My experience is the opposite: 0ad will lag on my laptop once thing become big. BAR will warn that it’s not compatible with my low end intel integrated potato gpu, but it works just fine..
I had problems with lag years ago but not lately, though I don't do big multiplayer matches with several players and the like.
I'll check BAR out.
BAR runs fine on low end CPUs...until you have like 2,000 units on speed metal