Yes. They're mechanically simpler and more resistant to damage from overloading and vibration. They work on a completely different principle too. And agitate the clothes while top loading washers rely on the clothes falling down from the top of the drum and smashing the clothes on the bottom to provide the same type of action.

One major difference though is in efficiency. Top loading washers choir much more water to operate than side loading. It's actually an interest of side loading washers to have less water and soap that doesn't suds. If so, where to produce suds? It provides a cushion and significantly decreases the effectiveness of washing because clothes can't fall down and smash other clothes as hard, reducing the cleaning effect. That's where the HE detergents come from: they have reduced suds.