> Are Electron apps bad?
Why do some people condemn apps as being “Electron”? Does it make any difference?
Electron is an extensive cross–platform app development framework widely used by many vendors who want to reduce the cost of development, primarily when creating versions of their products for Apple platforms. It’s viewed with disdain by dedicated Mac app developers, who rightly maintain that it’s always better to take the time and effort to engineer software for macOS using its native tools and interface.
They have a good point, as the interface of Electron apps often feels clunky and unnatural, and lacks many of the controls and design features you’d expect in good Mac apps. However, as with all development systems, there are better Electron apps where more effort has been made, and others which are simply horrible to use.
Electron apps are developed using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, similar to a
sophisticated web app, and have a track record of security vulnerabilities. That doesn’t necessarily make them dangerous to use, but should raise concerns when they’re being used to handle sensitive data like passwords. Running an alternative native Mac app is likely to be significantly better, and is to be preferred, but where there’s no alternative, Electron apps can fill the gap and bring that app or service to macOS.