Insights, Inspiration, Web Development
Great Single-Page App Examples & Use Cases
We will take a look at some real-world Single-page app examples and explore what frameworks they use.
Single-page applications (SPAs) offer an efficient and smooth user experience, which is why they are a popular choice for modern web development. They load quickly, organize the development process, and reduce the demand for server resources.
It’s no wonder SPAs are gaining traction, with major players like Google, Netflix, and Facebook incorporating them into their platforms.
If you’re thinking about creating an app, an SPA might be just what you need. They’re fast, work great across devices, and can handle many features—ideal for SaaS platforms, social networks, and more.
What Is a Single-Page Application Exactly?
A SPA is a web app that updates content dynamically without reloading the whole page, unlike traditional websites that refresh entirely with every click. In a SPA, the app sends only the necessary data to your browser, updating the current page as needed. This approach leads to quicker responses and a more fluid user experience.
Now, let’s look at some excellent examples of SPAs. These applications, many of which you probably use regularly, demonstrate the power and diversity of this architecture.
1. Netflix
Netflix uses SPA architecture to make browsing and streaming feel fast and easy.
- Front End: ReactJS runs the interactive parts of the site, while Node.js helps with quicker loading times.
- Backend: Spring Boot manages the backend, helping Netflix handle its massive collection of shows and movies.
2. Google Maps
Google Maps provides a responsive experience, allowing users to search for locations, get directions, and switch between map layers without needing to reload the page.
- Front End: Developed with Angular, it handles all the real-time interactions you expect from a mapping tool.
- Backend: Although the backend is closely tied to Google’s infrastructure, it likely relies on C++ and Python to process complex data.
3. Kitchen Co
Kitchen.co is a project management tool SPA designed to keep everything organized in one place, from tasks and projects to messages, invoices, and files. It helps teams and clients collaborate smoothly.
With Kitchen.co, clients can securely access the projects they’re working on, along with tasks, messages, invoices, and files, all within a simple layout. The familiar folder structure makes it easy for clients to find what they need without any confusion. They can stay up to date on requests and communicate through built-in messaging tools. Clients can also manage and create documents.
- Front End: Kitchen.co uses ReactJS to build its user interface, ensuring everything updates without the need to reload the page.
- Back End: The backend is built with Laravel, which handles the server-side logic and data management.
4. Slack
Slack’s SPA setup allows users to switch channels, send messages, and adjust settings without any disruptions.
- Front End: React powers the user interface, keeping it responsive and easy to use.
- Backend: Using Node.js, Slack handles real-time communication for teams, no matter their size.
5. Pinterest
Pinterest allows users to pin ideas, browse boards, and explore content with minimal delays or interruptions.
- Front End: React creates an interactive and visually engaging interface.
- Backend: The backend relies on Python with the Django framework, along with Java, Objective-C, and Golang to manage complex data processes.
6. Facebook
Facebook applies SPA principles to provide users a steady experience as they scroll through their news feed, react to posts, and check notifications.
- Front End: The platform is built on React, a framework created in-house, which powers its dynamic features.
- Backend: The backend uses a combination of C++, Java, Python, and Erlang to handle billions of interactions each day.
7. Trello
Trello allows users to work with boards, lists, and cards in real-time, keeping everything updated without the need to reload the page.
- Front End: Initially built with jQuery and BackboneJS, the platform offers a responsive interface that’s simple to navigate.
- Backend: The backend is powered by Node.js, known for its speed and ability to handle multiple connections simultaneously.
8. YouTube
YouTube is the largest video-sharing platform in the world, where people can upload, watch, and interact with videos from creators all over the globe. The platform is built to let users easily discover new content, watch videos, and explore channels. With features like video recommendations, likes, comments, and subscriptions, YouTube keeps viewers hooked. The site works across all devices, from phones to desktops, adjusting to fit each one without losing functionality.
- Front End: YouTube uses a lightweight JavaScript framework called Structured Page Fragments (SPF). This lets the platform update just parts of the page instead of reloading everything, making it quicker and easier to move around.
- Backend: YouTube’s backend is made with a mix of Java, Python, and C++. These languages help manage things like video processing, storing data, and delivering content. Python is especially helpful for the backend because it’s easy to read and write. YouTube also relies on Google’s cloud services, like Google Cloud Storage and Bigtable, to handle the massive amounts of data. For storing and accessing data, YouTube uses MySQL for structured data and Bigtable for more flexible storage. Protocol Buffers are also used to transmit data between different parts of the system.
9. Airbnb
Airbnb is a great example of how cloud services power modern applications. The platform relies on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for reliable, scalable infrastructure and various tools to manage its app. Airbnb’s system is designed around microservices, meaning the app is broken into smaller, independent parts that work together. This setup helps the platform grow and adapt more easily, as each part can be scaled separately based on its needs.
- Front End: The app uses React Native to create a user-friendly interface that works across different platforms.
- Backend: The backend is built with Ruby on Rails and Node.js, which handle various services and real-time features.
10. DocuMocu
DocuMocu is a proposal template SPA software with an easy-to-use editor that lets you add images, videos, pricing tables, and set up signatures and input fields. For e-signatures, the platform complies with U.S. and international laws, collecting data such as the signature date, IP address, and email address, and locking the proposal after signing to prevent changes. In 2025, interactive pricing tables will allow clients to choose from customized pricing options. Analytics will also be introduced, tracking proposal views, time spent on pages, and client locations.
- Front End: The front end uses ReactJS, creating a dynamic and responsive experience for users.
- Back End: The back end is powered by Laravel to handle the server-side operations, ensuring everything functions smoothly behind the scenes.
11. X (formerly Twitter)
X lets users scroll through tweets, interact with posts, and access features like messages and profile settings without needing to leave the page.
- Front End: The app is built with React, managing real-time updates throughout the platform.
- Backend: The backend is powered by Java, providing reliability and scalability for millions of users.
12. Gmail
Gmail is a good example of how SPAs work in real life. Users can switch between inboxes, write emails, and change settings without waiting for the entire page to reload.
- Front End: Gmail makes extensive use of JavaScript for its interactive features and uses Angular, a framework developed by Google, to power the app.
- Backend: The backend is built with a mix of C++, Python, and Java to handle large amounts of email data.
13. Spotify
Spotify is a great example of how music streaming works in real life. Users can easily browse songs, play music, create playlists, and discover new content without waiting for everything to reload.
- Front End: Spotify uses React to build the user interface, which allows the app to update without needing to reload the page. It also uses Sass to make the design easier to manage, and Redux to keep everything organized and ensure the app’s data is accessible in the right places. Webpack is used to bundle all the assets like JavaScript and CSS for better performance.
- Back End: Spotify’s backend is built using Java and Scala for handling core services, and Node.js to handle a large number of users at the same time. For storing data, it uses Apache Cassandra and Redis to manage and retrieve data quickly.
14. WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp offers a simple messaging experience where users can send messages, make calls, and share media securely with end-to-end encryption. To get started, users sign up using their phone number and can instantly communicate with others in their contact list.
- Front End: WhatsApp uses React Native for building mobile apps across both iOS and Android. For real-time communication, it relies on WebSocket technology, and SQLite is used for local data storage. WhatsApp Web also syncs messages via React and WebSocket.
- Back End: WhatsApp’s back end is built with Erlang, which handles messaging, and YAWS for web requests. It uses Ejabberd for instant messaging, Cassandra for data storage, and Kafka for real-time data streaming.
15. PayPal
PayPal’s interface is fast and responsive, making it easy for users to manage payments and finances.
- Front End: The front end uses both React.js and Angular to build an interactive user interface.
- Backend: The backend runs on the Spring Framework for reliable functionality, with Node.js supporting modern server-side development.
Final Thoughts: When to Use SPAs
SPAs come with both benefits and challenges, so there’s no simple answer about whether they’re always the best option. It really depends on what your project needs.
If you’re building a website that doesn’t require heavy data processing but includes lots of dynamic content, SPAs might be a good fit. They can also be helpful if you plan to expand into mobile apps later, as you can use the same backend API for both.
SPAs are great for platforms like social networks, private communities, or SaaS apps, especially when SEO isn’t a main concern. If you want to provide a user experience with fewer delays, an SPA is worth considering. Apps like Google Maps, for example, use SPAs to update information as users navigate.
They also work well if you need features like live updates, real-time charts, or notifications. If you want a consistent and interactive experience across different devices and browsers, SPAs can help make that happen.
If you’re thinking about starting an SPA project, we’d love to help. Reach out to us to chat about your ideas and how we can build the best SPA for you.