Are Web Components Making a Comeback?

Sort of - but don't call it a comeback just yet. Web Components are definitely on the rise again, but they're still not the go-to solution for most developers. That said, they're quietly powering some big things behind the scenes. What Are Web Components? They're built-in browser features that let you make your own HTML elements. No frameworks. Just standard APIs: Custom Elements - your own HTML tags like Shadow DOM - scoped styles and structure so your component doesn't leak or get messed with HTML Templates - chunks of HTML you can reuse and render when needed Why Are People Talking About Them Again? ✅ Browsers Finally Got Their Act TogetherNo more polyfills or hacks. Web Components now work out-of-the-box on all major browsers, including Safari (yes, even Safari). ✅ Everyone's Tired of Framework WhiplashReact today, Svelte tomorrow, Solid next week? Some devs just want stable, long-term tools that don't change every 6 months. Web Components offer that. ✅ Framework-Agnostic FTWUse them in React, Vue, Angular, plain HTML - whatever. That makes them perfect for design systems or teams working with multiple stacks. ✅ Tools Are Making Life EasierWriting raw Web Components kinda sucks. But tools like Lit, Stencil, and SkateJS smooth the rough edges, so you don't have to fight the browser API. Why Most Devs Still Ignore Them The syntax without a library is ugly Ecosystem is smaller compared to React or Vue Learning curve for concepts like Shadow DOM Less community support and fewer prebuilt components Should You Use Web Components? Go for it if: You're building a design system or UI library that needs to work everywhere You want future-proof, native tech You like modular, encapsulated components Maybe skip if: Your team is already deep in a React/Vue ecosystem You need rapid prototyping with lots of off-the-shelf components Bottom Line Web Components aren't the hot new thing - but they're solid, native, and finally practical. They're carving out a niche in real projects, especially where portability and long-term stability matter. Not trendy, but definitely useful - and finally getting some well-deserved respect.

Apr 23, 2025 - 09:30

Sort of - but don't call it a comeback just yet. Web Components are definitely on the rise again, but they're still not the go-to solution for most developers. That said, they're quietly powering some big things behind the scenes.

What Are Web Components?

They're built-in browser features that let you make your own HTML elements. No frameworks. Just standard APIs:

Custom Elements - your own HTML tags like
Shadow DOM - scoped styles and structure so your component doesn't leak or get messed with
HTML Templates - chunks of HTML you can reuse and render when needed

Why Are People Talking About Them Again?

✅ Browsers Finally Got Their Act TogetherNo more polyfills or hacks. Web Components now work out-of-the-box on all major browsers, including Safari (yes, even Safari).
✅ Everyone's Tired of Framework WhiplashReact today, Svelte tomorrow, Solid next week? Some devs just want stable, long-term tools that don't change every 6 months. Web Components offer that.
✅ Framework-Agnostic FTWUse them in React, Vue, Angular, plain HTML - whatever. That makes them perfect for design systems or teams working with multiple stacks.
✅ Tools Are Making Life EasierWriting raw Web Components kinda sucks. But tools like Lit, Stencil, and SkateJS smooth the rough edges, so you don't have to fight the browser API.

Why Most Devs Still Ignore Them

The syntax without a library is ugly
Ecosystem is smaller compared to React or Vue
Learning curve for concepts like Shadow DOM
Less community support and fewer prebuilt components

Should You Use Web Components?

Go for it if:

You're building a design system or UI library that needs to work everywhere
You want future-proof, native tech
You like modular, encapsulated components

Maybe skip if:

Your team is already deep in a React/Vue ecosystem
You need rapid prototyping with lots of off-the-shelf components

Bottom Line

Web Components aren't the hot new thing - but they're solid, native, and finally practical. They're carving out a niche in real projects, especially where portability and long-term stability matter.

Not trendy, but definitely useful - and finally getting some well-deserved respect.