It’s tempting to think of desktop applications as relics. After all, mobile apps dominate our daily consumer behavior, and the web powers nearly every digital interaction.
But in enterprise environments, the desktop is far from dead.
Consider this: according to StatCounter, desktop still accounts for over 40% of global web access. In the enterprise world, the share is even higher because critical systems — ERP dashboards, engineering tools, and collaboration platforms — run more effectively on a full keyboard, mouse, and large display.
CIO surveys show that desktop use is sticky because many industries rely on legacy systems, regulated environments, or complex data-heavy workflows that don’t translate well to mobile.
This raises a strategic challenge for technology leaders: how do you modernize desktop software while leveraging the same talent pool and development practices that drive your web and mobile strategies?
There’s an option that can deliver a desktop-like experience, using web technologies. This type of application is built with Electron, which is an open-source software framework (developed by GitHub), that combines the Chromium rendering engine and the Node.js runtime to deliver desktop GUI applications.
What Electron Really Is
Electron is an open-source framework maintained by the OpenJS Foundation. It combines Chromium (the rendering engine behind Google Chrome) and Node.js (the JavaScript runtime) to let developers build desktop applications with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
In practice, this means you can take web development skills your team already has and use them to build cross-platform desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Instead of rewriting applications in C++ or Objective-C for desktop, teams can deliver with JavaScript and package the app for different operating systems.
Some of the most widely used applications in the world run on Electron:
- Visual Studio Code (Microsoft’s IDE with over 14 million monthly users)
- Slack (the go-to enterprise messaging tool)
- Discord (used by hundreds of millions worldwide)
- Skype, Notion, and WordPress Desktop
They’re mission-critical tools, many used in enterprises daily. That alone makes Electron worth your attention when evaluating desktop strategies.
Why Enterprises Use Electron
One Codebase, Many Platforms
Electron enables “write once, run anywhere” — a promise developers have chased for decades. While no framework fully delivers perfection here, Electron comes close for desktop. A single codebase can ship to Windows, macOS, and Linux, reducing duplicated effort and shortening delivery cycles.
The basic Electron app consists of just 3 files:
- package.json (the metadata for the app)
- main.js (the code for the app)
- index.html (the UI for the app)
The framework for the app is then provided by the Electron executable file (electron.exe in Windows, electron.app in macOS, and electron in Linux — all of which can be renamed for branding purposes).
For enterprises that need to support thousands of endpoints across varied environments, this consistency matters. It also simplifies updates: instead of managing three separate release pipelines, teams can push updates from a single codebase.
Leverage Web Talent
Hiring experienced native desktop developers is difficult, especially in the U.S.
JavaScript, on the other hand, is one of the most widely used languages. Electron allows organizations to tap into their existing front-end and full-stack teams, rather than sourcing niche desktop expertise.
Rich Ecosystem and Community
Electron has a large, active developer community and extensive documentation. It integrates with popular frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular.
Proven in Enterprise Workflows
The fact that companies like Microsoft and Slack trust Electron for widely adopted products demonstrates its enterprise viability. They serve millions daily with uptime and performance requirements as strict as any enterprise software.
What else can Electron’s APIs do?
One of the most important things that Electron apps can do is work with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
This is possible thanks to TensorFlow. Adding WebGL-based GPU acceleration into the mix will certainly bolster your efforts, as it will gain the added benefit of modern GPU performance (and your developers won’t be restricted to Nvidia and CUDA-enabled hardware).
But to really make AI and ML work using TensorFlow, your developers might have to use face-api.js, a high-level API which wraps all of the low-level operations and provides an API for common tasks like face recognition and emotion detection.
The Trade-Offs You Can’t Ignore
Electrons’ benefits come with costs. Leaders should weigh these carefully before committing to the framework at scale.
Performance and Memory Usage
Electron apps run Chromium + Node.js inside each packaged application. That means every app is essentially shipping a lightweight browser instance. The result: higher memory usage compared to native desktop apps.
For example, Slack has acknowledged that Electron consumes significantly more RAM than comparable native applications. On powerful enterprise machines, this may be acceptable. On older hardware or thin clients, it can be a blocker.
Application Size
Electron apps are larger by default because they ship with the Chromium runtime. For enterprises distributing applications to thousands of devices, this increases storage and bandwidth requirements.
Security Risks
Electron apps inherit vulnerabilities from both Chromium and Node.js. If a security flaw appears in either, the Electron app must be updated quickly to remain safe. Enterprises in regulated industries must have a clear patching process and governance model in place.
Limited Mobile Reach
A common misconception: Electron is not for mobile. It targets desktop platforms only. If you need true cross-platform support, including iOS and Android, you’ll need to pair Electron with separate mobile development strategies.
Where Electron Fits Best
Electron isn’t a silver bullet. It shines in specific scenarios:
- Collaboration and communication tools — Slack, Discord, Teams-like apps, where feature velocity is more important than raw performance.
- Developer tools — IDEs, terminals, and admin consoles where cross-platform support is key.
- Internal enterprise dashboards — Admin interfaces, monitoring tools, and reporting apps that don’t need pixel-perfect native performance but must work consistently across environments.
Where Electron is less ideal:
- Performance-intensive applications like CAD, video editing, or large-scale data visualization.
- Environments with strict hardware constraints, such as thin clients in healthcare or education.
Electron Security
Security leaders should view Electron with the same scrutiny as any enterprise framework. Key practices include:
- Always use the latest Electron release, which bundles updated Chromium and Node.js versions.
- Disable Node.js integration in renderer processes unless absolutely necessary.
- Implement Content Security Policies (CSPs) to prevent cross-site scripting.
- Audit dependencies, as many Electron apps pull in dozens of npm packages, each a potential attack vector.
- Automate updates so that patches reach users quickly, reducing exposure windows.
Done right, Electron can be secured to enterprise standards. But it requires discipline.
Deployment and Distribution
Electron simplifies packaging. Each app can be distributed as an executable (.exe, .app, .deb) with branding intact. Enterprises can also push Electron apps through existing endpoint management systems.
The update story is especially strong: Electron supports auto-updates, ensuring users get new versions without manual downloads. For global enterprises with thousands of endpoints, this reduces IT burden and improves compliance with update policies.
Cost Considerations for Enterprises
Choosing Electron affects both direct and indirect costs.
- Lower upfront development costs: By using existing web talent, enterprises reduce hiring and training expenses.
- Faster time to market: A single codebase speeds delivery, which can reduce opportunity costs in competitive industries.
- Higher maintenance costs: Ongoing patching is essential to keep Electron apps secure. Enterprises must invest in a robust update pipeline.
A 2024 survey by Stack Overflow found that over 20% of professional developers had built or worked with Electron apps. Adoption at this scale suggests that while Electron isn’t perfect, it’s economically viable for many organizations.
Case Snapshot: Why Microsoft Chose Electron for VS Code
Visual Studio Code is one of the most popular developer tools worldwide. Microsoft chose Electron because:
- It allowed them to reach developers across all major operating systems quickly.
- They could leverage web technologies to build a modern, extensible interface.
- Frequent updates — VS Code ships monthly — could be distributed seamlessly.
While VS Code’s performance is occasionally criticized compared to native IDEs, its adoption speaks volumes. Developers overwhelmingly value cross-platform consistency and rapid iteration more than minimal memory usage. That’s a trade-off many enterprises also face.
Electron is a Pragmatic Tool, But Not a Silver Bullet
Electron won’t replace native desktop development everywhere. But it has proven itself as a practical, enterprise-ready framework for many categories of applications. If your organization needs to:
- Move fast,
- Reuse existing JavaScript talent,
- Deliver cross-platform desktop apps with modern interfaces,
…then Electron is worth serious consideration.
The key is entering with clear eyes. Accept the trade-offs, design for them, and build with discipline. Done right, Electron can extend your enterprise software portfolio with reliable, modern desktop apps — without forcing you to retool your entire engineering organization.
