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Top 10 Famous Electron.js Applications Examples

Electron.js

A revolutionary programing language like JavaScript has brought about new technologies in various fields. Similarly, there has been a series of new technologies for cross-platform applications from JavaScript. One such technology is Electron.js, an open-source framework designed on JavaScript.

It allows developers to build pseudo-native applications using standard web technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Electron.js uses a Node.js runtime for the backend and Chromium for the front-end. In simple terms, it handles the complex stuff. Just like a shortcut, It allows developers to focus on creating great Electron apps with an intuitive design that works excellently on all platforms.

Some of the advantages of Electron desktop app include:

  • It functions on all platforms, including Linux
  • It allows several operating system integrations, including tray applets, media keys, etc.
  • It offers a large community of developers and users
  • It enables automatic updates

Downsides to Electron projects:

  • All applications come with the entire runtime
  • Some apps are of lesser quality
  • Extensive download sizes
  • Elevated memory usage
  • Each Electron application runs its own separate instance of Chromium.

Arguably, the benefits, features, and utility provided by this class of app outweigh any claims of excess resource usage or lazy coding. So long as your computer isn’t outdated, it should be able to cope with running a couple of Electron apps.

Now that we understand the Electron framework let’s dive into the details of 10 noteworthy Electron application examples built on the platform.

1. WordPress

WordPress is one of the world’s most extensive content management services. It powers many websites on the internet and enables businesses to keep up with their website content. When renovating the desktop version of the CMS, Electron.js was the ideal choice as it leverages the open-source framework for the cross-platform experience and helps the CMS platform function seamlessly.

2. Slack

The recent pandemic has shown a great need for a remote workforce. Slack is one of the most popular communication tools for remote teams, allowing companies to connect with remote employees through its platform. It facilitates file transfers across the workspaces, and recently, it revamped the desktop apps with Electron.js.

Slack leverages the hybrid approach and frameless architecture of open-source Electron. It also uses the Chromium engine and Node.js to render high-quality code with Electron, and almost all the code in Slack can be executed or loaded remotely using Electron.js.

3. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the best and most widely-used messaging apps. It is fast becoming a mobile sensation, with the Electron framework utilized in developing the desktop application. Users can now leverage messaging and picture sharing efficiently across the app.

4. Visual Studio Code

Microsoft Visual Studio Code is such a powerful and famous editor for codes. It is an open-source tool that is very popular among developers across the globe, and it is known mostly for its speed and low-memory footprint. The code editing in the platform works well with Python, Java, C, JavaScript, Objective-C, and even PHP.

One of the most attractive features of the VS Code is IntelliSense, and Electron.js helps the code editor to create a fantastic desktop experience, with the ability to highlight mistakes for developers and customize the editor for better coding.

5. Skype

Skype delivers an excellent communication tool among team members and employees. It also offers a great tool for businesses and corporations while offering all the features necessary to stay in touch with your workforce. The vast communications platform allows for features such as conference calls, file transfers, personal chats, and even company-wide communications.

Those with long-distance video calling needs can use Skype to connect with anyone through internet connectivity.. Electron.js offers a fantastic choice for video conferencing apps which is a major reason Skype chose it.

6. Discord

Discord provides gamers with a platform to socialize through a well-structured messaging app. The desktop application is built on the Electron framework with cool messaging features. It also includes allows image & video sharing and a gaming ecosystem for gamers to communicate with each other.

7. Atom

Atom IDE comes with built-in themes, allowing developers to customize the IDE according to their needs. It also helps with the version control and quick rollouts of the app versions. Atom and Electron go way back as Electron.js started out as an Atom shell and soon became a full-fledged framework. The Atom IDE uses the Electron framework for its desktop application scalability.

8. Simplenote

Simplenote is a free note-taking app. It is an open-source, cross-platform desktop application. Simplenote works wonderfully well in Windows, iOS, Linux, and Android. Simplenote is an excellent example of apps that use Electron for their desktop application by leveraging the UI components offered by the Electron framework for a note-taking app.

9. Mailspring

Mailspring offers an excellent email client for centralized email management. It helps to manage email accounts like Gmail, Office365, Yahoo, and SMTP. Mailspring features fast mail, search function, translational features, a centralized inbox, e-signatures, and several others while utilizing the Electron framework to create an excellent desktop application.

10. Pexels

Pexels stands out to be one of the most successful apps for pictures. Whether as a big fan of pictures or those amazing stock photos for blogs, the platform renders amazing pictures for use by bloggers, designers, or publicists.

Pexels showcases a good example of apps that use Electron for its desktop application. By using Electron.js, it makes downloads more swift. Choosing your favorite picture and copying it to your device has become much easier with Pexels.

Other features of Electron.js that make it an excellent choice

If you have ever wondered whether Electron will make a good fit for your next project, here are some points about Electron.js that may be helpful during the decision-making process.

Electron is developed and maintained by GitHub and has an extensive, active community strongly behind it
The Electron framework is open-sourced and has automatic updates, native menus, crash reporting, and debugging.
Electron utilizes the Chromium engine for displaying web content, Node.js for working with the local filesystem and the operating system, and custom APIs that work with OS native features.
In developing an Electron app, the starting point is a JavaScript file that acts as a controller.

Conclusion

Hiring Electron.js developers enables businesses to speed up time-to-market in cross-platform development. Web developers and other talented engineers will find it easy to catch up quickly with some experience in Node.js. They need not have to specialize in it.

Utilizing Electron in app development eliminates the excessive time and talent wasted. In the end, there are numerous reasons to create Electron JavaScript apps for desktops. One of the most important factors is the fast transition to the desktop environment, giving developers a seamlessly integrated experience. With an improved runtime and superb integration with JavaScript and Node.js, Electron.js ensures that designing desktop apps and maintaining them on cross platforms is easier and better.

Author

  • Content Writer - Turing.com

    Joy Nwaiwu

    Joy Nwaiwu is a professional content writer with experience developing meaningful, well-articulated content spanning various industry verticals. She is an avid learner and a technology enthusiast with interests ranging from books, environment, and arts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Electron apps are good for the app development industry. Being a cross-platform app development framework, it uses JavaScript on the front-end and Node.js for accessing files and other system-related operations.

Electron is a great choice for desktop apps as it offers a low barrier to entry, fast speed of development, automatic updates and convenient installers, cross-platform support, and an extensive community of developers and users.

Electron is still used by many massive companies like Microsoft, Discord, and Slack. It has a large community with tons of open source tools, tutorials, and more, making it a choice framework for developers and companies alike.

Electron projects are a series of tasks undertaken while building cross-platform Electron apps with modern web technologies and JavaScript frameworks.

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