Back in my school days, I used to prepare cheat sheets before every exam. It wasn’t because I was planning to cheat in the first place, it’s more like I wanted to have a structure and summary of important information in case needed. You know, just to be safe. 

Just like I used a set of flashcards before a test, software engineers rely on development frameworks to get various tools, methodologies, and libraries in order to build Software as a Service (SaaS) apps more efficiently. Frameworks contain different pre-built components that show coders the general structure of the software, which reduces the amount of work they have to do, speeding up development. 

The problem here is that there’s no universal development framework that perfectly fits all projects, meaning that you’ll have to search for one that meets your specific needs. In this blog post, the JatApp team will go over some factors that can impact your decision and suggest top SaaS frameworks for you to choose from. 

Key factors to consider when choosing a SaaS framework

 

choosing-software-framework

 

As I briefly mentioned, a SaaS development framework refers to the set of libraries, tools, and practices that offer software engineers a structure for creating software solutions. By leveraging a framework, developers can optimize the development process, decreasing the amount of repetitive work. 

The framework’s templates, pre-built components, and code libraries can be readily reused when needed. This includes data management tools, interface elements, security functionalities, and more, all of which are available at developers’ fingertips, letting them concentrate on the unique project needs rather than on writing a code for every app component from scratch.

When deciding on a SaaS framework, a business owner usually considers the following factors:

  • The availability of developers

As a rule of thumb, the rarer the framework, the harder it is to find developers that can work with it. Haxe, Aurelia, or Yesod are examples of frameworks that can make you spend long months looking through job listings on websites, like LinkedIn or Glassdoor. Meanwhile, if you settle down on more mainstream frameworks, such as Laravel or Node.js, you can find top talents rather quickly and painlessly.

  • Security

If you’re building a SaaS app that contains users’ sensitive information, it’s a good idea to choose a framework that has pre-built security features, like user authentication and encryption. 

  • Scalability

If you choose an unscalable framework and face a rapid growth in subscriptions, chances are you won’t be able to celebrate your success with champagne. Instead, you’ll find yourself struggling with app performance issues. That’s why it’s critical to prioritize scalability while deciding on your SaaS framework.

  • Flexibility

The framework should be flexible enough to allow for customization to meet unique project needs. Flexible frameworks allow engineers to effectively run the updates and better align with evolving industry standards. As your business expands, they can make it easier for you to introduce new features to your software solution. 

  • Integration

A framework should let developers to easily integrate software with third-party tools and services, like marketing automation tools, customer relationship management (CRM), and payment gateways. 

  • Support

Frameworks with comprehensive support systems in place are priceless. You’ll be surprised how fast your developers can solve their problems, when they have access to dedicated support channels, extensive documentation, community forums, you name it. 

  • Cost

Let’s not forget that using frameworks always comes with costs. You don’t want to pay an exorbitant price for mediocre features and capabilities. So it makes sense to make a cost-benefit analysis before committing to any framework. It’s also increasingly important to take into account the long-term expenses associated with the use of a framework, such as maintenance cost, licensing fees, and application programming interfaces (APIs).

Top frameworks to build a competitive SaaS

As said earlier, if you find it hard to recruit engineers for your SaaS project, there is a chance that you got stuck with an unpopular development framework. Not to let it happen, let’s delve on the most common frameworks for SaaS development.

React.js

React.js helps software developers build user interfaces (UI) in web applications. Created by Facebook, it has become one of the most popular frameworks that facilitates the development of complex and interactive solutions. React.js relies on a virtual Document Object Model (DOM) to make rendering of UI changes efficient and app performance more optimal.

The beauty of this framework is that it supports a declarative programming style. This means that engineers can describe their dream UI and receive a comprehensive guideline on how to achieve it. React has an extensive documentation, which assists developers in their learning journey. Besides, there’s a large number of developers who constantly improve React’s library and tools to help their colleagues build high-performing solutions. 

But wait, there’s more – since it’s a popular framework, you aren’t likely to face any problems hiring a React.js talent who is cut out for working at your SaaS company

 

React.js key benefits

React.js key benefits

Node.js

Have you ever used a website or application that makes you lose your temper, as it loads literally for ages? Well, Node.js was born to make users calmer and more level-headed. This framework is used for creating high-performance and scalable software programs. Its event-driven non-blocking I/O model makes it possible to handle many concurrent users without getting bogged down. 

Another huge benefit of this framework is that JavaScript can be used to build not only client-side but the server-side as well. A single language in the back-end and front-end makes the app development process and maintenance less complicated and lengthy, which, in turn, translates into lower costs. Win-win for you and your developers. 

 

Pros of Node.js

Pros of Node.js

Vue.js

As you’ve probably guessed, the js part in the name of the framework means that JavaScript is used as a primary language. Since it’s a front-end framework, it works only with the client-side of the application. Vue.js is a relatively flexible framework, which makes it easy for engineers to build and manage complex UI elements. 

What’s also cool about this framework is its reactivity system. It enables developers to instantly display any changes to software in the UI, eliminating the need for additional coding. With a wide range of extensions and plugins, Vue.js is the number-one choice when it comes to creating modern and dynamic applications.

 

Benefits of Vue.js

Benefits of Vue.js

Angular

Angular refers to an open-source framework for developing web apps. Similarly to Vue.js, Angular is also a front-end framework that is known for its powerful functionality. The framework offers a set of conventions and tools to design complex solutions, such as dependency injection, data binding, and component-based architecture. 

With the help of Angular, engineers are able to create dynamic UI and handle complex data structures. If you’re planning to build a large-scale solution, this can be your go-to solution that would offer large sets of extensions and plugins. This framework also has a big community of software engineers who try to improve the framework’s tools now and then. 

 

Features of Angular

Features of Angular

Laravel

Laravel is another common open-source framework that allows web developers to build software solutions using the PHP programming language. Laravel has a large base of pre-built features, like templating, routing, authentication, database management, and so on. These functionalities offer engineers intuitive syntax, which lets them write complex code lines way faster. 

Strong community support is probably the most tangible benefit of this framework. Detailed tutorials, documentation, and forums won’t leave Laravel programmers alone with their problems. Also, Laravel can be easily integrated with other popular services and tools, which makes it suitable for different kinds of web app projects. 

 

Laravel

 

How JatApp can help you make the right choice

Unless you’re trying to self-diagnose, reading articles on the Internet is always a good idea to get a grasp on things that are interesting to you. If you want to know how to choose a development framework, our article can help you get a general idea of what is likely to work for your SaaS business and what isn’t. But for a more evidence-based approach, you’ll need assistance from a software development company that has chosen frameworks hundreds of times. 

JatApp, a company with seven years of experience under its belt, can help you in this regard. 

  • Making needs assessment

Our team can help you assess your project needs and recommend the frameworks with capabilities and features that can help to meet them. Once we’ve got the list of best SaaS development frameworks, we assess each one against your specific requirements to choose the most suitable option.

  • Creating a minimum viable product (MVP)

By partnering with us, you can get an MVP based on the chosen framework. An MVP is a small-scale version of your SaaS that can help you figure out whether your framework meets your needs before pouring all your resources into development of the final product.

  • Offering technical expertise 

Our experts can work closely with your engineers to offer them guidance, if they encounter challenges while using a framework. We fully understand the importance of releasing a SaaS solution faster than competitors and are committed to helping you navigate new tools and libraries more efficiently. 

Opt for a framework that fits YOUR needs

If you choose the wrong development framework, expect a bumpy road ahead for your SaaS business. Your developers are likely to be pulling all-nighters, missing deadlines left and right. A reliable software company can steer you away from such fate by helping you pick a framework that can bring you the most benefits.

At JatApp, we have delivered more than 200 successful projects and our clients can’t help but share their satisfaction – just check out our Clutch, it’s all there. As a rule, we start with the discovery phase, focusing on choosing the most suitable framework, and then proceed to developing an MVP in order to prove the effectiveness of our approach. In such a way, we help our clients cut down their development costs and get to the SaaS market faster than their key rivals. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you become a SaaS hero armed with the great powers framework.