Comparing MEAN Stack and MERN Stack for Web Development

Discover the MEAN and MERN stacks, two dynamic frameworks transforming web development. Dive into their features and differences, and find out which one suits your project best. Master the art of full-stack development today.

MEAN Stack Vs MERN Stack

Introduction

Do you remember playing with Legos, building structures with differently shaped pieces as a kid? That's how you can visualize the concept of stacking.

MERN and MEAN stacks are widely used for web application development. The key distinction is that the MEAN stack employs Angular in the front-end structure, whereas the MERN stack employs React Js for the User Interface (UI). On the one hand, MEAN is preferred for enterprise-level design. Whereas the MERN is opted for when applications are smaller.

MEAN Stack: What Is It and How Does It Work?

The MEAN Stack technology comprises a collection based on JavaScript used to create complex websites and online responsive and progressive apps. The team MEAN is a short form for MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js, and Node.js. Simply put, the MEAN stack accelerates and simplifies web development.

The MEAN stack is a free web and hybrid phone application development platform. The MVC or Model-View-Controller design underpins the framework, resulting in an excellent alternative for fast application development. Furthermore, it provides developers with accessibility to many tools and plugins that facilitate the web development process. The MEAN stack is used by many large firms, including Tumblr, Forbes, Shutterstock, YouTube, PayTm, and Flick, for their mobile applications.

Comparison between MEAN & MERN
Source

The MEAN stack's architecture can be separated into three sections: the database, the front end, and the back end. The front end is created with Angular, and the back end is created with Node.js and Express.js. In contrast, the information of a MEAN stack app is kept in MongoDB, a NoSQL database. This framework is robust and adaptable for developing maintainable and scalable modern online applications. A brief overview of each MEAN stack's each part is as follows:

  • MongoDB is a NoSQL database that stores information in JSON-style documents.
  • Express.js is a Node.js server-end framework that facilitates web app development.
  • AngularJS is a JavaScript framework enabling the construction of dynamic web apps on the client's side.
  • Node.js is a JavaScript server-end runtime that enables developers to create high-performance and scalable applications.

MERN Stack: What Is It and How Does It Work?

MERN stacks are essentially a variant of the MEAN stack tech, with the former employing the React JS framework for the front end while the latter employs AngularJS. MERN stack, similar to the MEAN, provides a set of databases, runtime environments, and frameworks based on JavaScript. This stack tech offers an extensive foundation for developers, and its popularity is fast expanding.

MERN Stack is a collection of cutting-edge technologies for developing high-end web apps. These apps are built with various libraries, databases, frameworks, and other tools. MERN is well-known for its speed, adaptability, and efficiency. It's an excellent solution for developing online apps requiring real-time updates and a modern consumer experience.

The four fundamental elements of MERN are integrated to make a two-way data transfer for the web-based application seamless. MERN's structure is simple; client-end code written in React.js is converted into static JavaScript, CSS, and HTML files that a website server can serve. The server-end code is written in Express.js and Node.js, and it exposes API endpoints that allow the front end to communicate with the database of MongoDB. A brief overview of each MEAN stack's each part is as follows:

  • MongoDB is a NoSQL database that stores information in JSON-style documents.
  • Express.js is a Node.js server-end framework that facilitates web app development.
  • ReactJS is a well-known client-end JavaScript framework for developing online apps.
  • Node.js is a JavaScript server-end runtime that enables developers to create high-performance and scalable applications.

Which is the Better Choice?

Now that you're acquainted with the two stacks let's get down to business: MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack. The architectural presentation will allow you to understand the fundamental distinctions between the two stacks.

The elements listed above are utilized in MEAN and MERN to develop a full-stack endeavor. They provide opportunities for a JavaScript web developer to create full-stack apps with an appealing interface for consumers to communicate with, allowing users to move across pages and react to activities seamlessly and on time.

The increasing usage of AngularJS versus ReactJS drives the growing adoption of the two stacks. For a while, AngularJS was the framework of choice, but React has recently surpassed it. Consider the 2019 HackerRank Developer skills report. According to the study, Angular remained the most prevalent web framework developers understood in 2018, with 30% of programmers surveyed saying they knew it. React came in second place, with 26% of the polled programmers saying they knew it.

In 2019, this changed. According to similar research, 30% of experts wished to explore the React platform in 2019, thus favoring it. A similar figure for Angular dropped to 20%, indicating that React gained popularity over Angular.

MEAN Stack vs. MERN Stack: The Final Showdown

Let us now look at the differences between MERN and MEAN stacks, along with some of the main components that will assist you in determining which is ideal for you based on the key parameters listed below:

Parameters

MEAN Stacks

MERN Stacks

Front-end Framework

AngularJS framework

ReactJS library

Technology

JavaScript framework

Open-source JavaScript library

Architecture

Model-View-Controller or MVC

Three-tier architecture

Backed By

Google Inc.

Facebook Inc.

Scalability

Medium

High

Data Flow

Bidirectional, meaning when the user interface is modified, then the state of the model automatically changes

Unidirectional, meaning the user interface can be modified only after switching up the model state

Developer Productivity

Better

Lower

Preference by Project

Preferred at any enterprise-level venture

Preferred for any swift development of smaller apps

Third-party Support

Provides various accessible features

Needs additional libraries to support similar requests

Performance

Helps in rendering and managing the code

Facilitates effortless rendering

Features

Moderate

High

Security

High

Medium

Learning Curve

Steep

Simple

Language

Typescript

JavaScript, JSX

Suitability

Bigger Projects

Smaller Projects

To Sum Up

Based on the comparison of both MERN and MEAN stacks, it is evident that each stack has its specific advantages and limitations. Although MERN stack technology has gained popularity because of its accessibility and simplicity, MEAN stack provides a wider community and a better-developed collection of technologies. The primary distinction between both stacks is in their architecture, with the technology of MEAN stacks being more suitable for applications on a larger scale and MERN stacks winning the battle for quicker creation of smaller apps.

Finally, both the MERN and MEAN stacks have strong support of third-party, flexibility, and scalability, making them suitable for developing substantial web applications. Remember to select the stack that most closely matches the project's requirements and complies with your experience. And if you need a little help with your coding skills for Web development, check out our full-stack web development courses in India.

More importantly, don't forget to have fun coding!

FAQs

Are MERN stacks enough for a full-stack developer?

The MERN stack allows developers to put their skills in a full-stack web development setting. In a nutshell, users receive all they require to build fully scalable apps directly in the stack, which includes the most recent front-end web development technologies and tools.

What is the estimated salary of a MERN full-stack developer?

In India, the average salary of a MERN full-stack developer goes up to Rs. 3.6 Lakhs annually.

What is the estimated salary of a MEAN full-stack developer?

In India, the average salary of a MEAN full stack developer goes up to Rs. 4 Lakhs annually.

Are there pay-after-placement courses available in India for a full-stack developer?

To improve your programming skills for web development as a web developer, check out our full-stack web development courses in India.

What is the estimated salary of a full-stack developer in India?

In India, the average salary of a full-stack developer goes up to Rs. 5.1 Lakhs annually.