A Cross-Platform Desktop Apps with Electron and React

Why Cross-Platform Development Matters

Let’s face it—developing separate apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux is inefficient, especially for small teams or startups. You don’t want to triple your workload just to support three platforms.

Electron solves that problem by letting you build desktop apps with web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—all wrapped in a native shell. Pair it with React, and you’ve got a modern, interactive, and modular UI.

If you want to build a single desktop app that runs everywhere, Electron + React is the combo to beat.

What Is Electron?

Electron is an open-source framework that allows you to create desktop applications using web technologies.

• Chromium powers the front end (your app’s UI)
• Node.js gives you access to native features like the file system, system tray, and clipboard
• The result? A native app that behaves like any desktop software but is powered by web code

You don’t need to touch C++, Java, or Swift. That’s a huge win for JavaScript developers.

Why Use React with Electron?

Electron handles the system integration. React handles the user interface.

Why React?

• Modular and component-based structure
• State management with hooks or libraries like Redux
• Reusability across screens
• Massive ecosystem: routing, animation, styling, testing, etc.

Using React makes your Electron app easier to scale, test, and maintain.

Real-World Example: Internal Reporting Tool

We recently built a desktop dashboard for a data team. Here’s how Electron and React helped:

• Electron gave access to the local file system (uploading CSVs, saving reports)
• React handled layout and charts
• Cross-platform: One build ran on Windows, macOS, and Linux—no redesigns needed

The result? One codebase, fewer bugs, easier updates.

High-Level Workflow to Build an Electron + React App

1. Set up the base project
   • Use Vite, Webpack, or Create React App (with tweaks)
   • Configure Electron as the main process
2. Build the UI with React
   • Structure your app with reusable components
   • Use context or Redux for shared state
3. Bridge React and Electron
   • Use Electron APIs for filesystem access, dialogs, clipboard, notifications
   • Separate logic into main (backend) and renderer (frontend) processes
4. Package the App
   • Use electron-builder or electron-forge to generate .exe, .dmg, or .AppImage files

Once packaged, your app runs natively—just like any other desktop software.

Challenges to Watch Out For

• Size: A basic Electron app can be over 100MB because it ships Chromium.
• Memory Usage: Each app instance runs a browser engine—RAM usage adds up.
• Security: You must isolate untrusted input, disable Node.js in the renderer, and sandbox everything you can.
• Updates: Auto-update isn’t built-in. You’ll need tools like electron-updater or third-party services like Squirrel.

Pro Tips from the Trenches

• Keep main and renderer processes separate — Don’t mix business logic with UI.
• Use native OS elements when it makes sense — menus, dialogs, etc., offer better UX than trying to replicate everything.
• Optimize static assets — Your users are downloading everything.
• Use modular code and error logging — Electron apps can fail silently; use tools like Sentry for crash reporting.

When to Use Electron + React

Perfect for:

• Internal tooling
• Admin dashboards
• Markdown or note-taking apps
• Desktop utilities that need file access

Not ideal for:

• Lightweight or battery-critical apps
• Apps where size and performance are top priority (native beats web here)

Read more about tech blogs . To know more about and to work with industry experts visit internboot.com .

Conclusion

Building a cross-platform desktop app doesn’t have to be painful.

With Electron, you get access to native system capabilities. With React, you build maintainable, modern UIs. Combine the two, and you’ll create powerful apps without managing three separate codebases.

Just be aware of the trade-offs: size, memory, security, and update management. If you plan for those upfront, Electron + React will let you move fast, deliver quickly, and support users across every major platform—with one skillset and one tech stack.