How to Install Node.js, Angular, and MongoDB — Complete MEAN Stack Setup Guide (2025)

The MEAN Stack — consisting of MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js — is one of the most popular full-stack JavaScript development stacks in 2025.
It allows developers to use JavaScript for both frontend and backend development, making web app creation faster, simpler, more efficient, and developers friendly.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to install Node.js, Angular, and MongoDB on your system and set up a fully functional MEAN Stack environment from scratch.

 What Is MEAN Stack?

The MEAN Stack is a collection of four powerful technologies:

Component	Description
MongoDB	NoSQL database for data storage
Express.js	Web framework for Node.js (backend)
Angular	Frontend TypeScript (JavaScript) framework by Google
Node.js	JavaScript runtime for server-side development

Together, they enable developers to build dynamic, scalable, and modern web applications — all in JavaScript.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have:

1. A system running Windows, macOS, or Linux
   
   

2. Basic understanding of TypeScript (JavaScript)
   
   

3. Stable internet connection
   
   

4. Administrator or sudo access

Step 1: Install Node.js and npm

What Is Node.js?

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 engine that lets you run JavaScript outside of the browser.

 It comes with npm (Node Package Manager), used to install libraries and frameworks.

Installation Steps

 On Windows

1. Go to nodejs.org
   
   

2. Download the LTS (Long Term Support) version
   
   

3. Run the installer and follow the steps
   
   

4. Verify installation:

node -v

npm -v

 On Ubuntu / Linux

sudo apt update

sudo apt install nodejs npm -y

node -v

npm -v

On macOS

Using Homebrew:

brew install node

Once done, Node.js and npm will be installed globally.

Step 2: Install Angular CLI

What Is Angular CLI?

The Angular CLI (Command Line Interface) helps you create, develop, and manage Angular projects easily on any IDE or Command Line User interface .

Install Angular CLI Globally

npm install -g @angular/cli

ng version

Create a New Angular App

ng new mean-frontend

cd mean-frontend

ng serve

Now open your browser at:

http://localhost:4200

You’ll see your Angular app running successfully.

Step 3: Install MongoDB

What Is MongoDB?

MongoDB is a NoSQL document-oriented database that stores data in JSON-like structures.
It’s flexible, scalable, and ideal for handling large datasets.

Installation Steps

On Windows

1. Visit mongodb.com/try/download/community
   
   

2. Download and install MongoDB Community Server
   
   

3. Add MongoDB to your system PATH
   
   

4. Start MongoDB
   
   net start MongoDB

On Ubuntu / Linux

sudo apt update

sudo apt install -y mongodb

sudo systemctl start mongodb

sudo systemctl enable mongodb

On macOS

brew tap mongodb/brew

brew install mongodb-community

brew services start mongodb-community

Check if MongoDB is running:

mongo

If you see the MongoDB shell prompt, your installation is successful.

Step 4: Connect Node.js with MongoDB

Now that you have MongoDB and Node.js installed, let’s connect them.

Initialize a Node Project

mkdir mean-backend

cd mean-backend

npm init -y

npm install express mongoose cors

Create a Simple Server

Create a file named server.js:

const express = require('express');

const mongoose = require('mongoose');

const cors = require('cors');

const app = express();

app.use(cors());

app.use(express.json());

mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/meanstackdb')

  .then(() => console.log('Connected to MongoDB'))

  .catch(err => console.error(err));

app.get('/', (req, res) => {

  res.send('MEAN Stack Backend is Running!');

});

app.listen(3000, () => console.log('Server started on port 3000'));

Run the server:

node server.js

Visit:

http://localhost:3000

You’ll see:

“MEAN Stack Backend is Running!”

 Step 5: Verify MEAN Stack Connection

At this point:

1.   MongoDB stores your data
2.   Node.js and Express.js handle the backend logic
3. Angular serves the frontend  

You now have a fully working MEAN Stack setup on your local system.

Optional: Use MongoDB Atlas (Cloud)

If you prefer not to install MongoDB locally, use MongoDB Atlas — the official cloud service.

1. Go to MongoDB Atlas
   
   

2. Create a free account and cluster
   Connect your app using this connection string:

3. mongodb+srv://<username>:<password>@cluster0.mongodb.net/

4. mongoose.connect('your-atlas-connection-string')

Best Practices for MEAN Stack Setup

1. Use LTS versions of Node.js for stability

2. Organize backend into folders (routes, models, controllers)

3. Use .env for environment variables

4. Secure MongoDB with authentication

5. Keep dependencies updated regularly

6. Use Postman or Thunder Client to test APIs

Conclusion

Setting up the MEAN Stack is the first big step toward becoming a Full-Stack JavaScript Developer.
With Node.js, Angular, and MongoDB installed, you can now start building powerful, data-driven web applications using a single language — JavaScript.

This setup provides you with a robust environment to develop, test, and deploy modern full-stack projects efficiently.