MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack Development

1. MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack
Application stack development has taken a whole new level
since the last decade. Each web platform that we see on
the Internet has two sides to it: One, the frontend, which
is a visualization of data that is seen by the user,
comprising web design and its interface. The backend
functions in the background to manage the data that is
seen by the user on the frontend. The backend comprises
server-side programming and the database. The
technology stack, on the other hand, indulges in a set of
tools and frameworks to develop well-performing software.
MEAN Stack
MEAN Stack is a modern approach to Web Development. It
can be termed as a collection of JavaScript-based Web
Development technologies that assist in building robust
websites and applications. MEAN is a free, open-source
JavaScript framework with an extensive suite of built-in
testing tools.
MEAN is short for MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js, and
Node.js. Let us have a look at each one of them:

2. A NoSQL
document-bas
ed backend
database
A backend
web
application
framework
for APIs
An
open-source
frontend
JavaScript
framework
for user
interface
A
JavaScript-b
ased
run-time
execution
environment
on the
server-side
Stores
high-volumes
of data using
documents
and collection
Builds
single-page,
multi-page,
and
hybrid-page
applications
Aids the MVC
design that
can structure
the web and
business
applications
with ease
Develops
networking
and
server-side
applications
Saves the
data in the
binary JSON
format and
Extends cloud
functionalities
A
node-based
server layer
that
provides
logic for the
stack
Uses the
HTML syntax
while
expressing
various
syntaxes
Forms web
frameworks
for
I/O-based
web
applications

3. Advantages of Hiring a MEAN Stack Developer
A MEAN Stack Developer is an appropriate choice for
speeding up the web or mobile app development process.
Following are the advantages of hiring a MEAN Stack
Developer:
● MEAN Stack Developers cover the complete
development process from the frontend (client-side)
to the backend (server-side) of an application using
JavaScript.
● They include MVC architecture and lessen the hefty
work, thereby smoothing out the process of
development.
● They work with prime technologies accordingly, i.e.,
they use MongoDB and Express.js to work on the
backend whereas Angular.js and Node.js to work on
the frontend.
● They utilize the framework in such a way that it
enables popular plugins and lessens the time taken for
system administration.

4. Skill Sets a MEAN Stack Developer Must Possess
● Be aware of cloud technologies, architecture, web
designing, and integration
● Knowledge of HTML and CSS
● Understanding of SDLC and the Agile environment
● Have access to multiple frameworks for web creation
and development
Why choose MEAN Stack?
MEAN Stack is highly flexible toward code transfer within
other frameworks. Using this, one can build a robust
framework that supports daily needs. MEAN Stack is simple
and easy to learn with good community support. It is
preferred for small-to-medium-scale projects.

5. It extends over a full development cycle, from the
client-side to the server-side. However, the MEAN stack is
ideal for powerful frontend development, preferably for
enterprises that require single-page applications but with a
dynamic user interface.
MERN Stack
MERN Stack is a common alternative to MEAN Stack,
where traditional Angular.js is replaced by React.js, which
makes the development process much smoother and
easier.
‘MERN’ is an acronym made up of a set of technologies,
namely, MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js. Let’s
dig into what each of these components performs:
● MongoDB: It is a cross-platform, document-oriented
scalable NoSQL database. It is a flexible platform that
enables users to create tables, schemas, and much
more. Once MongoDB is installed, it comes along with
Mongo Shell, which is a JavaScript interface that
performs the querying, updating, and deleting of

6. records. This database involves a simple environment
setup and stores the application data.
● Express.js: This is layered on top of NodeJS. It
supports the backend framework and makes it simpler
to write the backend code. It helps in designing better
APIs and web applications. This modular framework
also supports middleware and promotes code
reusability to ease the process of writing the code. It
is specially designed to conduct simplified
applications.
● React.js: It is a front-end framework used for creating
user interfaces. It is quick in handling rapidly changing
data, simplifying the development of single-page and
mobile applications. This JavaScript library lets
developers create UI components and the interface of
single-page web applications. It also enables them to
edit and refresh the page without reloading it.
● Node.js: It is a JavaScript run-time environment that
allows users to run the code on the server. It supports
Node Pack Manager (npm), which is a combination of

7. thousands of public and private node modules that are
free to download.
Advantages of Hiring a MERN Stack Developer
MERN Stack Developers can efficiently build web and
mobile applications using standard processes and abilities.
Below mentioned are a few add-ons on why to hire a MERN
Stack Developer.
● MERN Stack Developers implement design thinking
with enhanced expertise in various technologies.
● They maintain full-fledged development in the
shortest time.
● They focus on improvised solutions by maintaining a
compelling user experience and delivering highly
scalable cloud integration.

8. Skill Sets a MERN Stack Developer Must Possess
● Be proficient in HTML and JavaScript
● Understanding of profiling applications and optimizing
them
● Knowledge of various databases and programming
templates
Why choose MERN Stack?
When compared to Angular.js of the MEAN Stack, MERN
Stack’s React.js is best for UI layer abstraction. It executes
code development quickly due to its collection of dynamic
user interfaces readily available within the library. MERN
acts the best in controlling and updating large dynamic
JSON data that can smoothly navigate between the
frontend and the backend.

9. MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack
Now that you are familiar with both MEAN Stack and MERN
Stack, let’s come to the topic of discussion: MEAN vs
MERN. The presentation of their architecture will let you
delve into the major differences between MEAN and MERN.
In both MEAN and MERN, all the above components are
used as a combination for building a full-stack project.
They offer opportunities for JavaScript Developers to build
full-stack applications with an attractive interface for users
to interact with, which enables the users to navigate
through pages and respond to actions smoothly and
quickly.
Difference Between MEAN Stack and MERN Stack
Similar to MEAN Stack vs Full Stack, MEAN and MERN also
differ in their component alignment in their architecture: In
MEAN, it is Angular.js, and in MERN, it is React.js. Though
both Angular.js and React.js are used in organizing UI
layers and carry ample documentation and sample codes,
they cause a slight difference between MEAN and MERN:

10. MEAN uses the AngularJS
framework
MERN uses the ReactJS
library
MEAN is backed by Google
Inc.
MERN is backed by
Facebook Inc.
It exhibits a steeper learning
curve
It is much simpler to learn
Angular.js has undergone
major alterations from
version 1 to version 2
React.js performs better
than Angular.js in
maintaining UI rendering
MEAN maintains abstraction
in coding and also manages
files
MERN develops code at a
quicker rate
MEAN Stack is preferable at
the enterprise-level
architecture
MERN is preferred for the
quick development of
smaller applications
It possesses ready-to-use
features to support multiple
third-party libraries
React.js requires additional
libraries to support such
calls
It offers better developer
productivity
React offers lower
developer productivity
Data flow is bidirectional,
i.e., when the UI is changed,
the model state is
automatically changed
Data flow is unidirectional,
i.e., the UI can be changed
only after changing the
model state

11. MEAN is suitable for
handling small projects
MERN is more suitable for
managing larger projects
Things to Consider Before Choosing the Right Stack
for Your Business
● Project requirements: Analyze project requirements to
check the feasibility of the stack
● New practices: Introduce Agile development practices
to experience a customer-driven market
● Flexibility and feasibility: Note the differences between
database architecture and software solutions to
maintain flexibility
● Cost of development: Identify various cost-effective
methods for the entire development process

12. On a Final Note in MERN Stack vs MEAN stack
Given the wide range of available technology stacks, MEAN
Stack and MERN Stack present you with similar
functionalities in their work. In the present application
development market, MEAN and MERN have become
equally important in conducting their roles. They are
rapidly growing in popularity as an integral part of Full
Stack Development. Both MEAN and MERN are reliable
frameworks. However, they differ in their structure
placement. In this MEAN stack vs MERN stack comparison,
it is your project requirement that will let you reach a
suitable choice.