Solid.js vs Mithril.js: Which Lightweight Framework is Better?

In the world of lightweight JavaScript frameworks, Solid.js and Mithril.js stand out as top contenders. Both frameworks focus on performance, simplicity, and small bundle sizes, but they take different approaches.

  • Solid.js – A highly reactive UI framework without a Virtual DOM, optimized for speed and efficiency.
  • Mithril.js – A tiny, fast, and unopinionated JavaScript framework, designed for simplicity and easy routing.

Which one should you choose for your project? Let’s compare their features, performance, and use cases to help you decide.

What is Solid.js?

Solid.js is a reactive UI framework that eliminates the Virtual DOM, making it one of the fastest JavaScript frameworks available today.

Key Features of Solid.js:

No Virtual DOM – Uses fine-grained reactivity instead.
High Performance – Faster than React, Vue, and Svelte.
Lightweight (~6KB gzipped) – Reduces load times significantly.
Component-Based – Similar to React but with better performance.
Optimized Rendering – Updates only the necessary parts of the UI.

When to Use Solid.js?

✔️ When building highly interactive, real-time applications.
✔️ If you need a modern, component-based framework with React-like syntax.
✔️ For projects where fine-grained reactivity improves performance.

What is Mithril.js?

Mithril.js is a tiny, fast front-end framework designed to be simple and efficient. Unlike Solid.js, it uses a Virtual DOM but is extremely optimized.

Key Features of Mithril.js:

Minimalistic (~8KB gzipped) – Extremely lightweight.
Virtual DOMHighly optimized for speed.
Built-in Routing and State Management – No need for third-party tools.
Easy Learning Curve – Simple API with clear documentation.
Fast Rendering – Optimized for minimal redraws.

When to Use Mithril.js?

✔️ If you need a small and fast framework with built-in routing.
✔️ For projects that require Virtual DOM optimizations.
✔️ When building single-page applications (SPAs) with minimal complexity.

Key Differences Between Solid.js and Mithril.js

Feature

Solid.js ⚡

Mithril.js 🚀

Rendering Approach

No Virtual DOM (fine-grained reactivity)

Optimized Virtual DOM

Performance

Faster than React & Vue

Extremely fast rendering

Bundle Size

~6KB gzipped

~8KB gzipped

Built-in Features

Component-based, reactivity

Routing, state management

Best For

Highly reactive UI applications

Lightweight, minimal SPAs

Performance Comparison: Solid.js vs Mithril.js

📌 Real-World Performance Stats:

Framework

First Contentful Paint (FCP)

JavaScript Execution

Solid.js

1.0s

Minimal (~6KB)

Mithril.js

1.2s

Minimal (~8KB)

Solid.js is faster for highly interactive UIs due to its fine-grained reactivity.
Mithril.js is great for lightweight applications where simplicity and built-in routing are key.

“असतो मा सद्गमय।”
(Translation: “Lead me from falsehood to truth.”)

Choosing the right framework for your project means understanding not just trends, but real performance and use cases.

Which One Should You Choose?

🤔 Choose Solid.js if:
✔️ You need fast, reactive UI updates with minimal re-rendering.
✔️ You prefer a modern, component-based approach.
✔️ Your project requires maximum performance without a Virtual DOM.

🔥 Choose Mithril.js if:
✔️ You want a small, fast framework with built-in routing.
✔️ Your project needs an optimized Virtual DOM.
✔️ You prefer a minimal, easy-to-learn framework.

Final Verdict

Solid.js is best for modern, high-performance UIs that need real-time updates.
Mithril.js is great for lightweight, minimalistic applications with built-in routing.