Element vs PrimeVue
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A Vue 2 component library of ready-made UI pieces for building web apps.
Open source · MIT
Vue UI component library, now in security-fix-only mode; development moved to PrimeUI.
The short answer
Choose Element if you need…
- Developers maintaining an existing Vue 2.x web application
- Teams building internal admin or back-office interfaces with Vue 2
- Developers who want prebuilt components with a documented API and themes
- Projects that need to support Internet Explorer 10+ alongside modern browsers
Choose PrimeVue if you need…
- Vue developers who already use PrimeVue and need security fixes for existing projects
- Teams maintaining an existing PrimeVue codebase who want to keep their current MIT release
- Developers evaluating a Vue component library who can check the PrimeUI successor first
Side-by-side
| Element | PrimeVue | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 54k | 14.4k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | Vue | Vue |
| Last code update | 2 years ago | 43 days ago |
What each one is
Element
Element is a UI toolkit for Vue.js 2.0 that provides a set of prebuilt interface components such as buttons, selects and other common web controls. Developers use it to build consistent web pages and admin-style interfaces without designing every component from scratch. The README says it will stay on Vue 2.x and points Vue 3 users to Element Plus.
PrimeVue
PrimeVue is an open-source component library for building user interfaces with Vue.js, offering prebuilt UI pieces such as tables, date pickers, and tree views. The README says this repository is no longer under active development and receives only security fixes; new development continues as part of PrimeUI. Existing MIT-licensed releases remain available under that license.
Best for
Element
- Developers maintaining an existing Vue 2.x web application
- Teams building internal admin or back-office interfaces with Vue 2
- Developers who want prebuilt components with a documented API and themes
- Projects that need to support Internet Explorer 10+ alongside modern browsers
PrimeVue
- Vue developers who already use PrimeVue and need security fixes for existing projects
- Teams maintaining an existing PrimeVue codebase who want to keep their current MIT release
- Developers evaluating a Vue component library who can check the PrimeUI successor first
Strengths
Element
- Large, established project with 54,002 stars and an MIT license
- Documentation is available in English, Chinese, Spanish and French
- Supports both full-library and per-component imports
PrimeVue
- MIT license, and the README states existing MIT versions remain MIT
- Security fixes continue to be published for MIT-licensed releases
- Topics and description indicate coverage of components such as tables, date pickers, and tree tables
Not ideal for
Element
- New projects on Vue 3, because the README recommends Element Plus for Vue 3 instead
- Mini-program development, because the README recommends MorJS for that
- Designers looking for a visual tool rather than code components
PrimeVue
- Anyone wanting new features or bug fixes, since the README says issues here are read-only and development moved to PrimeUI
- New projects that should start on the actively developed successor rather than this archived repository
Trade-offs
Element
- Locked to Vue 2.x; the README directs Vue 3 users elsewhere
- Latest release is v2.15.14 and the last push shown is from August 2024, so check current maintenance status before adopting
PrimeVue
- Not under active development; issues are read-only and no new features are expected here
- Successor work lives in a different project (PrimeUI), so users must migrate to get new development
Getting started
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Element and PrimeVue?
Element: A Vue 2 component library of ready-made UI pieces for building web apps. PrimeVue: Vue UI component library, now in security-fix-only mode; development moved to PrimeUI. Element suits developers maintaining an existing vue 2.x web application, while PrimeVue suits vue developers who already use primevue and need security fixes for existing projects.
Are Element and PrimeVue free?
Element: Free and open source. PrimeVue: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Element or PrimeVue?
Element is easier to get started with (rated beginner); PrimeVue is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Element or PrimeVue more popular?
Element has more GitHub stars (54k) than PrimeVue (14.4k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Element and PrimeVue?
Other options people compare them with include Element Plus, BootstrapVue, Vant, Mint UI, VUX.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.