Top 15 Frameworks for Web App Development in 2022

Top 15 Frameworks for Web App Development in 2022. With the progression of technologies and versatile online space for web development, the way to build a feature-rich application has become more complicated than before. In the evolving world, just being present online does not satisfy the customer as they want to see your business processes as per the latest trends.

To help you keep in line with customers’ needs, we have many web frameworks in the market. But choosing the right framework can be a tricky task. That’s why in this blog we will learn everything about web frameworks. So let’s get started.

What is a Web Framework?

A web framework is an application framework that is produced to support the development of web applications. Frameworks provide developers with the important tools and functionalities that determine the way to build an architecture of web applications, websites, APIs, or other services.

Web frameworks aim to automate the common processes involved in web application development. Some of the frameworks also provide libraries for database access, session management, templating frameworks and they also promote code reusability. Web frameworks are not only beneficial for dynamic web apps but also static websites.

Read: What is Container Security and How to Secure Containers?

Needless to say, frameworks have become an integral part of web app development. And using frameworks endorsed by other developers around the globe is a sensible approach towards developing rich and interactive web applications.

Read: Web Application Development Process

Frameworks for web application development are of two types, i.e., backend and frontend frameworks. And, in the next section, we will discuss some of the best frontend and backend frameworks that can be used for web development.

Top 15 Best Framework For Web Application Development in 2022

Here is the list of top best 15 frameworks for web app development in 2022 has never been easy and if you are new in the software development industry it becomes more complicated. A survey by Statista shows the percentage of mostly used frameworks by developers to help you pick the ideal one for your project.

Read: What are the Top best Tools for Monitoring Microservices?

Undoubtedly, React is leading other frameworks with 40.14% being the prominent choice of the software developers due to its ability to build complex and high-performing web apps followed by jQuery, Express, Angular, and Vue.js.

Read: API VS Web Services VS Microservices

So let’s get into the details of each framework listed in the Statista Survey.

1. React

React is a free, open-source JavaScript framework for frontend developers created by Jordan Walke at Facebook. React is an efficient, declarative and flexible library for building user interfaces that can lure any developer. With react, you can build complex UI using small, isolated codes called components. Each of these components can be built into a complex part of an application. React has been designed for gradual adoption so you can use it as much as you need. React also increases the UI components reusability.

Read: React Developer Roadmap

Apart from that, Facebook regularly updates React with new features and functionalities that are tested by over 2.8 million users around the world. Besides, it has 173K stars on Github making it a popular framework among developers. It is currently being used by Instagram, Airbnb, Uber and Paypal.

Some of its key features are:

1. Visual aid with JSX

2. Virtual DOM

3. Reusable and Declarative Components

4. Easy Learning Curve

5. Flexibility and Compatibility

2. jQuery

jQuery is one of the oldest frameworks out there and is still loved by the majority of developers. jQuery is a small, fast, feature-rich framework library for Javascript created by John Resig. It has been designed to achieve the aim of “write less, do more.” It is a cross-platform library designed to simplify client-side HTML scripting. jQuery makes tasks like event handling, Ajax, animation, document traversal and manipulation much easier with an API that works over a multitude of web browsers. With extensibility and versatility, jQuery has changed the way we used to write Javascript. That’s why more than 41 million websites work on jQuery. Some of the brands using jQuery are Udemy, Twitter, Bank of America, Uber, Twitter and JPMorgan Chase.

Read: RoadMap For Backend Developer

Key features of jQuery are HTML event methods, DOM manipulation & Element Selection, CSS Animation and AJAX Support, Extensibility through plug-ins, Utility Features.

3. Express

Express or Express.js is a backend framework for web application development that is based on Node.js. It has been introduced to develop backend web apps and APIs. Express.js provides a mechanism to integrate with “view” rendering engines for creating responses by adding data to templates, writing handlers for requests from HTTP routes, adding request processing middleware at any point in the request handling pipeline, and so on.

Read: The Roadmap To DevOps Developer 

With express.js, you can create server-side web applications smarter and faster. Since it has been released, Express.js is rising in popularity because of its minimalistic functionalities and robust features. Several brands are using express.js for web app development such as Accenture, Uber, Myntra, Paypal, MuleSoft and so much more.

Some of the key features include caching, templating, middleware support, flexibility, minimalistic, scalability, easy learning, low development and maintenance cost, and excellent community support.

4. Angular

Angular is a framework for creating efficient and advanced single-page applications, that is dominating the web frameworks list. It is a development platform that is built on Typescript and developed by Google. Angular consists of a component-based framework for developing scalable web applications; a suite of tools for developers to develop, build, test and modify codes; and a collection of well-integrated libraries.

Read: Angular Developer RoadMap

Using angular, you can scale single-page applications to enterprise-level applications according to the requirements. Currently, it is being used by YouTube and Google Translate. And it offers many features making it one of the most loved frameworks. Some of its features are two-way data binding, code reusability, Angular CLI, Tooling Support, Templating, Cross-Platform Compatibility, Fast Development, Open Source Library, High Security and so on.

5. Vue.js

Vue.js is a model-view-viewmodel, open-source, progressive frontend framework used for creating user interfaces. It is one of the best alternatives to React and Angular to develop SPAs and create visually appealing user interfaces. Vue.js is a progressive JS framework combined with features of React.js (Virtual DOM) and Angular (View Layer) making it one of the top list of frameworks for web app development. Along with the Electron framework, Vue can also be used for mobile and desktop application development.

Read: How to build a Web Application step by step?

Vue.js lets you extend HTML with directive attributes that offer enhanced functionality to applications.Vue.js also provides an adaptable architecture that focuses on component composition and declarative rendering. Features like routing, build tools and state management are made available in Vue.js via officially maintained packages and libraries. Some of the key features of Vue.js are CLI, Data Binding, Virtual DOM, Flexibility and lightweight. Brands that use Vue.js include Alibaba, Xiaomi, Laracasts, Grammarly, etc.

6. ASP.NET Core

ASP.NET Core is a framework that is used for developing web apps on the .Net platform. ASP.NET Core is the open-source version of ASP.NET that works on Linux, macOS and Windows. It has been designed to enable APIs, runtime components, compilers, and languages to evolve rapidly while providing a supported and stable platform to keep running the apps. Not only that, but ASP.NET Core also provides numerous lifecycle support to meet the app needs.

Read: Front-End Developer RoadMap

It has become the choice of developers due to its features like dependency injection, cloud infrastructure, Remote Procedure Call (RPC), cross-platform compatibility, testability support, multiple environment support, Razor pages, open-source and community-focused, etc. Some of the companies that are using ASP.Net Core for their web apps are Alibaba Travels, Slack, SpaceX, ViaVarejo, MasterCard and acuRx.

7. Flask

Flask is a micro, Web Server Gateway Interface (WSGI) framework that is written in Python. The reason why Flask is termed as the micro framework is it does not need certain libraries and tools. Flask neither contains any form validation, database abstraction layer, nor any other components that include third-party libraries to offer common functionalities.

Read: Design Patterns in Java

But it supports extensions that can help you add features to the application as if they were integrated into Flask itself. Some of its features include unit testing, development server, debugger, RESTful request dispatching, Unicode, Google App Engine, and much more. It is considered one of the best Python frameworks to build modern and robust applications. Brands that use Flask are Airbnb, Uber, Pinterest, and Netflix.

8. Django

Django is a free, open-sourced Python-based framework. The reason behind its popularity among developers is its ability to build highly scalable web applications. It follows a model-template-views architectural pattern. Django supports rapid development and practical design. From social networking web apps to news sites, this is the framework that works best for different requirements of clients.

Read: How to Hire a Web Application Developer?

Using Django you can take a web app from concept to launch in a matter of hours. It takes care of all the hassles that come with web app development and helps you stay focused on writing apps. It is extremely fast, fully loaded with features, secured, scalable, and versatile. Some of the features Django offers are security, asynchronous programming, scalability, battery included, Case Versatility, and so much more. Brands that use Django are Instagram, Mozilla, Pinterest, Disqus, OpenStack, National Geographic, etc.

9. Spring

Spring is a framework for enterprise Java that helps in application development. The Spring framework can be considered as a collection of sub frameworks like Spring ORM, Spring AOP, Spring MVC and Spring Web flow, called layers. Spring uses multiple techniques like Plain Old Java Object, Aspect-Oriented Programming, Dependency Injection. With these techniques in Spring, you can develop an application easily, while the complexity involved in developing enterprise applications are removed using EJB (Jakarta Enterprise Beans). It enables Java developers to develop reliable, simple and scalable applications.

Read: Java Developer RoadMap

Needless to say, it has become popular among developers due to its key features like Aspect-Oriented Programming, data binding, easy integration, testing tools, type conversion, Spring Expression Language (SpEL), i18n, validation, Java Database Connectivity, etc. Some of the companies using the Spring framework are Accenture, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and more.

10. Angular.js

Angular.js is an open-source Javascript framework for front-end web applications development. It is maintained by Google and a group of corporations and individuals. Angular.js is dispersed as a JavaScript file that can be added to a web page with a script tag. Some of the core features of Angular.js are data binding, interpolation, directives, views & routes, filter, forms, HTML compiler, expressions and directives.

Read: How to Test APIs?

The dependency injection and data binding of Angular.js removes much of the code that you would have to write otherwise. The ability of Angular.js to enable secure data binding to HTML components, and allow developers to create multiple modules for SPAs makes it a popular choice among developers. Angular.js is used by companies like Upwork, Udemy, Amazon, Google, Forbes and Deutsche bank.

11. Laravel

Laravel is an open-source, free web framework that is based on PHP. It is a framework with expressive and elegant syntax. Laravel aims to ease out common application development tasks like routing, sessions, authentication and caching. With Laravel, you can easily develop web applications without worrying about sacrificing their functionality. It is accessible and offers powerful tools to build large and robust applications. Laravel is an incredible collection of expressive migration systems, control containers, and unit testing support to help you build the application efficiently.

Read: Deploying Faster with Salesforce DevOps

Laravel has made its place in the top frameworks for web development due to the features it has to offer. Some of them are Intact Security, Authentication, Innovative Template Engine, Effective ORM, MVC Architecture Support, Secured Migration System, Libraries and Modulars and Unit Testing tools. It is currently being used by companies like BBC, 9GAG, TourRadar, Pfizer and CrowCube.

12. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails or Rails is a framework written in Ruby for web application development. Rails is an opinionated software framework that assumes there is the best way to do the tasks you have been assigned. It works on two principles - don’t repeat the code and convention over configuration.

Read: Event Sourcing and Saga Pattern in Microservices Architecture

Initially released in 2004, Ruby on Rails is still one of the most loved frameworks among developers and for good. Some of the features that Rails have to offer are automated testing, MVC architecture support, Easy to Learn Programming Language, and Active Record. Companies that use Rails are Basecamp, GitHub, Shopify, ZenDesk, Airbnb, SoundCloud and Twitch.

13. Symfony

Symfony is a PHP framework for APIs, web applications, web services, and microservices that comes with a library/set of reusable components. Symfony is based on MVC architecture. Symfony has 26k starts on Github. With its interoperability, resources, and permanence, Symfony has made its rank among the top frameworks for PHP developers. Key features of Symfony includes Model View Controller architecture, flexible URI routing, code reusability, session management, and error logging. Some of the popular brands using Symfony are Spotify, Vogue France, NatGeo Play France, and Swiss Open Government Data.

14. Gatsby

Gatsby is an open-source framework that is based on React. Gatsby helps in creating websites and applications. It provides the frontend team with the tools and technologies required to develop inspiring web experiences.

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Gatsby simplifies the way to improve performance, security, accessibility, SEO and integrations of a web application. Gatsby improves developer experience with its powerful features that make it one of the great frameworks. Some of its features are Webpack bundling, Plugins, Starters, React Packages, and Components. Companies that are using Gatsby are Stack, Snapchat, Tinder, Affirm, OxyLabs, Revolut and MAK IT.

15. Fast API

Fast API is a web framework that is used for developing RESTful APIs in Python. Fast API is based on type hints and Pedantic to serialize, deserialize and validate data. It also automates auto-generation of OpenAPI documents.

Read: What is AWS Comprehend?

The key features of Fast API like performance, speed, reduced bugs, better support from editors, robust production and standard-based APIs are what makes it the top web API development framework among developers. Some of the top companies that are using FastAPI are Uber, Microsoft, and Netflix.

The Bottom Line

Each one of these web frameworks has its strengths and weaknesses. Depending on the simplicity or complexity of the application you want to build, you can choose your ideal fit instead of going with whatever is at the top of the list. Using web frameworks not only simplifies the processes but also offers reusability, standard code practices and better testing and debugging capabilities with the tools and libraries it consists of.

Read: How to Build a Java Application in Visual Studio Code?

But if you are a business owner who wants a high performing, secured and user-friendly web application, you can hire developers who have years of experience and knowledge in the field.