When you want to create GUI / Desktop Applications with JavaScript, you generally use frameworks that wrap your app in a runtime (like Chromium + Node.js, or a system-native bridge). Here are the main options:
🔑 Popular JavaScript Frameworks for Desktop GUI Apps
1. Electron.js
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Concept: Uses Chromium for rendering + Node.js for backend.
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Use cases: Slack, VS Code, Discord, Figma.
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Pros:
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Huge ecosystem, very mature.
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Works across Windows, macOS, Linux.
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Supports modern web frameworks (React, Vue, Angular, Svelte, etc.).
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Cons:
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Heavy memory usage (since each app bundles Chromium).
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Large installers.
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2. Tauri
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Concept: Lightweight alternative to Electron. Uses system webview (WebView2, WKWebView, WebKitGTK).
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Language Mix: UI in JS/HTML/CSS, backend bindings often in Rust.
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Pros:
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Much smaller binaries (a few MB vs. 100+ MB for Electron).
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Faster startup, less RAM usage.
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Cons:
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Less mature than Electron (but growing fast).
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Good for: If you want smaller, leaner apps but still code UI with JS frameworks like React or Vue.
3. NW.js (Node-Webkit)
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Concept: Similar to Electron, but older. Embeds Chromium + Node.js in a single runtime.
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Pros:
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Simpler integration between Node.js and DOM.
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Cons:
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Less active community than Electron.
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Larger package size.
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4. Neutralino.js
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Concept: Ultra-light alternative to Electron. Uses native OS webview + lightweight server.
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Pros:
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Tiny binaries (just a few MB).
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No need for Node.js runtime bundling.
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Cons:
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Fewer features, less ecosystem compared to Electron or Tauri.
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5. NodeGUI / React NodeGUI
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Concept: Uses Qt under the hood, not Chromium. So you build native apps with a JS API.
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Pros:
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True native widgets (not HTML).
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Memory usage lighter than Electron.
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Cons:
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UI styling less flexible compared to web-based frameworks.
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Best if: You want native-feeling apps without web rendering.
6. Proton Native (less active now)
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Concept: Similar to React Native but for desktop apps (using native components).
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Status: Project is mostly inactive, but worth noting.
⚖️ Quick Comparison
| Framework | UI Technology | Size | Performance | Ecosystem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electron | HTML/CSS + JS | Heavy | Medium | Huge |
| Tauri | HTML/CSS + JS | Light | Fast | Growing |
| NW.js | HTML/CSS + JS | Heavy | Medium | Moderate |
| Neutralino | HTML/CSS + JS | Very Light | Fast | Small |
| NodeGUI | Qt Widgets (Native) | Medium | Fast | Smaller |
👉 If you want maximum ecosystem & stability → Electron
👉 If you want lightweight & modern → Tauri
👉 If you want native widgets (not web) → NodeGUI
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