Top 10 Electron Alternatives for Desktop Apps in 2025

Published on January 24th, 2025

Quick Summary:

While the Electron framework has revolutionized cross-platform desktop application development, it comes with some drawbacks, such as high resource consumption. This blog explores viable Electron alternatives, highlighting frameworks that offer similar functionality but with improved performance, lower resource usage, and enhanced user experience for developers and users alike.

The rise of the Electron framework revolutionized desktop application development by enabling developers to build cross-platform apps using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Its ease of use and code reusability made it a popular choice for creating flexible and feature-rich GUIs.

However, despite its strengths, Electron isn’t without its drawbacks—resource consumption being one of the key concerns. This has led developers to seek lightweight alternatives to Electron that offer the same cross-platform capabilities without sacrificing performance.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 Electron alternatives that are reshaping desktop app development. From frameworks that focus on minimal resource usage to those that provide robust native system integrations, these alternatives cater to various development needs.

Whether you’re building a desktop app with a streamlined design or one with complex features, these frameworks promise to deliver high performance, scalability, and a seamless user experience. Dive into this post to discover the best Electron alternatives that can help you create efficient and powerful desktop applications without the limitations of Electron.

What is Electron?

Electron, developed by GitHub in 2013, is an open-source platform that has rapidly gained popularity in the desktop app development community. It allows developers to build cross-platform desktop applications using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Electron combines Chromium for rendering web pages and Node.js for backend functionality, making it an ideal solution for creating rich and powerful applications.

This combination of technologies provides developers with the ability to create applications that deliver a consistent user experience across various platforms, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and others. With Electron, developers can easily leverage web development skills to create feature-rich desktop apps without worrying about platform dependencies.

Electron has been widely adopted, with popular applications like Visual Studio Code, Slack, Discord, and more, built using this framework. Its versatility, ease of use, and powerful APIs make it a preferred choice for developers aiming to create desktop applications that are both efficient and cross-platform.

Key Features of Electron:

• Cross-Platform Support: Electron allows developers to build apps that work seamlessly on multiple operating systems (Linux, Windows, macOS).
• Web Technology Integration: Developers can use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the app’s frontend and backend, making it easier to reuse web development skills.
• Chromium: Provides robust rendering for web pages and ensures a consistent UI across platforms.
• Node.js: Enables backend functionality and interaction with system-level APIs, allowing developers to perform server-side operations directly within the app.
• Customization: Electron offers APIs for creating custom UI controls, native menus, dialogs, and more, providing flexibility in app design.
• Hot Reloading: Allows developers to see changes in real-time without restarting the application, speeding up the development process.
• Extensive Community Support: With a large and active community, developers can find numerous resources, plugins, and guides to assist with their app development.

Electron’s growing popularity has made it one of the go-to frameworks for building desktop applications, thanks to its ease of use, wide compatibility, and powerful feature set.

Advantages of Electron Framework

The Electron framework has transformed desktop application development by offering a range of compelling advantages, making it a top choice among developers. Below are the key benefits that make Electron stand out:

• Single Codebase for Cross-Platform Development

One of the major advantages of using Electron is the ability to create cross-platform desktop applications with a single codebase written in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This simplifies the development process by eliminating the need to write platform-specific code, making it easy to build applications that work seamlessly across Linux, Windows, and macOS.

• Web Technologies Integration for Seamless Development

Electron leverages web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, making it highly versatile and adaptable. Developers can create rich, dynamic, and responsive user interfaces using existing web development libraries and tools. This integration enables seamless development and allows teams to harness the full potential of web technologies for desktop applications.

• Rapid Development with Code Reusability

The Electron framework supports code reusability, which accelerates development. By leveraging existing web code, modules, and components, developers can significantly reduce development time. Electron’s modular architecture allows teams to share components between different web and desktop projects, improving code maintainability and scalability.

• Extensive Library and Framework Support

Electron provides support for a wide range of libraries and frameworks such as Angular, React, and Vue.js. This gives developers the flexibility to choose the most suitable framework based on their project requirements and expertise. It also prevents reinventing the wheel, as developers can access ready-to-use components and libraries, enhancing the app’s functionality.

• Active Community and Support Ecosystem

With a large and active community, Electron offers extensive resources like tutorials, forums, documentation, and troubleshooting guides. Developers can collaborate, share knowledge, and stay updated with the latest trends, ensuring continuous learning and support throughout their development journey.

These advantages make Electron a versatile, efficient, and scalable choice for building cross-platform desktop applications, helping developers streamline the process while delivering high-performance and feature-rich apps.

Also Check: Electron vs React Native App Development: Key Differences

Drawbacks of Electron.js in Cross-Platform App Creation

• Resource Intensiveness and Performance Challenges

Electron.js relies on Chromium, which includes a full web browser. This makes apps resource-intensive as it consumes a lot of memory and CPU, leading to slower performance and laggy user experiences. It’s not ideal for applications that need to be lightweight and perform efficiently on low-resource systems.

• Large Application File Size

Electron bundles a full web runtime, which results in larger app file sizes compared to native applications. These large files lead to longer download times and higher storage requirements, making it unsuitable for simple, lightweight apps that don’t need heavy dependencies.

• Memory Consumption Issues

Due to the bundled Chromium web browser, Electron apps tend to consume a lot of memory. This leads to memory leaks and deteriorated system performance over time, making apps slow and sluggish, especially with extended use.

• Limited Access to Low-Level System APIs

While Electron offers access to native system interactions, it restricts access to lower-level APIs. This can limit functionality in cases where developers need to interact directly with platform-specific features, making it difficult to optimize performance or implement advanced system-level features.

• Potential Security Concerns

Since Electron includes a web browser, security vulnerabilities are more prevalent. Developers need to actively manage updates and patch security issues to ensure the application doesn’t become exposed to web-based attacks, making it more susceptible to web-related threats.

These challenges should be taken into account when considering Electron.js for cross-platform app development.

Top 10 Electron Alternatives

The Electron framework entails various limitations in addition to its many advantages. The framework serves as a catalyst for developers to examine multiple Electron alternatives which improve both efficiency and workflow during desktop application development.

Here’s the list of best electron alternatives that developers should explore.

1. Qt for Python (PyQt/PySide)

Qt is a robust application framework known for creating high-performance, native-like desktop applications. With its comprehensive suite of tools and libraries, Qt allows developers to build visually appealing, resource-efficient apps for platforms like Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports a multitude of features, including customizable UI components, responsive layouts, and extensive documentation, making it a go-to choice for many professional developers.

Why choose Qt?

• Exceptional performance for resource-intensive tasks, such as gaming or data visualization
• Highly customizable UI components for creating polished, professional-looking applications
• Cross-platform capabilities ensure consistent performance across operating systems

Keep in mind: While Qt is versatile and powerful, its vast array of features and tools can overwhelm beginners, requiring a steep learning curve to fully harness its potential.

2. Tauri

Tauri is a lightweight yet flexible framework designed for developers who prioritize efficiency and compact app sizes. It leverages modern web technologies for frontend development and Rust for the backend, offering a perfect balance between resource savings and functionality. This makes it an excellent electron alternatives for developers who want to build fast, secure, and efficient desktop applications.

Why choose Tauri?

• Extremely small app sizes, saving storage space and loading quickly
• Gives developers full control over app components, making it easy to optimize performance

Consider the trade-offs: Being relatively new, Tauri lacks extensive community support, tutorials, and third-party resources. This can make troubleshooting and scaling your project more challenging compared to more established tools.

Each of these frameworks shines in its own unique way, catering to different project needs. Whether you’re prioritizing performance, lightweight builds, or visually stunning UIs, the perfect Electron alternatives is out there for you.

3. Aurelia Electron

By combining the Aurelia framework with Electron, Aurelia Electron offers developers a streamlined way to build clean, maintainable cross-platform desktop apps. It features a modular architecture, two-way data binding, and a focus on simplicity, which makes UI development more straightforward and effective. This combination empowers developers to create sophisticated applications that are easy to scale and maintain.

Why choose Aurelia Electron?

• Clean and organized codebase with an intuitive syntax, reducing development complexity
• A modular approach allows you to build and integrate features incrementally
• Active, though niche, community supports collaboration and fosters innovation

Challenge: Although Aurelia Electron is highly capable, its smaller community may limit access to third-party plugins, libraries, and extensive documentation. Developers may need to rely on self-directed problem-solving.

Now it’s your turn—explore these tools, and transform your desktop app development process!

4. Proton Native

Proton Native is a lightweight framework & best electron alternatives that allows developers to create native desktop applications using React and JavaScript. Its focus on simplicity and performance makes it an appealing choice for React developers who are transitioning from web to desktop app development. Proton Native supports cross-platform compatibility, enabling developers to deliver consistent user experiences across various operating systems.

Why choose Proton Native?

• Compact and lightweight, ensuring efficient performance and fast load times
• Allows React developers to leverage their existing knowledge and libraries for native app development
• Cross-platform support ensures apps function seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Watch out for: Proton Native has a limited selection of UI components, which may require developers to invest extra time and effort in designing and implementing custom elements.

5. React Native for Desktop

React Native for Desktop extends the popular React Native framework to desktop platforms, enabling developers to reuse much of their existing codebase for cross-platform app development. This greatly reduces development time and resources while maintaining a high level of functionality and performance.

Why choose React Native for Desktop?

• Leverages the wide ecosystem of React libraries, speeding up development
• Features like hot reloading allow developers to test changes instantly, making the development process much faster and smoother
• Offers a familiar environment for web developers transitioning to desktop apps

Limitation: While React Native for Desktop provides excellent reusability, platform-specific features often require additional coding effort, which can slightly reduce its overall efficiency.

6. JavaFX

JavaFX is a mature and reliable framework for creating visually rich and cross-platform applications in the Java ecosystem. It features an extensive library of UI components and tools, making it suitable for building sophisticated, professional-grade applications. JavaFX benefits from the robust Java Virtual Machine (JVM), ensuring consistent performance across platforms.

Why choose JavaFX?

• A rich library of UI components allows for the development of visually stunning and interactive interfaces
• Runs on the Java Virtual Machine, providing excellent platform independence and stability
• Strong integration with the Java ecosystem ensures access to a vast array of libraries and tools

Potential drawbacks: JavaFX requires a solid understanding of Java, and applications built with it tend to have larger file sizes compared to other frameworks. This may not be ideal for developers prioritizing lightweight apps.

7. Flutter

Flutter, widely known for its mobile app development capabilities, also supports desktop platforms. It enables developers to create expressive, high-quality UIs using an extensive set of widgets, all while maintaining a single codebase for multiple platforms. Flutter’s hot reload feature is especially useful for making real-time UI changes during development.

Why choose Flutter?

• The hot reload feature allows developers to make changes and see updates instantly, streamlining the development process
• Offers a vast library of customizable widgets, enabling the creation of visually appealing and unique UIs
• A single codebase supports both desktop and mobile platforms, saving development time

Take note: While Flutter is highly versatile, its desktop capabilities are still evolving, and it may not yet match the maturity of more established frameworks in the desktop development space.

8. Neutralino.js

Neutralino.js provides a lightweight alternative to Electron while retaining its focus on simplicity. It enables developers to build efficient desktop applications using standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With core features like file manipulation and system access, Neutralino.js is ideal for building lightweight apps without the resource-heavy requirements of Electron.

Why choose Neutralino.js?

• Focuses on lightweight development, resulting in small app sizes and optimized performance
• Relies on familiar web technologies, making it easy for developers with a web development background to get started
• Prioritizes simplicity, reducing development time for smaller projects

Trade-off: Neutralino.js offers fewer capabilities than heavier frameworks like Electron, which may limit its suitability for complex applications requiring advanced features.

9. NW.js

NW.js combines the power of Node.js and Chromium, similar to Electron, but retains more browser-like context. This makes it perfect electron alternatives, especially suitable for developers who want to create desktop apps with a browser-like experience. NW.js supports Node packages and modules, ensuring flexibility for a wide range of app development needs.

Why choose NW.js?

• Enables browser window-based app management, making it intuitive for developers familiar with web technologies
• Fully supports Node.js modules, giving developers access to a vast ecosystem of libraries

Drawback: Like Electron, NW.js can be resource-intensive, which may not suit developers aiming for lightweight, resource-efficient applications.

10. Avalonia

Inspired by Microsoft’s WPF, Avalonia is an open-source framework that focuses on creating pixel-perfect, cross-platform applications. Its strong emphasis on design makes it ideal electron alternatives for developers looking to create responsive and visually detailed user interfaces. Avalonia ensures consistent performance across operating systems, delivering a seamless experience for end users.

Why choose Avalonia?

• Enables the creation of visually detailed and responsive interfaces, perfect for design-focused applications
• Offers consistent performance across Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Its open-source nature encourages collaboration and innovation within the developer community

Caution: Avalonia’s library support is smaller compared to Electron’s extensive ecosystem, which may limit the availability of third-party tools and plugins. Developers may need to create custom solutions for advanced features.

Pros and Cons Overview

Conclusion:

Electron.js has undeniably transformed cross-platform desktop app development by offering the convenience of using web technologies. It allows developers to build feature-rich, responsive applications that work seamlessly across multiple operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS. However, it’s not without its challenges—resource consumption, large file sizes, memory issues, and security concerns are some key drawbacks that developers must carefully navigate.

While Electron is ideal for projects that prioritize rapid development and ease of use, it may not be the best choice for lightweight applications or apps requiring high performance. Developers looking for electron alternatives should consider frameworks like Qt for Python, Tauri, Aurelia Electron, or Proton Native, each of which offers unique benefits suited to different project needs.

By weighing these factors and exploring various options, developers can find the electron alternatives that best aligns with their goals—whether it’s efficiency, performance, or cross-platform compatibility.

FAQ’s

Why is Electron Popular?

Electron is popular due to its versatility, rapid development capabilities, cross-platform support, ease of use, built-in automatic updates, and a large, active community of developers and users.

Should I use Electron in 2025?

Whether you should use Electron in 2025 depends on the specific needs of your project. If your app requires seamless cross-platform compatibility, Electron is an excellent choice. However, if you need platform-specific optimizations or are building resource-intensive applications, you might want to consider alternative frameworks.

Is Electron based on Chromium?

Yes, Electron is built on Chromium. It utilizes the Chromium engine to provide web technology integration, making it easy for developers to create desktop apps that share a common base with the Chrome browser.

Is Electron.js Lightweight?

No, Electron.js is not lightweight. It uses both Node.js and Chromium, which significantly increases memory usage compared to native frameworks. It’s a heavier framework, making it ideal for feature-rich applications, but not suitable for lightweight apps.

What are some alternatives to Electron for desktop app development?

Alternatives to Electron include:

• Qt for Python (PyQt/PySide)
• Tauri
• Aurelia Electron
• Proton Native
• React Native for Desktop

What are the main challenges when using Electron for desktop development?

Key challenges with Electron include resource-intensive performance, large application file sizes, memory consumption, limited access to low-level system APIs, and potential security concerns due to bundled web browsers.