This article is based on Vue.js Nation 2025 panel discussion between the host Mostafa Said, instructor and content creator at Vue School, and interviewee Josh Cirre, Developer Advocate at Laravel. The live discussion was about exploring the full-stack combination: Vue.js and Laravel. Let’s learn from expert developers as they discuss best practices, real-world applications, and the synergy between these two powerful frameworks.

🔑 Key Insights on Vue.js and Laravel

The discussion began with a comparison of Livewire and Inertia. Josh explained that Inertia acts as a bridge between a Laravel backend and a Vue frontend, though it can also integrate with React or Svelte. Livewire, on the other hand, utilizes Blade, Laravel's templating language, and communicates via Ajax requests.

Josh shared that Caleb Porzio, creator of Livewire, is inspired by Vue.js in his approach. He noted that while Inertia allows developers to write in Vue.js easily, Livewire keeps more of the logic server-side.

"Livewire lets you kind of write PHP, and then Inertia lets you write Vue." ~ Josh

Personal Preferences and Experiences

Josh shared his journey with both frameworks. He mentioned that his first Laravel app was built using Inertia with Vue.js, followed by another using Livewire. Both experiences felt similar but catered to different needs.

Mostafa also shared his preferences for Inertia due to its seamless integration with Vue.js for front-end development.

Choosing Between Alpine.js and Vue.js in Laravel Projects

When it comes to choosing between Alpine.js and Vue.js in a Laravel project, Josh emphasized evaluating project needs. He mentioned that Alpine pairs well with Livewire for applications that are less client-side intensive.

On the other hand, for client-heavy applications or when leveraging specific packages or libraries in Vue.js is necessary, combining it with Inertia is ideal. This approach provides a smooth SPA experience without worrying about server-client compatibility issues. Choosing between these tools depends on specific project requirements and personal preferences regarding development workflow.

👩‍💻 Benefits of Using Laravel with Vue.js

Laravel is a full-stack PHP framework that offers developers a "batteries included" approach. This means it provides first-party solutions for common needs like authentication (including social and two-factor authentication) and queues. These features can be particularly beneficial when paired with Vue.js or even Nuxt.

"Laravel could still be used fantastically with something like Nuxt." ~ Josh

Laravel's flexibility allows it to be incrementally adopted alongside other frameworks like Nuxt, giving developers the freedom to tailor their stack to their specific needs.

Real-time Data Handling with Laravel and Vue.js

One of Laravel's standout features is its real-time data handling capabilities, particularly when used with Inertia.js. This is made possible through first-party adapters for WebSocket connections.

Tools like Pusher or Laravel's own Reverb make it straightforward to manage real-time data within a Vue front end using Inertia.

The speakers concluded whether you are integrating real-time features or simply looking for a robust backend framework to pair with your front-end application, Laravel offers a flexible yet powerful solution that can meet various project needs. Its ability to work seamlessly with both Vue.js and Nuxt makes it a versatile choice for developers looking to maximize their full-stack development capabilities.

☑️ Validation Across Vue.js and Laravel

One of the key topics was handling validation across Vue.js applications and Laravel. Josh introduced a package called Precognition, created by Tim MacDonald from the Laravel team. This package facilitates real-time data validation between Laravel and Inertia.

Precognition allows developers to perform complex validation tasks easily. For example, you can validate a form's data before it's submitted, ensuring both client-side validation within your Vue application and server-side validation using Laravel's extensive validation capabilities.

-Q: "How do you handle validation across Vue.js application and Laravel?"

-A: “With over 150 ways to validate data in Laravel, Precognition can handle everything from simple string length checks to complex regex patterns.”

TypeScript with Vue.js and Laravel

Another discussion point was using TypeScript with both frameworks. Josh Cirre shared his thoughts on this integration, mentioning that while he's not a TypeScript expert, its use in conjunction with Laravel is becoming more prevalent. TypeScript offers more flexibility when working with both server-side (Laravel) and front-end (Vue) codebases by ensuring type safety across the board.

Performance Bottlenecks

The panel addressed potential performance bottlenecks when using Vue.js with Laravel. The key is to optimize data handling—only send necessary data to improve performance without impacting user experience. Using Inertia as a connector helps streamline this process by allowing developers to embed necessary data within the initial page load rather than making multiple API calls.

The integration of Vue.js with Laravel provides an exciting opportunity for developers to create dynamic applications efficiently. With tools like Precognition for validation and TypeScript for type safety, plus optimization strategies for performance, this combination proves powerful for modern web development.

💫 Upcoming Features and Updates

The panel highlighted the importance of UI libraries that provide flexibility and ease of customization. ShadCN was recommended for both Vue and React, with its integration being part of the new starter kits in Laravel.

AI Integration Possibilities

Although Laravel currently lacks first-party AI libraries, there are promising third-party solutions like Prism by TJ Miller. This package allows seamless integration with different LLMs, providing flexibility in AI applications.

Testing Strategies and UI Libraries

For testing in environments using Laravel with Inertia, there are multiple options. You can leverage Laravel Dusk for end-to-end tests or client-side tests using popular libraries like Jest. Inertia offers specific endpoint tests within its documentation to ensure robust testing.

🎤 Conclusion

In conclusion, the panel discussion at Vue.js Nation 2025 provided valuable insights into the powerful combination of Vue.js and Laravel. The conversation between Mostafa Said and Josh Cirre highlighted the flexibility and efficiency these frameworks offer when used together.

Key takeaways include the benefits of using Inertia for seamless integration, the ease of handling real-time data with Laravel's first-party tools, and the potential for future enhancements with AI and TypeScript.

As developers continue to explore and innovate with these technologies, the synergy between Vue.js and Laravel promises to deliver robust and scalable solutions for modern web applications. Whether you're a seasoned developer or new to these frameworks, the insights shared in this discussion offer practical guidance and inspiration for your next project.