MEAN VS MERN Stack: Key Differences, Components, Benefits & More

Since you’ve stumbled upon this post, you must have already ventured into the amazing world of web development. But you’re confused about which stack to use where, isn’t it? Choosing the right stack is a crucial decision as it determines the success of your website. Fret not! Now that you’re here, you’ll get the answers to arrive at the best decision for your upcoming web development project.

So, let’s dive deeper into MEAN & MERN stacks and know what they have to offer.

MEAN Stack
It is highly recommended to use the MEAN stack to build a feature-rich web app or website, as it is a free & open-source stack. Plus, it supports all the programs written in JavaScript. For client-side & server-side implementation environments, you can write all the programs in one language.

Key Components of MEAN Stack
• MongoDB
• AngularJS
• ExpressJS
• NodeJS

Benefits of MEAN Stack
• It is an excellent choice for developing real-time web apps
• Switching this technology between client and server sides is hassle-free
• Being cost-effective, it is the preferred choice of startups & SMEs

MERN Stack
This JavaScript stack is designed to ensure a seamless development process. It enables developers to work on the back-end and front-end without any hassles. With the use of its four, open-source Java-based technologies, developers can create visually appealing products based on practical application logic with database access. It simplifies and speeds up the full-stack development process.

Key Components of MERN Stack
• ReactJS
• NodeJS
• ExpressJS
• MongoDB

Benefits of MERN Stack
• The MERN stack embraces the complete development lifecycle by leveraging JS from front-end to back-end.
• It employs view controller architecture for a hassle-free development process
• It comes with the added advantage of an extensive range of testing tools
• It enables developers to learn JS and JSON for effective and efficient web development

Major Differences Between MEAN Stack & MERN Stack
The key differentiating factor between MEAN & MERN stack is the technology – Angular and React. While Angular has remained popular for a long time, React has recently gained a lot of preference in the development space. While the latter facilitates an improved documentation system, Angular has garnered the reputation of a comprehensive framework for its ability to boost productivity.

So how do you decide between the two? It depends on different factors like the size and scope of your web development project, timeline, focus on error prevention, productivity, performance, and long-term maintenance.

1. Size & Complexity of Project
If you’re working on a large, complex project then the MERN stack is the right choice. It ensures uni-directional data-binding for a better overview of data and makes it easy to manage large projects.

2. Performance: React can easily update the virtual DOM. This ability gives it a clear edge over Angular in terms of performance.

3. Productivity: MEAN stack is both cost-effective and time-efficient which makes it a go-to framework. Additionally, it makes upgrading codes much easier.

4. Preventing Coding Errors: If you are working on a web development project that is prone to errors, then you can count on the MEAN stack. It eliminates the chances of errors at the coding stage itself with the use of Typescript.

5. Future Modifications & Maintenance: Both React and Angular are equally popular for different reasons. However, recently React has become the first choice of many developers. This makes it evident that the demand for React developers is sure to increase in the distant future, especially for maintenance and web app modifications.

Conclusion
Advanced technologies have certainly made our lives easy, but the variety of stacks available has made it difficult for developers to choose the right one. Each stack comes with unique offerings and overlapping features and benefits. In the case of MEAN & MERN stacks, both have some similarities and are appropriate for different project types. It is your unique project needs and priorities that can help you decide the best stack for your web development projects.

If you’re interested in full-stack development and want to learn more, you can consider a hands-on training course in full-stack software development. Such practical courses are designed to include real-world development projects and cover all the key skills for a full-stack developer. You can learn from top industry professionals and make the most of their job assistance programs to land your dream gig at a top firm!