Powerful Desktop Apps for Work and Play

Line-of-Business Apps and Immersive Games

Just about everybody who has worked with a computer has used a desktop application. In the early days of PC computing, the desktop application was all that there was. Until the internet came along and a new beast called the web application stole its thunder followed shortly thereafter by the revolution in mobile computing. But that doesn’t mean the trusty desktop application is going away anytime soon. It is still widely used by people, businesses, and organizations of all sizes. KW Works offers a complete range of desktop application development capabilities for both Windows and iOS platforms. From line-of-business-applications to graphic-rich games, we offer development services for both new, greenfield projects as well as maintenance and additions to legacy, brownfield systems.

desk-top app-li-ca-tion

/dɛsktɒp aplɪkeɪʃən/

noun : software that runs on a single computer that people use to do tasks

The choice to build an app as a web app or a native desktop app is generally a business decision based on the specific software objectives. Another option worth considering is the emerging technology of progressive web applications that can be both! Need some help going over alternatives? Feel free to reach out to us and we’d be happy to discuss the options for your project! We’ve also listed below aspects you might consider in your decision.

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Should You Develop A Desktop or A Web App?

Desktop app development with KW Works

Pros of Desktop Apps

Desktop apps offer certain advantages over web apps that might make them a consideration for your next software project:

  • Better Security

    Desktop apps offer a higher degree of privacy and security than their web-based counterparts since users keep their data on their own computer systems. Data remains with you for you alone and is harder for unauthorized access.

  • High Performance

    Desktop apps generally run faster than web applications. Certain applications with intense hardware requirements, such as games, can benefit from direct access to device functionality. Also, web applications rely on internet connectivity and speed and poor connectivity can cause performance issues. Desktop applications, on the other hand, stand alone and do not face connectivity problems.

  • Pleasant, Familiar User Experience

    Some applications may be better suited to run on the desktop, particularly ones that are used frequently over the course of the day.

  • Offline Capabilities

    With a desktop app you can access app functionality at any time whenever you need to work. Your desktop allows you to stay functional without a data connection. When your work is located in a web app, then you need to have a data connection available to ensure there is availability for the program.

Cons of Desktop Apps

There are potential drawbacks to a native desktop application that might influence your decision:

  • Installation Required

    Desktop apps typically require a manual installation from the user as well as free place on the hard drive. Users must spend some initial setup time and effort, a process which can be perceived as unwelcome.

  • Limited Portability

    Few people today use just one device. When you are using a web application, the program is available with your saved work no matter what computer you use. With a desktop app, if you move from one computer to another you will need to install it again and start everything from the beginning. And your data generally won’t transfer between implementations without some extra setup.

  • Maintenance

    Web applications have desktop apps beat here. Web applications are very maintainable since users do not have to install any updates since they are taken care of by the web application administrator. Desktop apps often require multiple updates to continue using their best functions. Although you can often use a desktop app without an update, it eventually will not provide the full functionality required.