such as BMW and Forbes use Angular to build their apps, attesting to the framework's superior quality.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Utilize Angular to construct massive enterprise-level systems that require a sophisticated architecture and execute a variety of roles. Additionally, it is well-suited for progressive web applications and multi-page applications with dynamic content. Select this framework only if your web developers have extensive expertise in building complicated web applications, and avoid it for basic syntax and static content projects.
3. Vue.js
Next on my shortlist is Vue.js, a front-end framework for building intuitive interfaces, single-page applications, as well as complex projects following the MVC architecture. It was composed by Evan You and debuted in 2014. Vue has a devoted developer community, which is probably related to the fact that it seamlessly replaced AngularJS when it was redesigned to become Angular.
One of the top frontend frameworks on the list, Vue is owned and managed by a crew of around twenty engineers. While it is not supported directly by one of the internet's behemoths, many big tech giants such as Alibaba, Gitlab, and Adobe use Vue.
Vue likely offers the finest documentation of any framework on this list, and its communities are an excellent resource for receiving assistance with code challenges. Vue is also well-known in the PHP community, as it is included in the core of the Laravel framework.
One of Vue's selling advantages is that it was built from scratch with progressive adoption in mind. This implies that you may include Vue into existing websites to improve their usefulness, or you could just go all-in and create a fully fledged single-page application using Vue.
Vue.js makes use of an HTML-based theme syntax that enables easy binding of variables to the actual data model. Additionally, it provides one-file components that combine the template, JavaScript code, and scoped CSS into a single file.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Utilize Vue to build mobile apps for small and large scale, progressive web apps, and complicated single-page applications. Conversely, you should avoid using Vue.js for large projects, unless you have web developers with extensive web development experience with the framework, as the community may not always be able to assist with difficulties; the reliability of certain components could be in doubt.
4. JQuery
The JQuery framework has been out there for a considerable time now, having been developed in 2006. Despite its age, it remains popular and extensively utilized. Jquery is a pretty straightforward, fast, and feature-rich Javascript library. The framework eliminates the need to write extensive javascript codes.
The good news is that it is still in use and is constantly evolving into a prettier version of itself. With the creation of JQuery Mobile, it is now feasible to construct mobile applications simply, which was not possible before.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
If you're looking to create desktop-based JavaScript apps, JQuery is an excellent choice. On the other hand, JQuery is not recommended for large-scale applications due to the possibility of your application being too hefty because of the additional JavaScript code.
5. Emberjs
Emberjs, developed in 2011, is a component-based front end framework that, like Angular, supports two-way data binding. It is intended to smoothly manage the rising demands of current technology, and stands as a complete frontend solution for large-scale and complex projects. Emberjs enables you to develop complex mobile and web services while relying on its efficient architecture to address issues.
However, one of Ember's minor drawbacks is its steep learning curve. Due to the fact that the platform is still in its infancy and under-explored, the developer community is limited. Anyone who is not constrained in their ability to devote time to study can go for it.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
If you want to design modern apps like LinkedIn with a rich user interface, Emberjs is the framework for you. It includes all the necessary technical frontend capabilities, like the flexibility to monitor a wide variety of app conditions, thanks to Emberjs' superior networking.
Since this framework has a ready setup, helpful binding, and unique variables for rendering the page as needed, it serves as the entire frontend approach for large-scale applications.
Emberjs is not the best solution for a minimal development team due to the framework's complexity, which takes knowledge and functionality to resolve. Moreover, Emberjs might offer a higher initial investment cost, and the framework might not always be the optimal alternative for constructing simple ajax functions and creating a straightforward user interface.
6. Svelte
Technically, Svelte is considered to be a compiler, not a framework. Initially released in 2016, it has rapidly gained popularity since then and has already established itself as one of the finest front-end frameworks in 2022: a minimum of 10-15% of front-end developers recommend it, and over 3K websites have been developed using it.
Svelte is a component-based Typescript-written JavaScript framework that is well-known for being a lightweight front-end development choice and for requiring developers to write far less code than other frameworks. Further, it is largely adopted by many front end developers..
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
This front end framework may be an excellent choice for small app development projects. It is advantageous for beginning front-end developers since it employs simple syntax, does not involve DOM manipulation, and ensures that the browser is not overworked, hence speeding up your online product.
Conversely, Svelte may not be entirely appropriate for larger projects. At the very least, due to its lack of technology and a steady community, if you're already using Vue or React, moving to Svelte is unlikely to help your position.
7. Backbone.js
Backbone is a simple and compact front-end library that was first launched in 2010. It is centered on the Model-View-Presenter (MVP) and is intended to be used to create single-page applications.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Backbone is ideal for constructing dynamic client apps that require frequent server synchronization. Still, employ Backbone.js sparingly if you require all functionalities out-of-the-box or if your project team is unwilling to use extra extensions and plugins.
8. Semantic-UI
Jack Lukic invented Semantic UI, which was launched in 2014. It is a modern front-end framework which is functional with LESS and jQuery.
Semantic's goal is to empower developers and designers by developing a language for exchanging user interfaces. It employs plain language, ensuring that the complete code is explained on its own.
This frontend framework is a relatively new feature of the entire ecosystem. However, because of its appealing user interface, straightforward functionality, and capabilities, it has become one of the best frontend frameworks commercially available.
Freshers can readily acquire leading roles due to the uniform development process enabled by the combination of many third-party modules.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Semantic-UI is used to create extremely lightweight and fluid interactive user interfaces. However, when working with a group of novices who are unfamiliar with JavaScript, the Semantic-UI framework is not a recommended front end framework, since it requires the ability to create adjustments in the application without depending on the convenient utilities.
9. Foundation
As a viable solution to Bootstrap, Foundation is often used to create visually attractive websites, emails, and mobile applications that look great across a variety of browsers and devices. The initial release of the Foundation was in 2011, and the stable release in 2020. The framework is built using Sass, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
If your goal is to create a visually appealing, mobile-friendly website with a tailored user experience, adopt the Foundation framework. Avoid using the Foundation framework if your engineers lack experience with sophisticated customizations.
10. Preact
While React is the most prominent front-end framework, it does have certain drawbacks. As a result of these considerations, the idea was born to create a lightweight framework with the same functionalities as React. That's how a little version of React—Preact—became available.
Preact and React share identical API and development paradigms. Preact is significantly smaller in space and makes use of the lightest and fastest virtual DOM accessible.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Preact is a good choice if you want to construct a tiny application without extensive integrations that do a single task well. Nonetheless, Preact ought not to be utilized in situations when a high set of variables are required.
Technology Is Evolving
Technology is ever-evolving, and we never know, we may someday also have a framework that would be even superior.
Besides developing new frameworks, established ones are consolidating their position via periodic updates and the inclusion of new features. As a consequence, front-end developers will still have a diverse set of frameworks to master.