Element Plus vs Element UI: Architecture, Vue Version, and DX Compared

Both element-plus and element-ui provide a rich set of UI components for building admin dashboards and enterprise applications, but they target different versions of the Vue framework. element-ui was the standard for Vue 2, while element-plus is the modern rewrite for Vue 3. This distinction affects everything from installation to theming and TypeScript support.

⚠️ Critical Warning: Vue Version & Maintenance Status

element-ui is tied to Vue 2, which reached End of Life (EOL) on December 31, 2023.

• No new features or security patches are being added.
• It relies on the Options API and Vue 2 reactivity system.
• Using it for new projects is strongly discouraged.

// element-ui: Requires Vue 2 instance
import Vue from 'vue';
import ElementUI from 'element-ui';
Vue.use(ElementUI);

element-plus is built for Vue 3 and actively maintained.

• Supports Composition API and Vue 3 reactivity.
• Receives regular updates, bug fixes, and new components.
• Required for any modern Vue ecosystem integration.

// element-plus: Requires Vue 3 app instance
import { createApp } from 'vue';
import ElementPlus from 'element-plus';
const app = createApp(App);
app.use(ElementPlus);

📦 Installation & Global Registration

element-ui uses a simpler global registration pattern typical of Vue 2.

• You import the library and the CSS separately.
• It attaches itself to the global Vue constructor.

// element-ui: Vue 2 global use
import ElementUI from 'element-ui';
import 'element-ui/lib/theme-chalk/index.css';
Vue.use(ElementUI);

element-plus follows the Vue 3 plugin pattern.

• You pass the plugin to the application instance.
• CSS import path is updated to match the new package structure.

// element-plus: Vue 3 plugin use
import ElementPlus from 'element-plus';
import 'element-plus/dist/index.css';
app.use(ElementPlus);

🛡️ TypeScript Support

element-ui relies on community-maintained type definitions.

• You must install @types/element-ui separately.
• Types may lag behind actual component props or contain errors.
• Less reliable for strict type-checking in large codebases.

// element-ui: Community types
// npm install --save-dev @types/element-ui
import { Button } from 'element-ui';
// Types provided by DefinitelyTyped, not the library itself

element-plus ships with built-in TypeScript definitions.

• No need to install external type packages.
• Props, events, and slots are fully typed out of the box.
• Provides better autocomplete and error catching in IDEs.

// element-plus: Built-in types
import { ElButton } from 'element-plus';
// Types are included in the package automatically

🎨 Theming: SCSS Variables vs CSS Variables

element-ui uses SCSS variables for customization.

• You need to override variables and recompile styles.
• Changing themes at runtime is difficult and requires rebuilds.
• Dark mode requires a separate build process or complex overrides.

// element-ui: SCSS override
$--color-primary: #409EFF;
@import "~element-ui/packages/theme-chalk/src/index";

element-plus uses CSS Custom Properties (Variables).

• You can change themes dynamically at runtime without recompiling.
• Built-in support for dark mode via class toggling.
• Easier integration with design tokens and system preferences.

/* element-plus: CSS Variable override */
html {
  --el-color-primary: #409EFF;
}
/* Toggle dark mode by adding class="dark" to html */

🔄 Component API: v-model Changes

element-ui follows Vue 2 v-model conventions.

• Input components use value prop and input event.
• Some components use specific props like visible for dialogs.
• Inconsistent API across different component types.

<!-- element-ui: Vue 2 v-model -->
<el-input v-model="searchText" />
<el-dialog :visible.sync="dialogVisible" />

element-plus aligns with Vue 3 v-model standards.

• Input components use modelValue prop and update:modelValue event.
• Dialogs use v-model directly instead of visible.sync.
• More consistent API across the entire library.

<!-- element-plus: Vue 3 v-model -->
<el-input v-model="searchText" />
<el-dialog v-model="dialogVisible" />

🤝 Similarities: Shared Design Language

Despite the technical differences, both libraries share the same visual identity.

1. 🎨 Component Look & Feel

• Buttons, tables, and forms look nearly identical.
• Existing design knowledge transfers between versions.

<!-- Both use similar component tags -->
<el-button type="primary">Primary</el-button>

2. 🧩 Component Ecosystem

• Both offer comprehensive sets (Tables, Forms, Navigation).
• Suitable for enterprise admin panels and dashboards.

<!-- Both support complex data tables -->
<el-table :data="tableData">
  <el-table-column prop="name" label="Name" />
</el-table>

3. 🌍 Internationalization

• Both support multiple languages via locale config.
• Syntax differs slightly but concept remains the same.

// element-ui: Vue 2 locale
import lang from 'element-ui/lib/locale/lang/en';
Vue.use(ElementUI, { locale: lang });

// element-plus: Vue 3 locale
import En from 'element-plus/dist/locale/en.mjs';
app.use(ElementPlus, { locale: En });

📊 Summary: Key Differences

💡 The Big Picture

element-ui is a legacy tool 🏛️ — only suitable for keeping old Vue 2 apps running. It should not be used for anything new due to Vue 2 reaching End of Life. If you are stuck on this, plan a migration immediately.

element-plus is the modern standard 🚀 — built for Vue 3 with better TypeScript, runtime theming, and consistent APIs. It is the required choice for any new development in the Element ecosystem.

Final Thought: The choice is not really about features — it is about framework compatibility. If you are on Vue 3, element-plus is the only option. If you are on Vue 2, you are already on a deprecated stack and should prioritize upgrading to Vue 3 and element-plus.