Windows Forms vs Electron
Developers should learn Windows Forms when building traditional desktop applications for Windows, especially for internal business tools, utilities, or legacy system maintenance where rapid development and a familiar Windows look-and-feel are priorities meets developers should use electron when they need to create desktop applications that run on multiple operating systems with a consistent user interface and want to reuse web development expertise. Here's our take.
Windows Forms
Developers should learn Windows Forms when building traditional desktop applications for Windows, especially for internal business tools, utilities, or legacy system maintenance where rapid development and a familiar Windows look-and-feel are priorities
Windows Forms
Nice PickDevelopers should learn Windows Forms when building traditional desktop applications for Windows, especially for internal business tools, utilities, or legacy system maintenance where rapid development and a familiar Windows look-and-feel are priorities
Pros
- +It is ideal for scenarios requiring simple, form-based interfaces without the complexity of modern web or cross-platform frameworks, and it benefits from strong tooling support in Visual Studio
- +Related to: csharp, net-framework
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
Electron
Developers should use Electron when they need to create desktop applications that run on multiple operating systems with a consistent user interface and want to reuse web development expertise
Pros
- +It's ideal for building productivity tools, communication apps, and development environments where rapid prototyping and cross-platform deployment are priorities, such as in applications like Visual Studio Code, Slack, and Discord
- +Related to: javascript, node-js
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
Use Windows Forms if: You want it is ideal for scenarios requiring simple, form-based interfaces without the complexity of modern web or cross-platform frameworks, and it benefits from strong tooling support in visual studio and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.
Use Electron if: You prioritize it's ideal for building productivity tools, communication apps, and development environments where rapid prototyping and cross-platform deployment are priorities, such as in applications like visual studio code, slack, and discord over what Windows Forms offers.
Developers should learn Windows Forms when building traditional desktop applications for Windows, especially for internal business tools, utilities, or legacy system maintenance where rapid development and a familiar Windows look-and-feel are priorities
Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev