Browser-based application or stand-alone GUI app?

Question

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I can't find it.

What are the benefits/limitations of using a browser-based interface for a stand-alone application vs. using a normal GUI framework?

I'm working on a Python program currently implement with wxPython for the GUI. The application is simply user-entry forms and dialogs. I am considering moving to PyQt because of the widgets it has (for future expansion), then I realized I could probably just use a browser to do much of the same stuff.

The application currently doesn't require Internet access, though it's a possibility in the future. I was thinking of using Karrigell for the web framework if I go browser-based.

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Edit For clarification, as of right now the application would be browser-based, not web-based. All the information would be stored locally on the client computer; no server calls would need to be made and no Internet access required (it may come later though). It would simply be a browser GUI instead of a wxPython/PyQt GUI. Hope that makes sense.

Answer 1

Let's pretend for a moment that the development/deployment/maintenance effort/cost is equal and we look at it from the application user's perspective:

Which UI is the user going to find more useful?

in terms of

• Ease of use
• Responsiveness
• Familiar navigation/usage patterns
• Most like other tools/applications in use on the platform (ie, native)

I understand that "useful" is subjective. I personally would never use (as a user, not developer) a web interface again if I could get away with it. I hate them.

There are some applications that just don't make sense to develop as browser based apps.

From a development perspective

• No two browsers available today render exactly the same.
• Even with Ajax, javascript and dynamic, responsive interfaces are non-trivial to implement/debug.

There are many, many standalone GUI applications that are just terrible, no argument. Development/deployment and maintenance for a multi-platform GUI is non-trivial.

Developing good user-interfaces is hard, period.

The reality is that I've made my living over the last 10 years developing mostly web based applications, because they're faster to develop, easier to deploy and provide enough utility that people will use them if they have to.

I don't believe that most users would use a web interface if given an alternative.

IMNSHO