Are you someone who’s looking to develop an efficient web application for your business? Today, you’ll need a tech stack to build an outstanding web application. We know that ensuring an intuitive UX, performance optimisation, and scalability while maintaining security is a tough nut to crack. This is where the debate between MERN vs MEAN stack development revives itself, again and again.
Of all the tech stacks available in the market today, MEAN and MERN are the two tech stacks that are quite popular among developers. While each of these tech stacks has its own pros and cons, choosing one for your business demands a comprehensive idea of the project requirements and the core benefits of these two stacks. A MEAN stack development company in London can be your top choice for building a scalable app.
It is quite frustrating to deal with all the technicalities related to these tech stacks. Isn’t it? It is a tough pill to swallow if you don’t have a technical or coding background. Worry not as we simplify these for you, enabling you to make an informed choice.
So, in this blog, we will explore the key differences between MERN vs MEAN stack development. Moreover, we will break the comparison down to the pros and cons of these tech stacks along with the real-world applications. Plus we will also provide insights on which stack to choose for what kind of projects. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Understanding MERN vs MEAN Stack Development
App development has evolved significantly in the recent decade. There are two sides to every web application we encounter on the internet: the front end and the back end. But, what exactly are those?
Imagine you’re on the internet and come across an application. The web design and the user interface you encounter in the form of data visualisation comprise the front end. But who manages the data you see? The backend of the web application. This is where technology stack development like MERN vs MEAN stack development comes into the picture.
A tech stack deals with a set of frameworks and tools that manage both the front end and back end, developing an exceptional web application that appeals to the users. Here, we will explore two popular technology stacks: MERN and MEAN. They both are JavaScript-based tech stacks.
MEAN (MongoDB Express Angular Node) Stack
MEAN is a collection of technologies named MongoDB, Express JS, Angular JS, and Node JS. These are Java Script technologies that help build robust web apps and websites. It is an open-source and free JS framework that entails built-in testing tools.
How does a MEAN stack contribute toward enhanced development?
All through an integrated frontend and backend framework using a single language i.e. JavaScript. JavaScript being the most commonly used language; around 70% of professional developers are using it. This reduces complexity in the development process, reducing development costs and time.
MERN (MongoDB Express React Node) Stack
It is an alternative to MEAN when it comes to MERN vs MEAN stack development. In this technology stack, the conventional Angular JS is replaced by React JS. How does that help? It makes the development cycle much more seamless and smooth as compared to the MEAN stack.
The replacement of Angular JS with React JS allows the developers to simplify SPA (Single Page Application) and mobile app development, as it can rapidly change data. This technology further enables the developers to create UI components for SPAs while allowing them to refresh or edit the page without a reload.
Do you want a highly scalable web application? MERN stack is the right choice for you.
Now that we have a basic idea about the two tech stacks we are considering, looking at the pros and cons can help you make an informed choice.
Pros and Cons of Each of These Tech Stacks
There is no denying the fact that every tech stack has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. As a business owner, you should be aware of these pros and cons to choose one that suits your project requirements.
Advantages of MEAN stack in MERN vs MEAN Stack Development
- Easy to Handle: As this technology stack leverages JavaScript (single language) throughout the development, the MEAN stack is much easier to maintain as compared to other stacks. This can simplify the development process, reducing costs substantially.
- Learning Curve: The learning curve for the MEAN stack is easier compared to other stacks. But, how does it impact your business app? In reality, plenty of MEAN stack developers are available on the market. So, you can get developers without incurring much cost for your project.
- Time and Cost: From the above two points, it is quite clear that MEAN stack development is affordable. Furthermore, its single language and simplicity can substantially reduce the time taken for development.
- Data Accessibility: Using MongoDB makes the development cycle more efficient, providing better data accessibility.
- Responsiveness: In this world driven by mobile devices, responsiveness is not an option; it’s a necessity. So much so, the global number of smartphone users will increase continuously between 2024 and 2029 by 1.8 billion users. Angular JS in the MEAN stack provides responsiveness to apps and websites, adapting to a plethora of devices with varied resolutions.
- Enterprise-Level Projects: MEAN stack is capable of handling enterprise-level projects due to the availability of a wide range of suFreactpporting extensions and libraries. This also leads to faster conflict resolution, eliminating the time losses in the developmental cycle.
Limitations of MEAN Stack
- User Interface Rendering: As MEAN leverages Angular JS, the two-way data binding can hinder UI rendering for changing and complex user interfaces. UI rendering is the process by which visuals are created for an app or website from the data. So, this reduces the overall aestheticism of the web app for your business.
- Rigidity: In MERN vs MEAN stack development, MEAN offers less flexibility as compared to MERN due to the usage of Angular JS as one of the JavaScript technologies. Though this rigidity is useful for certain cases the opinionated structure restricts the creative freedom of developers while structuring and organising web apps.
Advantages of MERN Stack in MERN vs MEAN Stack Development
- Dynamic UI: When it comes to the MERN stack, React makes the UI rendering adaptable to the rapid app changes and complexity, enabling the development of dynamic user interfaces.
- Single Language: Just like the MEAN stack, the MERN stack uses JavaScript throughout the development process, eliminating development complexity. This leads to a faster app development process and a quick time to market.
- Native App Development: If you are considering building a native app for Android or iOS operating systems, then MERN development is your go-to choice. This is because React JS is one of its technologies. For this reason, React JS development became the most used web development framework by developers until 2024.
- Enhanced Functionalities: In case you want to add a wide variety of functionalities to your business application, then the MERN stack can help. This is done by leveraging different open-source React JS components which is available in the technical market.
- Scalability: As a business owner, you know that every business scales with time. To keep up with the market, your web app should scale, too. React JS in MERN allows components to be reused, making the web application highly scalable.
Disadvantages of MERN Stack
- Complexity: React in the MERN stack is not a complete framework. It’s a library dependent upon third-party libraries and tools that increase its functionality. This leads to a complex architecture. On the contrary, Angular JS in MEAN, through opinionated, is a complete framework having a structured layout. How can this impact your app? The complexity will increase the development cost and time.
- Security: Although the MEAN stack doesn’t completely protect against cyber-attacks, using TypeScript provides a higher degree of protection from common threats. However, using React JS in MERN opens the application to more security risks, bugs, and errors. This can damage your business reputation while making it hard to attract and retain customers.
From the above insights, you can gauge the capabilities and weaknesses of MERN vs MEAN stack development.
But, where are the applications of MEAN and MERN stack in the business landscape?
You will be amazed to know that these technology stacks are being used extensively for popular web applications. Let’s explore some of the big names.
Real-World Applications of MERN vs MEAN Stack
The concept of technology stacks goes beyond mere theories, it transcends to useful applications in popular platforms.
Companies Using MEAN Stack
The MEAN stack is utilised by various reputed companies globally, securing reliable and outstanding applications.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that incorporates the MEAN framework for its development.
- PayPal: PayPal is a fin-tech application that processes payments. Therefore, it requires a highly secure, real-time app that is also intuitive. Its web application is developed using the MEAN stack.
- Intel: A reputed technology brand that designs computing components, primarily chipsets and microprocessors leverages MEAN for its data handling and processing.
- Accenture: An international consultancy firm like Accenture uses MEAN for its enterprise-level application.
The Weather Channel: This channel reports on weather and needs real-time data management for its app, so it decided to use the MEAN stack for development.
Companies Using MERN Stack
Certain reputed organisations and businesses leverage the MERN stack to create scalable and highly efficient applications.
- Airbnb: An American business that provides long and short homestays on demand. They leveraged the MERN stack to develop an app with a highly interactive user experience through engaging UI components.
- Uber: The multinational transportation service organisation uses Node JS to handle real-time requests.
- Netflix: Netflix, a popular streaming platform, leveraged the MERN framework, especially React, to allow modern and smooth UI for frontend development.
When to Choose What?
Now that we know all about MERN vs MEAN stack development, let’s explore the factors to consider while choosing one for the project.
Development Cost
Budget is a big thing when it comes to a project. As both MEAN and MERN stacks are free and open-source, you don’t have to allocate a huge chunk of your budget to the technology stack itself. However, you should consider other costs like the cost of developers (for the MEAN stack is low as compared to the MERN stack) and hosting fees along with other licensing fees related to specific libraries or tools. When considering all things, the MEAN stack is more cost-effective than the MERN stack.
Project Type
You must define the business objectives you want to achieve through your web application and also understand its scope. Only then can you choose between MERN vs MEAN development. You can ask yourself these questions:
- Are you going for a scalable and responsive web app?
- Are you looking for an enterprise-level app?
- What services or products do you want to provide through your app?
So, when should you opt for the MEAN stack?
When you intend to develop a large and scalable enterprise-level web app with intricate features, you can choose MEAN. For instance, you can develop an exceptional eCommerce web application with the MEAN framework.
And, when do you choose MERN?
In case, your business needs a fast, reactive, and interactive web app, leveraging React’s capabilities in MERN can help you achieve that. You can develop incredible real-time social media applications with MERN.
Flexibility and Scalability
While both these frameworks and tech stacks can build somewhat scalable web apps, MERN allows more flexibility. On the one hand, where MERN provides flexibility, MEAN can be an excellent choice for structured development.
User Interface in MERN vs MEAN Stack Development
In case, your app demands an extraordinary UI, then go for the MERN stack. This is because the MERN stack provides UI rendering that is smooth and seamless. Conversely, MEAN utilises a structured framework, managing data binding while updating the view. This provides a consistent user experience but is somewhat slow.
Maintenance
When it comes to MERN vs MEAN stack development, maintenance of the web application is also important. MERN stack is easily modifiable making it a perfect choice for SPAs (Single Page Applications). On the contrary, making modifications to MEAN-based websites is not that easy due to its structured nature.
Choosing the Right Stack for Web Development
So, in this section, we will provide you with the steps for choosing the appropriate technology stack for your project.
Step 1: Defining Goals
First, you have to define the objectives of your business application that you intend to develop. You can ask if your application is real-time or not. You also have to figure out if you need an infrastructural solution or a non-infrastructural one. Defining the goals early will enable you to make an informed decision.
Step 2: Considering the Audience
Next, you have to consider the audience you will cater to. In the end, they will be the ones using your web application. Undoubtedly, you should understand your target audience and their expectations. You can ask these questions:
- Does your web application have intricate interaction patterns as compared to the UI?
- Does it require a speedy web app with a design allowing the audience to navigate the app?
Step 3: Research MERN vs MEAN Stack Development
We have already mentioned all the important pros and cons, real-world applications, and what they are when it comes to MERN vs MEAN stack development. This will surely spare you the headache of researching them and you can make an informed choice based on our insights.
Step 4: Making the Decision
Upon comprehensive research, you have to consider the above-mentioned factors like scalability, flexibility, and development costs of MEAN and MERN frameworks. Ultimately, you have to make a decision about which one to choose for your business application.
Step 5: Experimentation
Before initiating development from a MERN stack development company in London or otherwise, you have to create MVP (Minimum Viable Product) with the selected tech stack. In this phase, you have to gather invaluable information from delegates. Plus, you should evaluate effects and outcomes while making needed rectifications.
Webskitters Ltd: The Best Web Development Company in the UK
In the trending debate of MERN vs MEAN stack development, none reigns supreme. They are an integral part of full-stack JavaScript development. Although these two tech stacks have similar functionalities, their implementation varies based on the project requirements.
In the current development market, MEAN and MERN hold immense promise when building scalable, engaging, and interactive web applications. Both of these tech stacks are highly reliable. However, it depends on how you leverage them to build an application that boosts your business success.
Have you decided on one for your project but don’t know where to start? Worry not, as Webskitters Ltd. is here to help!
Webskitters Ltd. is a leading MEAN and MERN stack development company that delivers reliable and scalable applications that showcase your business prowess. Our pool of experts unlocks MEAN and MERN stack’s capabilities to develop solutions that not only boost business success but also make you stand out among your competitors.
Are you ready to build something extraordinary together? Partner with us to boost your business potential to the fullest!
