MERN or MEAN Stack? What’s Your Top Pick for Web & Mobile App Development? 

Technology is evolving at a rapid rate. But how rapid? The pace of technological innovation grows two times every 18 months when computing is measured. Not only this, but over 89 percent of big data has also been produced in the last two years. These stats and figures show how technology is advancing. 

It’s a clear sign that the future of technology doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Right? But at the same time, small or enterprise-level businesses are also stressed to walk with technology trends. This urge leads them to launch a web and mobile app that further end them with a question - 'Which technology stack should I choose for digital product development, especially when I have the fastest growing MERN and MEAN stack on my list? 

Choosing the right technology between MERN and MEAN is not easy. After all, both technology stacks are used to develop advanced web and mobile app solutions for small and large-scale businesses. Well, in order to clear up your confusion, we bring you this blog. Here we have highlighted the comparison between MEAN stack and MERN stack development that will shed a light on each aspect of these technologies. 

So, what are you waiting for? 

Let’s delve more into this topic to get answers to all your questions. 

What is MEAN Stack?

An open-source, JavaScript-based technology stack, MEAN is popular for mobile and web app development. MEAN stands for MongoDB, ExpressJS, Angular, and NodeJS respectively. This stack comes with essential plugins and tools required to build robust web and mobile app solutions embracing a top-grade user experience.  

Key Features

Know the power of the MEAN stack development by checking out the below-listed features.

• MongoDB

It’s a database program and one of the components of the MEAN stack that makes the insert, update, and delete process easier. 

• JavaScript

JavaScript is a popular web programming language used to build high-performance websites and games. This language decreases bandwidth usage, and that’s why MEAN stack is a perfect pick to limit bandwidth usage. 

• NodeJS Driven

MEAN stack is a NodeJS-driven (an open-source, backend JavaScript runtime environment based on the V8 engine) technology stack that helps render databases faster than the Apache server. 

• Isomorphic Code

Isomorphic code works best with the JavaScript programming language as it can run on both client and server end. MEAN is a flexible technology stack that makes transferring the code to another framework as easy as ABC. 

Benefits

• Developers can expect reusability, maintenance, testability, and high speed from the MEAN stack. 
• Every component of the MEAN stack is free and open-source, which cuts down the development cost to a high extent.
• Isomorphic coding is possible with the MEAN stack. It makes it easy for developers to transfer the code to another framework. 
• MEAN stack allows effortless switching between server-side and client-side. Developers having expertise in JavaScript can handle such projects. 

What is MERN Stack?

MERN stack is another name categorized as full-stack that also helps develop hybrid web and mobile apps. MERN stands for MongoDB, ExpressJS, ReactJS, and NodeJS, used by developers worldwide.

Key Features

Here are a few points showing why developers worldwide are attracted to this MERN technology stack. 

• Runs on Multiple Servers

MongoDB in the MERN stack development can run on multiple services. If in case the hardware fails to work, the data will replicate.  

• Testing

The testing tools, including Jeta, and Mocha, allow you to perform testing on web and mobile applications based on ReactJS.

• Hybrid Mobile Apps

Developing a hybrid app is possible with the MERN stack. Thanks to React Native! It is a hybrid platform that encourages a smoother development process. 

• Purely Javascript-based

MERN stack is purely a JavaScript-based technology stack. Hence, it requires no context switching, as every line of code is written in JavaScript. 

Benefits

• Building a top-notch web and mobile application is easy using the development tools React library offers. 
• MERN stack offers incredible community support.
• It provides access to in-built testing tools. 
• MERN stack offers the flexibility of creating pages on the server. 
• Support Model View Controller (MVC) architecture for a smooth development process. 
• In order to use this JavaScript-based stack, you must have a good knowledge of JavaScript and JSON. 

MEAN or MERN: A Detailed Comparison

Now you're very well aware of what MEAN and MERN stack development is. Both technologies serve the same goals (developing web and mobile app solutions). So, how would you choose the most notable technology that suits your business requirements?

MVC Support

Prioritizing the entire architecture is necessary when developing an enterprise-level application. In such a case, choosing the MEAN stack is a wise move instead of the MERN stack as the MEAN stack supports Model-View-Controller architecture. But if you can manage the code, choosing the MERN stack would be the best idea. 

Performance

DOM (Document Object Model) is the programming interface for HTML and XML documents. MERN uses React for a virtual DOM update that enables faster application coding. On the other hand, the MEAN stack utilizes Angular for real DOM updates.  

Learning Curve

NodeJS, MongoDB, and ExpressJS contain extensive documentation, and there is not much difference in the learning curve of both MEAN and MERN. The whole learning curve changes between React and Angular.  

The Angular framework uses templates and Typescript. So, there is a much learning curve with Angular. On the other hand, React doesn’t contain a learning curve. 

Security

Scalable frameworks like NodeJS and Angular, supported by JSON Web Token (JWT), build together a MEAN stack. Such components ensure no unauthorized access can harm your sensitive data, making the MEAN stack more secure than the MERN stack. 

When discussing the MERN stack, it enables faster execution of operations, building an API backend along with Hapi, Express. MERN stack also offers authentication methods, but at the same time, it is important to note these methods are ineffective against CSRF attacks. 

Data Flow

MEAN stack allows you to alter UI and model as per your choice, and this is possible because the data flow of the MEAN stack is bi-directional. On the other hand, React's unidirectional data binding is considered ideal when handling and managing large-scale projects.  

Third-party Libraries

MEAN stack has HTTP requests and is equipped with backend functionalities by default. It directly points to the fact you can use the libraries without any knowledge of programming language. 

Well, the MERN stack is still advancing and has no libraries to meet the requirement of project development. Additional settings are required to integrate third-party libraries in React. 

Final Words

There is no second thought that there is a close competition between the MEAN stack and MERN stack. Choosing the right one is not easy. Both technology stacks are best in their own ways. So, you can select any as per your business requirement in order to develop a high-end dynamic app. 

And if you want to learn more about these technologies, feel free to get in touch with us. 75way is an expert in MEAN and MERN stack development you can easily rely on for your web and mobile app solution development. We add value to your business with our end-to-end services.