The 3 Most Popular Web Frameworks in 2024

Building a website requires research, skill, and of course, tools. From immersive e-Commerce sites to multiple-page informational platforms, the best website developers use multiple tools and technologies to design, develop, and deploy finished projects. Web frameworks are used on the client-side and server-side to create and operate web applications that power today's fully responsive sites.

Professional website developers like Goldfish Code design websites using the best tools, technologies, and resources. One of the most valuable tools is web development frameworks – which support the development of web-based applications such as web APIs, services, and web resources.

While in years past, the frameworks provided developers with a baseline template to customize code, times and technology have evolved. Today – the most popular web frameworks help streamline the entire web design process.

So – what is a web framework? Are there some practical framework examples better suited for front or back-end development? And is there an overall best framework for web development? These are a few of the questions we'll answer in the information below.

What is a Web Framework?

Multiple moving parts make up the modern website – and there is also a lot of web code required to power a website. The web application framework serves as the software library that permits a website developer to write and customize the coding to produce specific visual or interactive features.

Popular web frameworks are interchangeable – allowing talented developers to integrate different programming languages, software solutions, routing, and frameworks to produce a finished product. This is known as 'stacking' or the diverse collection of technologies.

How Web Developers Use Web Development Frameworks

Now that you understand what website frameworks are – it's time to learn how developers utilize them. Most web frameworks are used for two specific website development tasks.

Front-End Frameworks

‍The front end or client-side is where a website is displayed to users. Frameworks such as React Native (for Mobile), ReactJs, or VueJs (for Web) are commonly used to bring the website to life for the user.

Back-End Frameworks

‍The other side of website development is the server-side – or backend where the website is hosted. This is where software is created to run the website on servers that powers APIs (which exchange data), websites, and web applications. Some of the ancillary tasks include authentication, caching, and operating plugins. The best web app frameworks used for these tasks include Python and NodeJs.

At its heart, a software framework is intended to simplify and streamline the process of building customized web platforms. Some of the benefits of using frameworks include:

• Reduces the potential of redundant or duplicate code – which helps reduce bugging and optimizes web speed.
• Simplifies the process of integrating advanced or complex programming technologies.
• Allows the website code to be more secure and robust.
• Frameworks for web development reduce the time needed to test and debug programming code. It also eliminates the need to hire specific coders who specialize in debugging. This is a significant cost saving to website developing customers.
• On the backend, web dev frameworks serve to handle typical jobs, including accepting front-end HTTP requests and allocating tasks to the right handler while formatting and replying to front-end user responses.
• The framework can also accelerate HTML-built pages' response that includes JS interactivity and CSS styling.
• Saves time in the development of applications – from Web to Mobile.

3 Most Popular Web Frameworks in 2024

Like most advancements in technology, the latest frameworks are developed to improve the efficiency of website development. A framework for web development is often created to pair with a specific programming language. Some of the best web dev frameworks are listed below.

Django for Python – Backend Development

Python is a high-level programming language that supports multiple frameworks, languages, and infrastructure. Many of the best website developers choose Python due to its flexibility in creating scalable web applications and solutions that are stable, reliable, and customized to fit today's and tomorrow's needs.

Django is one of the best frameworks for Python. Django is the framework of choice for many programmers as it allows them to create powerful applications in less time than others. Django development is also one of the most secure, has a diverse group of libraries, is exceptional for Search Engine Optimization, and provides users with a high-performance admin panel.

React Native – Front End Mobile Development

React Native is arguably the framework of choice for most mobile application development projects. It's exceptionally quick with load times, delivers a responsive user interface, and is one of the most cost-effective for developers and clients. They are also easy to scale and can be configured with multiple tools, files, and admin features.

React Native is exceptionally flexible – and can be used in multiple environments (such as the client, server, and Native). Platform-specific solutions within the React family of frameworks, such as iOS Native and Android Native.

ReactjS – Front End Web Development

Front end web development focuses on improving the client-side or user experience of navigating a website. As JavaScript is the primary programming language used to build the code, choosing a flexible and compatible framework with JavaScript is vital for efficient and scalable development. ReactjS is the framework of choice for several top web design agencies

This front-end framework is known for its flexibility, speed, usability, and performance capabilities. It's an easy-to-learn framework for newer developers yet proven enough to be the framework of choice for PayPal, Facebook, Apple, Netflix, etc.  

Types of Frameworks in Web Development

There are two sides to every story – especially with website development projects. For a website to work, the site needs to have a structure on two sides – the front and back end. The front end is also known as the client-side of development.

The frameworks used here are mainly intended to help support user experience features. The backend or server-side also has its set of unique programming languages and frameworks that support website functionality.

Below are some of the more popular modern web frameworks – categorized by the location of the framework.

Client-Side Frameworks – Front End Frameworks

When a web developer writes code for the front end, it's typically in JavaScript – as this is the language of choice for organizing the interactivity and functionality of the website on the client-side. Some of the best front-end frameworks include the following:

Vue

• Vue is a fast, user-friendly, and flexible front-end framework.
• Works with other popular frameworks on the front end, such as React and Angular.

Angular

• Exceptional for web app development.
• Helps improve the scalability of applications.

React

• Great for organizing and bundling front end code into multiple components.
• Device-specific frameworks for iOS and Android applications.

Server-Side Frameworks – Back End Frameworks

The back-end frameworks are focused on organizing the code for website performance on the server-side. As Python is arguably the most popular programming language used on the server-side, these frameworks support Python.

Pytest

• Exceptional for scalability and supports functional testing for libraries and applications.
• Verifies that all code is tested before it is merged – reducing the time for testing.

Django

• Permits code to work across multiple databases – simplifying migration from one database to another.
• Encourages rapid development of web application development and web pages with reduced errors.

FastAPI

• Extremely high-performance framework – with fast API validation.
• Mainly used to ensure website loading speed.

List of Frameworks Used by the Goldfish Code Team

At our software development company, we utilize the best technologies to create solutions for our clients. Our Javascript Libraries include React, Vue, and AngularJS. We also utilize HTML5/CSS 3, PHP/Laravel, ASP.Net, and Ruby on Rails.

React Native

Our team is well-versed in building cross-channel, open-source apps via the React Native framework. We can develop custom push notifications, real-time updates, social feeds, chat integration, forms & data collection, product libraries, etc. There are multiple supporting frameworks within the React Native family, including NextJS, ReactJS, Glide, Dagger, Android Native, iOS Native, and more.

iOS Native

Goldfish Code utilizes cutting-edge technologies that are customized for Apple iOS platforms. Our mobile app development services include creating eCommerce, gaming, and omnichannel marketplaces for accounting, booking, billing, processing orders, managing inventory, and scheduling shipping. Our Android and iOS web apps are quick loadings and accessible via iPhones, iPad, and other iOS devices.

Python

Goldfish Code's Python software development services are customized for reliability and scalability. We integrate Django, Celery, Redis, and PostgreSQL technologies and infuse a proven development process that mitigates errors and produces quality-driven results. We are supported by a team of dedicated Python developers and project managers who have the experience to transform your vision into a functional and robust website.

Final Points on the Best Web Frameworks

A web framework intends to provide the structure and organization of backend and front end programming coding. The best website developing agencies will select a framework based on multiple criteria – ranging from its ability to scale, performance, security, and available tools for debugging and maintenance.

However, they also select the best frameworks for their customer's vision, goals, bandwidth, and deployment. When looking for a website development company, make sure they have a diverse background in using modern frameworks that are cross-channel capable, written by competent authors, and designed with optimization in mind.

Contrary to popular belief, the most popular web development frameworks are not always the best ones for your website project. Sometimes, a framework designed for specific platforms such as iOS or Android Native is the optimal choice.

As you're searching for a reliable website developer, clearly articulate what you're looking for in a website design and development project with the agency. The more information you provide them – the easier it will be for the web design team to select the optimal web frameworks.

FAQs

What is the fastest web framework?

Django is unchained and unmatched if your primary objective in using a web framework is based on speed. Django is a Python-based web-development framework often used to create clean and efficient operating web applications. This framework is popular with the best web design agencies mainly due to its scalability, security, and fast operating speeds on multiple devices. Another contender for the fastest web framework is another Python solution – FastAPI.

What is the fastest backend framework?

FastAPI is another contender for the king of speed for the back-end of website development. It's a framework that is designed for building APIs – while running multiple tasks at the same time. The primary reason it's considered fast is that it's built over an Asynchronous Server Gateway Interface (ASGI), so it can complete multiple tasks simultaneously. Further, it's also a secure framework for API keys and JWT tokens.

How many web frameworks are there?

While there are dozens of specific programming language frameworks available to developers, they are broken down into two categories. A framework needs to be established on the client-side and server-side for a website to function. This is known as front end and back-end development. A full-stack development framework is typically primarily designed for front-end applications but can also communicate and organize on the back-end.  

How do I compare web frameworks?

Comparing web frameworks breaks down mainly to what is best for the client's specific website development project. This is known as usage context. Multiple factors should be considered when a developer is selecting a framework, including the website's size, where it's deployed, devices or compatibility issues, security, and the ability to scale. At that point, the developer will compare equally qualified candidates and select the framework they feel comfortable working with.

Is Apache a web framework?

Technically – no, Apache is not a traditional web framework. It's a web server – software that acts as a middleman – between the client and server sides of website development. Apache works by pulling content from the server-side when the client or user requests the data and then delivers it to the Web. Apache is a diverse web server as it can process multiple programming languages, including Java, Python, PHP, and more.

Is Node.JS a framework?

Like Apache – Node.JS is neither a programming language nor a framework. It's open-source and cross-platform software that executes JavaScript code outside of the browser. It's typically used to build server-side services like Mobile Apps, Web Apps, or APIs. Many large enterprise organizations like Walmart, PayPal, Uber, and Netflix use this technology.

What are the web frameworks in Java?

Several web frameworks are explicitly designed to collect and organize Java programming languages. Some of the most popular Java frameworks include Spring, Struts, JavaServer Faces, Grails, Hibernate, Google Web Toolkit, Blade, Dropwizard, Wicket, and Vaadin. A Java framework is used for web applications and Java applications.

What are the 2 most popular Python web frameworks in use today?

As technology evolves, two Python frameworks are starting to stand above others regarding speed, reliability, and security. Django is a high-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. Django takes care of much of the hassle of web development, which permits developers to focus on writing customized code without having to complete multiple steps. FastAPI is arguably the best Python framework for building APIs.