nw.js
MacBuild Desktop Apps with Web Technologies
Overview
NW.js (formerly Node-WebKit) lets developers create cross-platform desktop applications using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. It combines Chromium’s rendering engine with Node.js’s backend power, granting access to native system APIs and resources. Supporting macOS, Windows, and Linux, it’s perfect for teams skilled in web stacks. Key features include native UI integration, file system access, Node module support, and packaging web apps into standalone tools—eliminating the need to learn new languages and streamlining hybrid app development workflows.
Key Features
- Web tech stack (HTML/CSS/JS)
- Chromium + Node.js integration
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Native system API access
- Node.js module support
Top Alternatives
Electron
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Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Familiar web stack reduces learning curve
- ⊕ Cross-platform deployment
- ⊕ Native resource access
Cons
- ⊖ Larger app bundle sizes
- ⊖ Chromium-based performance overhead