In the current world of web development, there are a wide variety of frameworks and libraries that developers can use to build effective applications. According to a developer survey conducted by Stack Overflow in 2024, the web framework/library that is used by the most developers (45%) is React.
On the other hand, Blazor WebAssembly is not fully adopted yet, but it is starting to find its core audience owing to its capability to use C# and .NET. Angular, React JS, and Blazor WebAssembly (WASM) are three prominent technologies, each with its strengths and ideal scenarios for use.
In this blog we will present a detailed comparative analysis of these three approaches in terms of their characteristics, use in real time applications, and suitability for different development scenarios.
Overview of Angular
Angular is a front-end platform first created and maintained by Google. It is a complete design meant for creating interactive single-page applications. It is essential to note that the Angular framework considers TypeScript its core language. Additionally, it offers features such as two-way data binding, dependency injection, and a powerful command line interface (CLI).
Key Features of Angular
- Two-Way Data Binding: It helps to synchronize the data on the model as well as the view without the need to code changes in the DOM.
- Dependency Injection: It enhances the component reuse and component scaling through dependency management.
- Comprehensive CLI: It simplifies the ways of creating, unit testing, and deploying of the project.
- Modular Development: This allows the application to cut the application into reusable pieces.
- Built-in Solutions: Gives an ability to have routing, form handling and an HTTP client included in the framework.
Real-time Application of Angular
Due to its stable architectural betterment and various inbuilt tools, Angular is well suited for Large scale enterprise applications.
- Example: A project managing solution such as Trello where changes are supposed to be dynamic together with its components being modular.
- Real-Time Feature: With the help of RxJS, Angular is able to utilize real-time updates based on WebSockets quite easily.
Pros and Cons of Angular
Pros:
- Out-of-the-box solutions.
- Strong support for enterprise-grade applications.
- Detailed documentation and a mature ecosystem.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve.
- Larger bundle size compared to React.
Overview of React JS
React JS is a Facebook-supported portal used to design user interfaces. Angular is not included in this package since it would be expected to be part of the view layer alone; however, this also means that React is less opinionated and its use is still eminently compatible. Components built using React utilize a syntactic extension of JavaScript called JSX to describe UIs.
Key Features of React JS
- Virtual DOM: It improves the performance of the application by only changing the required elements in the real DOM.
- Component-Based Architecture: It fosters the principle of reuse and a modular structure.
- JSX Syntax: It combines HTML and JavaScript making the code easier to comprehend and manage.
- Unidirectional Data Flow: It guarantees the reliability of data, even in complicated apps.
- Rich Ecosystem: It provides a large number of external libraries for state control, routing, and animation use.
Real-time Applications of React JS
React is a very popular framework for the development of user interfaces in both small and large applications as it can handle dynamic and interactive interfaces smoothly.
- Example: An application like Instagram which aims at providing the best user experience.
- Real-Time Feature: With libraries such as Socket.IO, it is now possible to create applications with live chat or notification systems with the help of React.
Pros & Cons of React JS
Pros:
- Lightweight and flexible.
- Rich ecosystem with numerous third-party libraries.
- Strong community support.
Cons:
- Requires additional libraries for a complete solution.
- Frequent updates can lead to breaking changes.
Overview of Blazor WASM
The Microsoft developed Blazor WebAssembly makes it possible to create rich internet applications that employ C# and .NET technologies. It is worth noting that it works directly on the browser with the help of WebAssembly. Thus, in most instances, there hardly would be any need to use JavaScript. Blazor is part of the ASP.NET Core family and so can work smoothly with its backend services.
Key Features of Blazor WASM
- C# and .NET: Provides developers an opportunity to create web applications using Microsoft Technologies that they are already comfortable with.
- WebAssembly Support: Supports direct running in web browsers without any plug-ins: almost like running an application natively.
- Server-Side Integration: It can be integrated smoothly with services running on the .NET Core backend.
- SignalR Support: Supports real-time web functionalities like updates, notifications etc.
- Strong IDE Support: Offers a great development experience through Visual Studio and debugging tools.
Real-time Applications of Blazor WASM
Blazor is suitable for software that is integrate within Microsoft services or that makes use of C#.
- Example: A corporate financial dashboard for internal employees, which includes indicators and the electronic display of data.
- Real-Time Feature: The incorporation of SignalR gives Blazor capabilities of real-time exchanges seamlessly.
Pros & Cons of Blazor WASM
Pros:
- Uses C#, reducing the need for JavaScript expertise.
- Seamless integration with .NET backend services.
- No need for JavaScript bundling or transpilation.
Cons:
- Larger initial load time due to WebAssembly.
- Smaller community and fewer third-party resources.
Which is the Best Framework Between Angular Vs React JS Vs Blazor WASM?
Determining the best framework depends on several factors, including project requirements, team expertise, and ecosystem compatibility. Here’s a breakdown:
Conclusion:
- Choose Blazor for .NET-based projects.
- Opt for Angular when working on large, complex applications.
- Go with React for dynamic and user-focused applications.
Wrapping It Up
The decision of which framework to select between Angular versus React JS versus Blazor WASM highly dependent on the project requirements, the expertise of the team, and ecosystem preferences. Angular is favored for enterprise level applications, whereas React is best suited for use when building user interfaces due to the ease of use and flexibility it offers. As for Blazor, it is a great option for some C# developers who do not want to put too much of their focus on JavaScript and instead want to create web applications using C#.
FAQs
Which framework is most suitable for building enterprise level applications?
For you, the ideal framework for enterprise level applications is the Angular framework owing to its comprehension architecture, scalability features, built in development tools, and comprehensive support. It is especially pertinent for teams with expertise in TypeScript and MVC patterns.
Can I develop front end applications with Blazor without learning JavaScript?
Yes, Blazor supports the development of front-end applications through the usage of the C# and .NET frameworks without the need for any JavaScript knowledge. Therefore, while it is possible to do this without using JavaScript at all, it is still advisable to learn JavaScript in order to make use of third-party libraries or for edge case scenarios.
How does Vue and React compare for smaller projects?
Vue is popular for small-scale projects due to its simplicity and the ease of including it into existing applications, while developers using React may face some hurdles as it sometimes has to be set up to work with libraries, which might not be ideal for smaller projects.