What is the difference between angular-route and angular-ui-router?

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

I'm planning to use AngularJS in my big applications. So I'm in the process to find out the right modules to use.

What is the difference between ngRoute (angular-route.js) and ui-router (angular-ui-router.js)modules?

In many articles when ngRoute is used, route is configured with $routeProvider. However, when used with ui-router, route is configured with $stateProvider and $urlRouterProvider.

Which module should I use for better manageability and extensibility?

manpreet 2 years ago

ngRoute is a module developed by the AngularJS team which was earlier part of the AngularJS core.

ui-router is a framework which was made outside the AngularJS project to improve and enhance routing capabilities.

From the ui-router documentation:

AngularUI Router is a routing framework for AngularJS, which allows you to organize the parts of your interface into a state machine. Unlike the $route service in Angular core, which is organized around URL routes, UI-Router is organized around states, which may optionally have routes, as well as other behavior, attached.

States are bound to named, nested and parallel views, allowing you to powerfully manage your application's interface.

Neither of them is better, you will have to chose the most appropriate for your project.

However, if you plan to have complex views in your application and you would like to deal with the "$state" notion. I recommend you to chose ui-router.