electron-builder vs electron-vite
Electron Packaging and Build Tools Comparison
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What's Electron Packaging and Build Tools?

electron-builder and electron-vite are tools designed to streamline the process of building and packaging Electron applications, but they serve different purposes and workflows. electron-builder is a comprehensive solution focused on automating the entire packaging process, creating installers, and supporting multiple platforms with minimal configuration. It is ideal for developers who want a robust, feature-rich tool that handles everything from code signing to auto-updates. On the other hand, electron-vite is a modern build tool that leverages Vite's fast bundling capabilities for Electron applications. It is particularly suited for projects that prioritize development speed and modern JavaScript features, offering a more streamlined and efficient workflow for building Electron apps with Vite.

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electron-builder484,06613,87276 kB3645 months agoMIT
electron-vite53,0323,938177 kB5416 days agoMIT
Feature Comparison: electron-builder vs electron-vite

Packaging and Distribution

  • electron-builder:

    electron-builder excels in packaging and distributing Electron applications. It automates the creation of platform-specific installers (e.g., .exe, .dmg, .deb) and supports code signing, auto-updates, and more. It requires minimal configuration and handles complex tasks like generating application icons and managing dependencies.

  • electron-vite:

    electron-vite focuses on the build process rather than packaging. While it does not provide built-in packaging features, it integrates well with tools like electron-builder or electron-packager for the final packaging stage. Its primary strength lies in leveraging Vite for fast and efficient bundling during development.

Build Speed

  • electron-builder:

    electron-builder is optimized for packaging applications, but the build speed can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the number of assets being processed. It is not as fast as Vite for development builds, but it provides a thorough and reliable packaging process.

  • electron-vite:

    electron-vite offers significantly faster build times during development, thanks to Vite's use of native ES modules and efficient hot module replacement (HMR). This makes it an excellent choice for developers who prioritize speed and efficiency in their build process.

Configuration Complexity

  • electron-builder:

    electron-builder requires some configuration, especially for advanced features like code signing, auto-updates, and multi-platform builds. However, it is generally straightforward and well-documented, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.

  • electron-vite:

    electron-vite is designed to be simple and intuitive, with minimal configuration required to get started. Its integration with Vite means that developers can leverage familiar tools and workflows, reducing the learning curve.

Integration with Modern Tools

  • electron-builder:

    electron-builder integrates well with various CI/CD pipelines and supports modern development workflows. However, it is more focused on the packaging and distribution side of things rather than the build process itself.

  • electron-vite:

    electron-vite is built with modern development practices in mind, leveraging Vite's ecosystem and plugins. It is particularly well-suited for projects that use modern JavaScript frameworks and tools, making it a great choice for developers who want to stay current with industry trends.

Code Example

  • electron-builder:

    electron-builder Example Configuration:

    {
  "name": "my-app",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "main": "main.js",
  "build": {
    "appId": "com.example.myapp",
    "mac": {
      "category": "public.app-category.utilities"
    },
    "win": {
      "target": "nsis"
    },
    "linux": {
      "target": "AppImage"
    }
  }
}
  • electron-vite:

    electron-vite Example Configuration:

    {
  "vite": {
    "build": {
      "outDir": "dist",
      "rollupOptions": {
        "input": {
          "main": "src/main.js",
          "preload": "src/preload.js",
          "renderer": "src/renderer/index.html"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
How to Choose: electron-builder vs electron-vite
  • electron-builder:

    Choose electron-builder if you need a complete solution for packaging and distributing your Electron app with minimal configuration. It supports multiple platforms, automatic code signing, and provides a wide range of features for creating installers and managing updates.

  • electron-vite:

    Choose electron-vite if you are looking for a fast and modern build tool that integrates seamlessly with Vite. It is ideal for developers who want to take advantage of Vite's speed and features while building Electron applications, especially during the development phase.

Similar Npm Packages to electron-builder

electron-builder is a powerful and easy-to-use packaging and build tool for Electron applications. It simplifies the process of creating distributable packages for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. With features like auto-update support, code signing, and a wide range of configuration options, electron-builder is a popular choice among developers looking to streamline their Electron app deployment process.

While electron-builder is a robust solution, there are alternatives available that cater to different needs:

  • electron-packager is another widely used tool for packaging Electron applications. It focuses on simplicity and flexibility, allowing developers to create platform-specific builds with minimal configuration. Unlike electron-builder, which provides a more comprehensive set of features, electron-packager is lightweight and straightforward, making it a good choice for developers who prefer a more hands-on approach to packaging their applications.
  • pkg is a tool that allows developers to package Node.js projects into executable binaries. While it is not specifically designed for Electron applications, it can be used to create standalone executables for Node.js scripts. If your project is primarily a Node.js application and you want to distribute it as a single executable file, pkg is a suitable option. However, for full-fledged Electron applications that require a graphical user interface, electron-builder or electron-packager would be more appropriate.

To see how electron-builder compares with electron-packager and pkg, check out the comparison: Comparing electron-builder vs electron-packager vs pkg.

Similar Npm Packages to electron-vite

electron-vite is a modern build tool for Electron applications that leverages Vite's fast development server and optimized build process. It simplifies the development workflow by providing a seamless integration between Electron and Vite, allowing developers to take advantage of Vite's hot module replacement, fast builds, and support for modern JavaScript features. With electron-vite, developers can create high-performance desktop applications with a streamlined setup and improved development experience.

While electron-vite offers a robust solution for building Electron apps, there are alternatives available, such as electron-builder. Electron-builder is a widely-used package that focuses on the packaging and distribution of Electron applications. It provides a comprehensive set of features for building installers for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. With electron-builder, developers can easily configure their build process, manage application assets, and create platform-specific installers with minimal effort.

For developers looking for a solution that combines the development experience of Vite with the packaging capabilities of electron-builder, using both tools in conjunction can be a powerful approach. While electron-vite excels in the development phase, electron-builder ensures that the final application is packaged and distributed effectively.

To see how electron-builder compares with electron-vite, check out the comparison: Comparing electron-builder vs electron-vite.

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