NW.js vs Proton Native
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 runtime for building desktop apps with HTML, JavaScript, and Node.js modules.
Open source · MIT
Build desktop apps with React syntax and React Native-style components, without Electron.
The short answer
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
Choose Proton Native if you need…
- React developers who want to build a desktop app without learning a new UI toolkit
- Developers already familiar with React Native components
- People who want to reuse existing React libraries such as Redux in a desktop app
- Developers who prefer to avoid Electron's footprint
Side-by-side
| NW.js | Proton Native | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Framework | Framework |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 41.1k | 10.9k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Download the app | See the README |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 15 days ago | 4 years ago |
What each one is
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.
Proton Native
Proton Native is a framework that lets developers write desktop applications using React and the same component style as React Native. It aims to produce cross-platform desktop apps without bundling a full Chromium browser the way Electron does. The author has said they no longer have time to maintain it, and a community fork exists.
Best for
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
Proton Native
- React developers who want to build a desktop app without learning a new UI toolkit
- Developers already familiar with React Native components
- People who want to reuse existing React libraries such as Redux in a desktop app
- Developers who prefer to avoid Electron's footprint
Strengths
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
Proton Native
- Uses React and React Native-style components, so familiar patterns carry over
- Lists MIT licensing, which permits broad reuse
- Advertises compatibility with normal Node.js packages and hot reloading
Not ideal for
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)
Proton Native
- Teams that need a actively maintained framework: the README says the original author lacks time to maintain it and points to a fork, and the last push was January 2023
- Projects needing a stable production release: no latest release is listed in the metadata
- Beginners new to both React and desktop development, since setup and debugging are not covered in the README
Trade-offs
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
Proton Native
- The README announces the original maintainer has no time to work on it, so updates are uncertain
- Last push date in the metadata is January 2023 and no release is listed
- The README is brief and points to external documentation for setup details
Getting started
NW.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.jsProton Native
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/kusti8/proton-nativeFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between NW.js and Proton Native?
NW.js: A runtime for building desktop apps with HTML, JavaScript, and Node.js modules. Proton Native: Build desktop apps with React syntax and React Native-style components, without Electron. NW.js suits web developers who want to turn an existing web app into a desktop app, while Proton Native suits react developers who want to build a desktop app without learning a new ui toolkit.
Are NW.js and Proton Native free?
NW.js: Free and open source. Proton Native: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, NW.js or Proton Native?
NW.js is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Proton Native is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is NW.js or Proton Native more popular?
NW.js has more GitHub stars (41.1k) than Proton Native (10.9k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to NW.js and Proton Native?
Other options people compare them with include Electron, Revel, Expo.
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.