Desktop Applications for Windows, macOS & Linux

When your software needs offline capability, hardware access, or desktop-level performance, a web app isn't enough. We build cross-platform desktop applications that work like native software while sharing code across operating systems.

Discuss Your Desktop AppSee What We've Built

Why Choose Desktop Over Web — Three Clear Use Cases

Offline-First Functionality

Desktop apps work without internet connectivity. If your users need to work in the field, on planes, or in environments with unreliable networks, desktop is the right choice.

Hardware & System Access

Desktop apps can access USB devices, serial ports, Bluetooth, file systems, system notifications, and other hardware that browsers can't reach. Essential for tools that integrate with physical devices or need deep system integration.

Performance & Resource Control

Desktop apps have direct access to CPU, GPU, and memory without browser limitations. For data processing, video editing, 3D rendering, or any compute-intensive task, desktop provides better performance.

Electron vs Tauri — Our Recommendation for Cross-Platform Desktop

Both frameworks let you build desktop apps using web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) that run on Windows, macOS, and Linux from a single codebase. The difference is in how they work under the hood.

Electron

Bundles a full Chromium browser and Node.js runtime with your app. Larger file size (80-150MB minimum), higher memory usage, but maximum compatibility and a massive ecosystem. Used by VS Code, Slack, Discord, Figma.

Tauri

Uses the operating system's native webview instead of bundling a browser. Much smaller file size (5-15MB), lower memory footprint, faster startup. Newer ecosystem but rapidly maturing.

Our Default Recommendation: For new projects, we recommend Tauri unless you have specific requirements that need Electron's ecosystem. Tauri delivers better performance and smaller downloads without meaningful compromises for most use cases.

Types of Desktop Applications We Develop

Internal Business Tools

Custom software for your team — inventory management, data entry, reporting tools, admin panels. Built for efficiency and daily use.

Creative & Media Software

Image editors, video tools, audio processors, design applications. Apps that need GPU access and high performance.

Data & Analytics Tools

Database clients, data visualization, ETL tools, log analyzers. Software that processes large datasets locally.

Developer Tools

Code editors, build tools, testing utilities, API clients. Tools for technical users who demand speed and reliability.

Point-of-Sale & Kiosk Software

Retail systems, self-service kiosks, check-in terminals. Apps that run on dedicated hardware in physical locations.

Scientific & Engineering Software

Simulation tools, calculation engines, lab equipment interfaces. Software requiring precision and hardware integration.

We can architect your solution to share core logic with a SaaS platform, web app, or mobile app. Explore our projects to see what we've built.

How We Build Desktop Applications

01 — Requirements & Architecture (Week 1)

We define the feature set, hardware requirements, OS compatibility needs, and offline/online behavior. You receive a technical architecture document before development begins.

02 — UI/UX Design

Desktop UI patterns differ from web and mobile. We design for keyboard shortcuts, menu bars, system tray integration, and multi-window workflows that desktop users expect.

03 — Development & Testing

We build and test across Windows, macOS, and Linux simultaneously. Every feature is validated on all target platforms before moving forward.

04 — Native Integration

File system access, system notifications, auto-updates, installer creation, code signing for each platform. We handle the platform-specific details.

05 — Distribution

We create installers for each platform (.exe for Windows, .dmg for macOS, .deb/.rpm for Linux), handle code signing, and set up auto-update systems.

Desktop Application Development Timelines and Costs

Simple Desktop Tool: 4-8 weeks

Basic UI, file operations, local data storage. $6,000-$12,000 USD.

Standard Desktop Application: 8-14 weeks

Complex UI, database integration, system integration, multi-window support. $12,000-$25,000 USD.

Advanced Desktop Software: 3-5 months

Hardware integration, advanced features, installer/updater systems, cross-platform optimization. $25,000-$50,000+ USD.

The Technologies We Use for Desktop Development

ElectronTauriReactTypeScriptRustSQLite

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a desktop app also have a web version?

Yes. Using Electron or Tauri, your desktop app is built with web technologies, making it easier to share code with a web version. BarqPash can architect your application so core logic is shared between desktop and web, reducing development and maintenance costs.

How do users install and update the desktop app?

We create native installers for each platform — .exe for Windows, .dmg for macOS, and package formats for Linux. We also implement auto-update systems so users receive new versions automatically without manual downloads.

Will the app work on older versions of Windows or macOS?

We define OS version support based on your user base. Typically we support Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, and recent Linux distributions. Supporting older OS versions is possible but may limit available features.

Can the desktop app sync data with a cloud backend?

Yes. Desktop apps can communicate with backend APIs just like web or mobile apps. We commonly build hybrid architectures where the app works offline with local data and syncs to the cloud when connected.

Do you provide ongoing support after the desktop app launches?

Yes. Desktop apps require maintenance for OS updates, bug fixes, and new features. We offer monthly retainers covering all support needs including emergency fixes for critical issues.

Ready to Build Your Desktop Application?

Tell us what you need to build. We'll assess whether desktop is the right platform and recommend the best technical approach.

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