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Building a mobile app is an endeavor that requires a lot of effort, you need to consider a lot of factors to develop the final product. One such important decision includes choosing the right front-end development frameworks.

It influences your software’s user interface and paves a path to structure all critical files. Any mistake here could cause multiple reworks and extended deadlines.

JavaScript is the best language to create an intuitive UI with various functionalities that allows you to create a web application that fulfils all checklists.

Three very popular Java frameworks that come to everyone’s mind is Angular, React and Vue. Two of them are JS frameworks and another a library. All three has some or other features that distinguish one from another.

We have compared Angular, React and Vue into various parameters to help you understand the differences and reach a conclusion.

What is the Angular JavaScript framework?

Angular is the oldest JavaScript framework built on TypeScript. It is best for creating single-page applications. However, it offers a complete scalability option that lets you develop an enterprise-level web app with a plethora of functionalities.

It belongs to the MEAN stack family, which is considered a gold mine for startups. To upgrade the performance of Angular JS, the platform launched Agular 2 in 2016. But now, you will only find the updated version, and all the latest projects are made using Angular 2.

Features of Angular JS

• You can build cross-platform applications that are installable across Linux, Mac and Windows.
• Offers varied components used to write and alter codes.
• It translates templates into code which speeds up the process of web app creation.
• Angular offers a “Component Router” that automatically splits the code and only load the ones required at that time.
• Integrate advanced animations with minimal coding through Angular’s API.

Users of Angular JS

• PayPal
• Gmail
• Microsoft office
• Forbes
• Samsung
• Upwork
• Deutsche Bank
• Forbes

Pros-

• It allows code-reusability, making it easier for developers to copy code from other applications into the current one.
• The platform allows parallel development coupled with MVC structure.
• Angular also promotes Two-way data binding.
• Faster loading time with split codes.

Cons-

• Angular JS lacks SEO capabilities, making it difficult for crawlers to make your web app reach the right audience.
• Due to its limited documentation, it has become quite a task to learn Angular JS. You would require extra effort to get off the learning curve.
• Angular JS lacks authentication. It neither ask your permission while using your data nor check the authorisation of the user.
• The platform is purely dependent on JavaScript, so any viewer who doesn’t have access to JS might not be able to read the web page.

What is React JavaScript Library?

React is an open-source, free JavaScript library that is used to build premium user interfaces. It was launched by Jordan Walke in 2011 and was first deployed on Facebook and the next year on Instagram. However, in 2013 it was out for public usage.

One crucial thing that set React apart is that it is a library, not the standard JavaScript framework. This means React contains a collection of pre-written JS codes, which makes the entire web app development process much more efficient.

The virtual DOM (Document Object Model) functionality lets you sync virtual UI with the real DOM through reconciliation. It follows a one-way data flow and uses JSX (similar to XML syntax) to access input data. This way, the developer can see the result with every step.

Features of React JS

• The JSX (JavaScript XML) integrated in React allows HTML and JavaScript codes to co-exist. It is not mandatory but is recommended by experts.
• React offers one-way data binding, which provides better control to developers. This is sometimes taken as a demerit of React due to its overdependence on the developers to create everything independently.
• The Virtual DOM functionality incredibly improves the performance of JavaScript. It allows you to write virtual components that can turn into real DOM to generate better performance.

Users of React JS

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Yahoo! Mail
• Netflix
• NewYork Times
• WhatsApp
• Codeacademy
• Dropbox

Pros of React JS

• React facilitates the library functionality, accelerates efficiency and provides you with pre-written codes that simplify app building.
• The integration of virtual DOM in React has allowed faster rendering. Developers can now make changes without worrying about the after-effects.
• Unlike Angular, React is extremely SEO friendly. While working with React, you don’t have to worry about getting discovered in front of your target audience.
• The learning curve of React JS is moderate. It offers a complete library of JS codes with efficient tools that make it easier for developers to understand the platform well.
• React follows “learn once-write anywhere” for both Android and iOS. With React Native, developers can reuse and elements without having to re-write.

Cons of React JS

• The constant upgrades of React JS are complemented by poor documentation. This makes it difficult for new developers to constantly learn new things.
• The integration of JSX is quite complex for many developers, and they recognise it more as a con than a benefit.

What is the Vue JavaScript framework?

Vue is the latest JavaScript framework launched in 2014 by Evan You. Unlike Angular & React, Vue is not backed by any giant company. The platform is managed by twenty developers, who are responsible for the efficient working of this JavaScript.

Vue follows Model-view-ViewModel (MVVM), which separates the Graphical User Interface (GUI) with models or back-end logic through GUI code or markup language. Integration of such functionality allows you to make changes between different layers of code without affecting one another.

Through Vue, you can create advanced user interfaces and single-page applications. The platform offers the best documentation, you will find all the required information in their resource guide.

Features of Vue JavaScript

• Like React, Vue offers virtual DOM. This will allow you to make changes in the code without affecting the parent DOM.
• Vue allows you to add all transition effects in the HTML code. It offers a built-in transition library to integrate third-party animations to enhance the user experience of the interface.
• You can easily integrate advanced transitions and animations. Vue contains a built-in transition element that allows adding 3^rd party animations library into the HTML codes.

Users of Vue JS

• Google
• Apple
• BMW
• Behance
• Dribble
• Trustpilot
• Zoom
• Namecheap

Pros of Vue JS

• The learning curve of Vue JS is simpler than all. Its objective is to minimise the developer’s effort and integrate codes that are just a few lines long.
• Vue offers advanced integration opportunities for developers. It can combine with other frameworks, including React. This gives extra customisation opportunities to frame the project according to their requirement.
• The support system of Vue is powerful. Their team will solve all your queries and develop bigger upgrades to make users’ experiences as smooth as possible.
• It follows two-way binding, making uploading components easier, and trackable.

Cons of Vue JS

• Vue is relatively a newer platform, thus lack the resources to handle bigger projects.
• Most of Vue JS coding is written in Chinese, making it extremely different for non-native speakers.
• Being in the devolvement phase, Vue lacks the support of essential plugins. You will have to resort to other options to integrate certain functionality in your web app.

Angular vs React vs Vue: Which one should you choose?

You should consider various factors before selecting any one from the lot, including-

1. Popularity

The popularity of JavaScript majorly affects the choice of selection. More people inclining towards a certain option indicates authority and good performance.

Amongst Angular, React, Vue; Angular is the oldest (10 years) and Vue the most recent (7 years). However, this doesn’t mean that their popularity is inclined similarly too.

People consider a number of reasons before choosing a certain option; thus, the popularity aspects can be depended on the following factors-

• Does the JavaScript framework/ library offer regular upgrades?
• Does it listen to the feedbacks of its community?
• Does it cut down unnecessary tasks and make work simpler?
• Does it satisfy the demand of the users?

There can be many such opinions that could affect the popularity of a JS.

In a study conducted by GitHub Gist with 65k developers to see the popularity of JavaScript in 2020. The results showed-

• React.js 35.9%
• Angular 25.1%
• Vue.js 17.3%
• Angular.js 16.1%

Not just this, if you check out the downloads of these three JavaScript, both Angular Vue receives just 1.5-2Lakh downloads. In contrast, Vue had over 8 Lakh download in 2020.

Verdict-

Most people have opted for React.js for their web app, giving tough competition to Angular.
2. Performance

The performance of JavaScript is an important element to consider before choosing any of the frameworks or libraries. While building a web application, performance can be measured through DOM (Document Object Model).

Among the three, Angular uses regular DOM, while React and Vue allow virtual DOM. Developers mostly love to work on virtual DOM to render changes without affecting the overall web app, which is missing in traditional DOM.

Verdict-

If you want to use virtual DOM, your preferred option should be either React or Vue. Angular JS doesn’t support virtual DOM as of now.

3. Scalability

All Angular, React, and Vue is an excellent option for smaller projects; however, growing your web app is much more complicated. Here, you require a robust JavaScript that lets you integrate the advanced functionalities necessary to scale up.

Most developers believe Angular and React as their go-to options for building scalable platforms. The core features offered in these JavaScript will let you build stronger applications that yield high results.

However, Vue lacks to provide the scalability feature and are limited to simpler single-page application. The platform lacks resources to build complex web apps due to its template-based syntax.

Verdict-

Angular and React would be great options in case you want to build a scalable platform.

4. Architecture

The architectural elements of all three Angular, React and Vue are very different. Both Angular and Vue are frameworks, whereas React is a library. It contains reusable components, which makes it easier for developers to create web app faster.

You can also customise the React elements according to your requirement, which is missing in Angular and Vue. The unavailability of this functionality makes the frontend in these JavaScript frameworks bulkier.

Angular, being the oldest JavaScript, follow the MVC architecture, which segregates UIs into three basic components: input logic, UI logic, and Business logic. This helps in the faster rendering of codes and bring more clarity.

On the other hand, Vue is a great mixture of Angular and React. It follows Model-view-ViewModel (MVVM) that segregates application logic with the user interface. The logic is so loosely coupled that you can make changes in any of the layers, and it would not affect the other components.

Verdict-

Like the other factors, we cannot declare any winner here. All three-follow separate structure that benefits a certain issue. You can go with the one that matches your web app need.

5. Upgrades
Another major factor to consider before making up your mind is the simplicity to upgrade. If you go with JavaScript that continuously changes its architecture, it could create havoc.

However, all Angular, React, and Vue doesn’t follow such mechanism.

Angular launches upgrade every six months; this gives enough time for developers to relearn the latest changes before depreciating the current APIs. In React also Facebook has assured architectural stability to its users. Vue has also come up with newer versions, but nothing major has changed.

Verdict-

The developer’s community promotes React as the best JavaScript if you consider upgrades as an important element.

What to choose now?

As we mentioned above, you need to consider several elements before choosing any one from the lot. Start by identifying your objective and go with a platform that does the needful.

Choose Angular if you want to build a highly scalable, complex web application. The learning curve of Angular is definitely complex; you will require enough time to go through it.

Many developers choose React because of its reusable components. Make sure your front end is not too complex, and you are aiming it to be a scalable application.

Vue will be a perfect option in case of a small project. It is extremely easy to use and is heavenly inspired by both Angular and React. If you need high performance and does not have the time to learn new technology, Vue would be much better than others.