How good your user interface will turn out to be depends on which front-end framework you choose for your project.
With so many options out there you have to be knowledgeable and experienced to know what features are actually helpful, and which ones just look good on paper.
As proficient developers, we have worked with most of the front-end frameworks in the market and so our list of the best front-end frameworks can help you decide which ones to learn, or use to develop your app or website in 2023 and beyond.
Top Frontend Web Development Frameworks
We will discuss the best ones by dividing the front end development frameworks into six categories:
- Fastest Front-end Framework
- JavaScript Front-End Framework
- Best Front-End Framework For PHP
- Latest Front-End Web Technologies
- Most Popular Front-End Technologies
- Multi-Page Front-end Framework
Some of the frameworks mentioned below have multiple amazing features, but we have highlighted the ones that you would need for your project.
Let’s dive right in:
1. Fastest Front-end Frameworks
When you have a tight deadline or want to create an app with a gigantic code base; you need to use the fastest front-end frameworks. Here are the best ones in our experience and according to international community forums:
a. Ember JS
With its Convention over Configuration (CoC) and Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY) features, ember JS is one of the fastest front-end development frameworks. The code structure is uniform across all Ember apps, which speeds up the development process if you have previous experience with the framework.
Even if you are new to Ember, you can create apps quickly because it incorporates the community’s best practices within the code internally.
So instead of writing long strings of code and having to manually choose how to proceed, the framework will guide you; while of course giving you the choice to follow or not follow its recommendation.
b. Backbone JS
Backbone JS has several features that make this one of the fastest front-end frameworks including reusable code, faster upgrades, and the freedom to use various tools such as Chaplin.
Although this framework is losing popularity due to Angular and newer frameworks, it is still a powerful framework to create single-page applications, especially where you have multiple users e.g. Trello.
2. Best JavaScript Front-End Frameworks
Most of the front-end frameworks are in JavaScript, so it is difficult to narrow down just a few. Here are our picks of the best JavaScript front-end frameworks based on their multiple features:
a. React JS
Server-side rendering, Virtual DOM, SEO features and flexibility of the framework are some of the reasons that make React JS one of the best JavaScript front-end frameworks.
Although it supports only the view component as opposed to other full MVC frameworks such as Angular, the reusable code feature makes it a developers’ favourite.
You can create highly interactive user interfaces with React since that is the primary goal of why it was created.
b. jQuery
There are divided opinions on jQuery but we believe it is still one of the best JavaScript front-end frameworks today.
It is compatible with almost all frameworks since it is essentially a library with a small learning curve and a large community of developers. So you can be as creative as you like with this front-end framework.
You can also build desktop-based apps quickly with less functionality using jQuery. However, we don’t recommend it for scalable mobile or web apps.
3. Best Front-End Framework For PHP
a. Bootstrap
Bootstrap is one of the best front-end frameworks for PHP as it lets you build boxes and buttons for various screen sizes. This level of UI is not really found in other frameworks compatible with PHP.
Other reasons why we prefer Bootstrap as a PHP front-end are the responsive grids, reusable components, basic HTML elements, and plugins.
You can easily pick up the framework and start working on it even without much experience as a front-end developer.
b. ZURB Foundation
We recommend ZURB Foundation as the best front-end framework for PHP for beginners since it is easy to use.
ZURB Foundation loads the components quickly and allows you to create high-quality animations with unlimited customizations. And the best feature is that it is suitable for all device sizes. If you are new, then you can design the UI for a small screen and then add code layers to make it suitable for a bigger device without compromising the design.
4. Latest Front-End Web Technologies
a. Semantic UI
Semantic UI was released in 2018 and is one of the latest front-end web technologies on our list.
It quickly became one of the best due to its amazing features such as ready to start UI and easily readable code which helps novice developers, who have some knowledge of JavaScript, start creating a front-end right away.
It is much less complicated than some of the other front-end frameworks but offers high functionalities. You can use its components for loading content. Its Placeholder Segment is especially amazing; it allows you to mark out space for where you plan on placing specific content.
b. Svelte
The goal of Svelte is to make it easy for the developer to create apps. Some of its features are similar to older frameworks such as React, but this is one of the best latest front-end web technologies out there.
Released in 2016, Svelte is unique in the way that it updates your DOM in real-time if the state of your app changes.
The focus of this framework is on compiling which makes it much faster than its competitors, and that’s why we love it for developing all kinds of apps.
5. Most Popular Front-End Technologies
Calling a framework the best just because it is popular is not wise. But the following most popular front-end technologies have proven to be classified as the best and here are some reasons why they made it on our list:
a. Vue JS
You can develop all sizes of projects with Vue JS from single-page apps to dynamic web interfaces. That is one of the reasons why it is the most popular front-end technology, according to Github Stars.
Due to its components features, you can integrate specific features into an already established app without affecting the entire structure. Vue JS is flexible and builds high-performance UIs.
b. React
React is rated as the most popular front-end technology by developers on Github. We have already covered React above and have written a separate post on it as well.
6. Best Multi Page Front-End Framework
Although most front-end frameworks can be used to create multi-page apps, most of them are not great at it due to their limited features. The following two are the best multi-page front-end frameworks to use:
a. Angular
Angular is always up to date and the best multi-page front-end framework. Its data-binding elements, MVC stack and directives are how you can create apps with great UI.
This framework is very dynamic yet complicated. The vastness of its code that allows you to create MPA is also the reason for its steep learning curve. But once you understand it, you can easily code highly complex UIs quickly.
b. Vue JS
React is rated as the most popular front-end technology by developers on Github. We have already covered React above and have written a separate post on it as well.
- Ember JS – fastest front-end framework
- Backbone JS– fastest front-end framework
- React JS – best JavaScript + most popular front-end framework
- jQuery – best JavaScript front-end frameworks
- Bootstrap – best front-end framework for PHP
- ZURB Foundation – best front-end framework for PHP
- Semantic UI– latest front-end web technologies
- Svelte – latest front-end web technologies
- Vue JS – Most Popular + Best multipage front-end framework
- Angular – Best multipage front-end framework
Final Words
Front-end development of web or apps is a complicated process, but the level of difficulty you will face is highly dependent on what framework you choose.
Connect with us to help you develop your apps or websites. We have experienced web developers working with a variety of front-end frameworks, and we can guide you on the best ones for the project!