I'm a JavaScript developer who's comfortable with React and Next.js. I know React has options for building mobile applications, but I'm wondering what frameworks or tools are available for creating desktop apps with a React-based interface. I'd especially appreciate recommendations and any important differences between the main choices.
3 Answers
Tauri is another popular option. It uses a web frontend such as React while relying on the system’s native webview instead of bundling a full browser, which can result in smaller applications than Electron. Deno also has tooling for desktop applications, so it may be worth comparing if you’re open to a newer ecosystem.
React Native for Windows and React Native for macOS are worth looking at if you want a more native desktop approach. They let you reuse React Native concepts while targeting Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS, although platform support and available components can differ from standard React development.
A common approach is to use React inside an Electron app. Electron bundles your web UI with Chromium and Node.js, so you can build cross-platform desktop applications with familiar React tooling. Nextron is another option built around Next.js and Electron, but it’s worth checking whether its conventions fit your project before committing.
Thanks! I also came across Nextron and was wondering whether it’s a solid choice for a React or Next.js desktop app.