Discord is ditching Electron and its new app uses less RAM

Discord's desktop app now uses substantially less RAM, a change that directly improves performance for users with limited system resources.

Discord is transitioning its desktop application away from the Electron framework to a new build written in Rust. This move aims to significantly reduce the application's memory (RAM) usage. Discord's Chief Technology Officer, Stanislav Vishnevskiy, announced the shift, noting that the company has utilized Rust since 2018 for various components, including infrastructure and voice technology, with the ultimate goal of porting the entire client. The new Rust-based client reportedly uses around 290MB of RAM on Windows, a substantial reduction from the current Electron version which can consume 1GB or more, especially with multiple servers active. While the exact timeline for the full rollout is unconfirmed, Discord intends to begin user testing shortly. The company also indicated that React Native will be phased out, with mobile apps retaining native UI but sharing application code with the desktop version via Rust.

Discord's decision to abandon Electron for a Rust-based client signals a broader industry trend prioritizing performance and resource efficiency over cross-platform development speed. This move suggests that the overhead associated with Electron, once a popular choice for its rapid development capabilities, is becoming a significant liability for large-scale applications demanding a seamless user experience. The focus on Rust, known for its memory safety and speed, indicates a commitment to long-term maintainability and user satisfaction, potentially setting a new benchmark for desktop application development.

The implications for developers and users are considerable, as this transition could inspire other applications built on Electron to re-evaluate their own architectures. For users, the immediate benefit is a lighter, faster desktop experience, especially on older or less powerful hardware, leading to improved multitasking and overall system responsiveness. The success of Discord's Rust client may also encourage wider adoption of Rust for front-end development, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with high-performance, memory-conscious applications.