Electron Build Tools: Builder vs Forge vs WinInstaller

When shipping Electron applications, selecting the right packaging tool impacts your release workflow, update mechanism, and supported platforms. electron-builder, electron-forge, and electron-winstaller each solve the distribution problem differently. Let's compare how they handle configuration, platform support, and installer generation.

⚙️ Configuration Style

electron-builder stores settings in package.json or a dedicated YAML file.

• Centralizes build rules alongside project metadata.
• Supports complex inheritance and environment-specific overrides.

// electron-builder: package.json
{
  "build": {
    "appId": "com.example.app",
    "win": {
      "target": "nsis"
    }
  }
}

electron-forge uses a JavaScript config file for dynamic logic.

• Allows you to import plugins and modify config at runtime.
• Keeps build logic separate from package metadata.

// electron-forge: forge.config.js
module.exports = {
  packagerConfig: {
    appBundleId: "com.example.app"
  },
  makers: [
    {
      name: "@electron-forge/maker-squirrel",
      config: {}
    }
  ]
};

electron-winstaller requires a standalone script to run.

• You write a Node.js script to invoke the installer creator.
• No central config file; options are passed directly to the API.

// electron-winstaller: create-installer.js
const createInstaller = require('electron-winstaller');

createInstaller({
  appDirectory: "./out",
  outputDirectory: "./installers",
  authors: "Your Name",
  noMsi: true
});

🖥️ Platform Support

electron-builder supports Windows, macOS, and Linux out of the box.

• Build for multiple OS targets in a single run.
• Handles code signing for each platform automatically.

// electron-builder: Multi-platform config
{
  "build": {
    "mac": { "target": "dmg" },
    "win": { "target": "nsis" },
    "linux": { "target": "AppImage" }
  }
}

electron-forge supports all major platforms via plugins.

• You must install specific "maker" plugins for each OS.
• Configuration remains consistent across different targets.

// electron-forge: Multi-platform makers
module.exports = {
  makers: [
    { name: "@electron-forge/maker-zip", platforms: ["darwin"] },
    { name: "@electron-forge/maker-squirrel", platforms: ["win32"] },
    { name: "@electron-forge/maker-deb", platforms: ["linux"] }
  ]
};

electron-winstaller supports Windows only.

• Cannot create macOS or Linux packages.
• Requires separate tools for non-Windows distributions.

// electron-winstaller: Windows only
// No configuration exists for mac or linux
const options = {
  appDirectory: "./out",
  // Only works on win32
};

📦 Installer Types

electron-builder defaults to NSIS for Windows and DMG for Mac.

• NSIS provides standard setup wizards and uninstallers.
• Supports portable executables and MSI via plugins.

// electron-builder: NSIS config
{
  "build": {
    "win": {
      "target": [
        { "target": "nsis", "arch": ["x64"] },
        { "target": "portable" }
      ]
    }
  }
}

electron-forge defaults to Squirrel for Windows and Zip for Mac.

• Squirrel enables automatic updates without user intervention.
• Zip files require manual extraction or additional tooling.

// electron-forge: Squirrel config
module.exports = {
  makers: [
    {
      name: "@electron-forge/maker-squirrel",
      config: {
        name: "example_app",
        setupExe: "Setup.exe"
      }
    }
  ]
};

electron-winstaller creates Squirrel.Windows installers exclusively.

• Generates Setup.exe and update packages.
• Does not support NSIS or modern MSI standards directly.

// electron-winstaller: Squirrel output
const options = {
  appDirectory: "./out",
  outputDirectory: "./installers",
  // Generates Setup.exe using Squirrel
  setupExe: "MyAppSetup.exe"
};

🔄 Auto Updates

electron-builder integrates with electron-updater.

• Publishes update metadata to GitHub or S3.
• Requires manual setup of the update client in your app code.

// electron-builder: Update check
const { autoUpdater } = require("electron-updater");
autoUpdater.checkForUpdatesAndNotify();

electron-forge includes update logic via Squirrel plugin.

• Handles update checks automatically if configured.
• Tightly coupled with the Squirrel installation method.

// electron-forge: Auto update setup
const { autoUpdater } = require("electron-squirrel-startup");
if (autoUpdater) {
  autoUpdater.on("update-downloaded", () => autoUpdater.quitAndInstall());
}

electron-winstaller relies on Squirrel's built-in update logic.

• You must implement the update loop manually in your main process.
• No high-level abstraction provided by the package itself.

// electron-winstaller: Manual update loop
// Developer must write logic to poll update server
// and call Squirrel APIs directly

📊 Summary Table

💡 Final Recommendation

electron-builder is the industry standard for teams needing flexibility.
It handles complex signing requirements and multi-platform builds with minimal friction. Use this for production apps targeting a wide audience across different operating systems.

electron-forge is the best choice for new projects wanting structure.
It reduces setup time and keeps your build process consistent with your development server. Use this if you value convention and want a unified CLI for all tasks.

electron-winstaller is a legacy utility for specific Windows needs.
It lacks the features required for modern cross-platform development. Avoid this for new projects unless you are maintaining an older application that depends on Squirrel.Windows specifically.