Web Development Frameworks for Startups: The Most Popular Options to Consider
Choosing the right programming framework for your startup or tech company can be a daunting task, given the multitude of options available. There are many variables and factors that need to be weighed carefully in the decision process.
The good news is that choosing a framework doesn’t necessarily come down to cost since there are so many open-source web development frameworks available. We’ve narrowed them down to the Top 12 for your convenience, ranging from Meteor.js and Node.js to Angular and RoR. If it’s mobile devices you’re after, React Native and Redwood come highly recommended. Vue.js and Express.js are also popular choices for faster development cycles. And don’t forget about Django or Laravel for added features and customization potential. We’ll explore all these different options below. Buckle up!
Table of Contents
Overview and Classification of Web Framework Architectures
Key considerations when choosing a web development platform include scalability, flexibility, ease of use, security and many more. Let’s see how different frameworks stack up.
#1. Model-View-Controller (MVC)
The Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture is the backbone of most web application frameworks. At its core, MVC has three essential components. The first is the Model, which houses all the backend business logic and data; then there’s the View which lets users display said data using the Observer pattern; and lastly, there is the Controller where initial inputs get sent; it processes through the model before coming back to view. In short, MVC provides a way for developers to separate frontend and backend code into distinct parts that are easier to update and scale.
Push-Based vs Pull-Based
No matter what kind of framework you’re using, it’s important to understand whether it uses a push or pull architecture.
In the former, the server sends out data and then the view layer renders results; this is what most MVC frameworks use. If you’re working with Django, Ruby on Rails, Symphony, Spring MVC, and so on, you’re using a push-based architecture.
On the other hand, pull-based architectures rely on the view layer to ‘pull’ from multiple controllers as needed – if you’re rockin’ Lift, Tapestry, JBoss Seam, or Wicket you’ll be familiar with this approach. Lucky for us there are even some super savvy frameworks out there that can manage both – Play, Struts RIFE, and ZK allow for maximum flexibility when developing dynamic web applications.
#2. Model View-View-Model
The Model View-View-Model (MVVM) design pattern takes things to the next level – it’s like a bridge between UI and application logic, allowing for a two-way data binding between the view and view-model. No need to worry about mashing messy frontend code with business logic, now you can keep your UI crystal clear! MVVM is particularly great for mobile applications where personalization and performance are important. It opens up a world of possibilities that wouldn’t be achievable by any other system.
#3. Three-Tier Architecture
Three-tier architecture is a great way to maximize efficiency and security. It divides up the different tasks associated with running a website into neat, horizontal layers, making it easy for each layer to be deployed, managed, and maintained separately.
With applications relying heavily on data in today’s world, having server-side access limited to the database tier makes everything that much more secure. Plus, by only allowing the application logic layer to rely upon web services in the lower layer, the whole system hums along optimally while being able to deal with any hiccups via its built-in resiliency.
Server-Side vs User-Side Web Frameworks
There’s a constant debate among web developers about which framework works better for website development – server-side or user-side. Server-side web framework options are the most popular and powerful, allowing developers to create complex and robust web applications with deep functionality.
On the other hand, user-side frameworks are lightweight and can simplify development if only a few basic functions are necessary. Both have their pros and cons, leading to a dilemma that every developer continuously ponders. The answer may vary depending on your needs and preferences, but either way, you’ll be able to find what you need amongst the most popular web framework options out there.
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Top 12 Open Source Web Frameworks for Startups
These days, the most popular web frameworks are available as open-source software, which means they won’t break the bank. From Angular to Rails, there are some great options out there when it comes to frameworks for websites and web applications. Don’t know where to start? Let’s explore!
Front-End Frameworks
#1. React JS
- Programming language: JavaScript
- Latest Version: 17.0
- Framework Link: https://reactjs.org/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/facebook/react
React is the preferred framework for many developers, and it’s easy to see why. It makes creating interactive user interfaces a breeze with UI components, and its code is easy to read and run. Its server-side rendering capabilities provide a flexible framework for quick, high-performance web applications and its Model-View-View-Model architecture allows for the construction of single-page web apps. On top of that, with React’s “learn once, write anywhere” principle, developers can build amazing web and mobile apps for multiple platforms in a short amount of time. All in all, React is no doubt one of the best frameworks.
#2. Node JS
- Language: JavaScript
- Latest Version: 15.3.0
- Framework Link: https://expressjs.com/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/nodejs/node
Node.js is one of the most popular web frameworks out there and for good reason. It’s powerful, it’s easy to learn, and it’s super flexible – so you can customize it however you need to get your website or web application up and running in no time. Plus, with its library of modules, developers don’t have to start from scratch when building their web app – they can just use the existing modules to speed things up. And if they need help along the way, they can easily access an active developer community that’ll provide guidance and support.
On top of all that, Node.js is highly scalable and efficient – giving websites and web applications with high traffic or a lot of data the power they need to run correctly without lagging. No matter what type of framework you are looking for, Node.JS has got you covered.
#3. Meteor JS
- Language: JavaScript
- Latest Version: Meteor 1.2.1
- Framework Link: https://www.meteor.com/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/meteor/meteor
Meteor JS is one of the most popular web frameworks out there as well. It’s easy to use and super scalable so you can develop web applications fast – no more waiting around for days on end. It uses Node.js so you’re able to write code that works on both the server and client side, plus you get nifty features like real-time data sync, a full-stack reactivity system, and an integrated package system right out of the box.
#4. Redwood
- Language: JavaScript and TypeScript
- Latest Version: 0.19.1
- Framework Link: https://redwoodjs.com/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/redwoodjs/redwood
If you’re looking for a framework to build your web application, look closely at Redwood. It’s one of the most popular open-source web development frameworks, and it packs a punch: React, GraphQL, and Prisma come together in this framework to make it a full-stack masterpiece. With its highly opinionated structure, you’ll be up and running in no time.
And if you need to add some features or do some tweaking later? Not a problem – Redwood has an extensible architecture that can handle any customizations you may have. Its top-notch performance and maintainability are unmatched.
Redwood is truly the framework for those who want their web apps to perform well and stay strong for the long run.
#5. Angular
- Language: Typescript/JavaScript
- Latest Version: 11.1.0
- Framework Link: https://angular.io/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/angular/angular
Why settle for a framework that’s just okay when you can have Angular? This framework is known to be the best solution for enterprises and complex projects, though many startups choose to build their platforms using the Angular framework from day one too.
One of the most popular frameworks for web development out there, this open-source framework helps developers create modern, interactive web applications – with the added bonus of being backed by Google. That means reliability, stability, and security when building your web projects. Its growing community of developers just adds another layer of stability and security to an already strong framework. Plus, its component-based architecture is highly extensible and versatile, giving companies and developers the flexibility to customize the framework however they want.
#6. Vue JS
- Language: JavaScript
- Latest Version: 3.0.0
- Framework Link: https://vuejs.org/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/vuejs/vue
Vue.js is another top choice when it comes to open-source web application frameworks. With its lightweight framework and exceptional usability, it’s no surprise that it has become one of the most popular frameworks for website and webapp development. Thanks to its easy scalability and robust performance, developers can create a wide range of custom applications with ease. Plus, its active community of contributors is constantly working on improvements, so you know you’ll always have access to the best stuff.
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Backend Frameworks
#1. Ruby on Rails
- Language: Ruby
- Latest Version: Rails 5.0.0.beta2
- Framework Link: http://rubyonr ails.org
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/rails/rails
Ruby on Rails is one of the best web development backend frameworks around, and it’s pretty easy to see why: it’s mature, robust technology, and packed with core features that make the development of robust web applications a breeze. Plus, it’s backed by a huge community of Ruby programming language developers who are constantly pushing it forward – so you know your framework of choice is going to keep getting better with time.
And don’t even get us started on customizability… With Rails, you can shape your projects to fit your exact needs. Plus, this framework is as agile as the day is long – you can be up and running in no time flat.
#2. Django
- Language: Python
- Latest Version: Django 1.9.2
- Framework Link: https://www.djangoproject.com
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/django/django
Django is quickly becoming one of the most popular web frameworks for developers and it’s easy to see why. Its simple, lightweight web development backend framework allows for incredibly scalable and secure web applications, perfect for any need. Thanks to its famed DRY principle, developers can save time by avoiding duplication of code. Plus, Django has a dedicated community that helps troubleshoot any issues you may run into.
Best of all, some of the world’s leading websites like Instagram, Disqus, Pinterest, Eventbrite, and Bitbucket have been developed using the Django framework – so you know it’s likely high quality.
#3. React Native
- Language: JavaScript
- Latest Version: 0.64.4
- Framework Link: https://reactnative.dev/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/facebook/react-native
React Native is the ideal backend choice for startups because of its low cost and time efficiency. It allows developers to quickly produce mobile apps with reusable components, while its open-sourced code and friendly Facebook community offer support. Furthermore, React Native is secure with features such as Android Keystore and iOS keychain services that protect data pieces and authentication keys. Lastly, because of its JavaScript base, experienced JavaScript programmers are easy to find.
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#4. Laravel
- Language: PHP
- Latest Version: Laravel 5.2
- Framework Link: https://laravel.com/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/laravel/laravel
Laravel is an open-source PHP web framework for developing Symfony-based web applications that follow the MVC architecture. It offers authentication support, simple APIs, cache backends, logging utilities, and testing tools. Its features include a template engine, Eloquent ORM, enhanced security with salted and hashed password modalities, and Bcrypt Hashing Algorithm. It is rated as one of the best frameworks to use for backend development.
Laravel development team is a great choice for startups and tech companies because it is easy to use, has a large and active community, and provides a wide range of features and tools. It is also highly scalable, making it suitable for both small and large applications. Additionally, its rich documentation makes it easier for developers to get up and running quickly.
#5. Express
- Language: JavaScript
- Framework Link: http://expressjs.com/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/strongloop/express
Express JS is a Node.js framework offering many of the more widely-used features of Node.js which can be utilized at different points in the program. It has an easy learning curve as JavaScript is one of the most commonly used programming languages, and developers can create both client-side and server-side applications in it. Express provides high performance with its V8 engine from Google to interpret code into machine language quickly. Furthermore, basic routing and sophisticated debugging systems are also included for fast server-side programming and identification of application bugs easily.
#6. Flask
- Language: Python
- Latest Version: 1.1.2
- Framework Link: https://flask.palletsprojects.com/
- GitHub Link: https://github.com/pallets/flask
Flask is one of the most popular backend frameworks available and provides an unbeatable combination of simplicity and flexibility. Developers with any Python programming language knowledge can quickly get up and running using Flask, and it provides options for optimal performance. Plus, its modular nature allows developers to create multiple Flask servers and web apps across web server networks for specific purposes – making the entire process easier than ever.
Benefits Of Using Web Development Frameworks
Web development frameworks offer a wide number of benefits to help streamline workflow and optimize efficiency when building software. From saving time to improving security features, here are three of the top benefits that these most popular web frameworks have to offer:
- Using framework templates saves developers precious time by providing useful functions, libraries, and other web resources that allow streamlined development.
- Framework-based code is typically better organized than free-form code allowing for improved scalability and maintainability throughout the course of projects.
Frameworks are designed with higher security standards in mind than custom code, meaning they often patch vulnerabilities faster than regular code.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Web Development Framework
Before you commit to any framework, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you want to look into the most popular frameworks and see how their features compare with your project requirements.
You’ll also want to think about scalability; as your website or web app grows, will this framework provide all the necessary tools?
Furthermore, don’t forget about compatibility; you’ll need a framework that can work seamlessly with other languages and packages.
Finally, make sure to research pricing and licensing – some frameworks come with hefty fees or have limits in place that could affect your ability to work smoothly.
All in all, you should have no problem finding the best framework given some time and research.
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FAQ
Building a web app can be an exciting journey – but it’s hard to quantify just how long it will take you to get there. It all depends on the complexity of what you are building and the resources (such as software developers) you have available.
Web development frameworks have revolutionized how web apps are created, mainly because developers no longer have to start from scratch and reinvent the wheel every time they need to build an application.
Separating out backend and front-end roles allows each developer to focus on their specific area of expertise, which can help optimize the development process. So if complicated integration and nuanced user experience are high on your project’s priorities then hiring both teams in tandem could be the right way to go.
TurnKey Staffing provides information for general guidance only and does not offer legal, tax, or accounting advice. We encourage you to consult with professional advisors before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business or legal rights.
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