1 of 8

Desktop vs Web Apps

2 of 8

What’s the difference

Desktop apps run the program on your computer / tablet / phone, using parts of Windows to display output

Web apps run the program on a server in another city, and interact through a browser on your computer / tablet / phone.

3 of 8

Comparisons

Desktop Apps

Web Apps

Picasa3.exe

www.photos.google.com

Microsoft Live Mail 2012, Thunderbird

​

mail.yahoo.com

​

Microsoft Word 2010

​

onedrive.live.com/edit.aspx

4 of 8

From the software developer’s point of view...

  • You code once, it works everywhere
  • There is nothing to install, nothing to update
  • The programming talent pool for web stacks is bigger
  • It makes your product look modern
  • If it works for Gmail/Salesforce/Zendesk�then it should work for you, right?�

5 of 8

A change of view

  • Desktop compatibility: Run on Apple vs Microsoft vs Linux
  • Web app compatibility: Display on Monitor vs Tablet vs Smart Phone

The importance of an internet connection:

  • Desktop: Fully function without internet.
  • Web App: Reduced, or even impossible

6 of 8

Security

Desktop: Beware malware in your computer. For example, a virus that gains access to your local contacts, and grows by emailing them. The defense is anti-virus software, and care in opening attachments.

Web App: Security breach of the server, �Defend with long passwords and �2 factor authentication, e.g. google�authenticator.

7 of 8

When to avoid Web Apps

Presentations in buildings where internet is flakey

Critical meetings, e.g. with lawyers at $400 per hour

​

​

​

8 of 8

Devices

Desktop: Intel5 (I5), 4 gigs Ram, 1000 gig hard drive, Win10

Web App: OS agnostic, 2 gigs ram, 16 to 100 gig flash drive� Phone, tablet, laptop.