Top 10 MERN Stack Projects in 2025

Aritra Ghosh

Dec 3, 2024 • 6 min read

Introduction

The MERN stack—MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js—emerged as one of the most popular web development technologies in 2025. With a powerful, full-stack JavaScript framework, MERN enables developers to build robust, scalable web applications easily.

Whether a beginner or an experienced developer, working with the MERN stack opens up possibilities for building dynamic and interactive web apps.

In this blog, we'll explore the 10 best MERN stack projects with source code that you can use to enhance your development skills and add impressive projects to your portfolio.

What is MERN stack?

The MERN stack is a collection of technologies used to develop full-stack web applications using JavaScript. It includes four core components:

1. MongoDB: A NoSQL database that stores data in a flexible, JSON-like format.

2. Express.js: A lightweight web application framework for Node.js, making handling routing and server-side logic easier.

3. React: A JavaScript library for building user interfaces, particularly single-page applications (SPAs), that provide a fast and dynamic user experience.

4. Node.js: A runtime environment that allows JavaScript to be run on the server side, enabling the development of scalable network applications.

These technologies form a powerful, end-to-end framework for building modern web applications. MERN is highly valued for its flexibility, scalability, and ability to create server-side and client-side code using a single programming language—JavaScript.

Best MERN Stack Projects in 2025 (with source code)

Here is a list of the top 10 best MERN stack projects from beginner to advanced. We have compiled a list of beginner and advanced MERN stack projects for you!

1. User Authentication System

A User Authentication System is a great beginner project for learning user sign-up, login, and session management. You will build a backend using Node.js and Express to handle user registration and login routes.

MongoDB will store user details, and passwords will be hashed with bcrypt. You’ll use JWT (JSON Web Tokens) to secure user sessions for authentication.

The front end, built with React, will allow users to create accounts, log in, and access protected routes. This project will teach you how to implement authentication and authorization using tokens, creating a secure environment for user interactions.

The desired outcome is a fully functional user authentication system where users can sign up, log in, and access specific features after authentication.

2. Movie Search App

The Movie Search App allows users to search for movies and view detailed information, such as the plot, ratings, and poster. The backend will be built with Node.js and Express as a proxy for API calls to an external movie database like OMDB.

On the front, you’ll use React to create a user interface where users can type a movie name in the search bar, view a results list, and click on a movie to see detailed information.

Axios or Fetch will be used to fetch data from the backend. The desired outcome is a dynamic app that allows users to search for movies, view details in an intuitive layout, and learn how to integrate third-party APIs into your application.

3. Real-Time Chat Application

A Real-Time Chat Application lets users send and receive messages instantly. You’ll set up the backend using Node.js, Express, and Socket.IO to handle real-time user communication.

The React front will display messages in a chat window, and users can send instantly displayed messages to all participants. Socket.IO will enable bidirectional event-based communication, allowing messages to be transmitted without refreshing the page.

The desired outcome is a fully functional chat app where users can join a room and chat with others in real-time, learning how to handle WebSockets and real-time data streaming in a web application.

4. E-Commerce Website

An E-commerce Website is an intermediate-level MERN project that allows users to browse products, add them to their cart, and complete the checkout process.

You will build the backend with Node.js and Express to handle APIs for products, user authentication, and orders, integrating MongoDB to store product details, user information, and orders.

The front end will be developed using React, creating a user-friendly interface for product listings, cart management, and user authentication. To handle payments, integrate Stripe or PayPal for secure checkout.

This project will teach you how to implement features such as product search, user sessions, and payment processing, resulting in a fully functional e-commerce site with authentication and payment systems.

A Social Media Dashboard allows users to view and manage multiple social media accounts in one place. The backend will be built using Node.js and Express, integrating with external APIs like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to fetch user data (posts, messages, etc.).

The front end will be built with React to create a real-time dashboard interface where users can see their posts, messages, and analytics.

You will use MongoDB to store user preferences and settings. The desired outcome is a platform where users can manage their social media presence, view analytics, and interact with posts, learning to work with external APIs and real-time data in a MERN stack application.

6. Online Learning Portal

An Online Learning Platform lets users sign up, browse courses, watch videos, and track their learning progress. The backend will be developed with Node.js, Express and MongoDB to store course content, user progress, and enrollment information.

React will be used for the front end, creating a smooth user interface where students can browse courses, watch videos, and track their progress. To handle video content, you can integrate a video streaming service or use AWS S3 for file storage.

The desired outcome is a comprehensive learning platform where users can engage with content, track their learning path, and interact with instructors. This gives you hands-on experience in building a complex, data-driven MERN app.

7. Real-Time Collaborative Document Editor

A Real-Time Collaborative Document Editor allows multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously, similar to Google Docs. Node.js, Express, and Socket.IO will power the backend for real-time user communication.

MongoDB will store user data and document content, while React will handle the dynamic user interface where changes made by one user are instantly reflected for others.

The project will require implementing real-time collaborative features, such as multi-user editing, text cursor synchronization, and version control.

The desired outcome is a fully functional real-time document editing platform that supports simultaneous editing and collaborative features, giving you experience with WebSockets, real-time updates, and complex state management.

8. Project Management System

A Project Management System is an advanced MERN project that allows teams to collaborate on tasks, track progress, and manage workflows.

You will build the backend with Node.js and Express, implementing APIs for project creation, task assignments, deadlines, and user roles. The database will be MongoDB, storing project details, task statuses, user permissions, and comments.

React will create a dynamic dashboard on the front end where users can view tasks, update statuses, and collaborate with teammates.

The system will include advanced features like drag-and-drop task management, role-based access control, and project timeline tracking.

The desired outcome is a comprehensive project management tool where teams can efficiently track, manage, and collaborate on tasks, providing you with experience in handling complex workflows and user permissions.

9. Job Portal with Admin Panel

A Job Portal with an Admin Panel allows employers to post job openings and candidates to apply for jobs. The backend will be developed with Node.js and Express, using MongoDB to store job listings, candidate profiles, and application statuses.

The admin panel will allow admins to manage job postings, approve applications, and track job listing statuses. The front end will be built using React, with features like job search, profile management, and application tracking.

The project will require implementing advanced features such as filtering job listings by skills, location, and job type and real-time notifications for job applicants.

The desired outcome is a fully functional job portal with an admin panel that allows users to manage job listings and applications, providing you with experience in building complex CRUD systems and real-time updates.

10. Online Streaming Platform

A Streaming Platform allows users to stream videos or music, create playlists, and share content. The backend will use Node.js and Express to handle content management, user authentication, and streaming APIs.

MongoDB will store user data, media files, playlists, and comments. For video or music storage and delivery, you must integrate AWS S3 for media file storage and AWS CloudFront for fast content delivery.

The front end will be built with React, creating a media player interface with features like search, playlists, and content recommendations.

The desired outcome is a media streaming app that allows users to view and listen to content, manage playlists, and interact with media, giving you experience in handling large file storage, streaming, and building scalable platforms.