Every web developer looking to create dynamic and interactive user interfaces faces the choice of which framework or library to use for frontend development. The three most popular options — React, Vue, and Angular — each have their strengths and weaknesses. In this post, we’ll explore when and why to choose each of them for different types of projects.

1. React
Key features:
Type: library for building user interfaces
Developed by: Facebook
Focus: UI (user interface)

Advantages
Popularity: React is one of the most popular libraries for building UIs. With a large community and plenty of resources, you’ll find a wealth of learning materials and support.
Component-based approach: React allows you to create reusable components, making it easier to develop and scale applications.
Unidirectional data flow: this makes understanding and debugging the process easier.
JSX: combining JavaScript and HTML in one file makes it easy to work with both the visual layout and logic.

Disadvantages
Learning curve: if you’re new to frontend development, concepts like JSX, Hooks, and Context can be tricky to grasp.
Tooling and setup: React itself doesn’t provide a complete solution for project structure, so for larger projects, you’ll need third-party libraries for routing (React Router), state management (Redux or Context API), and more.

When to use React
When your project involves building a large, complex SPA (Single Page Application).
When speed and UI interactivity are a priority.
If you plan to use various third-party libraries or integrations, React makes it easy to work with them.

2. Vue
Key features:
Type: progressive framework for building user interfaces
Developed by: Evan You and the community
Focus: UI, but also supports full-scale SPAs

Advantages
Ease of learning: Vue has a very low entry barrier. If you’re familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Vue is easy to pick up.
Flexibility: Vue can be used to build just a part of a project or a full-fledged application, allowing for gradual adoption.
Built-in features: unlike React, Vue comes with built-in solutions for routing and state management (Vue Router, Vuex), making setup easier.
Lightweight and efficient: Vue has excellent performance, making it a great choice for medium and small-sized projects.

Disadvantages
Smaller popularity compared to React and Angular: while Vue is growing in popularity, it doesn’t have as large a community or ecosystem as React or Angular.
Limited corporate adoption: not all large companies are using Vue (though examples like Alibaba and Xiaomi are notable exceptions).

When to use Vue
For small to medium-sized projects where simplicity and quick development are key.
If you want a framework that doesn’t "overload" your project with extra functionality but still provides high efficiency.
For projects that require high performance but also fast implementation of new features.

3. Angular
Key features:
Type: full-fledged framework
Developed by: Google
Focus: large-scale web applications

Advantages
All-in-one solution: Angular is a complete framework that includes everything you need to build web apps, such as routing, state management, forms, and other useful features.
TypeScript support: Angular uses TypeScript, which reduces the likelihood of errors thanks to strict typing and smart code completion.
Scalability: Angular is perfect for building large, complex enterprise applications with lots of components and business logic.
Built-in testing support: Angular provides all the necessary tools for testing, making it ideal for large teams.

Disadvantages
Steep learning curve: due to its comprehensive features, Angular can be overwhelming for beginners.
Size and weight: Angular can be heavy and bulky, making it less ideal for small or fast-paced projects.

When to use Angular
For large, complex enterprise web apps where scalability and maintainability are important.
When you need a complete structure for your app, with built-in solutions for all aspects of development.
For teams already working with TypeScript or those who want to leverage its benefits.

React is a great choice for large interactive apps where speed and flexibility are key. Keep in mind that you might need additional libraries for a full-fledged project.
Vue is ideal for small to medium-sized projects where you need simplicity, flexibility, and speed in development.
Angular is the best option for complex, large-scale enterprise applications where scalability and testing are crucial.

No matter which framework you choose, each of them has its advantages. The most important thing is to understand your project’s needs and make the right decision based on those!