Difference between MEAN Stack and MERN stack  

The debate over MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack is crucial for developers choosing the right full-stack technology for web development.   

What is the main confusion among Full-Stack developers? MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack is a common confusion among developers looking to build efficient web applications. Both mern and mean stacks are powerful and flexible, and JavaScript is used for front-end and back-end development. However, they differ in some aspects, primarily in the technologies they use for building the user interface

Web development is the process of developing a website. As the world of web development has evolved significantly, a developer can choose from many combinations of technologies and programming languages to build an application. There are three different sides of an application: the client side, the server side, and the database. Those combine to deliver an application.  

If you’re a MEAN/MERN stack developer or someone looking to understand the differences between MERN vs MEAN stacks, this blog will help you.  

What is MEAN Stack?  

MEAN Stack full form is MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js. It is a JavaScript-based technology stack used to develop dynamic web applications. Some technologies are used for the front end, whereas some are used for the back end.  

• MongoDB – It is a database used to store data.  

• Express.js – It is a back-end framework used to build APIs and web applications.  

• Angular.js – It is a front-end framework used for building dynamic or single–page applications.  

• Node.js – It is a Server-side runtime environment that allows the developer to execute JS code directly in the console.  

What is MERN Stack?  

MERN Stack full form is MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js. The main difference between MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack is the choice of front-end framework—Angular.js in MEAN and React.js in MERN. It is a JavaScript-based technology stack used for developing full-stack web applications.  

• MongoDB- It is a database that stores data in JSON-like documents.  

• Express.js- It is a back-end framework for building APIs and handling requests.  

• React- It is a front-end library used to develop user interfaces.  

• Node.js- It is a Server-side runtime environment that allows developers to execute JS code directly in the console. 

MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack: A Detailed Comparison 

Front-end: Angular vs React   

If we talk about MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack, the front-end is the key difference between them.   

Angular.js is a framework developed by Google. It follows an MVC architecture and uses TypeScript. The advantage of Angular is its two-way data binding, which means any change in the UI automatically reflects in the data model and vice versa.  

Features of Angular.js in MEAN Stack:  

• Built-in features like routing, HTTP client, and forms handling.  

• Strong architecture for enterprise-level applications.  

• Well-suited for handling large-scale projects.  

React.js, maintained by Facebook, is a JavaScript library that follows a component-based approach. It uses a Virtual DOM for better performance and faster rendering.  

Features of React.js in MERN Stack:  

• Faster performance due to Virtual DOM.  

• Reusable components, making development more efficient.  
• Easier to integrate with other libraries.  

Working of MEAN Stack  

MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack is a common comparison in full-stack development. MEAN Stack uses MongoDB as the NoSQL database, Express.Js as the back-end framework, Angular for building dynamic front-end applications, and Node.js as the runtime environment to handle server-side operations.  

Advantages of MEAN Stack  

• Full-Stack Development   

MERN Stack means Full-Stack development. It covers the database, back-end, and front-end using one stack.  

• Scalable  

It is well-suited for cloud-native and large-scale applications.  

• Open-Source and Cost- Effective  

All MEAN Stack technologies are free and have strong community support.  

• High Performance  

MEAN Stack has very high performance as it uses non-blocking architecture with Node.js to handle multiple requests.  

• JSON- Based Communication  

In MEAN Stack, data is transferred smoothly between layers using JSON format.    

Disadvantages of MEAN Stack   

• Learning curve   

Learning JavaScript, Angular, Node.js, and MongoDB can be challenging for beginners.  

• Complex Transactions  

It is not suitable for complex transactions. It lacks ACID properties (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability), making it less ideal for complex problems  

• Security  

Being an open-source, MEAN Stack applications require extra security measures.  

• Frequent Updates  

The rapid updates in technologies require constant adaptation, making maintenance challenging.  

• Difficult Debugging  

Sometimes, Node.js can make debugging difficult, especially for large applications.  

Working on the MERN Stack  

The MERN Stack is a JavaScript-based technology stack to build full-stack web applications. The user interacts with the front-end UI built using React. API requests are made to the back-end via HTTP. Node.js runs the server and processes business logic. CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations are performed via Mongoose (an ODM library for MongoDB).

The user sends a request via the front end. React sends an HTTP request to the back-end API. Express processes the request and interacts with MongoDB if needed. The response is sent back to the front-end. React updates the UI based on the received data.  

Advantages of MERN Stack   

• Full-Stack JavaScript  

It uses JavaScript for front-end, back-end, and database. It eliminates the need to learn multiple languages.  

• High Performance & Scalability  

Node.js is non-blocking, making it efficient for handling multiple requests. MongoDB is horizontally scalable, making it easy to handle large data loads.  

• Fast Development & Code Reusability  

In the MERN Stack, pre-built libraries and frameworks speed up development.  

• Cloud Integration  

It works well with cloud platforms like AWS, Firebase, and Heroku. MongoDB Atlas offers a managed cloud database solution.  

• Flexible & cost-effective  

It does not need any expensive licensing, as all technologies are free and open source. It is suitable for startups due to its cost efficiency and flexibility.  

Disadvantages of MERN Stack   

• No Default Structure  

If we compare MEAN and MERN Stack, MEAN Stack provides a more structured framework. MERN projects may require additional tools to manage project structure.  

• Learning Curve   

Learning languages like JavaScript, React, Express, and MongoDB can be complex.  

• Performance Issue  

It lacks relational features like joins, which can make complex queries slower. Sometimes, there are performance issues with large–scale applications.  

• Third-party dependency  

React and Express rely on multiple third-party libraries, which can introduce compatibility issues.  

MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack: Which is Better?  

There is no absolute winner between MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack. It depends on your project requirements, team expertise, and scalability needs. However, if we talk about performance, MERN Stack is better for faster performance, whereas MEAN Stack is better for large-scale applications. If we consider MEAN vs MERN learning difficulty, MEAN Stack has steeper learning curve whereas MERN Stack is easy for beginners.  

Both stacks are excellent choices for full-stack development, and your decision should be based on your project’s needs.  

How can Kochiva Help you Learn MERN Stack?  

Kochiva offers multiple programs that can help you excel as a MERN Stack developer. We equip you with the skills needed for modern web development. Our offerings include:  

• 6-Month Program: This includes 4 months of hands-on training followed by a 2-month internship, providing practical experience in real-world projects.   

• 45-Day Fast-Track Course: Designed for those seeking to quickly enhance their skills, this intensive course focuses on both front-end and back-end technologies within the MERN stack.  

Both programs are led by industry experts and offer flexible training options, including both offline and online sessions. By enrolling in Kochiva’s MERN stack courses, you’ll gain practical experience and guidance from professionals, positioning yourself for a successful career in web development.  

For more information or to enroll, you can contact Kochiva at:  

• Email: admissions@kochiva.com  

• Phone: +91 98723 34466  

Conclusion  

The decision between MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack depends entirely on your project’s specific requirements. If you need a structured, enterprise-level solution, MEAN stack’s Angular framework provides robust support for large-scale applications. On the other hand, if your project requires a high-performance, flexible, and faster front-end solution, the MERN stack’s React library is the better choice.  

Both MERN Stack vs MEAN Stack are excellent choices for web development, and each has its own advantages. Ultimately, the best stack for you depends on your development team’s expertise and the needs of your project. By understanding the strengths and limitations of both stacks, you can make an informed decision and build efficient, scalable web applications.