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Desktop App Development

A directory of desktop app development: cross-platform and native frameworks, GUI libraries, packaging and updates, design guidelines and security.

60 topics•7 categories•Updated November 2026

Cross-Platform Desktop Frameworks

12 entries

One codebase for Windows, macOS and Linux.

01ElectronFramework for desktop apps built with JavaScript, HTML and CSS on Chromium and Node.js. 02TauriFramework for small, secure desktop and mobile apps with a web front end and a Rust core. 03QtC++ and QML framework for desktop, mobile and embedded apps. 04Flutter desktopFlutter documentation for building Windows, macOS and Linux apps. 05Compose MultiplatformJetBrains declarative UI framework for desktop, Android, iOS and web. 06Avalonia UIOpen-source .NET UI framework for desktop, mobile and web. 07Uno PlatformC# and XAML framework for apps on Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile and web. 08SlintDeclarative UI toolkit with Rust, C++, JavaScript and Python bindings. 09DioxusRust framework for web, desktop and mobile apps from one codebase. 10NeutralinojsLightweight framework for desktop apps that uses the system web view. 11NW.jsFramework for desktop apps with Node.js and web technologies. 12Kotlin MultiplatformKotlin documentation for sharing code across desktop, mobile and web.

Native & Platform Toolkits

8 entries

Official toolkits for each operating system.

13WinUI (Windows App SDK)Microsoft's modern native UI framework for Windows apps. 14WPFWindows Presentation Foundation documentation for .NET desktop apps. 15.NET MAUIMicrosoft framework for native apps on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. 16SwiftUIApple's declarative UI framework for macOS and other Apple platforms. 17AppKitApple's framework for native macOS user interfaces. 18GTKToolkit used by GNOME and many Linux desktop apps. 19.NET ToolsTools and libraries for .NET development. 20Operating SystemsLinux, Windows, macOS, mobile and real-time systems.

GUI Libraries by Language

13 entries

Toolkits for the language you already use.

21Qt for Python (PySide)Official Python bindings for Qt. 22PyQtPython bindings for Qt from Riverbank Computing. 23TextualPython framework for rich terminal user interfaces. 24JavaFXOpen-source client application platform for Java. 25wxWidgetsCross-platform C++ GUI library using native controls. 26eguiImmediate-mode GUI library for Rust. 27IcedCross-platform GUI library for Rust inspired by Elm. 28RatatuiRust library for terminal user interfaces. 29JavaJava platform, frameworks and resources. 30PythonPython language, libraries and resources. 31Programming LanguagesDirectory of programming languages. 32TypeScriptCompiler, runtimes, frameworks and tooling. 33JavaScript FrameworksReact, Angular, Vue, Node.js and more.

Packaging, Distribution & Updates

9 entries

Getting apps onto user machines and keeping them current.

34Electron ForgeToolkit for packaging and publishing Electron apps. 35electron-builderPackaging and auto-update support for Electron apps. 36VelopackInstaller and auto-update framework for desktop apps. 37SparkleSoftware update framework for macOS apps. 38MSIXWindows app packaging format and documentation. 39WinGetWindows Package Manager for installing and distributing apps. 40FlatpakLinux application sandboxing and distribution framework. 41SnapcraftPackaging and publishing for Snap apps on Linux. 42AppImagePortable Linux application format that needs no installation.

Design, Testing & Security

7 entries

Guidelines and tools for quality desktop apps.

43Fluent 2 Design SystemMicrosoft design system for Windows and cross-platform apps. 44Apple Human Interface Guidelines for macOSApple design guidance for Mac apps. 45GNOME Human Interface GuidelinesDesign guidance for GNOME apps. 46Electron security guidanceElectron's recommendations for building secure apps. 47Playwright for ElectronPlaywright API for automating and testing Electron apps. 48AppiumAutomation framework with drivers for desktop platforms. 49Software EngineeringLanguages, frameworks, IDEs and practices.

Related Development Approaches

7 entries

Other ways to build and ship apps.

50Mobile App Development FrameworksFlutter, React Native, Kotlin Multiplatform and native toolkits. 51Mobile App Development Platforms & ToolsIDEs, CI/CD, testing and monitoring for mobile apps. 52Web Application Development FrameworksReact, Angular, Vue, Next.js and other frameworks. 53Low-Code PlatformsPlatforms for building apps with little hand-written code. 54No-Code PlatformsApp, data, automation and form builders. 55AI Coding ToolsIDEs, agentic editors and app builders. 56Vibe CodingAI app builders, agentic IDEs and safe practices.

Related Pages

4 entries

Related pages on this site.

57Web Application Development Platforms & ToolsHosting, back ends, build tools and testing for the web. 58Web Application EngineeringWeb application engineering hub, frameworks and resources. 59Software PlatformsDirectory of software platforms. 60Game EnginesUnity, Unreal, Godot, Bevy, web and 2D engines compared.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is desktop app development?

Building applications that run on a computer's operating system, such as Windows, macOS or Linux, rather than in a browser or on a phone. Apps can be native to one system or cross-platform.

Which framework should I choose?

Choose Electron or Tauri if your team knows web technologies, Qt or Avalonia for rich native-feeling cross-platform UIs, .NET (WinUI, WPF, MAUI) for Windows-focused apps, SwiftUI for macOS, and Flutter or Compose Multiplatform if you also target mobile.

What is the difference between Electron and Tauri?

Electron bundles Chromium and Node.js, so apps are larger but behave the same everywhere. Tauri uses the system web view and a Rust core, so apps are smaller but rendering depends on the platform's web view.

Native or cross-platform?

Native toolkits give the best platform integration and performance on one system. Cross-platform frameworks reduce duplicated work across systems at the cost of some platform polish.

How do desktop apps get updated?

With an update framework such as Sparkle on macOS, Velopack or electron-builder's updater, MSIX or WinGet on Windows, or Flatpak and Snap on Linux. See the Packaging section.

How do I secure a desktop app?

Sandbox processes, validate inputs, avoid loading remote content in privileged contexts, sign and notarise releases, and keep dependencies updated. See the Electron security guidance.

Can I build a desktop app with AI tools?

Yes. AI coding agents can scaffold desktop apps, but review the code, test on each target system and check packaging and security. See the AI Coding Tools and Vibe Coding pages.

How current is this list?

Links were checked in November 2026. Wails returned 403 to automated checks and is not listed. Descriptions follow each source's own pages and are not rankings.