i don't really know which is better.Raichu isn't as good as Zapdos however Zapdos is very weak to both Rock & Electric, but Zapdos is super effective on Ground because it's 1/2 Flying. It depends which Pokemon you are battling, so I've made this guide-Raichu: use on Rock, Electric, Water*, Fire, IceZapdos: use on Ground*, Water*, Grass, Steel, Fighting, Bug, Dragon
For Lapras/Poliwrath, again, it depends which PKMN you're battling. Lapras, being 1/2 Ice, will be OK on Grass, at least better than Poliwrath, and it's good on Flyings. Howver, Poliwrath will be better on Fire and Bug.Lapras: use it on Psychic, Flying*, Grass, Dragon*Poliwrath: use it on Fire*, Bug, Fighting, Dark & Steel.
Hope this helps! This applies for Fire Red FYI as well.
In Sapphire, there is Electrike, Manectric, Pikachu, Pichu(breeding), Raichu(evolve), Voltorb, Electrode, Plusle, Minun, Magnemite, Magneton, Chinchou, Lanturn, Zapdos(trade from FireRed or LeafGreen), and Jolteon(trade from FireRed and LeafGreen).
In no particular order, as I love electric pokemon: Jolteon, Raichu, Electabuzz, Electrode and Zapdos.
the best electric Pokemon in leaf green is zapdos. u get it in the power plant.
mewtow zapdos moltres articuno mew entei raikou suicune
You will need to trade one from Firered, Leafgreen, or Pokemon XD:Gale of Darkness to Emerald.
Use Blastoise, Zapdos, Moltres, Articuno, Raichu, and Beedrill. I Used Charizard, Zapdos, Moltres, Articuno, Lapras, and Vileplume and it took me years to beat the league.
I guess Zapdos
In Sapphire, there is Electrike, Manectric, Pikachu, Pichu(breeding), Raichu(evolve), Voltorb, Electrode, Plusle, Minun, Magnemite, Magneton, Chinchou, Lanturn, Zapdos(trade from FireRed or LeafGreen), and Jolteon(trade from FireRed and LeafGreen).
You can't get Zapdos on Pokemon Pearl or Diamond but you can migrate it from Pokemon LeafGreen or Pokemon FireRed.
You have to trade it from Firered/Leafgreen in Pokemon firered/leafgreen you can find zapdos in power plant, but you need surf to get there.
trade from leafgreen
zapdos moltres articuno and mewtwo
Well you can Easily get moltres zapdos and articuno
Articuno, Zapdos, moultress and Ho oh.
capture zapdos with an ultra ball
He's(she's) in the power plant(level 50)
In no particular order, as I love electric pokemon: Jolteon, Raichu, Electabuzz, Electrode and Zapdos.