The Top Small Frameworks for Frontend and Backend Development

Web frameworks play a vital role in building web applications by offering developers standardized tools to design, manage, and support their projects. Whether for the backend or frontend, choosing the right framework is crucial to your project's success. But with so many options available, it can be tough to pick the one that best suits your needs.

Sometimes, popular frameworks are the perfect fit, while other times, smaller, more lightweight frameworks can help you achieve a faster, more efficient build. To help streamline your decision-making process, we’ve curated a list of the best and most lightweight frontend and backend frameworks for creating responsive web applications quickly.

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Differences Between Frontend and Backend Web Frameworks

Backend frameworks and frontend frameworks work together to create functional web applications. While the backend is server-facing and responsible for how everything works, the frontend is client-facing and responsible for managing the user interactions.

Both are built in different languages and make use of frameworks that enhance web application development.

Frontend Development

The frontend consists of all the items that users or clients can physically see on the web application — from colors to images to navigation menus. The frontend needs to be user-friendly to provide clients with the best experience possible when interacting with your web application.

The frontend can be built in a number of different languages, but the most common are the following:

• HTML: HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is a markup language and the most commonly used frontend language to create both apps and websites.
• JavaScript: Games and mobile apps often rely on JavaScript, but it’s also well-used for its interactivity.
• CSS: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is popular for its ability to easily make web pages presentable.

Backend Development

You won’t visibly see the backend of a website, but it is key for arranging data and ensuring that everything on the frontend operates smoothly. Operating systems, software, databases, and servers are all part of the backend.

Just like the frontend, there are a variety of languages that can build your backend:

• Java: Java’s scalability makes it one of the more popular choices, and it’s often used with larger applications.
• Python: Known for its accessibility, Python is compatible with many frameworks and easy enough to learn.
• PHP: PHP is one of the older languages — created in 1994 — but it’s extremely flexible and can be learned in a short period of time.

The Best, Smallest Web Frameworks

Not everyone needs the all-encompassing frameworks when it comes to frontend or backend development. Sometimes, a minimalist framework is all you need. While they may be harder to get the hang of initially, you can expect faster, more lightweight builds.

You won’t always need the features available in larger, more expansive web frameworks. When you have a simple project, a smaller framework may be the optimal choice.

Small CSS Frameworks

If you have a straightforward project on your plate, you likely don’t need to use Bootstrap and all the features it comes with. Instead, try out a simplistic CSS framework for your frontend.

• Pure: If you’re looking for a framework that takes into account mobile design, Pure might be your perfect match. It’s only 3.7KB, making it one of the smallest CSS frameworks.
• Milligram: Clocking in at 2KB, Milligram has everything you need to build a personal website. This lightweight framework offers cleaner code and better performance.
• Pico: With Pico, you can create great styles just using CSS. This framework is 7.7KB and makes use of native HTML tags.

Small JavaScript Frameworks

JavaScript remains one of the most popular choices for front-end development. Alongside well-known frameworks such as Angular, ReactJS, and jQuery, JavaScript boasts a number of lightweight frameworks.

• Backbone: Backbone is by no means a new framework, but it has continuously been updated. At just 7.9KB, Backbone uses Models to represent your data and lets you enjoy freedom and customization when designing web applications.
• Chibi: A reliable microframework, Chibi offers you all the necessary elements and is compatible with most web browsers. It is only 3KB gzipped, but still has all you need for your less complex projects.
• Mithril: If you’re looking for speedy rendering and smaller files sizes — with comprehensive documentation to get you started — Mithril might be for you. Plus, it’s only 9.5KB.

Small Python Frameworks

Many times, speed and flexibility are preferred over a catalog of features. Though Python has impressive and large frameworks, their collection of smaller frameworks are just as impressive.

• CherryPy: Easy enough to learn, CherryPy has been around for 20 years now and is even used by Hulu and Netflix. Not everything is provided natively, but you can use third-party libraries to support necessary features.
• Pyramid: It does not matter which templating language you choose to use with Pyramid. Its flexibility is a huge positive, as it promises that “It won’t hold you back when your application is small, and it won’t get in your way when your application becomes large.”
• Falcon: If your personal project focuses on REST-based APIs, Falcon could be your go-to framework. It’s free of dependencies outside of a standard library and gives you everything you’d require for REST APIs.

Small PHP Frameworks

For many developers, PHP was the first language they learned. It only makes sense that it’s the leading server-side programming language, with 77% of all known sites using PHP. It has frameworks small and large, but let’s take a look at some of the best minimalist PHP frameworks.

• Slim: If you’re building a smaller web application and don’t need all the features that a fuller PHP web framework offers, Slim is one of the best options you can go with. You can create simple and powerful applications with Slim without worrying about third-party dependencies.
• Micro-MVC: Micro-MVC runs on almost any platform and provides you with security and fast response times. It focuses on using the least amount of resources possible, while still allowing developers to quickly write AJAX-based or MVC-based code.
• Laravel Zero: Built on top of the most popular PHP framework Laravel, Laravel Zero is a powerful micro framework designed for building command-line applications. It’s also completely open-source.