Electron vs NW.js
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A framework for building desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Open source · MIT
A runtime for building desktop apps with HTML, JavaScript, and Node.js modules.
The short answer
Choose Electron if you need…
- Web developers who want to ship a desktop app using skills they already have
- Teams that need one codebase running on macOS, Windows, and Linux
- Developers building editor-style or tool-style desktop apps with web UIs
Choose NW.js if you need…
- Web developers who want to turn an existing web app into a desktop app
- Teams that want one JavaScript codebase across Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Developers who want to call Node.js modules from browser-style UI code
Side-by-side
| Electron | NW.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Framework | Framework |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 124k | 41.1k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Download the app |
| Main language | C++ | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 4 days ago | 15 days ago |
What each one is
Electron
Electron lets developers write desktop applications using web technologies (JavaScript, HTML, and CSS) instead of platform-specific languages. The README says it is based on Node.js and Chromium, and that apps such as Visual Studio Code are built with it. The same code can run on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
NW.js
NW.js is a runtime that combines Chromium with Node.js so you can build native desktop apps using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Because Node.js modules can be called directly from the page, a web-style app can also use system-level features. It is used by developers who want to ship a desktop app without learning a separate native UI toolkit.
Best for
Electron
- Web developers who want to ship a desktop app using skills they already have
- Teams that need one codebase running on macOS, Windows, and Linux
- Developers building editor-style or tool-style desktop apps with web UIs
NW.js
- Web developers who want to turn an existing web app into a desktop app
- Teams that want one JavaScript codebase across Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Developers who want to call Node.js modules from browser-style UI code
Strengths
Electron
- Uses JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, which many developers already know
- Prebuilt binaries are provided for macOS, Windows, and Linux on x64 and arm64 (macOS Intel and Apple Silicon)
- Released under the MIT license and used by large apps such as Visual Studio Code
NW.js
- Uses standard web technologies (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, WebGL) and full Node.js APIs
- Node and the browser engine share one thread and heap, so calls between them are direct
- Documented packaging and checksum-based binary verification
Not ideal for
Electron
- People who only want to use an existing desktop app; Electron is for building apps, not an end-user program
- Projects that need very small download sizes or minimal memory use, since each app bundles a Chromium and Node.js runtime (inferred from the README's description of its base components)
- Developers wanting native platform UI toolkits rather than web-based interfaces
NW.js
- Anyone who needs the smallest possible app size, since the README describes bundling a full browser runtime (reason inferred from the Chromium base; not quantified in the README)
- Projects that need only a mobile app (the README covers desktop platforms only)
Trade-offs
Electron
- The README does not state app size or memory footprint; apps bundle Chromium and Node.js, which the README's description implies adds weight
- Platform support follows Chromium and supported Linux distributions, so older OS versions may be dropped (e.g., macOS Ventura and up, Windows 10 and up)
- Desktop-specific behavior still requires learning Electron's APIs; documentation is at electronjs.org/docs
NW.js
- The README points to external wiki and docs for packaging and distribution details, so setup beyond the quick start requires reading more material
- Some download options are legacy builds with separate instructions, which adds choices for new users
- The README says the source spans multiple repositories, so the codebase is not all in one place
Getting started
Electron
Install Electron as a dev dependency in your app
npm install electron --save-devNW.js
Download a prebuilt NW.js binary for your platform from the release page linked in the README
git clone https://github.com/nwjs/nw.jsFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Electron and NW.js?
Electron: A framework for building desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. NW.js: A runtime for building desktop apps with HTML, JavaScript, and Node.js modules. Electron suits web developers who want to ship a desktop app using skills they already have, while NW.js suits web developers who want to turn an existing web app into a desktop app.
Are Electron and NW.js free?
Electron: Free and open source. NW.js: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Electron or NW.js?
NW.js is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Electron is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Electron or NW.js more popular?
Electron has more GitHub stars (124k) than NW.js (41.1k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Electron and NW.js?
Other options people compare them with include Revel.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.