As we step into 2024, it’s an opportune moment to plan and consider the new web frameworks and technologies to explore in the coming year. Delving into frameworks can be an enriching experience, offering insights into their unique features and advantages. To assist in this exploration, we refer to the 2023 JS Rising Stars list, aiming to provide an objective overview of the most promising web frameworks.

For each featured web framework, we focus on its standout features and advantages, highlighting what sets them apart and why they are worth exploring. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide you with a clear understanding of each framework’s strengths and potential applications, empowering you to make informed decisions about which web frameworks to delve into in the upcoming year.

HTMX – back to the basics

If you’re looking to streamline your JavaScript coding and prefer a simpler, Hypermedia-centric approach to web development, then HTMX might be the perfect fit for you. This front-end library gained significant traction in 2023, with a surge in GitHub stars reflecting its growing popularity. Unlike traditional JavaScript web frameworks, HTMX offers a unique perspective on web development, emphasizing hypermedia and encouraging developers to rethink their approach.

HTMX stands out for its focus on Hypermedia as the Engine of Application State (HATEOAS), allowing developers to leverage browser features directly from HTML, minimizing the need for extensive JavaScript code. By embracing this concept, HTMX offers a refreshing alternative to the JavaScript-heavy approach prevalent in modern web development.

One remarkable aspect of HTMX’s success story is its unconventional marketing strategy, relying heavily on memes and word-of-mouth promotion. This grassroots approach has not only garnered attention but has also led to developers exploring new ways of building websites. With its rise in popularity and innovative approach, 2024 holds promise for HTMX, making it an exciting library to watch in the web development landscape.

Wasp – full-stack, everything out-of-the-box

If you’re aiming to rapidly deploy full-stack applications, especially if you prefer using React and Node.js, Wasp offers an enticing all-in-one solution. This web framework simplifies the process of building full-stack apps by providing a pre-configured environment, eliminating the need to manually select and configure each component of the stack.

Wasp is particularly suitable for those who seek a tool that offers full control over their stack in a straightforward manner. It’s an opinionated web framework that utilizes a compiler to streamline the creation of the database, backend, and frontend for your application. By leveraging familiar technologies like React, Node.js, and Prisma, Wasp caters to the needs of developers accustomed to these tools.

At the core of Wasp is the main.wasp file, which serves as a central configuration hub. This file allows you to define various aspects of your application, including:-

• Full-stack Authentication
• Database schema
• Async jobs, with no extra infrastructure
• Simple & flexible deployment
• Full-stack type safety
• E-mail sending (Sendgrid, MailGun, SMTP server, …)

One of the standout features of Wasp is its compiler, which transforms your Wasp app into a standard React + Vite frontend, Node.js backend, and PostgreSQL database. This streamlined deployment process enables you to easily deploy your application, for example, to Fly.io, with just a single command.

While some may view Wasp’s opinionated nature as a limitation, it’s actually the key to its efficiency and rich feature set. By providing a well-defined core, Wasp simplifies the process of starting a full-stack project, making it ideal for individual developers or small teams. Additionally, Wasp offers pre-made templates and OpenSaaS as a SaaS starter, further enhancing its appeal for those looking to kickstart their projects quickly.

Overall, Wasp leverages established technologies and pre-existing knowledge of web developers, making it accessible and efficient for building full-stack applications, potentially allowing you to create your own full-stack SaaS in a matter of days.

Solid.js – first class reactivity

Solid.js is an exceptional web framework designed for developers seeking highly reactive code and a performant alternative to React. While Solid.js shares similarities with React, such as the use of JSX and a function-based approach to components, it distinguishes itself by converting code to vanilla JavaScript instead of utilizing a Virtual DOM.

One of Solid.js’s standout features is its approach to fine-grained reactivity, achieved through the use of signals, memos, and effects. Signals, in particular, are a key primitive in Solid.js, containing a value along with getter and setter functions. This allows the framework to observe and update changes precisely in the DOM, avoiding the need to re-render the entire component, as is the case with React.

Solid.js not only leverages JSX but also enhances it with additional features. For example, the Show component enables conditional rendering of JSX elements, while the For component simplifies iteration over collections in JSX.

Additionally, Solid.js offers a meta-framework called Solid Start (currently in beta), which provides users with the flexibility to render applications in different ways. This includes features like file-based routing, actions, API routes, and middleware, among others, allowing developers to tailor their applications according to their preferences.

Astro – the king of static sites

Astro is an ideal choice for developers seeking an exceptional tool for building blogs and content management systems (CMS)-heavy sites. It also appeals to those looking for a framework that seamlessly integrates with other libraries and web frameworks, offering flexibility and versatility in web development projects.

One of Astro’s key strengths lies in its Islands architecture, which sets it apart from traditional web frameworks. In Astro, an island represents any interactive UI component on a page, distinct from the static content surrounding it. This architectural concept allows pages to feature multiple islands, each running in isolation yet capable of sharing state and communicating with one another. This unique approach enhances the flexibility and modularity of Astro, making it well-suited for content-driven websites.

Another compelling aspect of Astro is its compatibility with various front-end web frameworks, such as React, Vue, and Solid. This compatibility enables developers to leverage their existing knowledge and components, integrating them seamlessly into Astro-powered websites. This feature not only simplifies the development process but also ensures that developers can utilize their preferred tools and web frameworks to create dynamic and engaging web experiences.

Svelte – simple and effective

Svelte is an excellent choice for those seeking an easy-to-learn web framework that offers simple code writing and fast execution. This framework prioritizes simplicity and speed, making it ideal for beginners and experienced developers alike.

One of Svelte’s standout features is its approach to reactivity. Unlike other web frameworks where reactivity is managed through complex systems, in Svelte, you simply declare a variable and use it in your HTML template. Any updates to the variable in JavaScript are immediately reflected in the UI, and vice versa. This straightforward approach to reactivity simplifies the learning curve for developers new to the web framework.

Svelte is also evolving with the introduction of runes, which are set to enhance reactivity management in larger applications. Similar to Solid.js’s signals, runes offer a direct way to tap into the app’s reactive state using function-like statements. This new approach allows developers to precisely define which parts of the script are reactive, leading to more performant components.

Additionally, Svelte offers a companion framework called SvelteKit. SvelteKit enables developers to quickly set up Svelte-powered apps using Vite. It includes features such as a router, build optimizations, various rendering and pre-rendering options, image optimization, and more. This ecosystem of tools and web frameworks makes Svelte a compelling choice for those looking to streamline their web development process while maintaining high performance.

Qwik – Really quick

Qwik is a highly performant web framework designed for developers seeking to build fast and efficient web applications. It particularly appeals to existing React developers looking to explore a framework with a low learning curve while maintaining high-performance standards.

Similar to Solid.js, Qwik utilizes JSX and functional components, providing React developers with a familiar environment to quickly adapt to the framework. Qwik’s primary focus is on achieving the highest possible performance and speed of execution for web applications.

One of the key features that sets Qwik apart is its use of reusability to enhance application speed. Reusability allows Qwik to pause execution on the server and resume execution on the client without replaying and downloading all the application logic. This approach significantly reduces the amount of bandwidth required and enables near-instant loading of web applications. By delaying the execution and download of JavaScript code until necessary for user interaction, Qwik optimizes both speed and bandwidth usage, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience.

Conclusions

In the realm of web frameworks and libraries, a common theme emerges: familiarity. Each of these tools aims to appeal to developers by building upon their existing knowledge, rather than introducing entirely new concepts. This approach is not only innovative but also incredibly beneficial for developers looking to expand their skill sets.

While the article covers several noteworthy frameworks and libraries, there are many others deserving of recognition. For instance, Angular has undergone significant updates, including a revamped logo, improved documentation, and the introduction of signals and a new control flow. Remix is also making strides with the addition of Vite support, React Server Components, and a new SPA mode. Additionally, Next.js has solidified its position as a go-to framework for React developers, continually introducing new features and paving the way for advancements in React development.

As the web development landscape continues to evolve, these frameworks and libraries remain at the forefront, providing developers with the tools they need to create innovative and efficient web applications.

FAQ’s on Web frameworks

Which framework is best for web development in 2024?

Determining the best framework for web development in 2024 depends on various factors such as project requirements, team expertise, and specific goals. However, several frameworks have gained popularity and are considered strong contenders:

1. React: React remains a dominant force in web development due to its component-based architecture, virtual DOM, and strong ecosystem. It’s an excellent choice for building dynamic and interactive user interfaces.
2. Vue.js: Vue.js continues to grow in popularity for its simplicity, ease of integration, and gradual learning curve. It offers powerful features for building modern web applications.
3. Angular: Angular, with its robust features and extensive tooling, is well-suited for large-scale applications requiring high performance and maintainability. It provides a comprehensive solution for frontend development.
4. Svelte: Svelte’s unique approach to reactive programming and compilation offers exceptional performance and simplicity. It’s gaining traction among developers looking for a lightweight framework with minimal boilerplate.
5. Next.js: Next.js, a React framework, is popular for building server-rendered applications and static websites. It provides features like automatic code splitting, prefetching, and built-in API routes, making it ideal for various use cases.

Ultimately, the best framework for web development in 2024 depends on your specific needs and preferences. It’s advisable to evaluate each framework based on factors such as performance, scalability, community support, and suitability for your project requirements before making a decision.