Front-End vs. Back-End Developer: Understanding the Differences

The computer technology industry is similar in design to the restaurant industry: Both businesses have a front and a back. The front end is forward-facing toward the customer (both even use the term “host”), while the back end is where the technical work gets done—whether that’s chopping onions or crafting code.

Many software developers begin their careers by choosing an area of focus: front-end vs. back-end. If you're an aspiring software developer, understanding the differences between front-end and back-end can help you choose a focus for your career path. You can use the following article to compare and contrast programming languages, tools, job duties, and key skills for front and back-end developers. 

Front-end vs back-end: key differences

The front end of a website or application refers to everything the user can see. Front-end developers often work directly with the client to create visual and interactive elements that work together to form an aesthetically pleasing experience.

In contrast, back-end developers work on the parts of a website or application that users cannot see. They operate behind the scenes, making sure servers and databases function smoothly and quickly. Front-end interaction only works because a server, application, or database written in code provides the information the visitor seeks.

Full-stack development

Full-stack development refers to both front-end and back-end development. Full-stack developers possess both skill sets and can code using front and back-end languages, tools, and frameworks. If you want to be able to build a website or application on your own, you'll need to obtain a full-stack development skill set.

Read more: What is a Full-Stack Developer?

Front-end vs. back-end developer salary

As of August 2023, front-end developers earn an average salary of $79,786 per year in the US [1]. Back-end developers in the US earn an annual salary of $99,464 on average [2]. 

What do front-end developers do?

The job of front-end developers can be summarized into two categories: UI and UX. They work with design teams to create the user interface (UI) or graphical user interface (GUI) in an effort to provide an easy-to-navigate and aesthetically pleasing design. The goal is an excellent user experience (UX)

Insight from an engineer

Katie Van Dyk, a software engineer at Meta, emphasizes the cross-functional nature of building user-facing products, which frequently has her "synthesizing information from design, data science, and product management to guide the direction of products."

Front-end developer job duties

On the front end, developers are responsible for interacting with clients and project managers who have a vision for their website—or at least an idea of what they’d like. Your job is to use your experience and training to provide solutions to their digital problems. That often includes some of the following daily tasks:

• Interacting with clients. Before developing anything, the front-end developer must know what the client seeks for the project. It is crucial to practice listening closely and asking the right questions so that the first draft won’t be time wasted.

• Create a visual design for the website. For larger projects, front-end developers will work with a digital designer responsible for creating a graphic design for the site. Other times, it’s the developer’s role in picking color schemes, fonts, layout, alignment, photo placement, buttons, forms, and all the other pieces that go into the look and feel of a website.

• Check for problems. Front-end developers must also be ready to test websites and resolve bugs that stop elements from working as they were intended. The testing process may include checking the function of content management systems or personalization tools.

Read more: What Does a Front-End Developer Do?

Front-end languages

Some of the most commonly used scripting, programming, and markup languages in front-end development include:

HTML

Short for Hypertext Markup Language, HTML is the technology that creates a structure to display websites on web browsers like Firefox or Chrome. It contains text, images, and hypertext. It allows for navigation from page to page while providing a user-friendly platform for formatting documents.

CCS

Short for Cascading Style Sheets, CCS is the language that allows developers to customize the look of a website. CSS may include the fonts used for the wording, the color schemes, and the organization of the text.

JavaScript

Websites aren’t static documents, and JavaScript is the computer programming language that allows for interactive elements and effects on a page. If a client wants an animated image, embedded media, or other active content, you’ll need to learn this critical skill.

Front-end frameworks

Thankfully, front-end developers won’t have to start from scratch with every project—especially if they learn JavaScript frameworks. A framework is a pre-written library of code and helps with common tasks and basic visual aspects found on many websites. These frameworks include, among others:

• React JS

• Ember.js

• Sass

• AngularJS

• jQuery

• Flutter

• Semantic-UI

• Foundation

• Backbone.js

Read more: How to Become a React Developer in 3 Steps

What do back-end developers do?

Back-end developers make it possible for the front end to function by providing data storage and power. As a back-end developer, you build, test, maintain, and debug the technology that makes the software or website function.  

Insight from an engineer

According to Meta software engineer Eric Hartzog, all developers need to tap into their imagination at some point. In his eight-year career, he's found his most engaging tasks are those "where the solution isn't clear, and creativity is needed to find the best solution."

Back-end developer job duties

Since the back end has completely different functions, back-end developers must use different tools to accomplish the client's goals. As a result, back-end development job duties can look very different from those of a front-end developer:

• Ensure functionality.

  Because the back end contains coding that allows the website to function through developed algorithms and logic, developers on this end are responsible for everything operating as it should. These include databases, API, core application logic, and other processes.

• Streamline the process.

  The simpler, the better—but most back-end developers know it’s not that easy. Part of creating an effective back end is to streamline the process. Efficiency can mean fewer problems for the client and customers alike.

• Work with a team.

  While back-end developers don’t always work directly with clients, they often work as part of a team of other developers, digital designers, and project managers. Introverted persons attracted to computer technology also need to practice workplace skills like collaboration, accepting critiques, and delegating tasks.

Read more: What Does a Back-End Developer Do?

Back-end languages

The languages used for the back end will depend on what you are interested in building. For example, creating a server requires different tools from mobile app development. These tools may include:

• PHP

• C++

• Ruby

• Python

• JavaScript

• Java

Read more: Python vs. Java: Which Should I Learn?

Back-end frameworks

Like with the front end, there are also frameworks that back-end developers can learn to expedite tasks. Popular frameworks for the back end include:

• Django

• Rails

• Express

• Spring

• Laravel

You may have also heard of Node.js, which is an open-source platform that’s neither a language nor a framework. It is used to let different applications work together for a complex goal.

How to become a software developer 

Whichever you choose in the debate of front-end vs. back-end development (or both), you’ll always have an opportunity to learn new skills to improve the performance and look of your projects. Computer technology is an ever-evolving industry with new programs and skills constantly entering the marketplace. If this field interests you, consider yourself a life-long learner.

Read more: How to Become a Software Developer

Start building your developer skills today with Coursera

Certifications and online courses can help you stay competitive and up-to-date in the field. You can learn front- or back-end development from an industry leader in technology with the Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate program or the Meta Back-End Developer Professional Certificate program.