MEAN vs MERN: Comparing the Two Most Popular Tech Stacks

It might be challenging to select the best technology stack to create a web or mobile application that does not matter if you are a developer or entrepreneur. But still, you have to choose between using the MEAN or MERN technology stack for your projects.

When selecting the best technology for your company, you must be knowledgeable enough to weigh the pros and cons of the MEAN vs. MERN stack. Therefore, you must delve deeply into similarities, contrasts, and benefits for thorough comprehension. Which further makes you choose one as per your requirement.

Let’s begin from the very start and understand in and out about the MEAN and MERN stack.

What is MEAN Stack?

The best method for creating websites and mobile apps is called MEAN Stack. Mean is a quick and simple JavaScript framework that is open-source and free of cost. MEAN comprises MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, and Node.js.

Why choose MEAN Stack?

The open-source framework provided by MEAN Stack allows for flexible code transfer, which lowers the cost of developing websites and mobile applications. Additionally, MEAN Stack delivers a basis for the quick building of scalable software and assists in developing MVPs.

Additionally, Mean Stack offers a variety of frameworks, libraries, and reusable modules within Stack to benefit businesses in terms of accelerating development. As a result of its cheaper development costs and quicker development cycle, the MEAN Stack is perfect for start-ups.

What is MERN Stack?

MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.js are collectively referred to as MERN. It is another open-source framework that streamlines and accelerates development as well as is an ideal platform for developing hybrid web and mobile apps.

Why choose MERN Stack?

The JavaScript code for the MERN Stack eliminates the requirement for context switching. The MERN Stack component React.js performs better for UI layer abstraction. MERN provides a library with an accessible interface that enables programmers to run code fast and supports the simple development process of the MVC architecture. A huge dynamic JSON data set that can be easily navigated between the front end and the back end is also the best to control and update.

MEAN v/s MERN Stack: which one to choose?

The most significant difference between the MEAN and MERN stacks is that the React and Angular frameworks have equivalent upsides and downsides. The two most prominent companies in the sector, Google Inc. and Facebook Inc. support Angular and React JS, respectively. Therefore, selecting one can be difficult.

– Third-Party Assistance

Using third-party libraries is another excellent idea to consider when developing enterprise-level apps. MEAN includes Angular, which has built-in capabilities for integrating with the backend and supporting HTTP calls.

Nevertheless, ReactJS has substitute libraries for integrating functionalities of a similar nature. MERN requires additional setups to execute a similar function, whereas MEAN handles third-party extensions in a plug-and-play manner.

– MVC Support

If you’re creating an enterprise-level application, you need to maintain a complete architecture. Because of this, you must select the MEAN stack rather than the MERN stack.

By choosing this, you can benefit from the Model-View-Controller architecture. However, if you handle the code easily, you can choose the MEAN stack.

– Mobile App Development

Angular offers the Ionic framework, which enables you to create hybrid mobile applications for mobile app development.

Since you need one codebase to produce these apps for Android and iOS, development costs are kept to a minimum.

Hybrid programs, however, degrade the native user experience. The MERN stack is a better choice for developing mobile apps since it offers a nearly native user experience.

– Performance

DOM is updated by Angular, which is used by the MEAN stack (Document Object Model). The programming interface for XML and HTML documents is called DOM. However, MERN makes use of React, which updates the virtual DOM. As a result, MERN allows you to code apps more quickly.

No framework can therefore address business purposes. To acquire a better result and achieve your business goals, you need to do a study on every feature, match them with the fast development needs, and make intelligent choices.

– Testing

React app testers’ experience is distinct from that of angular app testers. This will generally affect whether you prefer the MEAN stack or the MERN stack. An Angular project can be readily tested using just one tool, such as Jasmine.

The situation with a React app, where you must use numerous tools, is different. You must test the JS code using a tool like Jest, whereas you may need to test the elements using a tool like Enzyme. When utilizing React to create your project, you may use a lot of third-party libraries; as a result, your testing effort is amazing.

– Learning Curve

Express.js, MongoDB, and Node.js are well-documented and have a huge following. The learning curves for MEAN and MERN appear to be identical. However, the learning curve for Angular and React will differ.

The Angular framework makes use of Typescript and templates. While React has a relatively flat learning curve, Angular may have a steeper learning curve.

– UI Requirements

Want a straightforward yet stylish UI rendering for your app? You must use the MERN stack to do it. For a smooth user experience, it may instantly generate a frame and display it on the screen.

– CRUD Apps

You may quickly build a CRUD (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) app from scratch using the MERN stack.

React manages data changes quickly and offers a fantastic user interface. MERN is the ideal framework for creating mobile apps or apps with just one page.

– Security and Scalability

The best-in-class security is offered by the MERN stack and the MEAN stack. So, you are free to select any one of them. MERN defeats MEAN in terms of scalability, but MEAN triumphs in terms of security.

– Profitability

Since Node.js, Express.js, and MongoDB are shared by the MERN and MEAN stacks, comparing their profitability would show React to be more profitable than Angular.

Because it is a comprehensive framework, Angular offers greater profitability. Typically, you would employ third-party React-related libraries, which offer less efficient designer productivity.

The CLI (Command Line Interface) in Angular increases designers’ efficiency. You will also find that the Angular CLI makes it simpler to rewrite your code. Updating your React code requires extra effort because other libraries exist.

– Data Flow

With Angular, the data flow is bidirectional, so if you change the user interface, the model state also changes automatically. So, if you’re using React, you can only change the user interface (UI) after changing the model state.

Unidirectional data binding in React provides a better data overview, making it easier to manage complicated projects. And as a result, managing big projects becomes more advantageous for the MERN stack.

The bidirectional data binding offered by Angular becomes more effective if you are working on a tiny project. MEAN stack is useful here!

– Long-Term Upkeep and Improvement

Significantly popular frameworks include React and Angular. But as React becomes popular, finding React developers will get easier in the future.

Consider using the MERN stack if your app has a sizable backlog of improvement projects and you anticipate considerable long-term maintenance requirements.

– Large-Scale Apps

The MEAN stack is a great choice if you’re working on a project similar to an eCommerce project. It can serve as the foundation for dynamic web applications and present a more efficient method for creating prototypes. When using full-stack development frameworks to create large-scale projects, I advise using the MEAN stack.

– Elimination of Errors

The MEAN stack is your best choice if choosing a stack with the potential for basic code error avoidance is crucial to you. Typescript is a system that Angular uses to prevent common coding errors during the coding process.

– Knowledge and Skill of the Development Team

Supporting documentation is not particularly important if your development team has extensive knowledge and experience with web frameworks. The learning curve is less appropriate in this case, allowing you to choose the MEAN stack.

The MERN stack is a better choice if your development team has a reasonable level of experience because you must consider the learning curve.

– Data Flow

With Angular, the data flow is bidirectional, so if you change the user interface, the model state also changes automatically. So, if you’re using React, you can only change the user interface (UI) after changing the model state.

Unidirectional data binding in React provides a better data overview, making it easier to manage complicated projects. And as a result, managing big projects becomes more advantageous for the MERN stack. The bidirectional data binding offered by Angular becomes more effective if you are working on a tiny project. MEAN stack is useful here!

Considerations to Make Before Selecting the Best Stack for Your Business

– Project prerequisites

Examine project specifications to determine whether the stack is feasible.

– New approaches

To experience a customer-driven market, introduce Agile development principles.

– Possibility and adaptability

To preserve flexibility, take note of the variations in database design and software options.

– Development costs

Find several affordable techniques for the complete development process.

Final words

Their fierce rivalry makes it challenging to decide between the MEAN and MERN stacks. The frameworks, functionality, and capacities of both technologies are dependable. MEAN is a better choice for large-scale apps, whereas MERN is best for smaller apps due to their structural differences.

Choosing between MERN or MEAN stack solely depends on your project requirements. To build apps using any of these two stacks, you need an expert full-stack developer to work on your project. Before you hire a team of full-stack developers, make sure you know custom app development costs to plan your budget accordingly.

It is, therefore, best to build a dynamic app to select the MEAN VS MERN stack based on your company’s demands.