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Cross-platform desktop applications hold a significant edge over native applications as they can work on multiple operating systems. However, before investing in cross-platform application development, decision makers must know their benefits and limitations and whether cross-platform applications suit their needs. Here’s a deep dive.
In 2021, more than 340 million personal computers (PCs) were shipped across the world. While the number is expected to decline slightly this year, the total number of desktops worldwide is now measured in billions. Even with the rapid uptake of mobile devices taking a bite out of PC sales, desktops remain popular, both for personal and business use.
Two operating systems (OS) dominate this desktop market: Windows and OS X. According to recent data, 74.99% of PCs worldwide run Windows, while 14.48% run OS X. Also in the running (albeit farther back) are Linux at 2.81% and Chrome OS at 2.41%.
Historically, desktop application development has focused on a single platform, forcing developers to choose between Windows, OS X, or Linux efforts. However, thanks to the evolution of cross-platform desktop applications, it is now possible for companies to expand their market reach without designing multiple, OS-specific apps.
In this piece, we will break down cross-platform desktop app basics, look at common building frameworks, explore where these apps excel and consider where cross-platform operations may struggle.
What is a Cross-Platform Desktop Application?
A cross-platform desktop application is coded once but designed to work on multiple operating systems. This sets it apart from a native application, built using platform-specific tools and software development kits (SDKs), that works only on a single platform.
For cross-platform apps to work, they need to leverage programming languages and OS-agnostic frameworks. Popular languages include C+, C++, JavaScript, and Angular, while CSS and HTML frameworks are…
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