overview
Stack Comparison Overview
Stacks in scope
- Stack 1: Angular + NodeJS TypeScript backend (Express / NestJS + Prisma)
- Stack 2: Angular + Python backend (FastAPI + SQLAlchemy)
- Stack 3: React (Next.js) + TypeScript backend (Express + Prisma)
- Stack 4: React (Next.js) + Python backend (FastAPI + SQLAlchemy)
Each option keeps a clear separation between frontend and backend (unlike monolithic Next.js apps where frontend and API routes are in one codebase). This split architecture is similar to today's Spring Boot + Angular model - where the Angular frontend and Spring Boot backend are separate applications that communicate via API - while modernizing tooling and developer experience. For a deeper dive, see the full comparison: Monolith vs Split Architecture.
Comparison summary
Build speed for us vs comfort for TwinSpires
| Stack | Build speed for our team | Comfort for TwinSpires frontend (Angular) | Comfort for TwinSpires backend (Java) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | High – NodeJS(Express)/TS backend in our wheelhouse; comfortable with Angular | High – keeps Angular | Medium – new runtime (Node), TS is Java-like |
| 2 | Medium – Python adds a learning step | High – keeps Angular | Medium – Python is new, Java experience helps with patterns |
| 3 | Highest – React + Node is our core stack | Low – requires Angular → React shift | Medium – Node/TS still new but similar to Stack 1 |
| 4 | High – React on FE is natural to us | Low – Angular → React shift | Low/Medium – Python is new, plus React on FE |
Long-term / strategic fit
From an AI-era perspective, stacks with React + TypeScript + Node.js (especially Stack 3) benefit most from:
- A huge volume of public open-source examples and best practices.
- Rich AI training data around React + TS patterns, making AI-generated code and refactors more accurate.
- Strong ecosystem support for modern tooling (linting, type-checking, code mods, and scaffolding).
The strategic reality: The world is changing, and, in my opinion, technology choices must change with it too. Choosing a stack aligned with AI-driven development gives a strategic advantage in the market and ensures teams can deliver faster, safer, and more innovatively.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think, Future maintenance will be AI-agent led, with humans controlling and guiding - and React + TypeScript is where AI tools excel. This means TwinSpires engineers will be able to maintain Stack 3 easily with AI assistance, even if they're new to React, because the AI tools have the richest training data for this stack.
In practice:
- Stack 3 (Next.js / React + Node/TS) is the ideal strategic choice:
- Fastest build speed for our team (React + Node.js is our core expertise).
- Best long-term solution for AI-assisted development and maintenance.
- Massive ecosystem advantage: React + TypeScript has the largest public ecosystem of any frontend stack - orders of magnitude more libraries, components, tutorials, and community solutions than Angular. This means faster feature development, easier problem-solving, and better hiring prospects.
- Requires TwinSpires to invest in React, but the AI-era advantage makes this investment worthwhile.
- Stack 1 (Angular + Node/TS) is the pragmatic compromise:
- Our team can be productive quickly on a Node/TypeScript backend and is comfortable working with Angular.
- TwinSpires keeps Angular on the frontend while learning a new, but Java-adjacent, TypeScript backend.
- Good AI-era fit, but not as strong as Stack 3 due to smaller Angular ecosystem.
For deeper dives on each option, see: