MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack: Which Tech Stack To Choose In 2023

There are numerous technology stacks available for web developers to choose from. Today, we will talk about two of the most widely used web development technology frameworks – MERN Stack and MEAN Stack.

Though there are a few similarities between the two stacks, each has unique characteristics that make it better-suited for specific project types.

You should be aware of each stack’s advantages and disadvantages when selecting one for your upcoming web development project. We’ll examine both by doing a MERN stack vs MEAN stack comparison in this article, contrasting them in terms of their parts, usability, scalability, and performance.

Before diving into MERN vs MEAN stack discussion, let’s get to know about what MERN and MEAN Stack are and how they work.

What is MERN Stack?

MERN stack, an important web development framework, is the acronym of MongoDB, ExpressJS, ReactJS, and NodeJS. These are actually the working components of MERN Stack. This framework is useful for building dynamic and scalable web applications.

What is MEAN Stack?

MEAN Stack consists of MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js. This is an end-to-end JavaScript stack, mostly useful for building cloud-ready applications.

Comparison Between MERN Stack and MEAN Stack

Both stacks are popular for building web applications and have their own advantages and disadvantages. So before finding the differences between MERN Stack and MEAN Stack, let’s get to know how these function.

Inside the MERN Stack And MEAN Stack: Understanding the Architecture and Functionality

So, How does MERN Stack and MEAN Stack actually work:

How Does MERN Stack Work?

MERN stack is a popular web development stack that uses four technologies – MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js. 

MongoDB is a NoSQL database that stores data in JSON-like documents. Express.js is a framework for building web applications using Node.js. Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment that executes code on the server-side. React.js is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

When a user interacts with a MERN stack web application, their request is handled by the Node.js server, which communicates with the MongoDB database to retrieve or store data. Express.js handles the HTTP requests and responses, and React.js renders the user interface. The stack enables developers to build dynamic, single-page applications with a smooth user experience.

How Does MEAN Stack Work?

MEAN stack is a popular web development stack that uses four technologies – MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js, and Node.js. 

MongoDB is a NoSQL database that stores data in JSON-like documents. Express.js is a framework, useful for building web applications utilizing Node.js. Node.js executes code on the server side. Angular.js is also a JavaScript framework, useful for building dynamic web applications.

When a user interacts with a MEAN stack web application, their request is handled by the Node.js server, which communicates with the MongoDB database to retrieve or store data. Express.js handles the HTTP requests and responses, and Angular.js renders the user interface.

The stack enables developers to build scalable and maintainable web applications using JavaScript across the entire stack.

MERN Stack Benefits & Cons

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of MERN Stack:

The Benefits of MERN Stack

Here are some benefits of using MERN stack:

1. Single language throughout the stack (JavaScript) which reduces context switching and makes development more efficient.

2. React.js makes it easy to create reusable UI components, improving code maintainability and reusability.

3. MongoDB’s flexible data model allows for faster development and easier scaling than traditional SQL databases.

4. Node.js and Express.js allow for easy and efficient server-side development, with a large ecosystem of packages available via npm.

5. MERN stack is open source and has a large community, making it easy to find help and support for any issues that arise.

6. The stack is great for building real-time applications and high-performance web applications due to its use of non-blocking I/O.

7. The use of JSON throughout the stack allows for easy data transfer between client and server.

8. MERN stack is cloud-friendly, making it easy to deploy and scale applications on cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

MERN Stack Cons

Here are some potential cons of using MERN stack:

1. Requires strong JavaScript knowledge throughout the stack, which may not be suitable for all developers or projects.

2. MongoDB’s flexible data model may require more careful schema design to ensure data consistency.

3. MERN stack may not be ideal for applications with complex data relationships that require joins, which can be more difficult with MongoDB.

4. MERN stack’s focus on JavaScript may limit the flexibility to choose alternative tools or languages in certain situations.

5. Real-time web applications with high traffic may require additional tools or scaling strategies beyond the MERN stack.

6. The stack may not be as well-suited for applications that require more control over the UI, as React.js’s declarative approach may limit flexibility in certain cases.

7. MERN stack may not be ideal for projects that require a lot of customization or integration with legacy systems that use different technologies.

MEAN Stack Benefits & Cons

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of MEAN Stack:

Benefits of Using MEAN Stack

Here are some benefits of using MEAN stack:

1. Single language throughout the stack (JavaScript) which reduces context switching and makes development more efficient.

2. Angular.js makes it easy to create dynamic and interactive UI components, improving code maintainability and reusability.

3. MongoDB’s flexible data model allows for faster development and easier scaling than traditional SQL databases.

4. Node.js and Express.js allow for easy and efficient server-side development, with a large ecosystem of packages available via npm.

5. MEAN stack is open source and has a large community, making it easy to find help and support for any issues that arise.

6. The stack is great for building real-time applications and high-performance web applications due to its use of non-blocking I/O.

7. The use of JSON throughout the stack allows for easy data transfer between client and server.

8. MEAN stack is cloud-friendly, making it easy to deploy and scale applications on cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

Cons of MEAN Stack

Here are some potential cons of using MEAN stack:

1. Requires strong JavaScript knowledge throughout the stack, which may not be suitable for all developers or projects.

2. MongoDB’s flexible data model may require more careful schema design to ensure data consistency.

3. MEAN stack’s focus on JavaScript may limit the flexibility to choose alternative tools or languages in certain situations.

4. Real-time web applications with high traffic may require additional tools or scaling strategies beyond the MEAN stack.

5. The stack may not be as well-suited for applications that require more control over the UI, as Angular.js’s declarative approach may limit flexibility in certain cases.

6. MEAN stack may not be ideal for projects that require a lot of customization or integration with legacy systems that use different technologies.

Required Skillsets To Succeed

Here are some of the essential skills required, if you want to succeed as a MERN Stack and MEAN Stack developer:

MERN Stack Developer Skill Sets: What You Need to Succeed

To succeed as a MERN stack developer, you’ll need the following skill sets:

– Strong proficiency in JavaScript and related technologies (HTML/CSS, Node.js, React.js)

– Knowledge of server-side technologies such as Express.js

– Familiarity with non-relational databases like MongoDB

– Ability to write efficient and scalable code

– Understanding of RESTful APIs and web services

– Familiarity with tools like Git and npm

– Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Essential Skills Required for a MEAN Stack Developer

To become a successful MEAN stack developer, you’ll need the following essential skills:

– Proficiency in JavaScript and related technologies (HTML/CSS, Angular.js, Node.js)

– Familiarity with MongoDB and NoSQL databases

– Ability to write efficient and scalable code

– Understanding of RESTful APIs and web services

– Familiarity with tools like Git and npm.

MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack : Which One Is In demand?

Both MERN stack and MEAN stack are in demand and popular tech stacks for building web applications. The choice between them depends on project requirements and team skills, as well as personal preferences. However, MERN stack is gaining more popularity recently due to the increasing popularity of React.js.

MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack: Which Tech Stack is the Right Choice for You?

The MERN stack is best for developing dynamic, single-page applications using React, while the MEAN stack is better suited for building robust, scalable applications with Angular. Choose based on your project requirements.

The bottom line,

Choosing between the MERN and MEAN stacks ultimately depends on your project’s specific requirements. Both stacks offer their own unique advantages and can be used to develop powerful applications. It’s essential to consider factors such as the complexity of the project and the experience of the development team before making a decision.

By following best practices and learning to implement critical concepts through a reputed institution like LogicRays Academy, beginners can gain a solid understanding of MERN Stack and MEAN Stack.

You can also read:

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