Dynamic

Wails vs Electron

Developers should use Wails when they need to build lightweight, performant desktop applications with a modern web-based UI, leveraging Go's efficiency for backend logic 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

Wails

Developers should use Wails when they need to build lightweight, performant desktop applications with a modern web-based UI, leveraging Go's efficiency for backend logic

Wails

Nice Pick

Developers should use Wails when they need to build lightweight, performant desktop applications with a modern web-based UI, leveraging Go's efficiency for backend logic

Pros

  • +It's ideal for creating tools, utilities, or small-to-medium applications where a native desktop experience is desired without the overhead of traditional desktop frameworks
  • +Related to: go, webview

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 Wails if: You want it's ideal for creating tools, utilities, or small-to-medium applications where a native desktop experience is desired without the overhead of traditional desktop frameworks 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 Wails offers.

🧊
The Bottom Line
Wails wins

Developers should use Wails when they need to build lightweight, performant desktop applications with a modern web-based UI, leveraging Go's efficiency for backend logic

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev