An application that runs stand-alone in a desktop or laptop computer. Contrast with "Web-based application," which requires the Web browser to run. The term may be used to contrast desktop applications with mobile applications that run in smartphones and tablets. See desktop computer, Web application and mobile app.
In Windows, a desktop application is one that runs in the traditional Windows desktop in contrast to a tablet application that runs full screen.
The desktop applications are developed to run on a specific operating system such as Windows, Mac or Linux.
Updates to the desktop applications should be installed by the end-users. The updates may be published through the Internet but the installation is usually a manual process done by the end-user.
The desktop applications are designed to run in an isolated environment hence when penetration testing services providers tested the system, they found fewer security issues.
The ability to work without an Internet connection is another common characteristic of desktop applications.