Electron.NET is a framework that enables developers to build cross-platform desktop applications using .NET and Electron together.
The tool addresses the challenge of creating native-feeling desktop applications while leveraging existing .NET expertise and web technologies. It works by running Electron alongside .NET code, with flexible architectural options: the classic approach hosts an ASP.NET Core application that Electron displays, but the modernized version allows either .NET or Electron to launch the other for better lifetime management, and supports lightweight console applications when a local web server is unnecessary. This flexibility means developers can use Razor Pages, MVC, or Blazor for the UI layer, or drop the web stack entirely when serving content from files or remote sources.
Developers building cross-platform desktop applications with existing .NET skills should consider this tool, particularly those already invested in ASP.NET Core or Blazor ecosystems. It suits projects ranging from simple console-based desktop apps to complex applications with rich web-based interfaces. The framework requires .NET 8 or later and Node.js version 22 or later, with support for the same operating systems as the underlying .NET runtime. The modernized ElectronNET.Core represents a significant rethinking of the original approach, addressing accumulated pain points while maintaining full API compatibility.
Development activity shows consistent modernization efforts with the introduction of ElectronNET.Core as a fundamental transformation addressing years of accumulated issues. The project maintains multiple NuGet packages covering different use cases, from core functionality to ASP.NET integration to project templates, indicating a structured approach to supporting varied developer needs. Documentation is available through a project wiki and supplemented by video tutorials demonstrating project creation, API usage, debugging, and executable building workflows.
