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Canister stoves are best compromise between the (initially) low weight, low cost alcohol stove and the expeditionary multi-fuel stoves such as venerable MSR Whisperlite International. Not cooking at all is the simplest, lightest solution, which is completely practical in many parts of the world.
Alcohol stoves can be made from trash and run off ethanol or methanol, which is widely available. They boil 2 cups of h20 in 5-12 minutes and use 12-25g fuel per boil. Most alcohol stoves lack regulation to reduce heat/burn rate to a simmer. Trangia and some clones use a simple hinged burner cover to reduce output. Alcohol has some danger associated with the hard-to-see clear burning flames, plus it gets spilled filling or recovering fuel from stove. Some areas (CA in the past) prohibit alcohol stoves as they are viewed as potential forest fire starters.
Canister stoves are super convenient, boil 2 cups h20 in 2-3" with 9-12g fuel. Fuel found at walmart or sporting goods store. Cheap clone canister stoves are sold on Amazon (kovea, etc). Don't use cheap canister stoves if you fear explosions, burns or are uninsured. All canister stoves have full output regulation via valve, 0-100%.
Multifuel stoves work like canister stoves but they're heavier, less tippy, may have a priming/warm-up period and will blacken cookware. They work well for groups. Most work well at very high altitude with liquid fuel where canister stoves might struggle. There are clones of these too, be especially cautious of the gasoline-burning models.
Alcohol stoves are good for short trips. They use relatively high amount of fuel due to the lower heat produced by their fuel, as well as poorer design-related efficacy. At some point it becomes cheaper/lighter to carry the canister stove - usually for trips beyond 5 days.
Canister stoves require a fuel canister, which empty weighs 30-50% of total filled weight. It is this "dead" weight which mostly makes the alcohol stove advantageous weight-wise for short trips. Otherwise canister stoves are pretty darn good. The Jetboil variety with integrated stand, windscreen, pot & lid are the fastest and most fuel efficient, and also the most expensive.
Nearly all backpacking stoves and cookware are tippy by design. Buy the canister holder/footrest/stand if you get a canister stove to minimize chance of spilling food/water onto the ground.
If you are flying, be aware that the multifuel stoves often are banned since they may have a trace odor of fuel present - gasoline/white gas/kerosene. Can't fly fuel either. Canister fuel can be shipped by ground only in the USA due to "hazardous material" law with an associated fee, so most people get it local - local sellers often take advantage of this situation and raise their price. It is possible to refill canisters for a fraction of retail cost with a simple butane or propane adapter, making their use much more economical for heavy users.