Desktop and web are the two most common formats to decide from when you build custom software. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

This blog post gives you an overview of desktop and web applications.

Desktop Application

A desktop application is installed and run on a computer.

Advantages of a desktop application

Can be used offline.

Back when the internet was still a rarity, most apps were built as desktop applications. Desktop apps were distributed through compact disks.

A desktop app is built primarily for offline use. This is why you can access its full functionalities without the Internet.

While some web apps are built for offline use, their functionalities are limited because web apps are run from a remote computer (which requires an Internet connection to access).

In terms of offline usability, desktop apps take the win.

Can access a computer's operating system.

A desktop app can communicate with a computer's operating system. This is why it can do things like prevent a computer from going to sleep. This might be critical for tasks that take hours to finish.

Performs consistently.

A desktop app will not be affected by slow internet.

Faster performance on complex tasks.

For most use cases, the performance difference between web and desktop apps is negligible. For resource-intensive uses, a desktop app outperforms a web app.

For example, a desktop app can use the graphical processing unit (GPU) to its maximum capacity. This is why most gaming is desktop apps.

Photo and video editors need high computing power to run. They also need to access high amounts of data from your computer. That's the reason most multimedia editors are desktop applications.

Quick access.

A desktop app is right there on your computer, with an icon of its own. It can even be set to run when your computer starts.

Web Application

A web app is just like a desktop application. But you don't need to install it on your computer.

A web app is software that is run from a remote computer. You can access it through a web browser like Google Chrome or Firefox.

Advantages of a web app

Faster to build.

A software partner may use existing open-source code to build some functions of a web app, such as database and user management. This frees them more time to focus on the main problems that an app is designed to solve.

This also leads to faster development time.

Requires no installation.

Have you ever had a problem with software that runs only on Windows, iOS, or Linux? You won't encounter that problem with web apps because you will access the software from your browser.

Easy to distribute.

This is another benefit of not needing to install software. Anyone who has a mobile browser on their phone or laptop can access a web app.

Easier to collaborate.

It is easier for people to work together on a decentralized platform such as a web app. Collaboration may be possible on desktop apps. But there is no guarantee that every user will be willing to do or is capable of the setup needed to do so.

Compatible with most devices.

HTML is the language of the world wide web. HTML5 was developed to give users a uniform experience of the web across different devices. Modern web apps are built with HTML5 so they look good and run smoothly on laptops, tabs, and cellphones.

Scalable

Scalability means being able to handle more users without disruption. It is a contentious claim for web apps. A web app in itself is not scalable: the way it is built makes it so. You need a reliable software partner to guarantee that your web app can be scaled.

Advantages of a web app over a desktop app

Can be accessed anywhere Can be used without the need to install software on your computer or phone Can be optimized for SEO

Should you build a web app or a desktop app?

These are the factors to consider when making this decision.

Will your users have access to the Internet? Web apps, unlike their desktop counterparts, can only be accessed online. But there are changes that offset this:

1. Internet connection is way too ubiquitous in many places. It is almost a basic commodity like electricity and water.
2. Some web apps can now be run offline. Google Docs is an excellent example. Previously, you cannot make changes to a Google document when the connection goes offline. Now, you can edit offline and sync the changes when you're online again.

Can you rely on users to update their software regularly? Software providers update desktop apps regularly. But there is one more step needed to complete these updates:

A user has to manually approve updates.

To get security patches and enhancements, you need to be able to rely on users updating their desktop software regularly.

On the other hand, a software provider directly updates their web app without the need for user action. This is because a web app is hosted on the provider's own server.

Will your users meet the requirement of a desktop app? Desktop apps require a computer to run on a range of hardware and software. These are called system requirements.

A desktop app will not install on a computer that do not meet these requirements.

A computer that barely meets these requirements will encounter performance issues like slow response and crashes.

Do you need to distribute your software in a short amount of time? A desktop app can only be accessed on the computer that it is installed on. This makes the distribution of desktop software more sluggish than that of a web app -- which can be accessed on any computer that has a supported web browser and internet connection.

(Emphasis on supported, because not all web apps run on every browser. The browser used to access a web app may also affect its looks and performance.)

Will the app need a lot of computing power?

Video editors and some video games that require high computing power run better as desktop apps. This is because your computer and desktop apps can directly interact.

In software development, the right solution comes down to the context. Talk to one of our CTOs to discuss your desktop vs. web dilemma.