Advantages of Desktop Apps
A desktop app takes you to the website faster, and you can conveniently add its shortcut to the Taskbar, Start menu, or desktop. Websites within an app container also take up the entire window frame or, optionally, the entire screen without having any distracting elements like a browser toolbar or address bar.
1. Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge offers the fastest way to transform websites into apps, as it comes preinstalled with Windows. When you install a website as an app, Edge will separate the website from the browser, create its own icon and instance on the Taskbar, and remove the toolbar so that the website looks more like an app. In addition, Edge will still power the entire app so that you can use any enabled extensions and auto-fill forms with any data you saved. Pros
Quick and easy to set upWorks with any websiteConvenient app menu for launching any converted appsHas access to a sidebar, allowing you to perform Web searchesAutomatic updates
Cons
Consumes more memoryLimited to a single sessionNo syncing support
2. Google Chrome
If you do not want Microsoft Edge to power your apps, you can try Google Chrome instead, as the steps to converting are similar. Tip: this is also the easiest way to create a Gmail desktop app. Pros
Quick and easy to set upSupports Chrome extensions and auto-fill for formsWorks with any websiteApps sync across desktop Chrome installations through your Google accountCleaner dedicated apps page with larger icons
Cons
Consumes more memoryLimited to a single session
3. WebCatalog
WebCatalog is a third-party app containing a library of popular websites that you can install as desktop apps. Unlike Microsoft Edge, every app is self-contained in its own browser engine called Photon. Photon runs on the Chromium-based framework, Electron, which isolates the WebCatalog apps from each other and other browsers while maintaining good compatibility with most websites. This makes WebCatalog more secure, as any potential compromises on your default browser won’t affect any of the WebCatalog apps since each of the apps has its own cookies, cache and unique sessions. WebCatalog also gives you the option of creating multiple sessions of a website without requiring you to switch browser profiles. Pros
Built-in catalog lets you discover new websites and servicesIsolated sessionsNo Chrome or Edge trackingCustomizable interfaceAutomatic updatesBuilt-in ad and tracker blocker in the full version
Cons
Consumes more disk space than Edge or Chrome appsFree version limited to 10 apps and two sessions per app
4. With Nativefier
Like WebCatalog, Nativefier relies on Electron to place websites in isolated containers for better security. However, Nativefier doesn’t offer any graphical user interface or catalog, forcing you to use the command line for converting sites to apps. The lack of bells and whistles makes Nativefier a good choice for computers with low RAM. Since there is no central hub tying the Nativefier-powered apps together, you get full freedom to place these apps and can copy or move them to a portable storage device. Nativefier is also open source, and you can make as many apps as you would like without paying extra. Nativefier requires the most steps to install, but once installed, you can make Nativefier-powered apps in a single step from the command line. Note: do not change any settings in the installer. Note: replace “Website Name” between the quotes with the name of the website you are converting and replace “websitename.com” with the site’s address. Wait for Nativefier to download any required files and build the app. Pros
Creates as many apps and isolated sessions as you would likeNo Chrome or Edge trackingLight on resourcesCompletely portableOpen-source architecture
Cons
No graphical user interfaceApps must be individually updated manuallySome sites like Google services have compatibility issuesConsumes more disk space than Edge or Chrome apps
Image credit: Uxwing. All screenshots by John Ruiz
