Desktop software runs locally on the user's computer. Unlike a web app it has direct access to the file system, hardware and network, can work offline, and can use significantly more compute. In 2026 desktop does not replace the web for most products — it complements it.
Desktop software uses the operating system's capabilities directly. A web app struggles with heavy data processing, local databases, bulk file operations, hardware access (printers, serial ports, cameras, measurement devices) or fully offline work; desktop is the natural choice there.
Number of target platforms, hardware integrations, offline needs, update infrastructure and installer/signing processes decide. Starting with one platform and adding the second when real demand appears is the lowest-risk path for most products.
Real products, not references on paper.
Web if users must reach it anywhere without installing. Desktop if you need local files, hardware access, offline operation or heavy processing. For most products the right answer is both, connected to the same backend.
It lets a web team ship quickly with the same technology. The price is memory use and package size. When lightness is critical, alternatives such as Tauri should be evaluated.
Yes for any non-enterprise distribution. Users stuck on old versions miss security patches and increase support load. Install a self-updating mechanism with signed packages.
It can, and it should. A shared API layer keeps business rules in one place; only local features are written per client.
Let us define the scope, the technology and the roadmap together; then split the work into stages with clear deliverables.
