In this post, we'll explore five of the top full-stack JavaScript frameworks of 2023 that every developer should consider for their next project - RedwoodJS, Wasp, T3 stack, MeteorJS, and the evergreen MERN Stack.

Depending on your requirements, picking the right one could mean the difference between a seamless coding experience and a daunting development chore.

I know how it feels! Don’t worry, all your questions will be answered soon - buckle up and prepare for a deep dive into the world of full-stack JavaScript!

🌲 RedwoodJS - a solid choice for GraphQL lovers

RedwoodJS is a relatively new framework conceived by Tom Preston-Werner (co-founder of GitHub). This opinionated, full-stack, serverless web application framework brings several pieces together (React, Prisma, GraphQL) to offer a wholesome development experience.

Why it’s cool: If the underlying stack works for you, you can start building immediately without spending much time on configuration. Also, the docs are top-notch and there is a helpful CLI tool that comes along.

Check it out here: https://redwoodjs.com/

🐝 Wasp - the first AI-powered full-stack framework 🤖

Wasp is a cool new kid on the block. For example, they just released a GPT-powered app starter, which generates a full-stack app in React/Node.js/Wasp given just a short description. Wasp is in Beta, rapidly pushing towards their first 5,000 stars on GitHub. It glues React, Node.js, and Prisma together in a seamless way that cuts down a lot of boilerplate.

Why it’s cool: Wasp provides a fresh approach to full-stack development via a simple config language that lets you describe common features (e.g. auth, cron jobs) at a high level, which then enables Wasp to take care of all the details for you, eliminating the need to manage boilerplate code.

Check it out here: https://wasp-lang.dev/

3️⃣ T3 - a fast app starter focused on type-safety

T3 is not a framework by definition, but a collection of popular technologies aka stack. That means you might not get all the bells and whistles that frameworks pack, but on the other hand, you get higher modularity. It is based on Next.js and also introduces tRPC, Prisma, and Tailwind.

Why it’s cool: T3’s biggest asset is that packs together popular tools that work together well in a sensible way. It’s a no-nonsense stack that allows developers to start quickly with the preconfigured best practices but also have the freedom to customize their stack as the project grows.

Check it out here: https://create.t3.gg/

🛰 MeteorJS - the classic among full-stack frameworks

Although it doesn’t get as much publicity these days as it used to, it’s definitely still a solution worth listing here. Meteor is actually the “OG” of the idea of a full-stack framework and during its peak was the most starred GitHub project ever (40k+ stars).

Why it's cool: MeteorJS continues to be a compelling choice because of its integrated JavaScript stack that extends from the database to the client's screen. All the layers of your app, from the database to templates, are reactive and update automatically which makes development simple and efficient.

Check it out here: https://www.meteor.com/

🏆 MERN - the timeless pick

While technically a stack of technologies rather than a singular framework, the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) has steadily risen to prominence thanks to the standardized end-to-end JS development experience it provides.

Why it’s cool: One thing that is sure with the MERN stack is that 99% of developers out there heard of it and there is also a good chance they worked on a codebase powered by it. When you google a specific issue, there will be a dozen of Stack Overflow entries about it. Although newer solutions have appeared in recent years, MERN is still an evergreen choice and the staple of web app development.

Check it out here: https://www.mongodb.com/languages/mern-stack-tutorial

What next? 🌯

And that’s a wrap! Hopefully, this was a helpful overview that will make it easier for you to start your next project. And remember - the perfect framework isn't just about the newest tricks or the loudest buzz. It's about finding the "zone" where everything works just right for you.

Is there a stack or framework that you love and think should be mentioned here? Let me know in the comments and happy coding!

Disclaimer: I am one of the core maintainers at github.com/wasp-lang/wasp - if you found this post helpful and would like to see more posts like this in the future, support me by giving us a star 🤩 !