Rust Desktop Frameworks
Desktop application development with Rust combines memory safety and performance, rapidly gaining attention in next-generation systems programming.
Key Features
1. Memory Safety
The ownership system guarantees memory safety at compile time. Development is freed from segmentation faults and memory leaks.
2. Zero-Cost Abstractions
Achieves performance comparable to C++ even when using high-level abstractions. Maximizes system resource utilization.
3. Modern Type System
Algebraic data types, pattern matching, and trait system enable writing safe and expressive code.
Use Cases
- System Tools: File system tools, network monitors, and performance analysis tools
- Security Tools: Password managers, encryption tools, and VPN clients
- Developer Tools: Code editors, build tools, and package managers
- Games & Graphics: Game engine tools, 3D viewers, and image processing applications
Technology Trends (2025)
- Tauri Mainstream: Becoming the standard for lightweight and secure desktop app development as an Electron killer
- Immediate GUI (egui) Adoption: Rapidly increasing adoption in game and tool development
- Functional UI (Iced): Growing support for predictable state management through Elm architecture
- Embedded Support (Slint): Unified development from IoT devices to desktop
Rust desktop frameworks lead new-generation application development where safety and performance are paramount.
GitHub Star Comparison
| No | Name | GitHub Stars | Description | Trend | License | Official Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tauri | ⭐ 94.6k | Next-generation desktop framework combining Rust backend with web frontend. Significantly lighter than Electron (2.5-3MB) with enhanced security. Enables integration with any frontend framework. | One of the most notable fields in Rust ecosystem in 2025. Rapid expansion of adoption by security and performance-focused enterprises, achieving 83,000+ GitHub Stars. V2 stable release has led to full-scale enterprise adoption. | MIT | Official |
| 2 | Iced | ⭐ 27.1k | Cross-platform GUI library inspired by Elm architecture. Based on type safety and functional programming principles, achieving predictable state management. Supports beautiful animations and custom widgets. | Gaining attention among Rust developers prioritizing functional programming in 2025. Predictable state management through Elm architecture is valued, increasing adoption for complex UI application development. Particularly selected for financial and scientific computing apps. | MIT | Official |
| 3 | egui | ⭐ 25.8k | Immediate GUI library written in Rust. Features declarative API and reactive UI updates, optimal for games, tools, and prototyping. WebAssembly support enables browser operation. | Rapidly gaining popularity in Rust game development and prototyping tool fields in 2025. Increasing adoption especially for game engine editor UI and development tools. Easy cross-platform deployment through WebAssembly support, popular among indie developers. | MIT | Official |
| 4 | Slint | ⭐ 20.0k | Multi-platform native GUI toolkit. Provides declarative UI markup language and efficient rendering engine. Covers wide range from embedded systems to desktop apps with commercial support available. | Increasing adoption for projects targeting both embedded systems and desktop applications in 2025. Usage expanding especially in automotive, IoT, and industrial equipment fields. Commercial support availability improves selection rate for enterprise projects. | GPL/Commercial | Official |