Electron

Framework for building cross-platform desktop applications using web technologies. Embeds Chromium and Node.js, enabling JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to run natively on macOS, Windows, and Linux across all supported architectures.

Electron is maintained by the OpenJS Foundation and used by thousands of organizations. Popular apps include VS Code, Slack, Discord, Figma, Notion, Postman, and 1Password. Unlike native toolkits such as Qt or GTK, Electron lets front-end teams ship desktop software using the same skills and libraries they already know.

Key features:

• Cross-platform builds for macOS, Windows, and Linux with native window APIs
• Automatic software updates via the autoUpdater module
• App store distribution support for the Mac App Store, Microsoft Store, and Snap Store
• Access to the full npm ecosystem and native add-on code for system integration
• Crash reporting for JavaScript and native crashes

Teams use Electron to deliver desktop clients for SaaS products, developer tools, and consumer apps. It integrates with React, Vue, Angular, Next.js, and other front-end frameworks, and tooling like Electron Forge handles bundling and publishing.