In today’s competitive environment, technological innovation is taking leaps and bounds to serve multiple industries. The web and mobile app development services have geared at the next level in the last 2-3 years. A plethora of technologies, frameworks, tools, and languages are being used by developers to build an app with extravagant features. And that’s where stack comes into the picture! 

A stack is a combination of multiple programming languages, frameworks, and technologies used to build a web and mobile app. 

Generally, any software is divided into two parts – front-end and back-end development also known as client-side and server-side. App developers come from multiple streams including frontend, backend, database, mobile app, and testing. Earlier, developers used to gain expertise in a particular field and enhance their career in that stream. However, things have changed. The never-ending demand for technology to build high-tech and secure applications have mandated developers to work on the client and server-side.  

This is the reason full-stack development services are in demand. Its unique code for multiple technologies and multi-tech projects to build awe-inspiring UI/UX makes it the first choice for developers.  

However, the selection of the right technology stack can create a great impact on in-app enhancement and success.  

In this blog, we will focus on two popular stacks – MEAN Stack and MERN Stack. We will understand how these technologies are used, their advantages and limitations, and how they differ from each other to build secure and scalable projects.  

So, let’s get started. 

WHAT IS MEAN STACK?

MEAN Stack is a set of all JavaScript-based frameworks or technologies used in the development of a web-based application. The acronym MEAN stands for MongoDB, ExpressJS, Angular, and Node.js, and this technology is highly used to build real-time applications. You can hire MEAN stack developer to build an advanced and dynamic mobile application with having complex development algorithm. 

WHAT IS MERN STACK?

MERN stack is a JavaScript-powered stack that is created to deliver a uniform development process. The acronym comprises four components including MongoDB, ExpressJS, React, Node.js. It allows mobile app developers to work on front-end and back-end technology to build a robust and scalable app with a seamless user experience. 

Hire MERN stack developer to build a robust and secured app as per your business demand. 

MEAN Stack Development V/s MERN Stack Development: How do they redefine web app development?

To understand these stacks in detail, we first need to understand how do they relate to the web development process. Web development of any software comprises two components: front-end and backend. 

The front-end is the face of the application expression. It is used by the end-users to interact with the website or a web app. It includes website design, user experience (UX), graphics, web content, and all other components that relate to the website’s look and feel.  

On the contrary, the Backend is the backbone of the entire application just like the spinal cord of our body. It’s a hidden logical part where the data is stored, processed, manipulated, and retrieved to display it on the front-end to users. All the web functionalities and the clickable actions are performed in the backed. It mainly targets ‘response’ given to users which includes calculated results or the processed data. 

Though both these parts require different technologies to operate, yet they complement each other. While front-end development focuses more on technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, backend focuses more on server-side programming and database languages. 

THIS IS WHERE MEAN STACK AND MERN STACK DIFFER. 

MEAN stack comprises of 4 key development technologies like MongoDB, ExpressJS, Angular, and NodeJS while the MERN stack comprises web development technologies like MongoDB, ExpressJS, ReactJS, and NodeJS. The major key difference between both technologies is the presence of Angular in the MEAN stack and ReactJS in the MERN stack. 

To sum up everything, these two stacks are made up of a combination of the 5 technologies. Let’s have a brief look at these key technologies regarding both stacks. 

• MongoDB which is common to both stacks is a NoSQL class-platform, and document-oriented database program. 
• Express or Express.js is the open-source web application framework that works as the de facto framework for Node.js. 
• Built and maintained by Google, Angular is the open-source web application framework. 
• Node.js is the JavaScript framework for server-side or backend development. 

• Built and maintained by Facebook, React is the JavaScript-based front-end library built used for UI development. 

MEAN Stack V/s MERN Stack: Key Differences

SECURITY & SCALABILITY 

Both MEAN and MERN offer top-notch security for app development so you can rely on any of them. When it comes to a scalable solution, MERN outperforms MEAN in delivering high scalability for web development. 

MVC SUPPORT 

If you’re looking forward to building an enterprise-level app like LinkedIn with MVC architecture support, MEAN stack is the best option to choose. However, if you want to manage code in a simple manner, you can go with MERN since its component-based approach helps with faster development.  

ADVANCED AND SIMPLE UI 

If you’re someone who wants a high-performing and advanced user experience, the MERN stack would be the best choice for you. This stack generates the frame and represents it on screen in no time to deliver a constant user interaction. 

CRUD OPERATIONS 

With the MERN stack, you can create and extend CRUD from beginning to end of an app. As the tech-stack comprises React.js, it manages rapid changes in data and provides an appealing user interface. If you’re looking forward to building SPA, MERN is the ideal framework. It is one of the best alternatives to building a CRUD-based web app. 

THIRD-PARTY SUPPORT 

When you need third-party support to build enterprise-level apps, the MEAN stack is the best option. Since it comprises Angular which has built-in features to support HTTP calls to unite the back-end, it takes care of the third-party extension in an easy way while MERN requires extra configurations to integrate the support. 

PRODUCTIVITY 

Since the MEAN stack is a complete framework, AngularJS in MEAN stack offers more productivity as compared to the MERN stack since it contains CLI that offers handy features and tools for quicker development. React JS in the MERN stack needs the support of third-party libraries which offers relatively low productivity. 

MEAN Stack v/s MERN Stack: A Quick Comparison

Let’s find out the difference between MEAN and MERN to find the uniqueness between both development stacks. 

MERN stack and MEAN stack developers have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s see. 

Why MEAN Stack? Advantages of hiring MEAN stack developers:

• Right from client-side to server-side, it covers the full cycle of web development. 
• MEAN supports MVC (Model View Controller) architecture that makes web app development smooth and easy. 

• It reduced unnecessary grunt work and thus helps in keeping web app development more organized. 
• It offers an extensive pre-built suite of web app testing tools. 
• Open-source technologies and good community support. 
• Cost-friendly, so it’s ideal for SMEs and start-up businesses. 

Why MERN stack? Advantages of hiring MERN stack developers:

• It is used to cover the full development cycle be it the front-end coding or back-end coding. 
• This stack offers a reusable component-based development for a faster development process. 
• The knowledge of JSON and JavaScript technologies is only needed for developers to work with the MERN stack. 
• It uses Virtual DOM. 
• A pre-built suite of testing tools is available with this stack. 

• Open-source and have good community support. 

Factors Affecting Your Tech-selection Decision

Before choosing any technology for your project development, consider the below scenarios and questions: 

1. What are your project requirements? 
2. Do you expect agility in your project development? 
3. Do you want to exceed beyond project requirements to get a better audience? 
4. Is your team/company knowledgeable and expert in this field? 
5. Is your development team scalable and flexible? 
6. What is the final cost of development? 
7. Is your budget flexible enough to fluctuate to cope up with the market needs? 

Based on the answers to the above question, the most viable options in 2021 is to hire full-stack development services (which covers MEAN and MERN stack) 

Which is Better: MEAN Stack or MERN stack?

Well, there’s no perfect stack in the web development of your business. Choosing the one depends on your project requirements and your ideal budget. If you’re still in a dilemma to choose the tech stack, hire full stack developer to build an app for your business. You can even a leading software development company like Darkbears to choose the best MEAN stack developer or MERN stack developer that will help you to suffice your business needs and goals.