7+ BEST Open-Source UI Toolkits [Ranked]

What are Open-Source UI Toolkits?

An open-source UI toolkit is a collection of pre-written code that helps you create graphical user interface (GUI) components without having to write all the code yourself.

A GUI component is any piece of an interface that a user can interact with, such as buttons, text boxes, menu items, and so on.

There are many different open-source UI toolkits available for different programming languages, so if you’re coding in Java, there’s probably a toolkit out there tailored specifically for you.

The most popular open-source UI toolkits include the Qt toolkit for C++ and the GTK+ toolkit for Linux.

Open-source UI toolkits are forecasted to grow faster than traditional UI services.

What are the benefits of using open-source UI toolkits?

There are several benefits to using open-source UI toolkits:

They can save you a lot of time and effort

With a toolkit, you don’t have to start from scratch every time you want to create a GUI component.

They can improve the quality of your code

Open-source toolkits are typically well-documented and come with plenty of examples, so it’s easy to learn how to use them effectively.

They can help you create more consistent interfaces

By using a toolkit, all of your components will share the same look and feel, which can make your software more professional and polished.

They can make your code more portable

If you use a cross-platform toolkit, your code will be much easier to port to different operating systems.

What are the drawbacks of using open-source UI toolkits?

There are also some potential drawbacks to using open-source UI toolkits:

They can be complex and difficult to learn

Some toolkits are large and feature-rich, which can make them daunting to work with.

They can limit your flexibility

If you’re using a toolkit, you’ll be bound by its limitations and might not be able to create the exact interfaces you want.

They can have licensing restrictions

Some open-source toolkits are released under licenses that impose restrictions on how you can use and distribute them.

They can be buggy and poorly supported

Since open-source toolkits are usually developed by volunteers, they can sometimes be of lower quality than commercial alternatives.

How to choose an open-source UI toolkit

If you’re considering using an open-source UI toolkit for your project, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

What programming language are you using?

Make sure the toolkit you choose supports the language you’re coding in.

What platforms do you need to support?

If you need to create cross-platform interfaces, make sure the toolkit you choose is available for the operating systems you need to support.

What kind of interfaces do you need to create?

Make sure the toolkit you choose has the features you need.

How complex do you want your interfaces to be?

If you need to create very simple interfaces, a small and lightweight toolkit might be all you need.

But if you’re looking to create more sophisticated interfaces, you’ll probably want a more feature-rich toolkit.

Do you need any special features?

If you need specific features, such as support for touch screens or accessibility features, make sure the toolkit you choose supports them.

What is your budget?

If cost is a concern, open-source toolkits are usually a better option than commercial alternatives.

How much time and effort are you willing to invest?

If you’re not willing to put in the time to learn how to use a toolkit effectively, it might not be the right solution for you.

Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you should have a better idea of what kind of open-source UI toolkit is right for your project.

Best Open-Source UI Toolkits

#1 FlutterFire

FlutterFire is a set of plugins that allow Flutter apps to use Firebase services.

These plugins allow Flutter apps to use the Firebase UI toolkit faster.

The service currently offers 14 Flutter plugins. And are Beta testing several other plugins.

FlutterFire has over 6,500 stars on GitHub.

 #2 Qt toolkit

Qt is a cross-platform application framework that helps developers create intuitive and modern user interfaces.

Qt’s drag-and-drop feature makes it easy to create sophisticated UI components without writing any code.

The toolkit comes with a wide range of features, including an integrated development environment (IDE), a visual editor, and a set of libraries for networking, graphics, and multimedia.

Qt is available under both open source and commercial licenses.

Qt has over 18,000 stars on GitHub.

 #3 wxWidgets toolkit

wxWidgets is another open-source, cross-platform UI toolkit.

It provides bindings for C++, Python, Perl, and other languages.

wxWidgets comes with a number of features, including support for multiple platforms, an extensive set of widgets, and a graphics canvas.

wxWidgets is available under the wxWindows license.

wxWidgets has over 8,000 stars on GitHub.

#4 GTK+ toolkit

GTK+ is a cross-platform UI toolkit that’s been around for more than 20 years.

It’s used in a number of open-source projects, including the GNOME desktop environment.

GTK+ comes with a wide range of features, including an integrated development environment (IDE), internationalization support, and a comprehensive set of widgets.

GTK+ is available under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL).

GTK+ has over 7,000 stars on GitHub.

Examples of trending open-source UI toolkits include:

#5 Cefpython

Cefpython provides Python bindings for the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF). The project has over 2,600 stars on GitHub.

 #6 Walk UI

Walk UI is a GUI toolkit specifically for Go. Walk UI is one of the most popular open-source UI projects and has over 6,000 stars on GitHub.

 #7 Nana GUI

Nana GUI is a GUI library for C++. The project has over 2,000 Github stars.

These are just a few of the open-source UI toolkits available. There are many others to choose from, so be sure to do your research before deciding which one is right for your project.

Conclusion

When choosing an open-source UI toolkit, it’s important to consider your needs and the resources you’re willing to invest.

If you need a feature-rich toolkit with a wide range of features, Qt or GTK+ might be a good choice.

If you’re looking for a lightweight solution, FlutterFire or Walk UI might be a better option.

And if you need specific features, such as support for touch screens or accessibility features, make sure the toolkit you choose supports them.

Whichever open-source UI toolkit you choose, be sure to do your research and invest the time to learn how to use it effectively.