Angular is a web framework from Google for building large, long-lived applications with a clear structure, and it is actively maintained. It suits teams that value conventions, built-in tooling and TypeScript across a big codebase. It is not the only good choice, and the original AngularJS (version 1) is a different, retired product: Google ended its support in January 2022, so any application still on it should be planned for migration. Choose a framework for your team, your application and your timeline, not for a list of reasons.
Key takeaways
- Angular describes itself as a web framework for building fast, reliable applications that scale with team size and codebase size.
- Angular now ships a major release about every 12 months, with a 24-month support window: 12 months of active support, then 12 months of long-term support (LTS). Angular 22.0.0 was released on 3 June 2026.
- The Angular CLI's
ng updatecommand automates many breaking-change migrations. - Angular supports server-side rendering, static site generation and full DOM hydration.
- AngularJS support "has officially ended as of January 2022".
What is Angular, and what is AngularJS?
They share a name but are different products. Angular is the modern, TypeScript-based framework, rewritten from the ground up and versioned 2 and above. AngularJS is version 1, released earlier and no longer supported. If someone offers to build a "new Angular project", confirm they mean Angular, not AngularJS.
What does Angular give you?
According to the Angular documentation:
- Components that split code into "well-encapsulated parts".
- Signals, a fine-grained reactivity model that the documentation says simplifies development and produces faster apps by default.
- Server-side rendering, static site generation and hydration for faster first loads and better crawlability.
- A CLI that takes a project from start to deployment, with build tooling based on Vite and esbuild.
- DevTools and a language service for inspecting components and for editor completion and diagnostics.
Because the framework includes routing, forms, dependency injection and a testing setup, teams do not have to assemble these from separate libraries. That consistency is the main reason teams choose it for large applications.
How long is each version supported?
Angular's release page lists the current picture. Until version 22, majors shipped every six months; now it is a major about every 12 months, with four to six minors between them, and patch builds almost every week.
| Version | Status | Released | Active support ends | LTS ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.0.0 | Active | 3 June 2026 | June 2027 | June 2028 |
| 21.0.0 | LTS | 19 November 2025 | 3 June 2026 | June 2027 |
| 20.0.0 | LTS | 28 May 2025 | 19 November 2025 | 28 November 2026 |
Versions 2 through 19 are no longer supported. During LTS only critical fixes and security patches are released. Plan an upgrade at least once a year, and use ng update to make it routine rather than a large project.
When is Angular a good choice?
- Large or long-lived applications with many developers, where agreed structure matters more than the quickest start.
- Teams that already use TypeScript and want one consistent way to build forms, routing and data access.
- Business applications such as dashboards, portals and internal tools.
When might another option fit better?
- Content sites and marketing pages that rely on search traffic and quick publishing often fit a content-first framework.
- Small teams or short projects may prefer something lighter.
- A team that already knows another framework well is usually faster in it.
We compare other options in Node.js frameworks in 2026 and Cross-platform or native in 2026. Our Angular development page describes the work we do with it.
What if you still have an AngularJS application?
AngularJS support ended in January 2022, so it no longer receives security fixes. Treat that as a risk to manage:
- Inventory what the application does and who depends on it.
- Decide: migrate to Angular step by step, or rebuild on a framework that fits your team now.
- Protect it meanwhile: restrict access, keep servers and dependencies patched and monitor it.
- Migrate in slices, starting with the parts that change most or carry most risk.
Our website modernisation work follows this approach.
What does AI change for framework choice?
AI coding assistants make a typed, conventional framework easier to work with, because the structure gives them clear patterns to follow, but they do not replace review. Whatever you pick, a person should review generated code and tests, as our policy on AI coding assistants requires.
FAQ
Is Angular still supported by Google?
Yes. Angular 22.0.0 was released on 3 June 2026 and is the actively supported version, with 21 and 20 in long-term support.
What is the difference between Angular and AngularJS?
AngularJS is version 1 and its support ended in January 2022. Angular is the modern TypeScript framework, version 2 onwards.
How often do I need to upgrade Angular?
Major releases now arrive about every 12 months, and each is supported for 24 months. Plan to upgrade at least yearly; ng update automates many migrations.
Is Angular better than other frameworks?
Not universally. It suits large, structured applications and teams that want built-in conventions; other frameworks suit other teams and projects.
Can Angular be good for SEO?
It supports server-side rendering, static site generation and hydration, which let search engines receive rendered pages. Results depend on how the application is built.
Sources
- Angular, "Overview": https://angular.dev/overview
- Angular, "Releases": https://angular.dev/reference/releases
- AngularJS, "Version Support Status": https://docs.angularjs.org/misc/version-support-status
