If you maintain a sizable Eclipse RCP/SWT application, you’ve probably heard: “Let’s just move to VS Code.”

It sounds attractive—popular, familiar, tons of extensions. But for a mature desktop application, a full rewrite is rarely the fastest, safest, or most cost-effective way to modernize. It burns time and budget, introduces parity gaps, and drains team morale by re-building what already works.

SWT Evolve takes a different path: upgrade the experience of your existing SWT application in place, keeping your code and logic intact while delivering a modern UI and smoother UX across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Below is a practical comparison—kept technical, outcome-oriented, and focused on what matters for Eclipse RCP/SWT teams.

TL;DR — Decision Snapshot

	SWT Evolve (keep SWT application)	VS Code Rewrite (start over)
Code changes	Minimal. Keep 100% of your SWT API usage.	Extensive. Re-architect UI in TypeScript/HTML; move Java logic behind services.
Time to visible results	Days to weeks for a modernized build.	2 Years+ for parity; long tail of features.
Team skills	Reuse existing Java/SWT knowledge. Integrate Web Frameworks when needed.	New stack: TS/Node, VS Code extension patterns, webviews, LSP/DAP glue.
Feature parity risk	Low. Same application logic, same API surface.	High. Re-implement workflows; regressions likely.
UX consistency	Modern look/feel on all OSs with theming.	Different paradigms; desktop behaviors may change.
Performance	GPU-accelerated rendering (targeting smooth 60–120 fps).	Depends on re-implementation quality & webview constraints.
Maintenance	Lower ongoing effort. Enterprise support available.	Higher: two codebases during migration; new infra & test surface.
Morale & focus	Elevate without re-doing.	Rewrite fatigue; refactor churn for months.

Why teams consider a VS Code rewrite (and where it hurts)

Teams gravitate to VS Code because it’s popular with developers and has a thriving extension ecosystem. That’s true—and useful in many scenarios. But for full-featured desktop applications with years of domain logic, a rewrite means:

Translating rich SWT GUI to a different paradigm (webviews/extension host).

Splitting Java logic into services and RPC layers.

Re-building complex workflows and custom widgets.

Re-validating behavior across OSs and hardware.

Running two codebases in parallel for a long time.

Result: schedule risk, feature parity gaps, and a lot of budget spent on re-creating what you already shipped.

What SWT Evolve brings (in practice)

Drop-in modernization for SWT applications: Keep your code; upgrade the experience.

100% API compatibility with SWT: Your widgets, layouts, and eventing stay the same at the API level.

Modern UX, theming & polish: Contemporary visuals without changing how your application is structured.

Consistent desktop behavior: Across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Hardware-accelerated rendering: Designed for smooth interaction (targeting 60–120fps).

Lean footprint: (approx. ~15MB library size) and fast startup.

Cloud-ready and web-deployable: Run your SWT application anywhere, from desktop to browser, with the same codebase.

Enterprise options: Professional support, theme packs, and extras (e.g., Google Fonts support).

Side-by-side: Effort & Risk

	SWT Evolve	VS Code Rewrite
UI layer	Keep SWT APIs; adopt modern rendering under the hood.	Replace UI with webviews/VS Code constructs.
Domain logic	Unchanged (remains Java).	Must be exposed via services; add glue layers.
Testing	Focused regression pass.	Full re-qualification; old + new test surfaces.
Tooling	Keep your Java build & testing toolchain.	New toolchain (Node/TS), packaging, and CI flows.
Rollout	Incremental; modernize modules gradually.	Big-bang or long dual-track migration.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) lens

	SWT Evolve	VS Code Rewrite
Initial engineering	Low	High
Parity & long tail	Low	High
Training & hiring	Low (reuse team skills)	Medium–high (new stack)
Opportunity cost	Low (ship sooner)	High (feature freeze during rewrite)
Maintenance	Lower with Enterprise support	Higher: new stack + legacy support during transition

Developer Experience

	SWT Evolve	VS Code Rewrite
Primary language	Java	TypeScript + Java (services)
Debugging	Java debuggers you already use	Mixed: Node/TS + RCP to Java
UI customization	Theming, styling, modern widgets	Web/CSS inside VS Code paradigms
Learning curve	Minimal for SWT teams	Significant for SWT-first teams

What modernization with SWT Evolve looks like

• 1. Drop-in dependency update: Replace the SWT runtime with SWT Evolve in your build.
• 2. Rebuild & run: Your application launches with a modern renderer and polished default theme.
• 3. Style & theme: Apply a company theme; (Enterprise) add Google Fonts support where needed.
• 4. QA & fine-tune: Validate visuals and interactions; performance is GPU-accelerated by default.
• 5. Ship: Users get a modern experience without a multi-quarter rewrite.

No architectural manifesto. No wholesale re-platform. Just a cleaner, faster UX over the application your business already trusts.

When a rewrite might be the right call

You’ve decided to leave Java entirely and re-build in web tech for strategic reasons.

Your application is small, with minimal domain logic—rewriting is cheap and controlled.

You’re building a new product from scratch and prefer the VS Code extension model.

If that’s not your situation—and you own a mature SWT/RCP product—SWT Evolve is usually the more efficient path.

FAQ (for SWT/RCP teams)

Is this a web migration?

No. SWT Evolve modernizes your desktop application while you keep your Java/SWT stack.

Do I have to modify all my views and widgets?

No. SWT Evolve is API-compatible with SWT. Your code stays.

What about performance?

SWT Evolve uses hardware acceleration and targets smooth interaction (60–120fps). Actual results depend on your application’s complexity and hardware, but the rendering pipeline is designed for responsiveness.

Will it work on Windows, macOS, and Linux?

Yes—SWT Evolve targets consistent desktop behavior across all three.

Can we theme it to our brand?

Yes. Global + granular theming, plus (Enterprise) options like Google Fonts support.

What about maintenance?

The Enterprise edition reduces internal maintenance needs with vendor support and updates.

Conclusion

Rewriting an established SWT/RCP application into VS Code is a huge bet with heavy costs and uncertain parity. SWT Evolve delivers the gains your users notice—modern visuals, smooth performance, consistent behavior—without throwing away your codebase or momentum.

If your mission is to modernize fast, keep your team focused, and protect years of investment, modernize the renderer—not the application.

To learn more about how SWT Evolve can provide a future for your application, visit our GitHub repository or contact us to discuss a modernization prototype.