Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

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In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);

Performance and Features

Svelte 5

• Compile-time reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Smaller bundle sizes
• Built-in animations
• Scoped CSS
• Less boilerplate

Solid.js

• Fine-grained reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Small runtime
• JSX templating
• Efficient updates
• Rich primitives

Learning Curve

Svelte 5

• Intuitive syntax
• HTML-first approach
• New runes system
• Built-in features
• Less framework-specific concepts

Solid.js

• Familiar JSX syntax
• Signal-based reactivity
• React-like patterns
• Minimal API surface
• Clear mental model

Conclusion

Choose Svelte 5 if you:

• Want compile-time optimizations
• Prefer HTML-like syntax
• Need built-in animations
• Want less boilerplate
• Like direct variable access
• Need scoped styling

Choose Solid.js if you:

• Want fine-grained reactivity
• Prefer JSX syntax
• Need React-like patterns
• Want minimal runtime
• Prefer explicit state updates
• Need predictable performance

Key considerations:

1. Architecture

   • Svelte: Compile-time framework with runes
   • Solid: Runtime framework with signals

2. Development Experience

   • Svelte: More intuitive, less boilerplate
   • Solid: More explicit, predictable patterns

3. Ecosystem

   • Svelte: Growing, active community
   • Solid: Emerging, focused community

4. Performance

   • Both offer excellent performance
   • Different approaches to achieving it

Both frameworks excel in modern web development:

• Svelte 5 brings innovative compile-time reactivity and simpler syntax
• Solid.js offers powerful runtime performance with familiar patterns

The choice often depends on:

• Team background (React developers might prefer Solid.js)
• Project requirements (animation needs might favor Svelte)
• Performance priorities (both excel but in different ways)
• Development preferences (HTML-first vs JSX)

Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);

Performance and Features

Svelte 5

• Compile-time reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Smaller bundle sizes
• Built-in animations
• Scoped CSS
• Less boilerplate

Solid.js

• Fine-grained reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Small runtime
• JSX templating
• Efficient updates
• Rich primitives

Learning Curve

Svelte 5

• Intuitive syntax
• HTML-first approach
• New runes system
• Built-in features
• Less framework-specific concepts

Solid.js

• Familiar JSX syntax
• Signal-based reactivity
• React-like patterns
• Minimal API surface
• Clear mental model

Conclusion

Choose Svelte 5 if you:

• Want compile-time optimizations
• Prefer HTML-like syntax
• Need built-in animations
• Want less boilerplate
• Like direct variable access
• Need scoped styling

Choose Solid.js if you:

• Want fine-grained reactivity
• Prefer JSX syntax
• Need React-like patterns
• Want minimal runtime
• Prefer explicit state updates
• Need predictable performance

Key considerations:

1. Architecture

   • Svelte: Compile-time framework with runes
   • Solid: Runtime framework with signals

2. Development Experience

   • Svelte: More intuitive, less boilerplate
   • Solid: More explicit, predictable patterns

3. Ecosystem

   • Svelte: Growing, active community
   • Solid: Emerging, focused community

4. Performance

   • Both offer excellent performance
   • Different approaches to achieving it

Both frameworks excel in modern web development:

• Svelte 5 brings innovative compile-time reactivity and simpler syntax
• Solid.js offers powerful runtime performance with familiar patterns

The choice often depends on:

• Team background (React developers might prefer Solid.js)
• Project requirements (animation needs might favor Svelte)
• Performance priorities (both excel but in different ways)
• Development preferences (HTML-first vs JSX)

Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);

Performance and Features

Svelte 5

• Compile-time reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Smaller bundle sizes
• Built-in animations
• Scoped CSS
• Less boilerplate

Solid.js

• Fine-grained reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Small runtime
• JSX templating
• Efficient updates
• Rich primitives

Learning Curve

Svelte 5

• Intuitive syntax
• HTML-first approach
• New runes system
• Built-in features
• Less framework-specific concepts

Solid.js

• Familiar JSX syntax
• Signal-based reactivity
• React-like patterns
• Minimal API surface
• Clear mental model

Conclusion

Choose Svelte 5 if you:

• Want compile-time optimizations
• Prefer HTML-like syntax
• Need built-in animations
• Want less boilerplate
• Like direct variable access
• Need scoped styling

Choose Solid.js if you:

• Want fine-grained reactivity
• Prefer JSX syntax
• Need React-like patterns
• Want minimal runtime
• Prefer explicit state updates
• Need predictable performance

Key considerations:

1. Architecture

   • Svelte: Compile-time framework with runes
   • Solid: Runtime framework with signals

2. Development Experience

   • Svelte: More intuitive, less boilerplate
   • Solid: More explicit, predictable patterns

3. Ecosystem

   • Svelte: Growing, active community
   • Solid: Emerging, focused community

4. Performance

   • Both offer excellent performance
   • Different approaches to achieving it

Both frameworks excel in modern web development:

• Svelte 5 brings innovative compile-time reactivity and simpler syntax
• Solid.js offers powerful runtime performance with familiar patterns

The choice often depends on:

• Team background (React developers might prefer Solid.js)
• Project requirements (animation needs might favor Svelte)
• Performance priorities (both excel but in different ways)
• Development preferences (HTML-first vs JSX)

Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);

Performance and Features

Svelte 5

• Compile-time reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Smaller bundle sizes
• Built-in animations
• Scoped CSS
• Less boilerplate

Solid.js

• Fine-grained reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Small runtime
• JSX templating
• Efficient updates
• Rich primitives

Learning Curve

Svelte 5

• Intuitive syntax
• HTML-first approach
• New runes system
• Built-in features
• Less framework-specific concepts

Solid.js

• Familiar JSX syntax
• Signal-based reactivity
• React-like patterns
• Minimal API surface
• Clear mental model

Conclusion

Choose Svelte 5 if you:

• Want compile-time optimizations
• Prefer HTML-like syntax
• Need built-in animations
• Want less boilerplate
• Like direct variable access
• Need scoped styling

Choose Solid.js if you:

• Want fine-grained reactivity
• Prefer JSX syntax
• Need React-like patterns
• Want minimal runtime
• Prefer explicit state updates
• Need predictable performance

Key considerations:

1. Architecture

   • Svelte: Compile-time framework with runes
   • Solid: Runtime framework with signals

2. Development Experience

   • Svelte: More intuitive, less boilerplate
   • Solid: More explicit, predictable patterns

3. Ecosystem

   • Svelte: Growing, active community
   • Solid: Emerging, focused community

4. Performance

   • Both offer excellent performance
   • Different approaches to achieving it

Both frameworks excel in modern web development:

• Svelte 5 brings innovative compile-time reactivity and simpler syntax
• Solid.js offers powerful runtime performance with familiar patterns

The choice often depends on:

• Team background (React developers might prefer Solid.js)
• Project requirements (animation needs might favor Svelte)
• Performance priorities (both excel but in different ways)
• Development preferences (HTML-first vs JSX)

Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);

Performance and Features

Svelte 5

• Compile-time reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Smaller bundle sizes
• Built-in animations
• Scoped CSS
• Less boilerplate

Solid.js

• Fine-grained reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Small runtime
• JSX templating
• Efficient updates
• Rich primitives

Learning Curve

Svelte 5

• Intuitive syntax
• HTML-first approach
• New runes system
• Built-in features
• Less framework-specific concepts

Solid.js

• Familiar JSX syntax
• Signal-based reactivity
• React-like patterns
• Minimal API surface
• Clear mental model

Conclusion

Choose Svelte 5 if you:

• Want compile-time optimizations
• Prefer HTML-like syntax
• Need built-in animations
• Want less boilerplate
• Like direct variable access
• Need scoped styling

Choose Solid.js if you:

• Want fine-grained reactivity
• Prefer JSX syntax
• Need React-like patterns
• Want minimal runtime
• Prefer explicit state updates
• Need predictable performance

Key considerations:

1. Architecture

   • Svelte: Compile-time framework with runes
   • Solid: Runtime framework with signals

2. Development Experience

   • Svelte: More intuitive, less boilerplate
   • Solid: More explicit, predictable patterns

3. Ecosystem

   • Svelte: Growing, active community
   • Solid: Emerging, focused community

4. Performance

   • Both offer excellent performance
   • Different approaches to achieving it

Both frameworks excel in modern web development:

• Svelte 5 brings innovative compile-time reactivity and simpler syntax
• Solid.js offers powerful runtime performance with familiar patterns

The choice often depends on:

• Team background (React developers might prefer Solid.js)
• Project requirements (animation needs might favor Svelte)
• Performance priorities (both excel but in different ways)
• Development preferences (HTML-first vs JSX)

Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);

Performance and Features

Svelte 5

• Compile-time reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Smaller bundle sizes
• Built-in animations
• Scoped CSS
• Less boilerplate

Solid.js

• Fine-grained reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Small runtime
• JSX templating
• Efficient updates
• Rich primitives

Learning Curve

Svelte 5

• Intuitive syntax
• HTML-first approach
• New runes system
• Built-in features
• Less framework-specific concepts

Solid.js

• Familiar JSX syntax
• Signal-based reactivity
• React-like patterns
• Minimal API surface
• Clear mental model

Conclusion

Choose Svelte 5 if you:

• Want compile-time optimizations
• Prefer HTML-like syntax
• Need built-in animations
• Want less boilerplate
• Like direct variable access
• Need scoped styling

Choose Solid.js if you:

• Want fine-grained reactivity
• Prefer JSX syntax
• Need React-like patterns
• Want minimal runtime
• Prefer explicit state updates
• Need predictable performance

Key considerations:

1. Architecture

   • Svelte: Compile-time framework with runes
   • Solid: Runtime framework with signals

2. Development Experience

   • Svelte: More intuitive, less boilerplate
   • Solid: More explicit, predictable patterns

3. Ecosystem

   • Svelte: Growing, active community
   • Solid: Emerging, focused community

4. Performance

   • Both offer excellent performance
   • Different approaches to achieving it

Both frameworks excel in modern web development:

• Svelte 5 brings innovative compile-time reactivity and simpler syntax
• Solid.js offers powerful runtime performance with familiar patterns

The choice often depends on:

• Team background (React developers might prefer Solid.js)
• Project requirements (animation needs might favor Svelte)
• Performance priorities (both excel but in different ways)
• Development preferences (HTML-first vs JSX)

Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);

Performance and Features

Svelte 5

• Compile-time reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Smaller bundle sizes
• Built-in animations
• Scoped CSS
• Less boilerplate

Solid.js

• Fine-grained reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Small runtime
• JSX templating
• Efficient updates
• Rich primitives

Learning Curve

Svelte 5

• Intuitive syntax
• HTML-first approach
• New runes system
• Built-in features
• Less framework-specific concepts

Solid.js

• Familiar JSX syntax
• Signal-based reactivity
• React-like patterns
• Minimal API surface
• Clear mental model

Conclusion

Choose Svelte 5 if you:

• Want compile-time optimizations
• Prefer HTML-like syntax
• Need built-in animations
• Want less boilerplate
• Like direct variable access
• Need scoped styling

Choose Solid.js if you:

• Want fine-grained reactivity
• Prefer JSX syntax
• Need React-like patterns
• Want minimal runtime
• Prefer explicit state updates
• Need predictable performance

Key considerations:

1. Architecture

   • Svelte: Compile-time framework with runes
   • Solid: Runtime framework with signals

2. Development Experience

   • Svelte: More intuitive, less boilerplate
   • Solid: More explicit, predictable patterns

3. Ecosystem

   • Svelte: Growing, active community
   • Solid: Emerging, focused community

4. Performance

   • Both offer excellent performance
   • Different approaches to achieving it

Both frameworks excel in modern web development:

• Svelte 5 brings innovative compile-time reactivity and simpler syntax
• Solid.js offers powerful runtime performance with familiar patterns

The choice often depends on:

• Team background (React developers might prefer Solid.js)
• Project requirements (animation needs might favor Svelte)
• Performance priorities (both excel but in different ways)
• Development preferences (HTML-first vs JSX)

Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);

Performance and Features

Svelte 5

• Compile-time reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Smaller bundle sizes
• Built-in animations
• Scoped CSS
• Less boilerplate

Solid.js

• Fine-grained reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Small runtime
• JSX templating
• Efficient updates
• Rich primitives

Learning Curve

Svelte 5

• Intuitive syntax
• HTML-first approach
• New runes system
• Built-in features
• Less framework-specific concepts

Solid.js

• Familiar JSX syntax
• Signal-based reactivity
• React-like patterns
• Minimal API surface
• Clear mental model

Conclusion

Choose Svelte 5 if you:

• Want compile-time optimizations
• Prefer HTML-like syntax
• Need built-in animations
• Want less boilerplate
• Like direct variable access
• Need scoped styling

Choose Solid.js if you:

• Want fine-grained reactivity
• Prefer JSX syntax
• Need React-like patterns
• Want minimal runtime
• Prefer explicit state updates
• Need predictable performance

Key considerations:

1. Architecture

   • Svelte: Compile-time framework with runes
   • Solid: Runtime framework with signals

2. Development Experience

   • Svelte: More intuitive, less boilerplate
   • Solid: More explicit, predictable patterns

3. Ecosystem

   • Svelte: Growing, active community
   • Solid: Emerging, focused community

4. Performance

   • Both offer excellent performance
   • Different approaches to achieving it

Both frameworks excel in modern web development:

• Svelte 5 brings innovative compile-time reactivity and simpler syntax
• Solid.js offers powerful runtime performance with familiar patterns

The choice often depends on:

• Team background (React developers might prefer Solid.js)
• Project requirements (animation needs might favor Svelte)
• Performance priorities (both excel but in different ways)
• Development preferences (HTML-first vs JSX)

Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);

Performance and Features

Svelte 5

• Compile-time reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Smaller bundle sizes
• Built-in animations
• Scoped CSS
• Less boilerplate

Solid.js

• Fine-grained reactivity
• No virtual DOM
• Small runtime
• JSX templating
• Efficient updates
• Rich primitives

Learning Curve

Svelte 5

• Intuitive syntax
• HTML-first approach
• New runes system
• Built-in features
• Less framework-specific concepts

Solid.js

• Familiar JSX syntax
• Signal-based reactivity
• React-like patterns
• Minimal API surface
• Clear mental model

Conclusion

Choose Svelte 5 if you:

• Want compile-time optimizations
• Prefer HTML-like syntax
• Need built-in animations
• Want less boilerplate
• Like direct variable access
• Need scoped styling

Choose Solid.js if you:

• Want fine-grained reactivity
• Prefer JSX syntax
• Need React-like patterns
• Want minimal runtime
• Prefer explicit state updates
• Need predictable performance

Key considerations:

1. Architecture

   • Svelte: Compile-time framework with runes
   • Solid: Runtime framework with signals

2. Development Experience

   • Svelte: More intuitive, less boilerplate
   • Solid: More explicit, predictable patterns

3. Ecosystem

   • Svelte: Growing, active community
   • Solid: Emerging, focused community

4. Performance

   • Both offer excellent performance
   • Different approaches to achieving it

Both frameworks excel in modern web development:

• Svelte 5 brings innovative compile-time reactivity and simpler syntax
• Solid.js offers powerful runtime performance with familiar patterns

The choice often depends on:

• Team background (React developers might prefer Solid.js)
• Project requirements (animation needs might favor Svelte)
• Performance priorities (both excel but in different ways)
• Development preferences (HTML-first vs JSX)

Svelte 5 vs Solid.js: A Deep Dive into Modern UI Frameworks

In the evolving landscape of frontend development, Svelte 5 and Solid.js represent two innovative approaches to building reactive user interfaces. While both frameworks emphasize performance and developer experience, they achieve these goals through different means. Let’s explore their similarities, differences, and unique features.

Table of Contents

1. Core Concepts
2. Reactivity System
3. Templating and Components
4. Component Lifecycle
5. Form Handling
6. Component Composition
7. Performance and Features
8. Learning Curve
9. Conclusion

Core Concepts

Both frameworks prioritize reactivity and performance but take different approaches:

• Svelte 5 uses compile-time reactivity with the new runes system ($state, $derived)
• Solid.js uses fine-grained reactivity with signals and derived computations

Reactivity System

State Declaration

Svelte 5 introduces runes for state management:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
</script>

<h1>Hello {name}</h1>

Solid.js uses signals:

import { createSignal } from "solid-js";

export default function Name() {
  const [name] = createSignal("John");
  return <h1>Hello {name()}</h1>;
}

Key differences:

• Svelte uses direct variable access
• Solid requires signal getter functions
• Svelte compiles away reactivity
• Solid maintains reactivity at runtime

State Updates

Svelte 5’s direct assignments:

<script>
  let name = $state("John");
  name = "Jane"; // Direct assignment
</script>

Solid’s setter functions:

const [name, setName] = createSignal("John");
setName("Jane"); // Using setter

Computed Values

Svelte 5’s derived values:

<script>
  let count = $state(10);
  const doubleCount = $derived(count * 2);
</script>

Solid’s computations:

const [count] = createSignal(10);
const doubleCount = () => count() * 2;

Templating and Components

Basic Components

Svelte’s single-file components:

<h1>Hello world</h1>

Solid’s JSX components:

export default function HelloWorld() {
  return <h1>Hello World!</h1>;
}

Styling

Svelte’s scoped CSS:

<h1 class="title">I am red</h1>

<style>
  .title {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

Solid’s CSS modules or external styles:

import "./style.css";

export default function CssStyle() {
  return <h1 class="title">I am red</h1>;
}

Loops and Iterations

Svelte’s each blocks:

<script>
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
</script>

<ul>
  {#each colors as color (color)}
    <li>{color}</li>
  {/each}
</ul>

Solid’s For component:

import { For } from "solid-js";

export default function Colors() {
  const colors = ["red", "green", "blue"];
  return (
    <ul>
      <For each={colors}>{(color) => <li>{color}</li>}</For>
    </ul>
  );
}

Component Lifecycle

Mounting

Svelte’s effects:

<script>
  $effect(() => {
    // Mount logic
    return () => {
      // Cleanup logic
    };
  });
</script>

Solid’s onMount:

import { onMount } from "solid-js";

onMount(() => {
  // Mount logic
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic
  };
});

Cleanup

Svelte’s effect cleanup:

<script>
  let time = $state(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  $effect(() => {
    const timer = setInterval(() => {
      time = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
    }, 1000);
    return () => clearInterval(timer);
  });
</script>

Solid’s onCleanup:

import { createSignal, onCleanup } from "solid-js";

export default function Time() {
  const [time, setTime] = createSignal(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());

  const timer = setInterval(() => {
    setTime(new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => clearInterval(timer));
  return <p>Current time: {time()}</p>;
}

Form Handling

Text Input

Svelte’s two-way binding:

<script>
  let text = $state("Hello World");
</script>

<input bind:value={text} />

Solid’s controlled inputs:

const [text, setText] = createSignal("Hello world");

function handleChange(event) {
  setText(event.target.value);
}

return <input value={text()} onInput={handleChange} />;

Radio Buttons

Svelte’s group binding:

<script>
  let picked = $state("red");
</script>

<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="red" />
<input bind:group={picked} type="radio" value="blue" />

Solid’s controlled radios:

const [picked, setPicked] = createSignal("red");

return (
  <>
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="red"
      checked={picked() === "red"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
    <input
      type="radio"
      value="blue"
      checked={picked() === "blue"}
      onChange={(e) => setPicked(e.target.value)}
    />
  </>
);