Do you think that desktop-based applications are dead? Do you believe you’re not going to need them in the future?
If so, you’re probably mistaken!
It's tough to envision life without desktop applications. One of them is anything that is truly installed on a full-sized computer. Yes, web apps can accomplish a lot of things, but the browser used to access them is also a desktop application.
So, if you're thinking about getting into desktop app development, don’t think twice!
Before heading to the future of desktop apps, let’s discuss what they exactly mean and why we should choose them!
What are Desktop Apps?
An internal server or client system hosts and runs desktop applications. They run independently on a computer device, as opposed to web-based applications, which need the use of a web browser. Typical desktop programs include Adobe, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and others. Desktop programs, for example, are not always a walled garden; they frequently feature internet-based services, such as the desktop versions of Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom.
Reasons to Choose Desktop Apps
Here are the potential benefits of desktop apps development:
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Regardless of network availability
An interrupted internet connection can cost employees time and productivity, not to mention the inability to access business-critical data and information while using web apps. Desktop apps, on the other hand, are self-contained and do not suffer from bad internet connectivity. As a result, if an organization's access to information is vital, a desktop application is the superior option.
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Confidentiality and Safety
Desktop apps are preferred by industries with sensitive data over SaaS equivalents since they are substantially more secure owing to in-house infrastructure and maintenance. Web applications are available to multiple users in the internet community, increasing the hazard. Standalone applications can be safeguarded against various vulnerabilities. As a result, if your app is utilized to handle sensitive information, a desktop app is the superior option.
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Performance
For specific jobs, desktop-based applications rank first in terms of efficiency and performance. For example, desktop apps perform better than web applications while performing complex calculations.
Also, crucial applications that rely on speed (e.g., financial and trading software) are better off with desktop programs because users don't have to navigate among twelve tabs to find a tool.
The Popularity of Desktop Apps
Here are some examples of situations where desktop programs are more popular than web apps and will continue to be dominant for a long time:
- Enterprise Applications: Companies that necessitate additional capabilities for applications that must conduct a variety of complex tasks and process data from multiple departments, such as CAD systems for mechanical design, digital adoption solutions (DAS) to improve the adoption of applications and tools in an organization, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and so on.
- Apps in a Background Run: Users may require apps to run in the background, such as the Steam service to launch games or a file downloader that continues to run even when the main window is closed.
- Low-Level Software: The software that assures a computer's proper operation, such as Linux or Windows drivers.
- Games with Complex UI: Only desktop app services can be developed for games that require great performance, take up a lot of space, and rely heavily on the GPU.
- Business Software: Some businesses require huge amounts of sensitive data to be collected and stored; in this case, desktop development is used since it allows all of the data to be stored on the hard drives of the computers rather than being sent to external servers.
Integrated Future
The period of software development began with desktop application programming, and it has maintained its dominance in this field for a long time. However, as technology advances, many organizations and customers are increasingly relying on web apps that can be accessed via the internet.
Even though web technologies are currently dominating the software development market, desktop solutions are not doomed. Desktop apps offer advantages to businesses and users that digital alternatives do not. There are still a lot of scenarios where web development won't be able to replace desktops anytime soon. Complex GameDev, enterprise app development, low-level software, and other types of software are examples.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s a wrap to the “Future of desktop-based application”!
W3Villa Technologies is a leading software development company that builds top-notch desktop applications. It enables administrators to develop content tailored to individual user roles, allowing for user engagement throughout the lifecycle, including onboarding, ongoing learning and training, self-service support, and change management.
