MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack vs Full Stack: Which One to Choose?

Blog Synopsis: Web app development is undoubtedly a sunshine for businesses to move to online platforms. Subsequently, figuring out the right tech stack is an attentive task. It emerges from a dilemma and tiff among the MERN stack vs MEAN stack vs Full-stack. All three are the top solutions for web applications. Making your selection journey easy to navigate, here is the comparison of MEAN vs MERN vs Full Stack.  

Introduction to (Tech) Stack

Firstly, it’s important to understand the stack to move deeper into the comparison. The technology stack is the correct term, used in the IT industry. It denotes the technologies, databases, programming languages, frameworks, servers, operating systems, etc. Utilized to develop software like websites or apps. 

The tech stack is the core component of any type of software development. It is the mixture of technologies for making a valuable end product. Backend, frontend, full-stack, third-party libraries, and a combination of tech stacks are available.

Although the tech stack is categorized into various types of tech stack. It is possible through a combination of different technologies from each element. As a result, there are certain tried and tested stacks that have emerged. Among them, CTOs and CEOs get confused about the difference between the MEAN Stack vs. MERN Stack.

Focusing on the fast-growing technologies, we thought to elaborate your with both the tech stack thoroughly. Keep reading and see which is better than the other. 

What is the MEAN Stack?

MEAN implies MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, and NodeJS. It is a JavaScript-based solution widely utilized to build top-notch web applications. MEAN stack is an open-source framework for creating advanced websites and web applications. Having both progressive and responsive solutions integrated, streamlines the development process.

For a range of industries, the MEAN stack will make highly functional web applications. Be it fintech or banking, real estate, entertainment, etc. You can surely make a competent solution to accelerate the performance in the market. The MEAN stack developers will deliver web apps with edge APIs and other libraries. So, you can rest assured of its overall structure.

The efficiency and popularity of the MEAN stack are shouting out with its best-of-all-time web apps given below;

• YouTube
• Accenture
• Forbes
• UNIQLO
• Fiverr

MEAN Stack Elements

To make you understand the MEAN stack easily, let’s break down and elaborate on them individually. 

MongoDB – It is the main NoSQL database technology essential to store data JSON files

Express.js – It is the backend web framework utilized with NodeJS

AngularJS – The JavaScript codebase for frontend development

NodeJS – The ultimate JS web server for backend application runtime environment   

Pros of MEAN Stack

• Speedy Development

The MEAN stack is renowned for its quick development time which makes it the first pick of developers. It will build MVP applications instantly. Additionally, having a single framework for both the backend and frontend eliminates the separate development time. So, it eventually improves the productivity of the developers.

• Flexible Solution

The combination of tech stack in MEAN is ideal for making standard web applications. MEAN developers can easily manage both client and server-side programming. It simplifies the development process and makes developers manage it proficiently.

• Cloud Compatibility 

The edge of web applications built on the cloud increases data security. Offering a cloud-compatible solution, MEAN makes a web app with the enhancement of a cloud-based solution.

• Highly Scalable

Every business needs scalable applications that don’t consist of any bugs and errors. MEAN takes care of the web app development and tests it rigorously before the launch.

Cons of MEAN Stack

• Tough for New Developers

The complexity of MEAN stack development makes it difficult for new engineers to get a hold of it. Its learning curve is quite challenging to crack. Although, there are courses available by experts on different platforms to learn from. 

• Lack of Community Support

The MEAN stack developers community is widely spread but it needs more support. So, it decreases the potency of the MEAN stack.

• Hampers the Performance

Even after being known for its performance-rich applications, it has drawbacks with CPU-intensive processing. Having more of such processing will slow down the web app’s performance. 

Let’s jump into the MERN stack and then move to their comparison.  

What is the MERN Stack?

Now, the MERN stack ( MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Nodejs) is also a JavaScript-supported open-source web and app development tech solution. It is the ideal blend of new and advanced technologies for making leading web apps. 

MERN stack uses various frameworks, languages, and tools to deliver leading web applications. The open-source components of the MERN stack assist developers in making reliable web applications. It is an industry-compatible stack that makes web apps based on your business type. 

In MEAN stack vs. MERN stack, MERN utilizes the frontend capabilities of React to deliver a high-end user interface of the application. Some of its remarkable projects to date are;

• Facebook
• WhatsApp
• Netflix
• Dropbox

MERN Stack Elements 

MongoDB – Document-based database management tool

Express.js – Quick and streamlined framework coefficient with NodeJS

React.js – Power-packed frontend library for UI components 

Node Js – The JavaScript-based web server for your web app

Related: Why Startups Choose MERN Stack for Developing Web Apps?

Advantages of MERN Stack

• Scalability

The MERN stack development scalable web application has the underlying strength to sustain itself in the fast-growing and competitive market. So, it is beneficial for your organization to maintain consistency. 

• MVC Architecture

Now, the most proficient benefit of the MERN stack is the Model-View-Controller architecture. It provides developers with simplified online programs to maintain and upgrade the apps. Hence, it makes you easily manage the post-development process as well. 

• Community Support

The MERN stack is backed by a strong and vast community. So, it keeps adapting to the latent trends making the approach more innovative. Your project will get an edge over expert solutions.

• Maintains Codebase 

As mentioned, the MERN stack is a streamlined technology solution that is quite easier to manage than others. Having multiple tiers, the MERN stack developers make the development cycle smooth and don’t compromise the code integrity. Accordingly, it maintains a codebase in a time-saving manner.

Cons of MERN Stack

• Inefficient for Large-scale Projects

The MERN stack indeed has efficiency and flexibility but is limited to small projects. For instance, you can conveniently make single-page applications. Consequently, the large-scale and advanced feature-set web apps raise issues halfway through the development process. 

• Inadequate Error Prevention

The MERN stack fails to provide robust error prevention features or solutions. It becomes problematic for developers to find and rectify the errors.

What are the Key Differences Between the MEAN Stack vs. MERN Stack?

To kick-start your entrepreneurial journey with web app development, you need to learn the essential differences between the MEAN and MERN stacks. Let’s have a detailed comparison of both to figure out their relevance for your project. 

• Size of Project

The project size plays an important role in choosing among these two. Although both have efficient solutions, the MERN stack is good for smaller and single-page applications. While MEAN can serve large-scale and complicated projects well.

• Design Components

The UI/UX aspect of the web app is crucial to undertake. In this regard, both MEAN and MERN have UI components backed with JavaScript. Angular offers basic UI solutions for web applications. However, React provides highly responsive and customizable UI elements for your project.

• Popularity

The popularity factor lies based on the type of project. For heavy enterprise-level web applications, the MEAN stack is favorable and beneficial in the long run. However, the usage and functionality of React have been the reason for the MERN stack popularity. So, both quite work on the same tangent. 

• Third-party Integration

For any application, third-party extensions are utilized for MEAN projects usually by Angular developers. With MERN, it requires extra configuration of integrating third-party solutions. 

Now, the turning point is that there is another expertise solution available. It has joined in as the additional option for MEAN and MERN. Making it the battle covert into Full-Stack vs MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack. Before that, let’s have some insights about Full-stack.

What is Full-Stack?

The full-stack development is a great combination of both all-inclusive technologies of frontend and backend. It covers a wide scope of frameworks, databases, tools, programming languages, and so on. Moreover, full-stack is the all-around tech solution, used for any type of software development. 

While MERN and MEAN are definite and bound with specific categories i.e., web applications. It encompasses the client-side and server-side programming single-handedly. So, it also eliminates the separate need for backend and frontend developers. As a result, many CEOs also compare backend vs. frontend vs full-stack. 

On the contrary, if you hire a full-stack developer who can serve you from scratch to scalable web applications. It implements the UI/UX program, backend coding, version control, API integrations, database tools, and testing. Its highly versatile nature makes full-stack the one-stop solution. 

Be it a website or mobile app development, the full-stack developer has competence with your project. Whichever you compare full-stack vs MERN stack and full-stack vs MEAN stack, all these technologies are integrated into it.  

So, it can simply meet the latest and multiple technologies requirement criteria of the industries. Let’s narrow down the full-stack capabilities;

Frontend – HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, React, Angular, TypeScript, etc.

Backend – PHP, Python, Ruby on the Rails, Express.js, Laravel, and many others

Database Management – MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and others

Mobile Apps – Android and iOS

DevOps – Jenkins, Docker, and Kubernetes

With the above information, you might get the idea that full-stack development requires skilled and multi-tasking engineers. Not only should they have a good grip on each technology but also have analytical skills to manage the development lifecycle. 

Hence, here are some green flags and red flags you need to know about full-stack development.

Pros of Full-Stack 

• Edge of Multiple Technologies

Full-stack development gives your project the glory of more than one technology. You can make the website or app compatible and functional to accelerate in the market. 

Having the knowledge of various technologies as a full-stack developer minimizes your project’s overall cost. So, among the MEAN stack vs MERN stack vs full stack, comparison full-stack is far ahead of them.

• High-level Performance

Your project can be cherished with performance-rich components and attain the target sales swiftly. Full-stack doubles the workflow, with parallel running both the frontend and backend.  

• Updated with the Latest Versions

Working with various technologies makes you benefit and stay updated with new modifications. You can leverage the latest solutions and upgrade to fresh solutions.  

• Efficient Team Management

Offering more in fewer resources makes the full-stack development deliver the potential solutions. It minimizes the need to conduct the hiring process again and again. The team of a few full-stack developers can easily handle the project. 

• Quick Deployment

As you have a few developers, they can easily switch roles internally. It makes the task completion faster. Consequently, it will allow developers to meet the deadlines and faster deployment process.  

• Budget-Friendly

If you are a startup or SME, full-stack development is definitely for you to make web apps within a tight budget. It is less costly than other tech stacks. You can definitely get innovative solutions with a budget-friendly full-stack. You can also check out the guide on how to hire full-stack developers.

Cons of Full-Stack

• Lacks Seasoned Expertise

Although, the full-stack developers have versatile knowledge. The TRUE full-stack capabilities are pre-vetted and well-versed with all the essential technologies. However, the experience and in-depth understanding specifically in one framework are challenging.    

• Complicated Process Management

The development process becomes complicated to manage due to having a lengthy workload. It may raise obstacles or issues in the process. So, you might need to hire a dedicated development team to minimize the hiccups.

Head-on Between MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack vs Full Stack

Finally, we are starting with the ultimate battle round among the comparison of Full Stack vs MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack. Here is the differential overview in the form of an image. Following that, you will learn major points with explanations.

• Performance

Among MERN vs MEAN vs Full-stack, the performance aspect is influential in making the project successful or failing. All these tech stacks offer performance-driven solutions. But there is a catch to this. MERN stack is highly capable of making lightweight and fast-loading web apps. In comparison to MEAN and full-stack, you can get upscaled traffic and a higher performance rate with the MERN stack.

• Ease of Use

The complications of programming are surely implied depending on the project’s needs. However, the MEAN and MERN stack have prerequisites of knowledge of JavaScript. On the other hand, full-stack demands a range of technologies. So, we can say all the tech stacks offer a moderate level of usability.

• Overall Development Time

Now comes the development time of each stack. In this case, full-stack may take longer time as it uses various frontend and backend solutions. In addition to that, it is responsible for 360-degree workflow. Between MERN and MEAN, the former is an integrated third-party tool. So, MEAN takes quite less development time than others. 

Final Verdict: Which One to Choose? 

After the detailed comparison of Full Stack vs MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack, you get insights into their strengths and weaknesses. Now, to make the right decision for your project, here are some things you need to consider.  

• Domain-based Project
• Deadlines of Project
• Large-scale Web apps
• Target Audience

However, if you want this hassle, you can pass the ball in our court. Rlogical being an experienced and versatile software development company has recorded the successful journey of many clients. Having a 97% client retention rate signifies the value we offer to our clients. You can also become one of them now!