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GTK vs Electron

Developers should learn GTK when building native desktop applications, especially for Linux environments where it is the standard for many distributions like GNOME 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.

🧊Nice Pick

GTK

Developers should learn GTK when building native desktop applications, especially for Linux environments where it is the standard for many distributions like GNOME

GTK

Nice Pick

Developers should learn GTK when building native desktop applications, especially for Linux environments where it is the standard for many distributions like GNOME

Pros

  • +It is ideal for creating lightweight, performant GUIs with a consistent look and feel across platforms, and is commonly used in open-source projects such as GIMP, Inkscape, and GNOME applications
  • +Related to: c-programming, glib

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 GTK if: You want it is ideal for creating lightweight, performant guis with a consistent look and feel across platforms, and is commonly used in open-source projects such as gimp, inkscape, and gnome applications 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 GTK offers.

🧊
The Bottom Line
GTK wins

Developers should learn GTK when building native desktop applications, especially for Linux environments where it is the standard for many distributions like GNOME

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev