When you are choosing a tool to build web components, you have several options. LitElement is a modern approach, but it is important to see how it compares to other solutions such as vanilla Web Components, Polymer, and mainstream frameworks like React or Vue. Each has its own strengths and trade-offs, especially in terms of bundle size, reactivity, and developer ergonomics.

Vanilla Web Components

• Defined using the browser's standard APIs;
• Maximum control and zero dependencies, which keeps bundle size minimal;
• Writing complex components can be verbose and repetitive;
• Manual handling of DOM updates, property reflection, and templating, which can slow down development and introduce bugs.

Polymer

• One of the earliest libraries to make working with Web Components easier;
• Added features like data binding and a simplified API;
• Larger bundle size and no longer actively developed;
• Influenced the creation of LitElement as its spiritual successor.

Mainstream Frameworks (React, Vue)

• Not based on the Web Components standard;
• Provide robust state management, efficient reactivity, and a rich ecosystem;
• Require a larger runtime and are not natively interoperable with other web technologies;
• Use a virtual DOM, which can add overhead;
• Bundle sizes are generally larger than solutions like LitElement.

LitElement

• Designed to be lightweight, with a small bundle size that adds minimal overhead to your project;
• Uses efficient, fine-grained reactivity and templating, making it easy to write and maintain components;
• Components are true Web Components, so they work natively in the browser and can be used in any framework or plain HTML page;
• Strong choice for projects where bundle size, performance, and interoperability are important.