MEAN Vs. MERN: Choosing The Right Tech Stack For Your Project In 2023

Are you a web developer looking to choose the right stack for your project? 

Are you trying to determine which stack will provide you with the best scalability, features, and flexibility?

With so many options, it can be challenging to decide. MERN Stack, MEAN Stack, and other popular stacks can make great choices depending on the needs of your project. 

Here, we will explore the difference between MEAN and MERN - two of the most popular stacks. 

Let's explore each stack and help you choose the right stack for your project.

Also, Read Here - Top 6 Full Stack Development Companies in 2023

Most Trending Software Stacks of 2023 

Software stacks refer to the components of a software system that work together to create a complete system. 

These components include operating systems, web servers, databases, programming languages, frameworks, and other tools necessary for the software to run properly. Software stacks are made up of different layers, each with specific functions. 

The most popular ones include the following:

1. MERN Stack 
2. MEAN Stack
3. Serverless Stack 
4. Ruby On Rails 
5. Flutter For Web 
6. LAMP Stack  

Overview of MERN Stack

MERN Stack is a JavaScript-based web development stack for MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.js. It is a free and open-source stack that can be used to build full-stack web applications.

Components of MERN Stack

MongoDB: A NoSQL database that stores data in a flexible, JSON-like format.

Express: A fast and flexible back-end framework built on Node.js that handles HTTP requests and serves as the client and database middleware.

React: It is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It is used for building the front end of web applications.

Node.js: A cross-platform, open-source, server-side JavaScript runtime environment. It is used to run the back-end code and handle server-side operations.

Together, these components provide a complete solution for building web applications using JavaScript, from the front end to the back end.

Pros of MERN Stack:

• Full Stack JavaScript to build full-stack web applications.
• Facilitates code reusability.
• Fast performance and scalability.
• Have a large community of programmers across the globe.
• Allows for flexible data storage.

Cons of MERN Stack:

• The challenging steep learning curve for beginners.
• Offer limited database options.
• Fragmentation and compatibility issues.
• Vulnerable to security threats such as XSS and CSRF attacks.
• Limited support compared to more established technologies.

Overview of MEAN Stack

MEAN stack stands for MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js. It's a JavaScript-based full-stack development framework for building dynamic web applications.

Components of MEAN Stack:

MongoDB: A NoSQL database used for storing data in a flexible, JSON-like format.

Express.js: A server-side framework for Node.js that provides robust routing and middleware capabilities.

Angular: A client-side framework used for building dynamic user interfaces.

Node.js: A server-side JavaScript runtime environment that allows developers to build scalable network applications.

The above components provide developers with a complete end-to-end solution for building web applications, from the front end to the back end.

Pros of MEAN Stack:

• Open-source and cost-effective. 
• Using JavaScript makes it easier for developers to work on the front-end and back-end software.
• Highly scalable.
• Provides a lot of flexibility.
• Has a vibrant community that provides support, resources, and tools.

Cons of MEAN Stack:

• It can be complex to learn.
• Compatibility issues.
• Slower than other stacks.
• Limited data structure options. 

Overview of Other Popular Stacks

Let's take a quick overview of other trending software stacks one by one. 

1. Serverless Stack

Serverless Stack is a stack that focuses on building applications using serverless technologies such as AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB. 

It helps software developers to build scalable apps without worrying about managing and scaling servers.

2. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails, or RoR, is a web application framework written in Ruby. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern. 

RoR is known for its conventions and shortcuts, making it popular for building rapid prototypes and minimum viable products (MVP).

3. Flutter for Web

Flutter, a mobile app development framework, can also be used to build web applications. The stack uses the same codebase as the mobile app and provides a fast, responsive, modern user interface.

4. LAMP Stack

LAMP Stack is a popular open-source web development platform for Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. The stack is known for its reliability, scalability, and low cost. 

It is a popular choice for many small to medium-sized web development projects.

MEAN Vs. MERN - A Tabular Representation

We have prepared a consolidated table stating the critical differences between MERN Stack and MEAN Stack.

Choosing The Right Stack For Your Business

Choosing the right tech stack for your business is an essential decision that can impact the success of your business. With so many choices, it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Let's see what to consider and how to determine the best one for your business. 

1. Factors To Consider

The critical factors to consider when selecting the right tech stack for your business include the following:\

2. Complexity

If you are a small business or don't have much experience with tech, it's best to stick with simpler solutions that don't require thorough technical knowledge.

But, if you have an experienced team and want to push the limits, then a more complex tech stack may be the right choice. 

3. Flexibility

The right stack should accommodate various changes as your business grows.

For example, your tech stack must adjust accordingly if you decide to expand into a new industry or offer new products or services. 

That way, you can make the necessary changes without starting from scratch.

4. Support

It's important to consider what type of support the technology stack you're looking into offers and whether it's sufficient for your needs.

If you have a customer service team that requires assistance from time to time, look for technology stacks with customer service options like forums, chatrooms, and email support.

5. Security

Ensure that the language and frameworks you choose have robust security features, including authentication, authorization, data encryption, and intrusion prevention. 

Also, check if the developers are committed to regular updates and patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. 

6. Cost

The cost of a tech stack includes the costs of the programming language, development tools, frameworks, libraries, and databases used. 

Depending on the complexity of your project, these costs can quickly add up.

If your business is on a tight budget, it's crucial to determine what components you need for your tech stack that are essential versus optional. 

How To Determine The Best Stack For Your Project?

When starting a project, one of the most important things is to decide which technology stack to use. 

Choosing the right stack can make the difference between success and failure for your project, so it's essential to choose carefully.

Following are the key considerations you should follow: 

1. Define Your Goals

Clearly define the objectives and requirements of your project to help determine the best technology stack. Here, you need to decide what you are trying to accomplish with your project and what kind of outcome you want.

2. Consider Your Audience

Think about the audience you are building the project for, and choose a technology stack that is user-friendly and accessible to them.

3. Research Stacks

Research various technology stacks, including the pros and cons of each. Then, determine which ones best meet your project goals and requirements.

4. Make a Decision

After considering your goals, audience, and research, decide on the best technology stack for your project. Be sure to consider factors such as scalability, performance, integration, cost, community support, and security.

5. Experiment

Test the chosen technology stack with a small part of the project, and iterate if needed. It will help you ensure that your final decision fits your project and its goals best.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right stack for your project is an important decision to determine the success of your business. When considering the right stack for you, it is essential to consider each stack's features, cost, and ease of use. 

While both MERN and MEAN stacks offer robust features, the MERN stack may be a better choice for those needing more flexibility in their development process. 

Additionally, the cost savings associated with the MERN stack can make it a more attractive option for smaller businesses. No matter which stack you choose, ensure your project is well-researched and tested before launch. 

If you want to develop successful software for your business, hire MEAN stack developers from leading IT companies. They can build a practical application cost-effectively.