Top 10 Front-End Technologies for Web Development in 2022-2023

• By Kiran R
• 12-12-2022
• Web Development

The first rule to making a profitable business is to attract an audience. And what catches the attention of the audience is the front end of your app.

Did you know that 75% of users form an opinion about a brand’s credibility, just by having a glance at the aesthetic appearance of a website or web app?

Don’t worry, we won’t let your users judge you wrong. Here's a list of the top 10 front-end web development technologies to help you build an attractive, engaging, and user-friendly website or web app. Before you start envisioning the conversion rate bar rising high, let us give you a short introduction to front-end technologies.

What are front-end technologies?

The front-end is the part of your app visible to your audience. It includes the media, graphics, content, topography, and everything that your users can view and process.

Your users will interact with the front end of your app. This is the user interface. The user processes the data you want to convey and gives input in the form of responses. These responses are passed from the front-end to the back-end of your app. This data is sent to the database, where it is processed. The processed data is conveyed from the backend to the frontend, giving accurate results to your users.

So, for attracting users, engaging them, and converting them into customers, you need to set your frontend right. How? Let us have a look at some popular Frontend Web App Development technologies that can help you build a stunning, quick, and incredible front for your app/site.

The Top 10 frontend web development technologies

1) ReactJS:

ReactJS by Meta is an open-source free-to-use JavaScript library for building the frontend end of an application. With ReactJS you can create simple yet dynamic and interactive User Interfaces (UIs).

ReactJS functions according to the declarative programming paradigm and is based on the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. ReactJS is only responsible for the view layer of an application. Its declarative view makes the code easier to debug and more predictable.

According to a Statista report in 2021, more than 42% of software developers across the globe would prefer ReactJS. According to another survey, over 88% of users would use React again for Frontend Web App Development.

The Key Features of ReactJS:

• ReactJS is made of multiple components. These components can be rendered as small HTML bits, as well as nested into other components. These small components have their own JS code and can maintain an internal state. This helps in building complex applications with simple building blocks.
• With ReactJS, you can create simple yet aesthetic views for each state of an application.
• Easy to learn, easy to use. As per a survey conducted in 2020, 58% of developers are interested in learning ReactJS.
• ReactJS uses virtual DOMs (Document Object Models) for re-rendering. This helps in rendering complex UI updates seamlessly, even on higher loads.
• ReactJS enables development on modular components, so it is easy to preview, reason, and review.
• There is no need to develop all the components from scratch. React allows code reusability. By assembling reusable HTML bits, you can build different parts of your application.
• With the one-way data binding feature of ReactJs, you can leverage better control over your application.
• ReactJS allows updating an existing application by maintaining its legacy state as it is.
• ReactJS helps in building fast, scalable, and flexible applications efficiently.
• ReactJS is both time-saving and cost-effective.

Some of the popular ReactJS apps are Instagram, Facebook, Airbnb, Uber, and Reddit.

2) AngularJS:

If you want full control over the scalability of your app, go for AngularJS. It is majorly used for developing Single-Page web Applications (SPAs).

AngularJS is a JavaScript framework with dynamic binding and dependency injection features. It is an open-source and free-to-use framework. AngularJS turns static HTML into dynamic HTML.

The Key Features of AngularJS are:

• AngularJS defines its directives. It has built-in directives that offer functionality to an application. Its popular directives are ng-controller, ng-bind, ng-app, etc.
• Data Binding enables real-time reflection of user input by creating a connection between the Model and the View.
• AngularJS routing enables user navigation to different pages in a single-page application. With AngularJS routes, users can access different pages of an app, without the need for reloading the entire app.
• Dependency injectors in AngularJS allow the decoupling of independent components and use them as required.
• The higher flexibility of AngularJS makes it a good choice for developing progressive web apps. AngularJS can be easily blended with other technologies like Cordova, NativeScript, Iconic, etc., for building near-native apps.
• It supports caching, so the workload on the CPU is reduced.
• AngularJS offers great compatibility, fast loading, high performance, and increased productivity.
• AngularJS has no browser-related constraints as it is not browser-specific.
• Popular apps built using AngularJS are Gmail, PayPal, Freelancer, IBM, Netflix, Forbes, Upwork, etc.

3) Vue.js:

If you want to build lightweight and interactive UI components for your app, then Vue.js is the best choice. It is a simple and straightforward frontend framework based on the MVVM (Model View-Viewmodel) architecture.binding,binding, a visual DOM, as well as component-based programming. Yet, it is much smaller and lightweight as compared to Angular. It is easy to build dynamic apps and small web apps with Vue.js.

The Key Features of Vue.js are:

• As Vue.js is interoperable between different libraries, it is very easy to learn and operate. The majority of browsers support Vue.js.
• Vue.js is highly adaptable as it has a basic and efficient structure. It makes migration fast and easy.
• Vue.js is versatile and helps in creating custom components that can be reused in HTML.
• Vue.js can easily transit the HTML components when they are included, excluded, or updated in the DOM.
• Vue.js watchers allow monitoring and tracking of UI components whenever their value changes. It enables you to respond to data changes and perform specified actions in a Vue instance. This is especially useful while performing asynchronous operations.
• Its computed properties enable automated detection of changes made to UI components. No separate code is required to render this.·
• Vue.js has built-in directives like v-shoe, v-bind, v-else, v-model, v-if, and v-on. It helps in easily rendering tasks on the front end.
• Its detailed, point-by-point documentation makes it easy to learn, even for beginners.

Some popular apps which are built using Vue.js are Alibaba, Xiaomi, 9gag, etc.

4) JQuery:

When you want to develop desktop-based JS applications, you can go with development using JQuery.
JQuery is an open-source JS library that simplifies the interaction between the DOM and JS. In fact, it is the only library currently available, that meets the UI requirements of both programmer types and designer types.
It is efficient at traversing & manipulating HTML documents, DOM animations, Ajax interactions, browser event handling, as well as cross-browser JS development.

The Key Features of JQuery are:

• You can always ‘Write less and do more’ with JQuery
• JQuery enables responding to events on the HTML page (like mouse click keypress, etc.) in real-time.
• JQuery is lightweight and has a clever plugin architecture.
• It has a wide range of plugin repositories and a fully documented API.
• With Ajax, you can create slender pages where actions can be performed without the need of reloading the entire page.
• It is easy to learn and operate as compared to other JS libraries.
• It has the support of a large development community.

5) EmberJS

If you want to deploy an application with a rich User Interface, choose EmberJS as your development partner. Resembling a lot like AngularJS, EmberJS is an open-source JS framework used to build large client-side web apps.

Key Features of EmberJS are:

• EmberJS is based on MVC architecture.
• It is a flexible framework that promises high productivity in less time.
• Databinding is fully supported in EMberJS. This means when one value changes, others are automatically updated.
• It determines routes and controls them automatically, as well as permitting shareable URLs.
• EmberJS is a complete development tool that provides data management and application flow.
• With EmberJS you get convention over configuration.
• It helps developers build complex applications with ease.
• It is the fastest framework of all and has component-based functionality.

6) BackboneJS:

You can go for development using Backbone.JS when your app demands dynamic handling of updates as well as continuous server-app synchronization. Its code can be easily updated and reused.

BackboneJS is an open-source, free-to-use library, mostly popular for developing small, single-page apps. You can also use it for bigger projects that demand good designs with less coding.

The Key Features of BackboneJS are:

• BackboneJS helps in translating the data input by developers into models. These models are easy to create, eliminate, and validate. So, when there is a change in the UI component, the model element alters. This enables custom elements and key-value bindings.
• BackboneJS can help in building rich UIs that render seamlessly.
• It automatically updates the HTML codes of your app.
• It allows for building client-side applications in an orchestrated format.
• BackboneJS library offers an organized and structured web development ecosystem.
• There is no need to write separate codes for ID-specific elements
• BackboneJS offers a variety of API-rich functions to design an effective app.
• It is clear and readable; BackboneJS frontend components can be easily tied to the backend.
• It is a simple, systematic, orchestrated, and powerful framework.
• With a wide range of extensions available, it is one of the most quick-responding JS frameworks.
• BackboneJS is easy to learn, operate, and implement.

7) Svelte:

If you want to go with rapid software app development using minimal codes or want to optimize your web apps, choose Svelte.
With an 89% user satisfaction ratio and 66% of developer interest in using & learning it; Svelte is currently the most trending web development technology. Svelte is growing in popularity as it can help build incredible reactive web apps in less time.

Key Features of Svelte:

• Unlike ReactJS or AngularJS, Svelte is not a framework. It is a compiler and does not use DOM.
• You can use Svelte to code small parts in an app or build an entire single-page app.
• With Svelte, changes are instantly reflected on the app. Besides, when you deploy your app on the internet, there is no separate need to deploy Svelte. This results in quick execution.
• It is a free-to-use and open-source web development technology.
• It helps in building lightweight and responsive apps with fast loading speeds.
• Svelte is simple yet highly scalable.
• It requires minimal coding
• It is SEO optimized.
• 8) Bootstrap:

If you focus on building a responsive, mobile-first web app, then go for Bootstrap. Bootstrap is an open-source, free-to-use toolkit for web development. It includes JS and CSS templates for navigation, typography, and other important UI elements.

When you build an app using Bootstrap, it runs seamlessly across all viewports and all browsers, irrespective of the size of a device.

Key Features of Bootstrap are:

• Bootstrap is highly customizable. Within a few tweaks, you can build a fixed/responsive grid.
• Bootstrap includes Leaner Style Sheets (LESS) as well as Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) files.
• You can easily change the fonts, text and background colors, grid system, flex, or any other styling component of your app.
• You can choose from a variety of UI components, like a navigation bar, dropdowns, a progress bar, thumbnails, etc., and incorporate them into your web app/page.
• It is fast, easy, and flexible.
• You can create platform-independent web pages using bootstrap
• You can design incredible responsive web apps or websites using Bootstrap
• You can add themes or icons to your web design by using the pre-built components in Bootstrap.
• Some popular web apps/sites built using Bootstrap are Twitter, Spotify, Postman, Udemy, etc.

9) Foundation

The foundation helps in creating incredibly stunning responsive web apps or emails that render seamlessly on any device. Foundation is mostly used to develop enterprise-level web apps. It has excellent GPU acceleration which facilitates advanced features.

Web development using Foundation is a bit complex. You need an expert developer to work with Foundation.

Key Features of the Foundation framework are:

• As it is built with a command-line interface, it becomes easy to use Foundation with modular bundles.
• Foundation is based on the SaaS compiler, so it enables fast development.
• It offers light as well as heavy sections to cater to different web development requirements.
• You can add pricing tables, joyrides, lightboxes, range sliders, switches, and other UI elements using Foundation.
• Foundation incorporates web development packages that enable fast coding and better control over your app.
• You can develop fully-fledged responsive web apps/sites using Foundation.
• Using Foundation, you can leverage smooth animations and transitions.
• It has vast community support.

10) Preact:

If your concerns for web development are speed, size, and performance, choose Preact. Preact is the way to go if your target users expect quick loading times. Web apps built with Preact load perfectly even with a slow internet connection or network fluctuations.
Preact renders slick and quick virtual DOM libraries, owing to simple yet predictable diff implementations. It can be directly implemented in the browser and works without transpiling.

Key features of Preact are:

• Preact is the best choice for designing advanced-level web apps with small widgets and simple landing pages.
• Preact helps build your app on a stable platform by registering real events.
• It easily interacts with other libraries.
• Preact offers a small but still robust framework that incorporates advanced-level features for its users.
• Preact runs automatic batch updates.
• Preact is a lightweight (3 kB), quick, and responsive framework.
• It has a well-designed command line tool.
• It offers maximum and effective memory usage.
• Preact is a high-performing, compatible, and instantly productive web development framework.

Wrapping up

When it comes to web development, you are served a platter of technologies to choose from. Selecting one out of many, can be a bit overwhelming. Especially when the competition is tough.

However, there is no such thing as a single perfect technology. Just choose one and get going. Web development is a phenomenon. It demands the attention, resilience, efforts, and expertise of a well-experienced development team.

The market for web app development is huge and diverse. However, there are very few teams of developers who have profound expert knowledge and skill sets to develop web apps/sites using front-end technologies.

They can help you craft realistic business goals, identify development requirements, focus right on the target audience, and harness the current channels and resources. They have vast and diverse experience in building resilient and high-productive web and mobile apps for various industries and can choose the right front-end technology to start the web development project right away.