Electron vs Photon: What are the differences?

Introduction:

1. Architecture: Electron uses a combination of Node.js runtime and Chromium to run web pages as desktop applications, while Photon is a high-performance web renderer designed specifically for PhotonKit-based interfaces with a leaner architecture.

2. Technology Stack: Electron enables developers to use a single codebase to create applications for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, while Photon is more focused on creating cross-platform user interfaces using web technologies and native components.

3. Extensibility: Electron provides a rich set of APIs and tools for building feature-rich desktop applications with great flexibility and customization options, whereas Photon is more limited in its extensibility, primarily focusing on UI components and styling.

4. Learning Curve: Electron has a steeper learning curve due to its complex architecture and the need to understand both Node.js and Chromium, while Photon is more straightforward and easier to grasp, especially for developers familiar with web technologies.

5. Performance: Electron applications tend to be bulkier and consume more system resources due to the inclusion of the Node.js runtime and Chromium, resulting in potentially slower performance compared to Photon applications optimized for quick rendering and responsiveness.

6. Community and Support: Electron has a larger and more active community of developers, extensive documentation, and a wider range of third-party libraries and tools available, offering better support for troubleshooting and development compared to the lesser-known and less-supported Photon framework.

In Summary, Electron offers a feature-rich and extensible platform for building cross-platform desktop applications with a wider community and resource support, while Photon focuses on lightweight, high-performance UI rendering primarily for PhotonKit-based interfaces.