Top 10 Popular Web Development Stacks You Should Know in 2024

Web development stacks, which combine multiple technologies to expedite the development process, are crucial for building reliable web applications. Here is a breakdown of the components and applications of the top ten web development stacks in 2023.

• MERN Stack

A robust collection of technologies for creating dynamic web apps is the MERN stack, one popular JavaScript stack. 

• This stack simplifies the development process and makes it possible to create reliable applications by enabling developers to use JavaScript on both the client and server sides.
• It uses React for front-end development, which, because of its component-based architecture, makes creating user interfaces easier and improves performance. 
• A robust backend architecture is offered by Node.js and Express.js, while MongoDB is a NoSQL database that is perfect for managing unstructured data.

Components: 

The components are MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js.

• MongoDB

Type : NoSQL database

Function: MongoDB stores data in a versatile, JSON-like format and acts as the database layer in the MERN stack. This schema-less framework is perfect for applications that manage massive amounts of data since it enables quick development and scalability. Integration with other stack components is made easier by its capacity to store data in a format compatible with JavaScript objects.

• Express.js  

Type: Web Application Framework

Function: Express.js manages HTTP requests and handles server-side functionality while operating on top of Node.js. It makes it easier to set up middleware and routes, enabling developers to quickly and effectively design APIs. Express serves as a link between an application’s front end and back end.

• React:

Type: Frontend Library

Function: React, which was created by Facebook, is used to create user interfaces, especially single-page applications (SPAs). Because of its component-based architecture, UI components may be reused, improving development performance and efficiency with capabilities like virtual DOM rendering.

• Node.js

Type: Runtime Environment for JavaScript

Function: Node.js lets developers run code outside of a browser environment by enabling server-side scripting using JavaScript. It is a popular option for creating scalable server applications because of its non-blocking, event-driven architecture, which works especially well for I/O-bound applications.

Advantages of Using the MERN Stack

• The main benefit of the MERN stack is that it uses JavaScript in all of its layers, which makes development easier and encourages code reuse.
• Because of the stack’s integrated tools and libraries, development cycles can be completed more quickly.
• Applications may readily scale as user needs increase thanks to Node.js’s event-driven architecture and MongoDB’s flexible structure.
• A thriving community that offers a wealth of tools, libraries, and developer support is advantageous to the MERN stack.

• MEAN Stack

One well-liked technological stack for creating dynamic web apps is the MEAN stack. 

• The MEAN stack is almost similar to the MERN stack, except Angular is used in place of React. 
• Google created the powerful front-end framework Angular, which is well-known for its dependency injection and two-way data binding capabilities. 
• When creating single-page applications (SPAs) that need a robust user experience, this stack works very well.
• This stack facilitates smooth client-side and server-side integration by enabling developers to use JavaScript to create full-stack apps.

Components: 

Angular, Node.js, Express.js, and MongoDB are its four main constituents. 

• MongoDB 

Type: NoSQL Database 

Function: MongoDB is the database layer that stores information in documents that are flexible and resemble JSON. Applications that need to handle massive volumes of data can benefit from this schema-less structure’s great scalability and performance.

• Express.js

Type: Web Application Framework

Function: Express.js is used to develop the server-side of apps and runs on top of Node.js. It makes managing HTTP requests, routing, and middleware integration easier, enabling developers to swiftly produce reliable APIs.

• Type: Frontend Framework

Function: Angular is a robust framework for creating client-side apps that was created by Google. Its features, which aid in the creation of intricate and responsive user interfaces, include two-way data binding, dependency injection, and a modular framework.

• Node.js

Type: Runtime Environment for JavaScript

Function: Node.js enables server-side JavaScript execution for developers. It is perfect for I/O-intensive applications because of its non-blocking, event-driven architecture, which allows for the effective management of numerous connections at once.

Advantages of Using the MERN Stack

• The main advantage of the MEAN stack is that it lowers the learning curve and boosts productivity by enabling developers to use JavaScript across the application stack.
• The MEAN stack is appropriate for scalable applications since MongoDB and Node.js are both built to manage heavy traffic and big datasets.
• Node.js’s asynchronous architecture facilitates real-time data processing, which makes it perfect for applications like chat services and teamwork tools.
• Every element of the MEAN stack is open-source and has a sizable community, offering developers a wealth of information and assistance.

•  LAMP Stack

One popular open-source technology stack for creating dynamic web applications is the LAMP stack. 

• LAMP is an acronym for PHP (Perl/Python), Linux, Apache, and MySQL. 
• Every element is essential to building a strong environment for web development.
• a traditional stack that has been in use for more than 20 years. 
• Many developers choose LAMP because of its reputation for simplicity and stability.
•  It works especially well for creating dynamic websites and apps like Shopify and WordPress.

Components: 

Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP

• Linux 

Type: Operating System 

Function: As the cornerstone of the LAMP stack, Linux offers a reliable and secure environment in which the other components can operate. Many web servers use it as their operating system because of its open-source nature, which permits customization and flexibility.

• Apache

Type: Web server 

Function: Serving both static and dynamic content and managing HTTP requests from clients (web browsers) are the responsibilities of the Apache HTTP Server. It responds appropriately to the client after processing incoming requests and interacting with the application logic (which is implemented in Python, PHP, or Perl).

• MySQL

Type: Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)

Function: Web applications use MySQL to store and manage data. It enables developers to efficiently generate, read, update, and remove data. Applications requiring intricate queries and data interactions can benefit from MySQL’s relational structure.

1.  Perl/Python or PHP

Type: Language for Server-Side Scripting

Function: The most popular language in the LAMP stack for creating dynamic web applications is PHP. It creates HTML content to be sent back to the client after processing user input and interacting with the database. Depending on the needs of the project, Python and Perl can alternatively be utilized as substitutes.

Advantages of Using the LAMP Stack

• The LAMP stack’s components are all open-source, meaning anybody can use and alter them without restriction.
• Utilizing open-source software lowers the licensing expenses related to proprietary solutions.
• Each component is simple for developers to modify or swap out for other options as needed.
• Every component has a sizable user and development community that offers a wealth of third-party tools, documentation, and resources.
• The LAMP stack’s technologies are dependable and stable options for web development because they have been in use for a long time.

•  JAMstack

JAMstack is a contemporary online development architecture that separates web applications’ frontend and backend to prioritize scalability, security, and performance. 

• “JAM” is an abbreviation that stands for Markup, JavaScript, and APIs. 
• JAMstack is a contemporary architecture that uses a CDN (content delivery network) to serve pre-rendered static pages, making web applications faster and more secure.
• Using static site creation and content delivery networks (CDNs), this method enables developers to create quick, effective websites and applications.
• By separating the frontend and backend, this method enables developers to utilize any backend technology or API.

Components: 

Components are JavaScript, APIs, and Markup.

• JavaScript 

Function: JavaScript is used to implement client-side dynamic functionality. It can be used to alter the DOM, handle user interactions, and retrieve data from APIs. This eliminates the need for a lot of server-side work and enables a rich user experience.

• APIs

Function: Backend operations, including data storage, server-side logic, and authentication are managed by APIs. Developers can use pre-existing third-party services or design unique APIs to satisfy certain requirements rather than creating a monolithic backend. Maintaining a single backend system is made simpler and more flexible with this microservices approach.

• Markup

Function: The term “markup” describes the pre-rendered static HTML content that users are presented. Usually, static site generators (SSGs) like Gatsby, Hugo, or Jekyll are used to create this content during a build process. JAMstack apps can enhance performance and load times by serving static files straight from a CDN.

Advantages of Using the JAMStack

• Compared to typical applications that depend on server-side rendering, JAMstack sites can load significantly faster by providing pre-built static assets from a CDN.
• Because the user interface and database are not directly connected, vulnerabilities are decreased when the frontend and backend are separated. The majority of backend exchanges take place via secure API calls.
• Without requiring any infrastructure upgrades, static materials may be readily cached and supplied globally through CDNs, making it simpler to manage heavy traffic loads.
• By enabling developers to concentrate on creating frontend experiences while utilizing pre-existing APIs for backend operations, JAMstack facilitates a more efficient development approach.

•  SERN Stack

A variant of the well-known MERN stack, which is intended for creating dynamic web applications using JavaScript, is the SERN stack.

•  SERN is an abbreviation that stands for Node.js, React, Express.js, and SQL.
• This stack enables developers to use relational databases for their applications by substituting a SQL database for MongoDB, the NoSQL database used in MERN.
• Although it uses SQL databases rather than MongoDB, this stack is comparable to MERN. 
• It blends the adaptability of JavaScript frameworks like React and Node.js with the advantages of relational databases. 

Components: 

Components are SQL, Express.js, React, and Node.js

• Structured Query Language, or SQL

Type: Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)

Function: SQL is the SERN stack’s database layer. It enables programmers to use SQL queries to save, retrieve, and modify structured data. SQLite, PostgreSQL, and MySQL are well-known SQL databases. Applications requiring intricate interactions and transactions between data items are best suited for this component.

• Express.js

Type: Web Application Framework

Function: Express.js serves as the backend framework for Node.js. By offering strong middleware and routing capabilities, it makes developing server-side applications easier. Express facilitates the creation of RESTful APIs by managing HTTP requests and responses.

•  React

Type: Frontend Library

function: The SERN stack uses React to create user interfaces. It was created by Facebook and enables developers to effectively manage application states and produce reusable user interface components. Through the reduction of direct interactions with the real DOM, React’s virtual DOM enhances performance.

• Node.js

Type: Runtime Environment for JavaScript

function: Node.js makes JavaScript server-side scripting possible. It is appropriate for I/O-intensive applications due to its event-driven, non-blocking architecture. With Node.js, developers can run JavaScript on the server, enabling a consistent front-end and back-end development experience.

Advantages of Using SERN Stack:

• Developers can benefit from the ACID features of a SQL database, which guarantee dependable transactions.
• Adoption of this stack is facilitated by the fact that many developers are already familiar with SQL databases.
• Server-side applications that are scalable and capable of managing numerous requests effectively are made possible by the combination of Express.js and Node.js.
• Similar to MERN, SERN streamlines development processes by allowing developers to utilize JavaScript across their application.

• ASP.NET Stack

A strong platform for creating dynamic web apps and services is the ASP.NET stack.

•  It was created by Microsoft and enables programmers to use the.NET ecosystem to construct reliable apps. 
• Because of its scalability, security features, and ability to integrate with a variety of Microsoft services, the ASP.NET stack is especially well-liked for enterprise-level applications.
• This stack, which was created by Microsoft, is perfect for creating enterprise-level apps. While SQL Server is the database option, ASP.NET offers a stable framework for online applications. 
• This stack is renowned for its scalability and robust security features.

Components: 

Components are ASP.NET, C#, and SQL Server.

• ASP.NET

Type: Web Application Framework (ASP.NET) 

Function: The foundational framework for developing web applications is offered by ASP.NET. It enables developers to select the most appropriate strategy for their project by supporting both Web Forms and MVC (Model-View-Controller) architectures. Applications may now run on Windows, macOS, and Linux thanks to ASP.NET Core, a cross-platform version of ASP.NET that improves performance and flexibility.

• C#

Type: Programming Language 

Function: The ASP.NET stack mostly uses C# as its programming language. It is an object-oriented language with robust garbage collection, robust typing, and extensive libraries for web application development. Developers may produce clear, maintainable code with C#.

• Internet Information Services, or IIS

Type: Web Server 

Function: ASP.NET applications are hosted by IIS, a web server program. It responds to user browser requests, processes dynamic material produced by ASP.NET applications, and serves static content. Features including application pooling, logging, and security are offered by IIS.

• SQL Server

Type:RDBMS stands for Relational Database Management System.

Function: In the ASP.NET stack, SQL Server is frequently utilized as the database solution. It enables developers to use SQL queries to effectively store and manage data. SQL Server has strong data handling capabilities and interacts well with ASP.NET applications.

Advantages of Using  ASP.NET Stack

• Because of its streamlined runtime and lightweight design, ASP.NET Core provides excellent performance.
• The stack is appropriate for enterprise-level solutions since it is built to manage large-scale applications well.
• Integrated security features aid in defending against typical vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
• Functionality and deployment choices are improved through seamless connection with other Microsoft services and products.
• Rich Ecosystem: A vast array of frameworks and tools that support quick development are available in the.NET ecosystem.

 Ruby on Rails Stack

Using the Ruby programming language, the Ruby on Rails stack, often just called Rails, is a robust online application framework. 

• It is a well-liked option for quick application development since it adheres to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture and prioritizes convention over configuration. 
• The stack is intended to make creating database-driven web applications easier.
• The robust web application framework Ruby on Rails prioritizes convention over configuration. 
• Compared to competing frameworks, it enables developers to write less code and produce applications more rapidly. 
• Because of its capacity for quick development, it is very well-liked by entrepreneurs.

Components: 

Components are Ruby, Rails, SQLite/MySQL/PostgreSQL

• Ruby 

Type: programming language 

Function: object-oriented design that is renowned for its ease of use and efficiency. It enables programmers to write code that is clear and easy to maintain. Ruby’s syntax is made to be simple to understand and intuitive, which makes development go more smoothly.

• Ruby on Rails, or Rails

 Type: Web Application Framework 

Function: The framework that offers the framework for creating web applications is called Rails. Common operations like routing, database migrations, and form handling are made easier by the built-in tools and frameworks. Rails encourages developers to adhere to conventions that improve maintainability and support best practices in web development.

• PostgreSQL/MySQL and SQLite

Type:RDBMS stands for Relational Database Management System.

Function: Relational databases are commonly used to store data in Rails applications. Because of its ease of use, SQLite is frequently utilized in development settings, while PostgreSQL and MySQL are well-liked options for production settings. By enabling developers to work with database records as Ruby objects, Active Record, Rails’ integrated Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) layer streamlines database interactions.

• WEBrick/Puma

Type: Web server 

Function: Because of its speed and capacity to manage several requests at once, Puma is a concurrent web server that is frequently utilized in production with Rails applications.

Advantages of Using Rails Stack

• By minimizing boilerplate code, Rails’ convention over configuration philosophy enables developers to create apps more rapidly.
• A multitude of libraries (gems) that increase functionality and make routine activities easier are available from the Ruby community.
• Rails promotes test-driven development (TDD), which facilitates test writing and guarantees the dependability of applications.
• Although Rails was originally designed for smaller applications, several prosperous businesses have successfully grown their Rails apps.
• A sizable developer community makes contributions to a wealth of tutorials, documentation, and support materials.

• Serverless Stack

A contemporary architecture for creating and implementing apps without having to worry about maintaining server infrastructure is the serverless stack. 

• With this method, developers may concentrate on creating code while the cloud provider manages the supporting infrastructure. 
• AWS Lambda is the most well-known example of a serverless computing service; it allows customers to execute code in response to events without having to create or manage servers.
• By utilizing serverless computing services, this stack enables the development of apps without the need for direct server management. 

• While API Gateway handles API requests, AWS Lambda executes code in response to events. 
• With this paradigm, developers don’t have to bother about infrastructure administration and can concentrate on producing code.

Components: 

Components include AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB.

• AWS Lambda

Type: Computer Services

Function: The serverless stack’s central computation service is Lambda. It automatically manages the necessary computational resources while executing code in response to events. It is economical and effective for managing variable workloads because users just pay for the compute time used. Lambda easily connects with other AWS services and supports a variety of programming languages.

• API Gateway

Type: Management Service 

Function: applications can access backend services, including Lambda functions, over API Gateway. It manages security features including authorization and authentication, request routing, and API versioning. With API Gateway, programmers may design RESTful APIs that, in response to HTTP queries, can launch Lambda functions.

• DynamoDB.

Type: NoSQL database 

Function: Amazon’s role DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database that offers smooth scaling together with quick and reliable performance. Because it can manage heavy traffic loads without human assistance, it is frequently used to store data in serverless applications.

Advantages of Using Serverless Stack

• Cost Efficiency: By just paying for the compute time used, users can avoid paying for server capacity that isn’t being used.
• Automatic Scaling: Without requiring human scaling efforts, the design automatically scales up or down in response to demand, guaranteeing peak performance.
• Decreased operational overhead: Developers can concentrate on creating application logic since they are not responsible for maintaining servers, operating systems, or networking setups.
• Faster Time-to-Market: The serverless paradigm makes it possible for apps to be developed and deployed more quickly, which speeds up feature releases and iterations.

• Vue.js Stack

A progressive JavaScript framework for creating user interfaces is called Vue.js. The Vue.js stack is a contemporary web development architecture that makes use of the Vue.js framework to create single-page applications (SPAs) and user interfaces. 

• This stack uses MongoDB as the database solution and Vue with Node.js and Express for backend services. 
• Developers frequently choose Vue.js because of its reputation for performance, versatility, and ease of use. 
• Several complementary technologies are usually included in the Vue.js stack to increase its functionality.
• It is renowned for being easy to use and adaptable when merging with other projects.

Components: 

Components include Vue.js, Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB

• Vue.js

Type: Framework for JavaScript

Function: The foundational framework for creating interactive user interfaces is Vue.js. Its component-based architecture and reactive data-binding framework enable developers to produce reusable user interface elements. Vue is perfect for both small projects and large-scale applications because of its simplicity and ease of integration with other libraries.

• Vue Router

Type: routing library

function: By defining routes in their apps, developers can enable navigating between various views or components without having to reload the page. This is necessary to build SPAs that users can easily traverse.

• Vuex

Type: State Management Library

function: For Vue.js applications, Vuex is a state management pattern and library. It facilitates data sharing across components by offering a centralized location for managing an application’s state. In larger systems where numerous components must access and modify shared states, this is especially helpful.

• Axios

Type: HTTP Client

function: Developers can use Axios, a promise-based HTTP client, to send API queries from their Vue.js apps. It facilitates communication with RESTful APIs by streamlining the process of submitting asynchronous requests to backend services and managing their responses.

Advantages of Using the Vue. js Stack

• Compared to comparable frameworks like Angular or React, Vue.js offers a mild learning curve, making it suitable for novices.
• Developers can use Vue.js as a complete framework for new applications or incorporate it gradually into already-existing projects.
• When underlying data changes, Vue.js’s reactive nature enables effective user interface adjustments.
• A thriving community offers a wealth of tools, plugins, and resources that improve the efficiency of developers.

• Java Stack

The last element added to the stack is the first to be withdrawn, according to the Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle, which is followed by the Java Stack data structure. 

• The Stack class in Java extends the Vector class and offers a number of methods for working with stack elements. 
• It is a component of the Java Collections Framework.
• Because of its scalability and resilience, the Java stack is used for large-scale enterprise applications. 
• With its default configurations and productivity-boosting built-in capabilities, Spring Boot makes it easier to create new applications.

Components: 

Components are Java, Spring Boot, MySQL/PostgreSQL

• Class Stack

The main Java implementation of the stack data structure is provided by the Stack class. It offers ways to work with various elements and permits dynamic storage of elements.

• Support for Generics

Type-safe operations are made possible by the ability to parameterize the Stack class with a type (e.g., Stack).

Advantages of Using the JAVA Stack

• Spring Boot and Hibernate are only two of the many frameworks and tools available in Java that improve productivity and expedite development processes.
• Java programs are appropriate for high-demand contexts because they can readily scale both vertically and horizontally. Applications at the enterprise level that must manage growing loads would especially benefit from this.
• Java’s “write once, run anywhere” feature makes it easier to deploy apps across many contexts by enabling them to run on any operating system that has a suitable Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
• Developers have access to a wealth of resources, documentation, and third-party tools thanks to a sizable and vibrant community, which promotes creativity and problem-solving.
• Java is a dependable option for apps that handle sensitive data because it offers strong security features, such as built-in defenses against common vulnerabilities.

These stacks are among the most widely used options for developers in 2023. Depending on project objectives including scalability, performance, and ease of use, each has advantages and best practices. Your attempts to develop web applications can be greatly impacted by your choice of stack.