Desktop Applications vs Web Applications – Which one is better?
Tags: desktopapps, webdev
Published: 2020-06-24 08:09:17

These days, most businesses have their app to deliver the best service to their users. Not only businesses but we all use different apps for meeting management, photo editing, online food delivery, data analysis, edit programs, and so many daily tasks. Probably each of us uses both desktop and web applications to perform those tasks. And here starts the confusion of desktop applications and web applications. Do you know when to use each type of program? And which way to choose when you are going to develop an application? Each kind of software has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before we dive into the difference between desktop apps and web apps, let us see desktop applications and web applications separately.

**Desktop Application-**
Simply, a desktop application means any software that can be installed on a single computer (laptop or a desktop) and used to perform specific tasks. You can install it with data storage service or download installation from the internet. The desktop app operates as stand-alone software, which means it can be used offline without the need of an Internet connection. Some of the examples of desktop applications are graphical applications, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, media players, and so on. Know the top 10 necessary questions to ask before you develop desktop app at- 10 Necessary Questions To Ask Before Start Desktop Applications Development

**Web Application-**
A Web application is a software app stored on a server and run via the internet using a web browser. Web applications request the content server and quickly create documents for their users. These apps are accessed by web browsers and hence the format of these web documents is standard so as to provide the support by all browsers. Simple examples of web apps are- message boards, e-mail programs, project management, video editing, computer-aided design, and so on.

For web applications, web browser is necessary- it interprets and run all the scripts and displays the look and feel of the application. It differs from the website by interactivity. Websites are generally focussed on content with static layouts and links, web apps are about dynamic and interactive that recognizes its users and allows them to change the interface and data. 

**Difference Between Desktop Applications and Web Applications-**
Simply, a desktop application is a computer program that runs on a computer device locally. Desktop applications need to be installed on a computer before it can run. You should purchase it in physical format (CD) or download it from the internet. You don’t need an internet connection to work on a desktop applications.

Whereas, web apps requires internet connection to access it on demand by using a web browser. You can use online databases to store the files instead of your computer’s hard disc. 

**Advantages Of Web Applications-**
*1. Easy access-*
Web applications are easily portable and worldwide accessible. Your location and device doesn’t matter here. You can access it with any PC and the internet connection and anywhere you can reach your application. For instance, You are not at home, and you need a document that you made a month before. Web apps are there for you. These days, internet cafes are everywhere and you can access the file by transferring them manually and carrying them on a flash drive.

*2. No need of upgrades-*
Web apps don’t need upgrading. Updates are applied to the server, hence whenever a user launches the app, they always get the latest version. Sometimes, there is an option to keep the old version  but leads to the annoying notifications, and needs extra time to process.

Know more at- [https://solaceinfotech.com/blog/desktop-applications-vs-web-applications-which-one-is-better/]