Universal Windows Platform vs Electron

Developers should learn UWP when building cross-device Windows applications that need to reach a broad audience on Microsoft's ecosystem, such as productivity tools, games, or enterprise solutions 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.

Universal Windows Platform

Nice Pick

Developers should learn UWP when building cross-device Windows applications that need to reach a broad audience on Microsoft's ecosystem, such as productivity tools, games, or enterprise solutions

Pros

• It's particularly useful for projects requiring a single codebase to target multiple Windows device families, leveraging features like adaptive UI, live tiles, and Cortana integration
• Related to: c-sharp, xaml

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

These tools serve different purposes. Universal Windows Platform is a platform while Electron is a framework. We picked Universal Windows Platform based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Universal Windows Platform wins

Based on overall popularity. Universal Windows Platform is more widely used, but Electron excels in its own space.