In this blog, we’ll make a detailed comparison of Laravel TALL vs VILT — two powerful full-stack combinations that have become increasingly popular among Laravel developers.
What are these stacks?
In web development, a stack is just a set of tools that work well together, a stack just means the group of tools or technologies you use together to build an app.
For example:
- Laravel (backend)
- some frontend tools (like Vue, Alpine, Livewire, etc.)
- a design framework (like Tailwind CSS)
Different stacks combine these differently.
TALL Stack
stands for:
Tailwind CSS + Alpine.js + Livewire + Laravel
Think of TALL as the Laravel + magic frontend without JavaScript headaches stack.
What each part does:
- Laravel → Backend framework (handles database, logic, routes)
- Livewire → Lets you make interactive UIs without writing much JavaScript
- Alpine.js → Small JS library that adds quick interactivity
- Tailwind CSS → Makes your design look modern and clean with utility classes
Example:
If you want a button that updates data live —
you can do it directly in Blade (no Vue/React needed).
TALL is perfect when:
- You like Laravel Blade templates
- You want interactivity but hate JS frameworks
- You’re building dashboards, admin panels, or smaller apps
VILT Stack
stands for:
Vue.js + Inertia.js + Laravel + Tailwind CSS
Think of VILT as the Laravel + Vue (modern SPA) stack.
What each part does:
- Laravel → Backend framework
- Inertia.js → Connects Laravel with Vue (so you don’t need a separate API)
- Vue.js → Frontend framework for rich, dynamic UIs
- Tailwind CSS → Styling framework for design
How it works:
Inertia acts like a bridge — Laravel still controls routes, but the frontend is built in Vue components instead of Blade templates.
VILT is perfect when:
- You like Vue.js and component-based development
- You’re building large, modern, interactive web apps (like a full SPA)
- You need more flexibility in the frontend
When to pick which
Depending on what you’re building, your team, timeline and skill set, you might favour one stack.
Pick TALL if:
- You are primarily a Laravel/PHP developer or your team is back-end heavy.
- You want to deliver features fast, with fewer front-end headaches.
- The UI does not demand very complex interactive components (charts, drag-drop, real‐time collaboration) — rather moderate interactivity.
- You prefer staying in one language (PHP) and not splitting logic drastically between backend + heavy front-end JS.
Pick VILT if:
- You have a team comfortable with Vue.js and front-end component architecture.
- The application has strong interactive demands: real-time updates, complex UI states, heavy client-side behaviour.
- You want SPA-like feel (without full API overhead) and you’re okay managing the extra front-end complexity.
- You anticipate scalability, advanced UI growth and front-end changes over time.
In simple terms:
- If you want to stay close to Laravel, build fast, keep things simple and lean, go with TALL.
- If you’re building something with rich front-end needs, have a strong front-end team, and want the power and flexibility of Vue + Inertia, go with VILT.
There’s no “one size fits all” — the right stack is the one that matches your team, your app’s requirements and your timeline.
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