User experience is the number one priority for every business in the market today. As a developer, even the brief you get on your project talks about the simplicity of the user interface it is supposed to feature. No matter how complex functions and operations happen in the background, what users see and experience has to be seamless. That is the principle some of the most successful companies operate on—Netflix, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Take any of these websites, and you will find they are powerful, simple, and have a brilliant user interface. All thanks to the myriad of frameworks running under the hood. However, with the increasing demands of customers and the market, there is a constant need to push the quality in terms of usability and functionality. That’s when concerns start popping up. I’ve come across innumerable clients who are stuck in a dilemma when selecting the best front-end JavaScript frameworks that will quickly solve their problems. If you’re in the same dilemma and want to quickly select the best web UI framework, connect with Pixel Genesys’ experts to discuss and choose our frontend development offerings that suit your requirements.

Here, we shed light on some of the best frontend frameworks of 2024. So, for those of you wondering what some of the popular front-end frameworks are, here’s our recommendation.

What is a Frontend Framework?

The frontend of a website or a web application refers to its parts or components visible to the end user, such as layout, graphics, navigation, typography, the position of various elements, etc.

A frontend framework is a set of tools that enables you to leverage ready-to-use elements to develop the frontend of your applications. In simple terms, a frontend framework is like a scaffolding on which you can easily design and build the application interface.

Because frontend frameworks provide you with ready-to-use components, you don’t have to code for every element of the application frontend from scratch.

The State of Best Frontend Frameworks

The graph below demonstrates the relative popularity of frontend frameworks. We have focused on their usage in percentage for each year to determine their popularity. The top three front-end frameworks based on these parameters are React, Vue.js, and Angular. During 2016-17, these frameworks gained popularity among the developer community and are still at the top.

Besides these three frameworks, Svelte, Preact, and Ember are among the most popular ones in the community. While Svelte gained popularity during 2019-20 and has seen steady growth, Preact picked up in 2018-19 but fizzled out after 2020. Ember peaked in 2017-18 and then saw a steady decline but remained among the top six frontend frameworks.

Top Frontend Frameworks

The State of JavaScript concludes that React (64%), Svelte (62%), and Vue.js (53%) have received the most positive ratings among all frontend frameworks. React has the highest retention ratio, with 57% of developers planning to use it again, followed by Vue.js at 30% and Angular at 17%. However, when it comes to future prospects, Solid (46%), Qwik (46%), and Svelte (45%) are the top three frameworks developers wish to learn.

However, many frameworks have sparked little interest in the developer community. Amongst these, Ember (63%) tops the list, followed by Alpine.js (44%) and Preact (43%).

Let’s take a detailed look at the top frontend frameworks and evaluate their pros and cons.

1. React

One of the simplest frameworks to learn—React—was developed at Facebook to fix code maintainability issues due to the constant addition of features in the app. Now an open-source framework, React stands out because of its virtual Document Object Model (DOM), which offers exceptional functionality. It is an ideal framework for those who anticipate high traffic and need a stable platform to handle it.

As a technology consultant, I would recommend React for projects that involve building single-page web applications and PWAs.

Pros:

• Reusability of components makes it easy to collaborate and reuse them in other parts of the application.
• Consistent and seamless performance with the use of virtual DOM.
• React hooks allow you to write components without classes, making it easier to learn React.
• Advanced and super useful React dev tools.

Cons:

• Due to multiple and constant updates, documentation can be difficult to maintain, impacting the learning curve for beginners.
• Developers find it challenging to understand the complexities of JSX while beginning with the framework.
• React only provides frontend solutions.

When to Use React:

React is best for building user interfaces, especially for single-page applications. It is the most robust frontend framework for developing an interactive interface quickly since components can be reused.

When Not to Use React:

If you don’t have hands-on experience with JavaScript, React isn’t the recommended option. Also, JSX has a steep learning curve for beginners.

2. Angular

You cannot have a list of the best front-end development frameworks without Angular. Angular is the only TypeScript-based framework on this list. Officially launched in 2016, Angular was developed by Google to bridge the gap between the increasing demands of technology and conventional concepts that showed results.

Unlike React, Angular is unique with its two-way data binding feature, meaning there is real-time synchronization between the model and the view, where any change in the model reflects instantly on the view and vice versa.

If your project involves building mobile or web apps, Angular is perfect! Besides, you can also use this framework to develop multi-page as well as progressive web apps. Companies like BMW, Xbox, Forbes, and Blender deploy applications built with Angular.

Compared to React, Angular is not easy to learn. Though there is extensive documentation available, it is often complex and confusing.

Pros:

• In-built functionality to update changes made in the model to the view and vice versa.
• Reduces the amount of code since features like two-way data binding are provided by default.
• Decouples components from dependencies by defining them as external elements.
• Components are reusable and easy to manage using dependency injection.
• A vast community for learning and support.

Cons:

• Since Angular is a complete dynamic solution, there are multiple ways to perform tasks, leading to a steeper learning curve. However, its large community makes it easier to grasp concepts.
• Dynamic apps sometimes don’t perform well due to their complex structure and size. However, code optimization and best practices can improve performance.

When to Use Angular:

Angular enhances browser-based applications by dynamically updating content quickly using two-way data binding. It is the best choice for enterprise-based applications and dynamic web apps.

When Not to Use Angular:

Angular is a comprehensive frontend framework. If you are building applications with limited scope, you may not fully utilize Angular’s resources. Additionally, if you have a small team, opting for a smaller framework with simpler syntax is a better choice.

3. Vue.js

Vue.js is one of the most popular front-end frameworks today, known for its simplicity and ease of use. It effectively eliminates the complexities that Angular developers often face. Vue is lightweight and provides two key advantages – a virtual DOM and a component-based architecture. Additionally, it supports two-way data binding.

Vue is highly versatile, allowing developers to build web applications, mobile apps, and progressive web applications. It handles both simple and dynamic processes seamlessly. Despite being designed for optimizing app performance and managing complexities, Vue has yet to gain widespread adoption among major tech giants. However, companies such as Alibaba, 9gag, Reuters, and Xiaomi actively use this framework. Vue continues to grow in popularity despite limited adoption in Silicon Valley.

Pros:

• Extensive and detailed documentation
• Simple syntax, making it easy for JavaScript developers to learn
• Flexible app structure design
• TypeScript support

Cons:

• Instability in components
• Relatively small developer community
• Language barrier with plugins and components (many are in Chinese)

When to use:

Vue.js is recommended for projects requiring a flexible design structure. It is suitable for developing both small and large-scale applications from scratch.

When not to use:

Vue.js may not be the best choice for projects requiring a strong support community for troubleshooting. Additionally, applications that demand highly stable components may face challenges due to Vue’s component stability issues.

4. jQuery

Introduced in 2006, jQuery remains one of the most widely used front-end frameworks. Despite its age, it continues to be relevant in modern web development due to its simplicity and ease of use. jQuery reduces the need for extensive JavaScript coding, making it a convenient choice for many developers.

As a library rather than a full-fledged framework, jQuery is primarily used to manipulate CSS and the DOM, enhancing website functionality and interactivity. While jQuery was initially limited to web development, recent advancements such as jQuery Mobile have extended its capabilities to mobile application development. Its HTML5-based UI system allows developers to create native mobile applications. Moreover, jQuery is browser-friendly and supports all major web browsers.

Pros:

• Flexible DOM manipulation
• Simplifies HTTP request handling
• Facilitates dynamic content updates
• Cross-browser compatibility

Cons:

• Slower performance compared to modern frameworks
• Many advanced alternatives available
• Outdated DOM API

When to use:

Use jQuery for developing desktop-based JavaScript applications. It is ideal for event handling and animations while keeping the code concise and simple.

When not to use:

jQuery is not suitable for large-scale applications, as it can increase application size and complexity due to additional JavaScript code. Modern frameworks offer better performance, modularity, and component reusability, making them more efficient for large projects.

5. Ember.js

Developed in 2011, Ember.js is a component-based framework that supports two-way data binding, similar to Angular. It is designed to handle the growing demands of modern web technologies. Developers can use Ember to create complex web and mobile applications, benefiting from its efficient architecture.

However, Ember has a steep learning curve, making it one of the most challenging frameworks to master. Its rigid and conventional structure can be difficult for newcomers. Additionally, Ember’s relatively small developer community limits the availability of support resources. Nevertheless, developers willing to invest time in learning Ember can take advantage of its powerful features.

Pros:

• Well-organized structure
• One of the fastest frameworks
• Two-way data binding
• Comprehensive documentation

Cons:

• Small developer community
• Complex syntax with slow updates
• Difficult to learn
• Heavy framework for small applications

When to use:

Ember.js is ideal for building modern applications with rich user interfaces, such as LinkedIn. Its advanced routing system enables developers to manage various application states effectively. Ember provides a complete front-end solution for large-scale projects, offering ready configurations, flexible bindings, and custom properties for dynamic rendering.

When not to use:

Ember.js may not be the best choice for smaller development teams, as it requires significant experience and business logic expertise. The initial development costs may also be higher. For simpler applications requiring basic AJAX functionality or a lightweight user interface, Ember.js may be overkill.

6. Backbone.js

One of the easiest frameworks out there, Backbone.js allows you to develop single-page applications swiftly. It is based on the MVC architecture, where the View functions similarly to a Controller, allowing the implementation of component logic.

Besides, this framework can also run engines like Underscore.js and Mustache. When developing applications with Backbone.js, you can also use tools like Thorax, Marionette, Chaplin, Handlebars, and more to make the best use of the framework.

The platform allows you to develop projects that require different types of users, using arrays to distinguish the models. Whether for frontend or backend, Backbone.js is an ideal choice due to its REST API compatibility, which provides seamless synchronization between the two.

Pros:

• One of the fastest JavaScript frameworks
• Easy to learn
• Lightweight framework

Cons:

• Provides only basic tools to create the app structure
• Requires writing boilerplate code to facilitate communication between views and models

When to use:

Backbone.js is ideal for dynamic applications like Trello, allowing developers to build client-side models, implement faster updates, and reuse code efficiently. It handles updates dynamically, maintains the client, and ensures constant synchronization with the server.

When not to use:

Backbone.js offers a minimalistic approach to web application development compared to other MVC client-side frameworks. However, it can be extended with plugins and extensions. Teams looking for an all-in-one framework solution may not find Backbone.js suitable.

7. Semantic-UI

Despite being relatively new, Semantic-UI is quickly becoming one of the most popular front-end frameworks due to its intuitive user interface and ease of use. It incorporates natural language, making the code self-explanatory.

This means beginners can quickly grasp the framework. Additionally, it allows for a streamlined development process with integration into various third-party libraries.

Pros:

• Modern front-end framework
• Out-of-the-box functionality
• Less complicated
• Rich UI components and responsiveness

Cons:

• Larger package sizes
• Not suitable for beginners without JavaScript knowledge
• Requires proficiency for custom development

When to use:

Semantic-UI is perfect for projects requiring a sleek, lightweight UI with a modern design.

When not to use:

If your team consists of beginners with little JavaScript experience, Semantic-UI may not be the best choice, as it requires the ability to develop custom functionalities beyond ready-made components.

8. Foundation

Unlike other beginner-friendly frameworks, Foundation is designed for enterprise-level development of responsive and agile websites. Developed by Zurb, it is advanced and challenging for newcomers.

It offers GPU acceleration for smooth animations, fast mobile rendering, and data-interchange features that load lightweight sections for mobile devices and heavy sections for larger screens. To get started with Foundation, it’s advisable to work on independent projects to understand its complexities. Companies like Mozilla, eBay, and Microsoft use it.

Pros:

• Flexible grids
• Excellent for creating visually appealing websites
• HTML5 form validation library
• Custom user experience across devices

Cons:

• Hard to learn for beginners
• Fewer community support resources
• Less popular compared to competitors like Bootstrap

When to use:

If you need a well-styled, open-source, and mobile-friendly front-end framework, Foundation is a great option.

When not to use:

Not suitable for beginners due to its complexity and customization challenges.

9. Svelte

Svelte differs from other frameworks by shifting work to a compile step instead of running it in the browser, unlike React and Vue. It writes code to update the document object model (DOM) in sync with the application state.

Pros:

• Improved reactivity
• Faster than Angular or React
• Scalable framework
• Lightweight and integrates with existing JavaScript libraries

Cons:

• Small community
• Limited support
• Lack of tooling
• Not yet widely adopted

When to use:

Svelte is best for small app projects with a small team. Given its limited support community, it’s not ideal for complex projects.

When not to use:

Avoid using Svelte for large projects, as the framework lacks robust tooling and community support, making debugging and troubleshooting difficult.

10. Preact

Preact is a lightweight and fast alternative to React, with a compact size of only 3kB when gzipped (compared to React’s 45kB). It provides the same modern API and functionality as React while prioritizing performance.

Preact is compatible with React, so developers don’t need to learn a new library. Its thin compatibility layer (preact-compat) enables the use of existing React packages with minor adjustments.

Companies like IKEA, Bing, Uber, and Etsy use Preact for its speed and efficiency.

Pros:

• Smaller library code, leading to faster load times
• Highly interactive apps and pages load within seconds
• Portable and embeddable, making it ideal for smaller app components
• Powerful CLI for quick project setup
• Works well with many React ecosystem libraries

Cons:

• Small community support, not backed by a major tech company
• Lacks React’s synthetic event handling, which can cause performance issues

When to use:

Preact’s small size makes it ideal for web components, small web widgets, landing pages, and PWAs requiring fast interactivity. It is also suitable for small projects and prototyping.

When not to use:

Preact lacks some React features, so it may not be the best choice for large-scale projects requiring additional functionalities.

Conclusion

These are some of the best frontend frameworks based on experience ranging from MVP development to large-scale projects. Hopefully, this guide has provided insights into choosing the right framework for your project.

With so many frameworks available, it can be challenging to select the right one. However, almost all frameworks can be learned with some effort, even at the beginner level. I personally recommend consulting with experienced frontend developers at Pixel Genesys when selecting a UI framework for a project built from scratch.