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Honest question, when solutions like https://github.com/tauri-apps/tauri exist out there that promise smaller build sizes and similar developer experiences, are folks still using Electron to build new apps?
Yeah Tauri is in Rust, whereas I want to write the backend and frontend in the same language (TS) and share code
Maybe try https://github.com/socketsupply/socket
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I’ll reply to your question with a question: once VSCode has proved one could build hyperscale complex apps that perform well, would you be fast to bet for less proven tech? I’ve had a great experience using VSCode on occasion (I’m a JetBrains guy), and loads of other people, including some great programmers, rave about it. I’ve similarly had a fairly solid experience with Spotify desktop across different platforms.…
Also: Figma, Linear, Notion, Slack, Superhuman, Pitch, Loom. All Electron. I’ve never understood the hate Electron gets on HN, when it powers so many great products that users love.
Electron is also how Microsoft essentially broke Skype (on purpose?) IMO.
For me Electron just stands for lazy companies/devs who are not interested in producing something elegant that runs as fast as possible.
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> VSCode has proved one could build hyperscale complex apps that perform well did it though? It might perform "good enough", but its still an order of magnitude worse than native solutions. the only reason to ever use Electron or similar is for rapid prototyping. once you have an MVP, you should immediately work towards a native solution. people seem to forget that part, out of laziness or ignorance.
I use VS Code daily and I have never had performance issues. That obviously doesn’t apply to all folks. Also, it seems presumptuous to prescribe what appropriate solutions are for all people of all time. There are many, many places where an electronjs would be just fine.
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Yeah Tauri is in Rust, whereas I want to write the backend and frontend in the same language (TS) and share code
Rust is a non-starter for the majority of web devs. That’s why Tauri had remained niche. Maybe try https://github.com/socketsupply/socket
> try https://github.com/socketsupply/socket
Points to an even less popular niche.
I struggled between Flutter and Electronjs, checked at Tauri too. Electronjs does the 3 Desktops (linux,windows,macos). Tuari is new, serves the same user base, smaller, but you need learn Rust. Flutter does 3 Desktops and 2 Mobile platforms(android,ios), but you need learn Dart. While doing my own research, I eventually chose Flutter, reasons are: * it does 5 platforms fairly well * its user base keeps rising rapidl…
I don't see the problem with using Flutter. It has proper support from Google for all the major OSes for both Desktop and Mobile. A worthy and serious alternative to both Electron and React Native. It sits in the middle of being faster and smaller than Electron, and being more easier to pick up than Rust with Tauri. I would rather build a desktop and mobile app using Dart with Flutter than with Rust using Tauri, espe…
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Also: Figma, Linear, Notion, Slack, Superhuman, Pitch, Loom. All Electron. I’ve never understood the hate Electron gets on HN, when it powers so many great products that users love.
I don't think you realize how slow those are, how slow they make your entire machine (eating the RAM for no good reason) and how insanely fast similar apps could be if written in something that doesn't involve massive bloat. Electron is also how Microsoft essentially broke Skype (on purpose?) IMO. For me Electron just stands for lazy companies/devs who are not interested in producing something elegant that runs as fa…
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I don't see the problem with using Flutter. It has proper support from Google for all the major OSes for both Desktop and Mobile. A worthy and serious alternative to both Electron and React Native. It sits in the middle of being faster and smaller than Electron, and being more easier to pick up than Rust with Tauri. I would rather build a desktop and mobile app using Dart with Flutter than with Rust using Tauri, espe…
I see one huge problem with Flutter. It's supported by Google. And uses Dart, which is also supported by Google. And sees very little use outside it.
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I’ll reply to your question with a question: once VSCode has proved one could build hyperscale complex apps that perform well, would you be fast to bet for less proven tech? I’ve had a great experience using VSCode on occasion (I’m a JetBrains guy), and loads of other people, including some great programmers, rave about it. I’ve similarly had a fairly solid experience with Spotify desktop across different platforms.…
Also: Figma, Linear, Notion, Slack, Superhuman, Pitch, Loom. All Electron. I’ve never understood the hate Electron gets on HN, when it powers so many great products that users love.
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The ones of these I've actually used like Slack are doggie doo. Aside from using way more resources than a chat app should, last I checked basic UX was not close to on par with native, like right mouse clicks didn't do anything but bring up the built in browser menus.
>like right mouse clicks didn't do anything but bring up the built in browser menus. You should try this in slack again...
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Also: Figma, Linear, Notion, Slack, Superhuman, Pitch, Loom. All Electron. I’ve never understood the hate Electron gets on HN, when it powers so many great products that users love.
I don't think you realize how slow those are, how slow they make your entire machine (eating the RAM for no good reason) and how insanely fast similar apps could be if written in something that doesn't involve massive bloat. Electron is also how Microsoft essentially broke Skype (on purpose?) IMO. For me Electron just stands for lazy companies/devs who are not interested in producing something elegant that runs as fa…
You're on a forum full of software developers, I think you can give us credit for knowing exactly how much resources the apps we use take up.
Personally, I frequently run VSCode, Slack, Zoom, Chrome, and occasionally Loom at the same time on a machine with 8gb ram and it's fine. Until one of these new platforms like Tauri or Socket.sh catches up, the trade off for developers being able to develop once and run on multiple platforms is entirely understandable and clearly acceptable to most people.