Vue Composition API vs Options API: Which Should You Choose?

Vue.js offers developers two distinct approaches to building components: the Options API and the Composition API. This duality often raises questions among developers about which one to choose. In this article, we'll explore the differences between these two APIs, their strengths and weaknesses, and provide guidance on when to use each one.

Understanding the Fundamental Differences

At their core, both APIs allow you to build the same Vue components, but they organize code in fundamentally different ways. Let's examine how each API structures component code.

Options API: The Traditional Approach

The Options API organizes code by option types. Reactive state is declared in the data option, methods go in the methods option, computed properties in computed, and lifecycle hooks are defined as separate options.

JAVASCRIPT

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      count: 0
    }
  },
  methods: {
    increment() {
      this.count++
    }
  },
  computed: {
    doubled() {
      return this.count * 2
    }
  },
  mounted() {
    console.log('Component mounted')
  }
}

This approach provides a clear structure where each type of code has its designated place. For newcomers to Vue, this organization can feel intuitive and easy to understand.

Composition API: The Flexible Alternative

The Composition API takes a different approach by grouping code by logical concern rather than option type. All component logic is defined inside a setup function (or directly in the component when using