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Head-to-head · Desktop App Development Frameworks

Electron vs .NET MAUI

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Electron #2 in Desktop App Development Frameworks 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Electron
.NET MAUI #3 in Desktop App Development Frameworks 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit .NET MAUI

Electron leads on 0 checks, .NET MAUI on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreElectron · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth

Electron scores higher on our rubric for desktop app development frameworks: 9.1 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Electron is the better fit for javaScript teams building desktop apps. .NET MAUI is the better fit for C# teams targeting desktop and mobile.

  • Electron fits best

    JavaScript teams building desktop apps

  • .NET MAUI fits best

    C# teams targeting desktop and mobile

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Side by side

Feature Electron 9.1/10 Visit ↗ .NET MAUI 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 9.0
Ranking #2 in Desktop App Development Frameworks #3 in Desktop App Development Frameworks
Best for JavaScript teams building desktop apps C# teams targeting desktop and mobile
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Docs, Community Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Electron 1/3 · .NET MAUI 1/3
Open source ✓ ✓
Mobile targets Not checked yet Not checked yet
Commercial support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported desktop OS Not checked yet Not checked yet
UI stack Not checked yet Not checked yet
Primary language Not checked yet Not checked yet
App packaging Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Build Windows, macOS, and Linux apps with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
  • Bundle Chromium and Node.js with the application
  • Use desktop APIs and extend apps with native Node.js addons
  • Share C# code and a project system across mobile and desktop targets
  • Use XAML, native controls, and platform-specific APIs
  • Open-source MIT-licensed framework with Visual Studio tooling
Cons
  • Targets desktop applications rather than mobile or web app delivery
  • Requires a JavaScript, HTML, and CSS development approach
  • Support channels are documentation and community
  • Targets Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, with Tizen via Samsung
  • Requires C# and XAML rather than a broad choice of languages
  • Support channels listed are documentation and community
Our verdict

Electron gives JavaScript teams a framework for building desktop applications with familiar web technologies: JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. It packages Chromium and Node.js with the application, enabling a shared codebase for Windows, macOS,…

Read the review →

For teams building native mobile and desktop applications with .NET, .NET MAUI provides a shared C# codebase and project system. Its published target platforms include Android, iOS, macOS through Mac Catalyst, and Windows; Samsung provides…

Read the review →
  1. ElectronDesktop App Development Frameworks 9.1Free plan
  2. .NET MAUIDesktop App Development Frameworks 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Electron — where it wins

    • Build Windows, macOS, and Linux apps with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
    • Bundle Chromium and Node.js with the application
    • Use desktop APIs and extend apps with native Node.js addons

    Where it doesn't

    • Targets desktop applications rather than mobile or web app delivery
    • Requires a JavaScript, HTML, and CSS development approach
    • Support channels are documentation and community

  • .NET MAUI — where it wins

    • Share C# code and a project system across mobile and desktop targets
    • Use XAML, native controls, and platform-specific APIs
    • Open-source MIT-licensed framework with Visual Studio tooling

    Where it doesn't

    • Targets Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, with Tizen via Samsung
    • Requires C# and XAML rather than a broad choice of languages
    • Support channels listed are documentation and community

More comparisons

All desktop app development frameworks comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update