NW.js vs Electron / Atom Shell : Which is Better?

NW.js icon

NW.js

NW.js (node-webkit) lets you call all Node.js modules directly from DOM and enables a new way of writing applications with all Web technologies. Developed by Roger Wang

License: Open Source

Categories: Development

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux

VS
VS
Electron / Atom Shell icon

Electron / Atom Shell

Electron helps you build cross platform desktop apps with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Developed by Github

License: Open Source

Categories: Development

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux Online Self-Hosted

NW.js VS Electron / Atom Shell

NW.js and Electron are both frameworks for building cross-platform desktop applications using web technologies. While NW.js provides a simpler integration of Node.js with web applications, Electron offers better performance, security features, and a more extensive ecosystem, making it more suitable for larger applications.

NW.js

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Supports both Node.js and web technologies
  • Flexible application structure
  • Allows for direct access to DOM
  • Extensive community support

Cons:

  • Limited performance compared to Electron
  • Less mature framework
  • Fewer built-in tools
  • Less focus on security
  • More complex packaging process

Electron / Atom Shell

Pros:

  • Robust performance and speed
  • Wide range of built-in APIs
  • Active community and rich ecosystem
  • Better security features
  • Comprehensive debugging tools

Cons:

  • Larger application size
  • More complex learning curve
  • Steeper resource requirements
  • May require additional setup for advanced features
  • Dependency on Chromium updates

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