I'd prefer a diode solution as there'd be no power supply requirements
for each device. The tiny size is an added bonus, of course. But
what's the drawback with superfast switching diodes as against active
inverters? I'm sure there must be (at least) one...

Well for starters, they often, (VERY often) act as parametric devices and
oscillate on their own at the frequency of their choosing.

W4ZCB