Choosing the suited single-page application framework is important because the wrong one makes terrible user experiences and can cost you lots of money and time. This blog will compare some of the top SPA frameworks with a detailed guide on each’s feature.
What Are Single Page Application’s Benefits?
Single Page Application (SPA) is a website or web application specializing in interacting with users through one page without reloading or popping up another.
They work by rewriting data taken from the web server. SPA contains only one HTML web page while all the necessary resources, like CSS JavaScript codes, are either loaded into the page or retrieved by the browser.
These resources will be used for responding to user actions on the web page. Those resources are reloaded whenever a request is made, while other components remain the same. This is different from standard web browsers, which require a complete reload of the page.
Single page application is an effective client-side application that delivers incredible speed and performance. Most enterprises choose SPAs for their affordable web development costs, high-quality security, portability, and quick debugging and testing.
Why Is Most SPA Built With JavaScript?
JavaScript is usually built in most SPAs as it can boost the speed of SPA. Also, most JavaScript frameworks are constantly updated with advanced features that efficiently deal with single-page applications’ server-side rendering. Thanks to this feature, your customers can access a well-functioning web page.
JavaScript’s server-side rendering can also make a difference in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Web pages can load faster, respond better and be more accessible to visitors. This gives tremendous advantages to your ranking.
What’s more, the JavaScript framework can play as a handy toolkit for your company’s single-page app. It is an effective tool for handling complicated interactions on the server side and building interactive user interface for your app.
Top 10 Best Single Page Application Frameworks To Use
If you don’t know where to start, take a look at our recommendation list of 10 best single page application frameworks
1. ReactJS
More than a framework, ReactJS plays as a library of necessary components for User Interface (UI) design in websites and applications. ReactJS can work as a server-side framework thanks to its vast range of applications and features. If required, both the front-end and back-end servers can utilize the ReactJS framework by enabling the distribution from the server.
ReactJS contributes to SPA development with component-based architecture. It includes a virtual DOM for better performance. The virtual DOM allows your development team to keep track of the changes within the system without affecting unchanged elements. Therefore, your application has more flexibility and reusability.
Compared to other single page application frameworks, ReactJS is much more flexible since it works as a stand-alone library, letting it work with good response time. ReactJS is crafted explicitly for testing, debugging, and viewing elements inside the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture. This viewing feature allows the developers to update the UI without returning to obtain a new view. Overall, ReactJS is the best JavaScript framework for SPA.
Who use it: Meta, Uber
2. AngularJS
AngularJS is among the earliest JavaScript-based framework for single-page applications, built by Google. Although AngularJS is a multi-purpose framework, many developers still choose it for creating client-side applications.
When building SPA, companies’ biggest concern is the application’s performance, especially when the in-app graphics are becoming more sophisticated to process on various devices. Meanwhile, AngularJS’s best feature is the performance optimization for SPA.
If you have no coding experience, Angular is for you. AngularJS needs no dependency on coding skills as it already integrates the two-way data binding feature. Thus, developers can build a well-performing single page application without writing lengthy codes. The data and contents can be transferred easily with AngularJS from the server to the browser and load the page simultaneously.
The loading speed of AngularJS is another key point of this framework due to the lighter data load on the server. This SPA framework allows automatic data integration between view components and models. AngularJS works on MVC architecture and many other compatible platforms.
Who use it: Google, Microsoft, PayPal
3. EmberJS
If you are looking for an efficient UI transmission to your customer, EmberJS is the solution. EmberJS is an open-source and flexible single page application framework. Like AngularJS, EmberJS also works with two-way data binding. It works on Model View – View Model (MVVM) pattern, and the model of it is Convention over Configuration (CoC). The minimal coding usage makes Ember easy for most developers to complete everyday tasks.
With EmberJS, you can deliver in-app user interfaces with secured quality. Ember FastbootJS module improves complex UI structure by prompting the server-side rendering of the DOM. The two-way binding helps update the UI whenever the data is changed. With Handlebars.js integrated, EmberJS templates can get updated automatically following data change. There are many EmberJS add-ons with distinctive functionalities to equip your application.
EmberJS also comes with a resourceful library of data that can be integrated with other popular databases. Ember’s application programming interface (API) is developer-friendly, making it preferable to other frameworks. The SEO process on EmberJS is deemed more effortless than other single page application frameworks.
Who use it: LinkedIn, Netflix, Twitch
4. BackboneJS
BackboneJS is a flexible and lightweight JavaScript framework for developing client-side applications on web browsers. It is one of the famous single page application frameworks with MVP-based architecture. BackboneJS communicates with the application through events, views, models, and other features, making the code easier to maintain and faster.
BackboneJS is an excellent tool for creating flexible one-page apps in a well-structured format. Besides structuring JS architectures, BackboneJS sends limited HTTP requests to the server and simplifies sophisticated UI designs. HTML code in BackboneJS also gets automatically updated whenever there is a change in the model. Those changes in the model and architecture will be represented by direct DOM manipulation.
The coding design of BackboneJS is relatively straightforward, and there are around 100 extensions in this free, open-source library. BackboneJS offers a wide range of tools like models, events, views, etc. that developers can integrate into the client-side application. Developers can learn and use the framework effortlessly.
Who use it: Sony Entertain Network, SoundCloud
5. VueJS
VueJS is a well-known progressive JavaScript framework for creating high-performance web apps and user interfaces. For cost-efficient web application development, VueJS is a suitable choice. It is also a great choice for game development. Games like 2048 and classic chess are built with VueJS.
What makes VueJS preferable to many developers is its lightness. VueJS only takes about 20kb and can be downloaded easily. It is the balanced combination of a library and a framework with features of both platform types that are suitable for developing SPAs. Additionally, VueJS allows integration with other Vue frameworks and any third-party apps.
VueJS is commonly used for tackling SPA development and HTML blocks. This is because VueJS works with two-way communication on the MVVM architecture. Its dual-way data binding helps VueJS react immediately to the data change. Like ReactJS, it utilizes Virtual DOM and possesses a component-based structure for swift performance. With VueJS, you can develop from small-scale static webpages to usually large-scale web applications.
Who use it: Trivago, Trustpilot, 9Gag
6. Meteor
Meteor is a free and open-source full-stack JavaScript framework. It is built on the Node.js platform for a complete end-to-end framework. Meteor is also integrated with MongoDB for incredible database access without waiting for a trip back to the server. Meteor is a technological bundle that allows you to easily collaborate between server and client to create high-performing SPA.
With Distributed Data Protocol and publish-subscribe pattern, the data is perfectly and automatically synchronized in real-time without synchronized code from developers. Meteor also allows live-browser reloading. Whenever there is a change on the front end, in HTML, or HTML script, the changes on the framework are reloaded while live pages remain in their default stage. Since lesser codes are required, Meteor faces fewer bugs and develops quality single-page web applications faster.
Meteor is simple to set up while working on projects and supports greater scalability. Meteor’s ecosystem packages, such as Server-Side Rendering, tackle problems of Search Engine Optimization, while full stack reactivity performs automatic upgrades when necessary. With Meteor, the deployment of SPA is made easy and less time-consuming.
Who use it: Accenture, Deloitte
7. Polymer
Polymer is a JavaScript library developed by Google. It provides streamlined single-page web app development that is compatible with various browsers. Polymer is user-friendly for new and experienced developers, owing to the well-maintained documentation that facilitates onboarding. Both one-way and two-way binding is supported on Polymer.
Supported by many known browsers, Polymer is the top candidate for a single-page application framework with a Web component tester for an end-to-end testing environment. Its Model View Controller architectural pattern helps you categorize components based on design and performance.
Developers can cut down their development time by using Polymer. The module’s attachment requires no major code change, and most Polymer’s models are reusable.
Who use it: YouTube, Google, USA Today
8. Dojo Toolkit
Dojo Toolkit, or Dojo, is the first open-source, lean and progressive JavaScript framework of Typescript. It works on the PHP MVC framework and integrates all the necessary tools for board applications.
Unlike other developer-friendly JavaScript frameworks, Dojo is marked as an expert-required framework due to the complicated and scattered documentation. Therefore, Dojo Toolkit is mostly used for dealing the server-side issues. This feature once made Dojo inapproachable to developers with lesser skills. However, in the recent 2.0 upgrade, Dojo has been made easier to use with a smoother experience and a switch in coding language from JavaScript to TypeScript. It is a tool for modern web applications and single-page web applications.
Who use it: Cisco, JP Morgan, ADP, Mastercard
9. Aurelia
If you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use framework for single-page web application development, Aurelia is another great choice. It is a modern MIT-licensed UI JavaScript framework that supports one-way and two-way data binding. Aurelia has been described as a good open-source framework for collaborating with other frameworks and third-party tools. Also, it has a clear coding style.
When working as a SPA framework, Aurelia requires less configuration setup. Regarding community support, Aurelia has a smaller community size than other frameworks. On the other hand, it can support all modern browsers, offering a wide range of compatibility.
Who use it: Deloitte, Chegg, Contingent
10. Svelte
Last but not least, Svelte is one of the single page application frameworks that developers should consider for building dynamic user interfaces. It translates Svelte code to JavaScript DOM operations. It helps eliminate the framework bundling to the client and allows much simpler application development syntax.
Who use it: EcoCart, Codustry
Single Page Application Frameworks Comparison: Their Pros & Cons
It can be challenging to pick one out of the best single page application frameworks, as they all have pros and cons. To see how their merits and demerits can affect your development, here is the comparison table of 10 recommended frameworks.
| SPA Name | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| ReactJS |
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| AngularJS |
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| EmberJS |
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| BackboneJS |
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| VueJS |
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| Meteor |
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| Polymer |
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| Dojo Toolkit |
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| Aurelia |
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| Svelte |
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Questions To Ask When Choosing Single Page Application Frameworks
When should I use single page applications?
If you want to create a rich user experience, affordable DOM manipulations, and efficient network transfer, then a single-page application is the choice. But its robust performance isn’t the only factor. SPA can take time and finances to develop, so it might not be the optimal choice for start-ups and SMBs. Remember that SPA can work in various industries, including eCommerce, Productivity Products, Booking sites and more.
How to develop single page applications?
You can build an in-house SPA development team or hire an agency. Both have pros and cons. While in-house means you have full control of your code and database with better communication and workflow, it can be costly. Meanwhile, working with an agency is cost-effective, but you have to share management with their team to get the best support.
If you are looking for an agency to build Single-Page Applications, Synodus – leading IT Outsourcing in Vietnam – provides an end-to-end web development service for just 25$/hr. We leverage a plethora of tech stacks, including ReactJS, VueJS, PHP, NodeJS and more to help you build the most effective SPA. View our portfolio!
Wrapping Up
In the past few years, there have been many changes in the design of web and mobile applications. Single page application frameworks have been added to the list of revolutionary technologies that provide a better user experience. Therefore, you, as a developer, can access to a wide variety of single page application frameworks. Many of them have their own good and bad sides, and you should consider their traits to select the best single page application framework with your purposes. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us anytime at Synodus.
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