Full stack vs Back end: What are the differences?

William Imoh · Improve this Guide

Thinking about getting into web development? You’ve probably heard job titles like full stack developer, backend developer, frontend developer, design engineer, and many more.

Let’s focus on two great options: full stack and backend development. Both are rewarding paths if you want to build websites and apps. These roles work together to create the websites and apps you use every day on the internet.

While each role works towards the common goal of creating an application that users can access from anywhere via the Internet, they differ in their responsibilities. Understanding these differences is important, whether your goal is to pick up a new skill, change career path, or secure a job.

This guide provides an in-depth discussion of the key differences between full stack and backend development, what they entail, their similarities, and the web ecosystem changes. Finally, it offers roadmaps for your full stack or backend journey.

The table below summarizes the major differences:

Full stack Development	Back end Development
Build both the client-side (frontend) and server-side (backend) of the application.	Specializes only on the server-side of the application.
Uses frontend and backend languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, PHP, etc.	Proficient only in backend programming languages like Python, C++, Java, etc.
Responsible for frontend web development tasks such as crafting responsive web design, enhancing user experience, and ensuring accessibility, as well as backend development tasks like managing databases, implementing security measures, caching, and writing APIs.	Responsible for only the server-side logic like managing database, security, caching, and writing APIs.
Have the highest earning potential.	Lower earning potential as compared to full stack development.
Uses libraries and frameworks that work on the client or server, or both.	Uses libraries and frameworks that work only on the server.
Most challenging to learn as it involves combining frontend and backend development	Relatively easier to learn as compared to Full stack as it focuses only on the backend development
Highest number of jobs available	Lower number of jobs as compared to full stack development

Let’s look at the differences in detail.

Differences between Full stack and Backend development

These are the key differences between full stack and backend discussed under the following criteria:

• Focus
• Roles and ownership
• Technologies
• Skill sets
• Salary and job opening
• Learning curve

Focus

The primary focus of a full stack developer is to develop both the client-side and the server side of a web application, while backend development focuses solely on the server side.

Roles and ownership

Full stack development entails broader ownership and responsibility, covering both frontend and backend technological aspects of the application. In contrast, backend development’s ownership and responsibilities are confined to the server side.

Technologies

A Full stack web developer has a broader skill set covering both frontend and backend technologies. This includes markup languages like HTML and CSS, and scripting languages such as JavaScript, Python, and Java, and frameworks like React, Vue, Django, Spring Boot, and Laravel.

Similarly, backend development utilizes server-side programming languages like Python, Ruby, Java, JavaScript (Node.js), and Go, along with frameworks such as Django, Ruby on Rails, Express.js, and Gin-gonic.

Skill sets

A full stack developer has a wide range of skills that encompass both frontend and backend principles. They can work on user interface design, human-computer interaction, and client-side security, caching, queues, and system design. While full stack developers can touch all elements of an application, backend developers typically have deeper expertise in backend principles due to their focused specialization.

Salary and job opening

Based on reviews of popular job posting platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor, Full stack developers have more job openings and higher average salaries as compared to backend developers.

Learning curve

Backend development is relatively easier to learn because its core focus is on backend languages, libraries, frameworks, and other server-side development. In contrast, full stack development combines both frontend and backend development, making it more challenging to learn.

While the points above cover the fundamental differences between full stack and backend development, it’s worth noting that their roles and responsibilities can also vary depending on factors such as the organization, industry, and project scope.

Understanding each role and its responsibility is important. Let’s look at those next.

What is Full stack development?

The term “Full stack” refers to a developer who knows both the frontend and the backend of a web application. Full stack developers are versatile enough to handle all aspects of a web project, from constructing dynamic user interfaces that users can see and interact with to managing the server-side logic, database, and server management.

The following are some of the key aspects of full stack development:

• Frontend technologies
• Backend technologies
• Application Programming Interfaces (API) design
• Database
• Deployment
• Security
• Adaptability

Frontend technologies

A deep understanding of frontend popular languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is fundamental for building robust and scalable applications. Additionally, as a frontend developer, expertise in determining when and how to utilize frontend development frameworks and libraries like React, Vue, Angular, and others is crucial for crafting dynamic applications that are responsive, accessible, and compatible across various browsers.

Backend technologies

Proficiency in server-side languages such as Java, JavaScript (Node.js), Python, C#, Go, Rust, and their respective frameworks and libraries is essential for constructing scalable and robust services. Backend developers work behind the scenes, building the software required for the website and application user interface to be fully functional.

Application Programming Interfaces (API) design

A solid understanding of designing, building, and implementing APIs is essential in full stack development. Additionally, knowing when to adopt different API protocols like REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, and gRPC (Google Remote Procedure Call) is also important.

Database

Determining whether to utilize a relational database management system like PostgreSQL or a non-relational database like MongoDB, opt for stored procedures, or an object-relational mapping (ORM) for data management are important decisions a full stack developer must address. Additionally, a good understanding of designing schemas and optimizing queries is also important.

Deployment

The essence of building an application is to ensure that the target users can access it without restrictions and utilize it as intended. Full stack developers should understand deployment strategies and cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Security

Exposing the application to the internet makes it susceptible to attacks. Therefore, familiarity with security best practices and vulnerabilities is crucial to ensuring the integrity and safety of these applications.

Adaptability

Open-source and research activities have constantly changed the web development ecosystem. Full stack developers must be willing to learn new technologies, know when to build from scratch or use third-party solutions, and adapt to changing project requirements.

What is Backend development?

Unlike full stack development, which combines the roles of frontend developers and backend developers to build applications, backend web development focuses solely on the server side. Backend developers handle tasks that occur behind the scenes and are not directly visible to users, including managing data, executing complex logic, and managing databases.

Backend development is divided into the presentation layer(which handles requests and responses), the business layer(which handles logic like calculation and data processing), and the data access layer (which handles database interactions). It uses server-side technologies similar to a full stack developer.

Similarities between Full stack and Backend development

Full stack and backend development share several similarities as they both work on the server side of the application. Below are some key similarities in the web development process between full stack and backend:

• Both work on server-side functionality, such as business logic, database interaction, and data processing.
• Design and implement APIs to facilitate communication between software components.
• Both ensure the security and integrity of user data.
• Collaborate with other team members and business stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Both handle errors, edge cases, and other difficult technical aspects of the application.
• Both are involved in designing and architecting scalable systems.

Web development in the modern era: Full stack vs Backend

While the web’s possibilities are exciting and fascinating, they have also changed the roles and responsibilities of developers building applications for it. Let’s consider the points below as a case study of how these changes might affect full stack and backend development:

Collaboration

While full stack development’s role and responsibilities are collaborative in nature compared to the specialized focus of backend development, the current innovative trend will further heighten the demand for collaboration. Full stack developers will increasingly collaborate with various stakeholders to build performant and dynamic applications. This may also require backend developers to expand their role beyond their traditional domain.

Versatility

As the web offers more opportunities, organizations will migrate their core applications from native platforms to web-based solutions, necessitating developers to embrace versatility and acquire new skills.

For full stack web developers who already navigate both frontend and backend development fields, they are well-positioned to adapt to changing demands by acquiring additional skills to meet business needs and project requirements. Similarly, backend developers may need to adjust their roles and embrace expanded responsibilities that extend beyond their domain-specific tasks to leverage the possibilities presented by this transition fully.

Job role

The new possibilities offered by the web will undoubtedly reshape job descriptions and shift the required skills of developers building for the web. Full stack and backend developer in the tech industry may need to evaluate their career goals, upskill, and embrace these changes to remain competitive and build dynamic solutions.

The possibilities offered by the web, coupled with evolving business requirements, require developers to upskill and stay updated continuously with the latest changes. A reliable source of truth is important for this journey. The full stack development and backend development roadmap are valuable resources for experienced and beginner developers looking to explore a career in web development.

Additionally, these roadmaps allow you to track your progress, showcase your skills to potential employers, and become part of a supportive community.