JavaScript frameworks made the life of the developers much easier thanks to the ease of building powerful and feature-rich apps that can take be versatile in look and feel across all platforms. While Angular has been the most popular JavaScript framework for years and evolved through several updates, Vue native app development framework as the much younger one gained tremendous recognition as the performance-driven and low footprint framework. Naturally, both frameworks deserve comparison with their pros and cons.
As for real-world examples made up of these two frameworks, both of them are used for several popular and acclaimed apps. AngularJS has been the framework for building popular apps such as Netflix, Upwork, Freelancer, Paypal, Lego, and iStock. On the other hand, Vue is used for building apps such as Collate and Remote Pad GUI. Though in terms of presence in renowned apps, Vue is still behind Angular, Vue is fast claiming ground previously dominated by Angular and other JavaScript frameworks.
Vue.js vs. Angular: Which Is the Ideal One?
Let's begin our comparison with the most elementary question. Which is the ideal JavaScript framework in all counts? Well, there is no straightforward answer to this question since both frameworks have some strengths and weaknesses. Let us reveal the key areas and see which framework does well compare to the other in each of them.
Angular vs Vue: Learning Curve
In terms of a learning curve, Vue is way ahead of Angular and us much simpler to learn and use. On the other hand, you need to invest a considerable amount of time to gain some expertise with the Angular. While both are great for a variety of development projects to reduce the time for getting familiar, Vue seems to enjoy an edge over the Angular. In spite of the similarities in terms of syntax, Vue tried to embrace a simpler approach, particularly in areas where Angular is perceived as difficult.
Angular vs Vue: Flexibility
When it comes to the flexibility of using the framework for your project, you have to go deeper into the differences. Angular is regarded to be more opinionated, and hence there are already prescribed and time tested ways of doing things. There are structures that you cannot do without. Vue, on the other hand, is much more modular and offers a flexible solution for building apps. Vue is also more compatible with a large number of third-party libraries.
Angular vs Vue: Document Object Model (DOM)
The component-based approach and reusability is a key selling point for the most popular JavaScript frameworks. Angular for the sake of re-rendering the components manipulate the DOM in a way that remains compatible with multiple browsers. In contrast, Vue follows a simple programming model and allows pre-compiling the templates to simple JavaScript. Vue allows virtual DOM implementation.
Angular vs Vue: Performance
Angular over the years is regarded to be one of the most performance savvy frameworks with everything organized and structured to boost app performance. But Vue is also equally performance-optimized, especially because of the speed-boosting and low-footprint Virtual DOM implementations. The simple programming model is another key aspect that gives Vue an edge in terms of performance.
Angular vs Vue: Two-Way Data Binding
Both Angular and Vue support two-way data binding, and in that respect, both stand equal in this respect. Two-way data binding gives both frameworks of real-time rendering advantages.
Pros and cons of AngularJS
Pros:
*DOM Manipulation and Data binding: AngularJS offers two-way data binding and inbuilt DOM manipulation capability.
*Testing and Debugging: Angular equipped with advanced properties for refactoring and debugging allows easy detection of bugs. It also offers several quality testing tools, such as Karna and Protractor. The dependency injections also make debugging further easier.
*Separating Concerns: Angular offering MVW model helps maintaining separation of concerns, which allows fast-paced app development.
*Deep Linking: When you need to build single-page apps, Angular provides a very helpful deep linking module.
Cons:
*Steep Learning Curve: Angular is harder to learn and can be intimidating for a JavaScript beginner.
*Insufficient Documentation: Angular lacks enough documentation to cover every development attribute.
Pros and cons of VueJS
Pros
*Low-footprint and lightweight: Vue, in comparison to other JavaScript frameworks, is truly small and lightweight. It takes only 18kb of space when you use a zip file.
*Low Learning Curve: Vue is extremely easy to learn, and even the beginner can easily get basic expertise with Vue in no time.
*Flexible integration of components: For all types of development projects ranging from the single-page apps to highly complex enterprise-grade apps, Vue allows integrating components easily into existing apps.
*Extensive documentation: Vue comes with very extensive documentation covering all aspects of development.
*Flexibility: Vue is tremendously flexible for developing a variety of apps ranging from simple browser-based apps to dynamic and feature-heavy apps.
*Two-way binding: Vue allowing two-way data binding ensures optimum responsiveness.
Cons
*Smaller community: Vue being a relatively new framework is backed still by a smaller community of developers.
*Linguistic constraint: Vue is created by the app developers of Chinese descent, and the developers also mostly belong to the non-English speaking community. This creates linguistic constraints or gap of understanding for the English speaking developers.
*Too many options creating confusion: Vue is praised for great flexibility with several options. But too many options at the same time create confusion in larger projects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we must say that there can be no straightforward choice among these two dominant JavaScript frameworks for all developers. The final choice depends upon the typical nature of your app project, the expertise of your developer team, budget considerations, and a few other aspects.
Oldest comments (1)
"*Linguistic constraint: Vue is created by the app developers of Chinese descent, and the developers also mostly belong to the non-English speaking community. This creates linguistic constraints or gap of understanding for the English speaking developers." - Completely disagree with this point ? Vue JS has one of the best documentation (and it is in English)