Any framework that uses a templating language, in other words some form of HTML with enhancements (Angular&#x2F;Ember), will always be inferior to the virtual DOM approach (React&#x2F;Mithril). Why? Because the virtual DOM approach embraces javascript and its expressiveness. With templating languages, such as Angular&#x27;s or Ember&#x27;s Handlebars, well first I have to learn its DSL, then I always feel constrained in what I am able to do with them. The lack of expressiveness becomes extremely frustrating on big projects. Then there&#x27;s also the lack of debuggability and tooling.<p>My view is that HTML is just one way of declaring the DOM, but ultimately HTML or some enhanced version of it is just a string. The virtual DOM is another path to constructing the DOM, but instead of a string it&#x27;s javascript upfront.