seems like their selling point is data binding + client syncing. Considering I can do that with Meteor, what's the advantage of using Ractive/React + Firebase?
The reasons I prefer Meteor (in no particular order):
* Fully automated build chain. No matter what kind of preprocessors I use, all my code is compiled, bundled, and hot reloaded into the application. CSS updates are automatically live injected into running applications without a browser refresh. I don't have to write any build chain code, just application code.
* Isomorphic client/server APIs, with code sharing built into the build chain. I'm using the same language with the same APIs in both environments, drastically decreasing redundant code. Clients can simulate server RPCs using the same function as the server while it waits for the server's response. If I want, I can easily make the client's simulation code different from the server's such as when I want to obfuscate something, or simply disable client simulation for certain RPCs. The package system incorporates both server and client assets, allowing drop-in full-stack components, such as...
* The Accounts UI component. A drop-in, automated SRP+OAuth authentication system that's easy to customize and restyle, or build from scratch using the simple JS authentication APIs. It takes minutes to make a web application with a fully-featured and secure authentication system with password-based and 3rd party OAuth login methods. And logging in never requires a refresh.
* Already glued together. Endpoints don't have to be hooked up; they're hooked up from default. Publish data on the server. Subscribe on the client. Add authorization rules, and I have a fully functional web application with realtime data updates, with virtually no glue code.
You still need JavaScript on the client, so you have to switch context between Python and JS if you're a single dev, or have different team members work on the client vs. the server. Meteor is JavaScript everywhere.
1. You can reuse your existing API, or choose the stack you're comfortable with (I prefer Python to Javascript and Postgres to Mongo)
2. They are being used in production by high traffic websites (Guardian and Instagram respectively), so they're more battle tested
3. Their press releases aren't loaded with buzzwords and hyperbole