Best JavaScript Framework To Build Modern Enterprise-Grade Web Apps in 2024

Building modern enterprise-grade web apps is a complex process. As a developer, you need to ensure scalability, security, performance optimization, interactivity, cross-platform compatibility, and a lot of other things. Fortunately, with the help of the right tools and techniques, we can create such apps quickly and with high efficiency. For example, utilizing the best JavaScript framework can streamline the web development process, making it quicker and more efficient. Thus, it’s not a surprise that JavaScript frameworks are experiencing a staggering rise in popularity among web developers. 

In this article, we’ll cover all the key aspects of choosing the best JavaScript framework for your next project. We’ll also explore the features of some of the top frameworks to help you make the right decision.

What is a JavaScript Framework?

A JavaScript framework essentially provides a set of pre-written JavaScript code libraries and functions commonly required in web development. Thus, developers can utilize these frameworks to create apps quickly as they don’t have to write lengthy code for common and repetitive tasks.

Many JavaScript frameworks are available in the market today to cater to different web application development requirements. Developers worldwide use these frameworks to:

• Speed up the web development process
• Save time and costs
• Improve productivity
• Streamline the development process

However, not all frameworks are created equal. Therefore, it’s essential to assess your project requirements alongside the features and capabilities of the best JavaScript frameworks to choose the right one for your app.

Choosing the Best JavaScript Framework for Your Enterprise App

Enterprise-grade web apps are software tools created to satisfy the demands of large businesses. Building these applications has unique challenges, such as:

• Ensuring data integrity and facilitating collaboration across departments
• Scalability is essential to handle the ever-increasing user loads
• Ensuring the app is responsive even under heavy usage. 
• Implementing robust security features to  protect sensitive organizational data 
• Ensuring maintainability 

Thus, when creating enterprise-grade apps, you must carefully choose a JavaScript framework that can cater to these requirements. Here are some of the key factors to consider when choosing the best JavaScript framework:

Project Requirements

Assess your app requirements and evaluate whether the JavaScript framework can handle these requirements. Consider your app’s size, complexity, UI design, scalability and performance requirements. Then, choose a framework accordingly. 

For example, if you’re creating a large enterprise-grade app that requires data integration from multiple sources, a complex UI, and charts and graphs for presenting data, ExtJS is a great option. 

Ext JS is a front-end JavaScript framework designed and optimized specifically for developing enterprise-level web and mobile apps. The framework offers 140+ pre-built-UI components. Including charts and graphs, and has advanced data management capabilities.

Performance

Enterprise-grade apps often handle large datasets or complex functionalities. Thus, performance optimization is crucial for such apps.

The best JavaScript framework implements techniques to optimize the app’s performance, such as:

• Minimizing memory consumption, 
• Optimizing rendering
• Efficient data handling 

For example, Ext JS provides a high-performance JS grid to handle large data sets. The grid is optimized to process millions of records without affecting the app’s performance. 

Scalability

Enterprise apps must be designed to handle growing user bases and increased data loads. Thus, scalable frameworks that can accommodate changing business needs are essential. For example, the best JavaScript frameworks support modular design, microservices, and effective state management.

Security

Enterprise-grade apps deal with highly sensitive organizational and customer data. Protecting this data is not only about moral obligation and reputation but you may also be bound by the law to ensure data protection. For example, if you operate in the healthcare sector, you must comply with HIPAA. 

Therefore, choosing a framework that implements advanced security methods and features is crucial. Many open-source frameworks out there aren’t as secure. However, a framework like Ext JS can provide you with the data protection features you need. In fact, Ext JS is widely recognized for its high security. 

Developer Experience

Choosing a framework that prioritizes developer experience can make the development process even easier for you. 

Look for a framework with:

• An easy learning curve (easy to use and easy to integrate)
• Comprehensive documentation and learning resources
• Additional tools that make development tasks more efficient

Top JavaScript Frameworks for Enterprise-Grade Web Apps

Sencha Ext JS – The Best JavaScript Framework

Sencha Ext JS is the JavaScript framework we recommend the most when it comes to enterprise applications. It is specifically optimized and designed for enterprise-level app development. 

Key features of Ext JS include:

• 140+ fully tested and pre-built UI components to speed up web development
• Provides charts, graphs, and high-performance grids to present large datasets efficiently 
• Robust security features
• Advanced data management capabilities
• Cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility
• Prioritizes maintainability and scalability over other major factors
• Supports both MVC and MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel) architectures.  
• Extensive documentation and lots of learning resources

Angular JS

The Google-developed AngularJS framework has been an integral part of business web development for a very long time. It is a good option for businesses looking for reliability and scalability in their projects.

Key features of Angular include:

• Modular architecture
• Two-way data binding
• Super easy to learn (no pre-requisite knowledge required)
• Highly customizable
• Open-source
• Great for developing single-page applications (SPA)

React 

React, developed by Facebook, is one of the most used JavaScript frameworks. It speeds up the development process by providing reusable components.

Key features of React JavaScript library include:

• Virtual DOM (Document Object Model) 
• Modular and reusable component-based architecture.
• Provides various React developer tools
• Huge developer community
• One-way data binding
• Supports declarative programming

Vue.js

Vue was released back in 2014 and is widely used to create single-page applications (SPA). The framework is recognized for its cross-platform capabilities, ease of use, and high flexibility. 

Key features of Vue include:

• Vue has a component-based architecture, where each component has its own structure, styling, and logic.
• Developers can easily create and reuse components. 
• Vue offers built-in directives that allow for declarative rendering and interaction with the DOM.
• With Vue CLI, developers quickly set up their projects. The CLI supports a range of helpful features, such as scaffolding new projects, plugins, etc.
• Vue uses a reactive data binding system.
• With, Vue Router developers get access to a powerful routing system. They can easily define navigation paths and manage application states. 

jQuery

jQuery is a popular JavaScript that makes it easier for developers to work with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It simplifies various common programming tasks, allowing developers to focus more on building features instead of dealing with complex JavaScript code.

Key features of jQuery include:

• The library makes it simpler and easier to manipulate HTML elements. You can add, remove, and modify elements and their attributes with simple methods.
• With jQuery, developers get a straightforward way to manage events, such as clicks, hover, form submissions). It provides methods that simplify binding and unbinding event handlers.
• Provides built-in features for creating animations and effects
• jQuery simplifies making asynchronous HTTP requests. It provides easy methods for loading data from a server without refreshing the page.
• jQuery offers cross-browser capabilities.

Performance Benchmarks and Comparisons

Here is a comparison of the performance of Ext JS, Angular, and React in enterprise scenarios.

Rendering speed

Ext JS is generally considered to be the fastest of the three frameworks, especially for complex applications. This is because Ext JS uses several techniques to improve rendering speed, such as caching and lazy loading. 

React is also a fast framework offering features like virtual DOM and optimized rendering. But, it may not be as fast as Ext JS for complex applications. 

AngularJS is generally considered to be the slowest of the three frameworks, especially for complex applications. This is because AngularJS uses a real DOM, which can be slower to update than the virtual DOM used by React.

Memory usage

React has the lowest memory usage of the three different JavaScript frameworks. It is a lightweight web application framework that uses virtual DOM. Thus, it minimizes direct DOM manipulation, which reduces memory overhead. 

AngularJS and Ext JS have a higher memory usage than React. This is because AngularJS and Ext JS are more complex frameworks with more features and functionality.

Responsiveness

The three frameworks can be used to create applications that function well across a variety of devices and screen sizes since they are all responsive. 

However, Ext JS is generally considered to be the most responsive of the three frameworks. This is due to the incorporation of touch support and adaptive layouts.

Future Trends in Enterprise-Grade Web App Development

Emerging trends in JS frameworks are reshaping the web app development process. In the coming years, the industry will be defined by the following technologies.

• Serverless Architectures: Serverless frameworks like AWS Lambda and Azure Functions reduce infrastructure management, enhancing scalability and cost-efficiency.
• JAMstack: JAMstack architecture offers speed and security, decoupling the frontend from the backend, and relying on APIs for dynamic content.
• Micro-Frontends: Modular frontend architecture allows independent development of UI components, promoting collaboration and maintainability.
• WebAssembly: High-performance online apps are made possible by the ability to run low-level languages in browsers thanks to WebAssembly.
• AI and ML Integration: JavaScript frameworks are integrating AI and ML capabilities for smarter, data-driven enterprise apps.
• PWA Adoption: Progressive Web Apps offer native-like experiences, enhancing offline functionality and user engagement.

These developments promise improved performance, scalability, and user experiences.

Conclusion

A JavaScript framework is a great tool for developers to speed up the development process, enhance efficiency and productivity, and save time. When choosing a JS framework for enterprise-grade web app development consider factors like:

• Project requirements
• Performance
• Scalability 
• Security
• Developer experience

When it comes to developing reliable, safe, and scalable applications that can help your business grow, Sencha Ext JS is always worth considering. It offers 140+ fully tested UI components, a reliable set of tools, exceptional rendering speed, and advanced security features. 

Take your web apps to new heights with Sencha Ext JS.

FAQs

Which JS framework is better?

It depends on various factors, such as your project requirements, scalability requirements, and security needs. If you’re looking to create high-performance, highly secure, and responsive enterprise-grade web apps with interactive user interfaces, Ext JS is a good option.

Which JS framework is best in 2024?

Popular front-end JavaScript frameworks in 2024 include Ext JS, React, and Angular.

What is the lightest JS framework?

React is a lightweight JavaScript framework offering features like virtual DOM and reusable components.