MEAN Versus MERN: Which Is Better?

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Photo by Brendan Church on Unsplash

JavaScript evolved from being a pop-up window reminder to application logic, front-end experiences, and even access databases. Popular platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo, and many more usually use JavaScript concepts to make their applications more user-friendly. Also, they use JavaScript to make them faster.

But, this article is not for JavaScript and its benefits. MEAN, and MERN have the main focus in here. First, let’s elaborate on their characteristic features.

It has been estimated that both stacks are easy to implement and, at the same time, offer great flexibility. When it comes to applications, they are built upon the Model-View layout, while MongoDb is one famous database also used in both. Back-end applications can be built with Node.js through the running of JavaScript on the server site. They also:

  • Use Express.js for managing HTTP
  • Cover full web development by using JavaScript
  • Support MCV
  • Have Pre-Built testing tools
  • Open source in frameworks
  • Have excellent teams backing them and vast amounts of documentation, examples and more

Both stacks are fantastic options, as previously stated. But the need for comparison is essential, and that is why it has also been stated below.

It is interesting that the choice between MEAN and MERN is a choice between Angular and React. Both are equally suitable for any application.

Here is a visual representation:

Angular is usually used in SPA that provides seamless UX and gives rendering the page without refreshing. Also, it implants complete open-source TypeScript. It is important to note that it is quite different from Angular JS, but it is rewritten from the same team that made Angular JS. Unlike React, Angular has Bi-directional data binding feature. Sadly, Angular does not have nor extensive documentation neither clear manual, so much time is needed for learning it.

React, for example, is a pure JavaScript product that is based on the library and can be unified into the code without problems. It has multiple approaches to lower numbers of DOM operation. That speeds up the update operations and makes it more efficient. React can assemble application components in a single time file. It has excellent support; thus, it is mostly used in mobile applications. It can be noted that a simple MVC framework as Rail needs configuration, and by integrating React.js, the development time and process will significantly slow down.

The main question is, what should one choose?

It usually depends on the development and functional requirements of the system that has yet to be developed.

For example, companies that already have multiple developers and want to go full-on enterprise product, Angular is recommended. Take LinkedIn, for example. MEAN stack is used there because they want to maintain the architecture even though the MERN stack makes UI rendering simpler. To be sincere, it is just a library and that quite good reason. Angular gives a well-organized framework and supports MCV architecture in which the database and UI code are separated with an intermediate layer. React only brings additional configurations when it comes to adding features while Angular, as previously stated, is more organized.

Companies are divided. Nike, HBO, NASA, and YouTube use Angular while Uber, Dropbox, Instagram, PayPal, and Netflix use React. These are just a few of them, of course.

Take in mind to ask your developer. It is essential to know your developer’s knowledge of React and Angular. Both are different, and those that specialize in Angular find React a little bit difficult.

At the end of the day, if you prefer traditional JavaScript, React is rightful for you, and if you prefer more opinionated frameworks and like organizational styles, then Angular is rightful for you. Both MEAN and MERN are useful and bring amazing JavaScript applications, and it is just a matter of preference.