Why and How to Transform Your Web App into a Desktop App with Electron.js

Many web apps become popular because they are easy to access from any browser. But as users start spending more time on them, they often want something more convenient like an app that sits right on their computer. Electron.js gives you a way to make it happen.

Electron allows you to take your existing web app and turn it into a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux without starting from scratch. In this blog, we’ll walk through why this can be a good idea, how Electron works, and the steps you can take to make the switch.

Why Build a Desktop App from a Web App?

Websites are convenient, but desktop apps can give your users something extra. They sit on the taskbar, can work offline, and integrate better with the system. If you’re still deciding whether a desktop app is the right move, you might want to check out our detailed guide on Desktop vs Web vs Mobile Apps to understand the differences more clearly.

Here are some key advantages desktop apps bring to the table:

• Always visible: Your app’s icon sits on the desktop or taskbar, a constant reminder that you exist.
• Offline access: Even without the internet, parts of your app can still work.
• System integration: Desktop apps can send notifications, access files, or use system menus.
• A stronger product offering: You might keep a free version on the web and offer a premium desktop version with more features.

Tools like Slack, VS Code, Discord, and Figma started as web technologies, but people love them as desktop apps.

Is Your Web App a Good Fit for Electron?

Not every website makes sense as a desktop app. This works best for:

• Writing and note-taking apps
• Chat and communication tools
• Project management software
• Design, editing, or productivity tools

If your site is just for showing information (like a blog or restaurant menu), a desktop version probably won’t add much.

If you want to dive deeper into the kinds of web apps that exist such as PWAs, SPAs, or multi-page setups, you can read our guide on Different Types of Web Applications.

How Does Electron.js Work?

Electron is like giving your website its own dedicated browser but one that also knows how to interact with the operating system. This is why it’s the best way to convert a website into a desktop app.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Chromium: Displays your web app (just like Chrome).
• Node.js: Gives your app system-level powers (files, notifications, menus, etc.).

Electron runs on two processes:

• Main Process: Handles windows, menus, and updates.
• Renderer Process: Displays the user interface (your app itself).

This structure lets you reuse most of your existing web code while building a desktop app with Electron.

Step-by-Step: Converting Your Web App into a Desktop App

Here are the steps to build a desktop app with Electron.js:

1. Set up Electron

First, install Electron in your project:

npm install electron --save-dev

Then create a small starter file called main.js with this basic code that will open a new window on your computer:

const { app, BrowserWindow } = require('electron');

function createWindow() {

 // Create a new window

 const win = new BrowserWindow({

  width: 800,

  height: 600,

 });

 // Load your web app (this could be a local file or an online URL)

 win.loadURL('https://your-web-app-url.com');

}

// Run this function when Electron is ready

app.whenReady().then(createWindow);

Finally, update your package.json with a start script:

"scripts": {

 "start": "electron ."

}

Now, run:

npm start

You’ll see your web app open in its own desktop window! This setup is what makes your app feel like a real desktop program instead of just a website.

2. Load Your App

Now that the window is ready, you need to put your web app inside it. You can do this in two ways:

• Load it directly from the internet: If your web app is already live, you can simply point Electron to your website’s URL.
• Bundle it locally: If you want the app to run faster or work offline, you can package all your files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and let Electron load them straight from the computer instead of the internet.

3. Add Desktop Features

This is the fun part, making your app behave like a real desktop application. You can start adding features such as:

• Notifications: Show system alerts, just like other apps do.
• Menus and right-click options: Add “File,” “Edit,” or context menus that feel native to the operating system.
• File access: Let users open or save files directly from their computer.
• Auto-updates: Ensure that when you release a new version, users get it automatically without needing to reinstall.

These features are what make your app more than “just a website in a window.”

4. Test on All Platforms

Since Electron supports cross platform desktop apps, test it everywhere to fix UI/UX differences.

• Windows, macOS, and Linux all behave a little differently. For example, menus look different on Mac than on Windows, and some keyboard shortcuts don’t work the same way everywhere.
• Try running your app on each platform and fix any issues so users get a smooth experience no matter what computer they’re on.

Packaging and Sharing Your App

Once your app is running the way you want, the next step is to prepare it for your users. People don’t want to run your project code, they want a simple installer they can download and open, just like any other program. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Use a Packaging Tool

Manually packaging your app is tricky, so most developers use tools like Electron Builder or Electron Forge. These tools handle the heavy lifting and create ready-to-install files for you.

2. Create Installers for Each Operating System

Different systems need different installers:

• Windows usually gets a .exe or .msi file.
• macOS uses a .dmg file.
• Linux may need .deb or .AppImage.

The packaging tools mentioned above can generate all of these for you.

3. Sign Your App

Modern operating systems often warn users if an app looks “unverified.” 

• To avoid those scary pop-ups, you should digitally sign your app with a trusted certificate. 
• This shows users that the software really came from you and hasn’t been tampered with.

4. Share Your App with Users

Now you’re ready to put the app in people’s hands. You can offer it as a direct download from your website.

Stage	Focus Area	Key Actions	Tools/Tech
1. Assessment	Evaluate web app architecture	Identify core features, dependencies, and user flows	Browser DevTools, Analytics
2. Strategy	Define desktop goals	Choose between native, hybrid, or wrapper-based approach	Electron, Tauri, Flutter, NW.js
3. Environment Setup	Prepare dev environment	Install frameworks, set up build tools, configure OS-specific settings	Node.js, Rust, Dart, Git
4. UI/UX Adaptation	Desktop-specific design tweaks	Adjust layouts, navigation, and interactions for desktop conventions	Figma, Adobe XD, Storybook
5. Feature Mapping	Translate web features to desktop	Handle local storage, file access, notifications, offline mode	Electron APIs, OS APIs
6. Packaging	Bundle app for distribution	Create installers for Windows, macOS, Linux	Electron Builder, Tauri CLI
7. Testing	Cross-platform QA	Test performance, responsiveness, and native integrations	Jest, Cypress, Playwright, BrowserStack
8. Deployment	Release and update strategy	Publish to app stores or direct download; set up auto-updates	GitHub Releases, Squirrel, Snapcraft
9. Feedback Loop	Monitor and iterate	Collect user feedback, crash reports, usage analytics	Sentry, Mixpanel, Hotjar

Things to Consider Before Going All-In

Electron makes building desktop apps much easier, but it does come with a few trade-offs you should keep in mind:

• Larger file size: Every Electron app includes its own copy of Chromium, so downloads are bigger compared to native apps. For most users this isn’t a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing.
• Performance: If your app opens many windows or runs heavy background tasks, it can use more memory than expected. Careful optimization is important.
• Security: Don’t give your app more power than it needs. Disable unnecessary features, and avoid loading untrusted remote content to reduce risks.
• Offline mode: If you want the app to work without the internet, decide what should be available offline and how data will sync once the connection returns.

Best Practices for a Smooth Electron App

A few simple habits can make your Electron app feel polished and reliable:

• Reuse your code: Keep one shared codebase for web and desktop where possible. This saves time and avoids bugs.
• Blend in with the OS: Use proper menus, keyboard shortcuts, and icons so the app feels like it belongs on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
• Stay up to date: Update Electron regularly to get security patches and compatibility fixes.
• Test everywhere: Don’t just test on your own machine. Try the app on Windows, Mac, and Linux to make sure it behaves consistently.

Pro Tips for a Better Electron App and to Take It Further

• Cache smartly for offline: Store essential assets (like CSS, scripts, or last-used data) locally so the app doesn’t feel “empty” without the internet.
• Use lazy loading: Only load heavy parts of your app when they’re actually needed. This keeps startup time fast.
• Watch your background tasks: Avoid running too many hidden processes. They can drain memory and battery.
• Handle updates smoothly: Use auto-update tools so users don’t have to reinstall manually every time.
• Keep user experience first: Even though it’s based on web code, design the app so it feels like a proper desktop program, not just a website in a box.

Bringing Web Apps to Desktops with Electron.js

Converting your web app into a desktop app doesn’t have to be complicated. With Electron.js, you can give users a version of your app that’s faster, more integrated, and always within reach.

If your web app already has a loyal audience, a desktop version could be the perfect next step, making your product more useful, visible, and aligned with how people work every day.

If you’re considering building or converting your web app into a desktop application with Electron.js, our team at Softices can help you with Electron.js tutorials, setup, and deployment support ensuring performance, design, and user experience all align with your business goals.