Hey everyone! I'm looking to convert my NextJS web application into a desktop app, and I've heard that Electron is a popular choice for this. However, I've come across some warnings about potential challenges when porting a NextJS app to Electron, and I'm hoping to get some insights. Do you think this is a good move? Is there anything critical I should keep in mind during this process? Thanks!
3 Answers
Honestly, I'd steer clear of this path if I were you. Converting a web app to a desktop app with Electron can be a real headache. If you really want to package your web app as a desktop application, consider using a Progressive Web App (PWA) instead. Tauri could also be a good fit since it’s less bloated than Electron and uses the native browser engine of the OS, but it requires some knowledge of Rust.
It's worth mentioning that Tauri's performance isn't always better than Electron depending on the situation, so it really varies.
A desktop app might not even be the best route unless you're improving usability with deeper desktop integration. Just converting your web app could lead to more problems than it's worth.
Could you share more about what you're hoping to achieve with this desktop conversion? More context could help us offer better advice about what you're trying to build.
I get that Tauri might be cool, but I really need file system access since my app connects to local financial software through local files. I can't mess around with Tauri since I don't know Rust and need this done quickly. Plus, I don't think PWAs really support that level of file access.