How To Choose The Right Frontend Framework

Should you learn React, Vue, Angular? Or is something like Svelte a better choice?

This question plagues many frontend developers looking to break into the industry.

I've seen this question asked and answered hundreds of times online.

Most of the advice on social media is not very helpful

That's a pretty bold claim, but hear me out: the advice is not helpful because it most likely does not apply to your circumstances.

When people are comparing frameworks, they are often comparing one of the following things:

• Amount of GitHub stars
• Amount of NPM downloads
• Amount of code required to build something
• Performance

It's pretty much always one of those things. Or people are just advocating for their favorite framework.

Those comparisons are all valid and can help you make a decision, but in my opinion there is a better way to tackle this question.

The area where most of the popularity comparisons fall flat, however, is that there is not a single one framework that is the most popular in every part of the world. Whereas in some areas it could be React, in other areas it might be Vue (or any other framework).

Finding out what framework to learn

You should choose a framework that aligns with your goals.

Chances are that if you are reading this article you are an aspiring or entry-level developer.

If that is the case, then wouldn't it make more sense to choose the frontend framework that will most likely get you a job? I'm assuming that is why you are reading this in the first place.

So how do we find out what framework will get you a job?

Simple: You need to find out what companies are hiring for. You have to do market research.

The easiest way would be to look at job posts for companies in your area.

You can do this by going to websites like Indeed or your local equivalent.

Some companies don't hire via websites like that though, so I would advise you to also look at the individual websites of companies in your area or the area where you would like to work.

If companies in your area are organising Meetups / developer networking events via meetup.com or other platforms that would also be a great way to find out what you should learn.

After doing this research you should take some time to think about what companies you would like to work for. Then learn the framework that is most commonly used amongst those companies.

You can learn more than one framework

Maybe after doing your market research you come to the conclusion that companies aren't hiring for the framework you would really like to learn.

My advice would be to still learn the framework that is most desired by those potential employers. Build some projects. Get a job. Get real world experience.

You can always learn other frameworks once you have gotten your foot in the door.

What companies to apply for?

I recently wrote an article called Transform Your Career And Personal Life: Finding A Great Job that could help.

I also am writing an eBook about this subject. It's called Developer Job Searching: The Not So Technical Parts. Right now you can get it for 40% off. It releases September 21st.

Click 👆 for more information