Web application vs. desktop application - which is better?

What is a “web application”?

A web application is a software solution that is operated via the browser - without the need for installation on the local computer. It is accessed via the internet or a company network, creating a cloud-based solution that can be used from any location. The web application is particularly attractive for companies with decentralized teams or home office structures.

More and more companies are having a web application programmed in order to create flexible, modern and low-maintenance solutions. The architecture is often based on a cloud-based solution in which both data and business logic run centrally on servers or in a cloud infrastructure.

Advantages:

• A cloud-based solution offers location-independent access - ideal for field service, remote work or international teams.
• Central management simplifies maintenance: security updates, bug fixes and new functions can be provided without user intervention.
• A web application is independent of the operating system and can be used on almost any end device - whether Windows, macOS, Linux, tablet or smartphone.

Another point is the cloud benefits associated with this technology: Companies benefit from high availability, automatic scaling as the number of users grows and reduced expenditure on internal IT infrastructure. The cloud benefits also include improved reliability, backup strategies and lower running costs due to the elimination of local server landscapes.

If you would like to introduce a modern web application for your company, we will be happy to support you in programming a tailor-made web application - individually adapted to your processes. Whether it's a customer portal, internal tools or interface applications: We can advise you on which technology and which cloud-based solution is best suited to your requirements. Thanks to our experience, we know how to program a web application so that it remains maintainable, secure and future-proof in the long term.

What is a “client application” or desktop application?

In contrast to a web application, a client application is installed locally on the end device - usually a PC or laptop. These so-called desktop applications run directly on the user's operating system and are therefore particularly powerful and closely linked to the hardware. They are often used in specialized business areas where maximum performance, offline functionality or deep system integration is required.

A typical desktop application either works independently or communicates with a central server - usually via the company network. These are usually classic on-premise architectures in which both the software and the data storage take place within the company's IT infrastructure.

Advantages:

• Existing legacy systems, which have grown in many companies over the years, are usually based on precisely this architecture. They are often highly customized and deeply integrated into company processes.
• Desktop applications enable a particularly high computing speed through local processing - without dependence on the Internet connection.
• With targeted software modernization, older systems can also be made future-proof without losing proven processes.

Even though modern IT strategies are increasingly moving towards web applications and the cloud, there are numerous use cases in which on-premise solutions continue to offer clear advantages. Especially where sensitive data is processed or special hardware is connected, desktop applications remain the preferred solution.

In many companies today, legacy systems are at the center of daily work. These systems cannot be easily replaced by a web application, as they often work with specific extensions, add-ins or proprietary interfaces. A completely new development would be costly and risky. Instead, software modernization is recommended, in which legacy systems are specifically analysed, optimized and supplemented with modern components - for example through hybrid architectures in which a web application is used to supplement the existing on-premise system.

As software developers, we support companies in making existing legacy systems usable in the long term and integrating new functions, interfaces or operating concepts through intelligent software modernization - without jeopardizing the stability of ongoing operations.