Earlier this year, OpenAI made headlines by launching its ChatGPT application for macOS, providing Mac users with seamless access to AI-powered interactions. However, the long wait for a Windows version has finally come to an end, as OpenAI has now introduced the ChatGPT app for Windows 11 and Windows 10. But, while the release is exciting for Windows users, there are a few significant points to discuss.

In this article, we’ll explore the app's features, development choices, resource consumption, performance, and more. We’ll also compare it with Microsoft’s Copilot and dig deeper into why OpenAI’s strategic decisions regarding this release have sparked discussions across the tech world.

Why OpenAI Opted for Electron Instead of WebView2

One of the biggest surprises for the developer community is OpenAI’s decision to use the Electron framework rather than Microsoft’s WebView2 for its Windows app. Microsoft recommends WebView2 for building efficient web-based apps, particularly because it is lightweight and resource-efficient.

On the other hand, Electron, though powerful, is notorious for consuming more system resources. Electron essentially wraps web apps in a desktop application using the Chromium engine, which makes the app resource-heavy compared to alternatives. OpenAI’s ChatGPT app for Windows has a size of 260 MB, whereas Microsoft’s Copilot app, built using WebView2, is less than 600 KB in size.

The Decision to Stick With Electron: Why?

This decision has raised many eyebrows, given OpenAI's close partnership with Microsoft. With Microsoft investing billions into OpenAI, it seems counterintuitive that OpenAI would opt for a heavier framework like Electron. Many believe that OpenAI could have developed a more efficient native app for Windows, or at the very least, followed Microsoft's guidelines by utilizing WebView2. This choice leads to higher resource usage, which may impact user experience on devices with limited hardware capacity.

Comparing Electron and WebView2 for App Efficiency

Let’s break down the two frameworks to better understand why this choice has become a focal point in discussions:

  • Electron Framework: Built on Node.js and Chromium, Electron enables developers to create cross-platform applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. However, the major downside is that each app ships with its own instance of Chromium, making it considerably larger and more resource-intensive.
  • WebView2 Framework: WebView2, backed by Microsoft Edge, is designed to be lightweight and integrates better with the Windows OS. It allows apps to use Windows’ existing rendering engine, making them more efficient in terms of resource consumption and app size.

In this case, choosing Electron resulted in the ChatGPT app being over 400 times larger than Microsoft Copilot, which is built on WebView2. The performance impact is not just limited to storage space but also RAM usage, which can be significantly higher in Electron-based apps.

Microsoft’s Investment and OpenAI’s Strategic Decisions

It’s worth noting the somewhat ironic element here: Microsoft has made a multi-billion-dollar investment in OpenAI, and the expectation was that OpenAI would create a native Windows app or at least leverage WebView2 for its ChatGPT app. However, OpenAI chose to build a web wrapper instead of a native solution.

Considering Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI, the tech community has voiced opinions on whether this decision was a missed opportunity. Many had hoped for a deeper integration into the Windows ecosystem, especially with the growing popularity of AI tools in professional and personal workflows.

What Could Have Been: A Native ChatGPT App for Windows

A native Windows app would have been a game-changer, offering:

  • Better performance by utilizing the native capabilities of the Windows OS.
  • Faster load times since the app wouldn’t need to wrap a web interface.
  • Lower resource consumption, especially in terms of memory usage.
  • Improved user experience, particularly on lower-end devices.

Even if a native app wasn’t in the cards, using WebView2 could have provided a middle ground, offering the flexibility of a web-based app while keeping resource usage low.

Screenshot of ChatGPT in windows

The Size Difference Between ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot

Another interesting comparison comes from the app sizes of ChatGPT for Windows and Microsoft’s Copilot. While the ChatGPT app weighs in at 260 MB, Copilot, which was built with WebView2, comes in at a mere 600 KB.

Why the drastic difference in size?

  • Electron-based apps like ChatGPT bundle a complete Chromium engine, which significantly increases the app's size.
  • In contrast, WebView2 apps utilize the system's Edge browser engine, meaning they don’t need to carry their own rendering engine. This is a big win for efficiency and resource management.

The resource overhead in Electron apps means that users on devices with limited storage or older hardware could experience slower performance or even system slowdowns when running the ChatGPT app.

Key Features of ChatGPT for Windows

Despite the controversy over resource usage, the ChatGPT app for Windows does bring some notable features to the table. Here are some of the highlights:

Picture-in-Picture Mode

One of the most exciting features of ChatGPT for Windows is the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, which allows users to run the app in a small, floating window. This can be particularly useful for multitasking, as you can keep ChatGPT open in the corner of your screen while working on other tasks.

Alt+Space for Quick Access

For users who rely on keyboard shortcuts, the ability to quickly access the app using the Alt+Space keys is a nice touch. This gives you instant access to the ChatGPT interface without needing to navigate through menus or open additional windows.

Early Development Stages

However, it's important to remember that the ChatGPT app is still in its early stages of development, so the overall performance might not be as smooth as expected. OpenAI has stated that they are working on refining the app, and updates should improve both performance and user experience over time.

Early Performance of ChatGPT’s Windows App: What to Expect

The performance of ChatGPT for Windows has been a hot topic since its launch. Many users have reported that the app feels sluggish, and its high RAM usage has been a point of concern. This can be attributed to its Electron foundation, as discussed earlier. Electron apps tend to be resource-heavy, particularly when compared to WebView2 or native apps.

While it is clear that OpenAI is working on optimizing the app, it’s worth noting that users with limited system resources (older processors or limited RAM) may experience performance issues when using the ChatGPT Windows app.

Should You Wait for Further Optimizations?

If you're a Plus, Team, or Enterprise user, you might be excited to try out the ChatGPT app on Windows. However, if you’re concerned about performance, it might be worth waiting for further updates before making it your go-to tool. OpenAI is likely to roll out performance improvements and fixes that will address some of the current issues.

Availability: Who Can Access ChatGPT for Windows?

As of now, the ChatGPT app for Windows 10 and Windows 11 is only available to a select group of users. If you are a Plus, Team, or Enterprise user, you can download and access the app. However, if you're using the free version of ChatGPT, you'll have to wait for wider availability, which could take some time as OpenAI continues to refine the app's features and performance.

To download the app, follow this link.

Conclusion: The Future of ChatGPT on Windows

The launch of ChatGPT for Windows marks an exciting milestone, but it also leaves room for improvement. While the app's features, like Picture-in-Picture mode and quick access via Alt+Space, are useful, the performance issues due to its Electron foundation are something users should be aware of. OpenAI has a lot of potential to refine the app in future updates, and we can expect that performance enhancements will be rolled out as the app matures.

In the meantime, users who need a more efficient experience might find web-based access to ChatGPT or waiting for further optimizations in the desktop app a better option. As OpenAI continues to iterate on the Windows app, we’ll likely see improvements in performance, making it a more viable tool for AI-powered conversations.