MEAN vs MERN Hybrid Mobile Apps – If you have spent any amount of time looking at the various development frameworks for hybrid mobile applications, you know that this choice matters. There are numerous ways to approach cross-platform mobile application development and there are many tools and frameworks to consider. Developers like to leverage environment that are built on a foundation, leveraging the various (and most popular) tools to get the job done. In these environments, the combined tools and developer support can provide value, reduce the cost of development, make developers more productive and project outcomes more successful.

In this article, we discuss two of the ‘combination’ options for hybrid mobile app development, namely MEAN and MERN. Let’s start with a brief definition of both.

MEAN STACK

the term MEAN refers to the 4 components of the development environment: Node, Express JS, Angular and Mongo. This product is particularly suitable for multifaceted projects requiring scalable architecture. MEAN Stack development facilities leverage the power of Angular JS and MEAN Stack to develop scalable, high-performance applications for desktops, tablets, smart phones and smart watches and as such it is idyllic for cross-platform, hybrid approaches to mobile application development. The MEAN environment uses Angular for front-end development.

Angular is fit for the business application market and provides a cutting-edge approach to software product and software application development to effectively and quickly develop solutions for the market and for use by team member within the business organization. The Angular JS approach is a great choice. The tools and methodologies allow for complex business logic and a responsive user interface. Developers can reuse code to build apps across all types of device (desktop apps, web projects and native mobile applications). Angular provides scalable, high performance speed and efficiency with good support for delivery on the server side. Angular supports large data volumes and developers can leverage support for IDE and Proofreader to quickly and easily complete code. Use Angular for large-scale applications that are comprised of numerous features and variables.

MERN STACK

The Mern components include: Mongo, Express JS, React and Node. It is designed to make the development process evener and easier. Like MEAN, the MERN environment includes runtime environments, frameworks, and JavaScript-based databases. MERN leverages React for front-end development.

React is a Facebook creation released as a web development ReactJS platform. Over the years, the implement has been upgraded and improved and it is now a preferred tool for cross-platform, hybrid mobile application development that supports high-performance hybrid mobile applications and third-party plugins. This tool is, like others developed by large tech businesses, a favorite of developers because it has a solid foundation and a large support network within the developer community. Developers like the React user experience (Ux) resulting from React. It uses Virtual DOM which allows developers to accommodate customer refresh without having to refresh the entire interface.

The tool is efficient and allows developers to reuse code so the team can repurpose code components and save time in development and in the upgrade process. The code is stable and supports downward data binding so child entities do not influence parent elements. Developers can engage each component of the application without engaging the child component or executing callback so the team can easily test the application and note changes. All of these aspects of ReactJS make the tool popular with application development and software companies and with the app developers on the team. Use React if you need a framework that enables a fast, efficient learning curve.

When we compare the two offerings, there are certain important commonalities:

  • Both options are open-source frameworks
  • Both of these technologies are flexible and easy to deploy
  • MongoDB is widely used by the developer community and is included in both of these options
  • Both options will accommodate the entire development cycle (client and server)
  • js is included in both options and ensures that developers can develop rich, robust back-end apps using JavaScript on the server
  • Both options include built-in testing environs
  • Both options provide ample support

MEAN Stack Benefits

  • Developers can use uniform language across the entire stack for easy code maintenance and operation
  • The option leverages JavaScript, which is a free, open-source toolkit that will lower the cost of development.
  • MEAN stack requires a small footprint & decreases overhead.
  • Developers can create rich and robust apps to satisfy the most complex hybrid mobile application needs
  • MEAN supports rapid application development, so the business can achieve its goals quickly, plan for future needs.
  • MEAN provides server framework and management and support for front-end and back-end.

MERN Stack Benefits

  • MERN leverages JavaScript to provide the entire development cycle from front-end to back-end
  • React code can be leveraged on servers and browsers
  • React has an impressive library with many tools developers can use to get a jump on development.
  • The environment includes a solid foundation of testing tools
  • Provides end-to-end framework for rapid development

Many developers have a favorite approach to hybrid mobile app development. This article explains the similarities & differences between MEAN and MERN, along with a few of the benefits of each and may help you build the requirements for your own project. Whether you decide on MEAN Stack or MERN stack for your mobile application development, a cross-platform mobile application, hybrid mobile app approach you may wish to engage an IT consulting partner to help you conceive and develop your mobile app. For more information about mobile application development, visit our Blog.