Pine tar is not simply better or worse than modern sealants. It is better for some traditional, breathable, repairable, heritage-style uses, while modern sealants usually perform better for standardised waterproofing and construction jobs.
The comparison depends on the job. Pine tar belongs to an older world of timber, rope, boats, fences, and renewable maintenance. It can penetrate wood, shed water, move with the surface, and be reapplied. That makes it appealing for heritage craft and traditional outdoor objects.
Modern sealants are designed for predictable performance. They may cure faster, smell less, resist UV better, come in clear or coloured versions, meet building standards, and work with modern substrates. For roofs, windows, bathrooms, engineered cladding, and structural joints, a modern product may be far more appropriate.
Pine tar also has aesthetic qualities that synthetic sealants cannot easily imitate. It gives wood a dark, smoky, earthy character and connects a project to Scandinavian, maritime, and forest traditions. But it can smell, stain, attract dirt, dry slowly, and vary between batches.
The fairest answer is that pine tar is better when authenticity, repairability, and traditional material behaviour matter. Modern sealants are better when specification, speed, warranty, and predictable technical performance matter.