The Top 10 Python GUI Frameworks — detailed comparison
The world of programming has an array of languages, each with its strengths and specializations. Python, a versatile and widely-used language, particularly shines when it comes to developing Graphical User Interfaces (GUI). A GUI is an interactive platform that users engage with when using an application or a website. It’s made up of visual elements that provide information and enables users to interact through various actions.
Python offers numerous libraries for GUI development, each with its unique features and functionalities. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the top 10 Python GUI libraries and their key characteristics.
1. PyQt5
PyQt5 is a standout GUI framework in the Python ecosystem. Born from Riverbank Computing, PyQt5 is built around the Qt framework, a universally acclaimed cross-platform tool for creating diverse applications.
Key Features of PyQt5
PyQt5 is a cross-platform tool, enabling the creation of applications for multiple operating systems. It boasts QtGUI and QtDesigner modules, offering a variety of visual elements that developers can utilize effortlessly.
- Coding Versatility: PyQt5 offers flexibility in coding, catering to both small-scale and large-scale applications.
- UI Components: It provides an extensive array of UI components, enhancing the user experience.
- Resource Availability: A wealth of learning resources is available for PyQt5, making it easier for beginners to get started.
- APIs: PyQt5 offers a broad assortment of native platform APIs for networking, database management, etc.
2. Tkinter
Tkinter is another highly regarded Python library for GUI. Known for its simplicity, Tkinter comes pre-installed with Python, making it an ideal choice for beginners and intermediates.
Key Features of Tkinter
Tkinter’s visual elements, known as widgets, offer different levels of customization. It provides a wide range of commonly used components, such as buttons, labels, and file dialogs.
- Ease of Use: Tkinter is user-friendly and quick to implement, perfect for beginners.
- Flexibility and Stability: Tkinter is flexible and stable, making it a reliable choice for GUI development.
- Inclusion in Python: Being pre-installed with Python, Tkinter saves developers the hassle of additional installations.
- Simple Syntax: Tkinter has a straightforward syntax, making coding easier.
3. Kivy
Kivy, an OpenGL ES 2 accelerated framework, is designed for creating innovative user interfaces. It supports various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Key Features of Kivy
Kivy is written with Python and Cython, facilitating the development of intuitive user interfaces with multi-touch applications.
- Python-Based: Being based on Python, Kivy is easy to use and understand.
- Cross-Device Compatibility: Kivy’s code can be used across all devices, providing a seamless user experience.
- Multitouch Support: It provides easy-to-use widgets with multi-touch support, enhancing user interaction.
- Deployment: Kivy allows deployment to multiple platforms, offering flexibility to developers.
4. wxPython
wxPython is another Python library for GUI. It allows Python developers to create native user interfaces with no additional overhead. Like the other libraries, wxPython works on various platforms, including Mac OS, Windows, Linux, and Unix-based systems.
Key Features of wxPython
wxPython boasts a large library of widgets, its biggest selling point. It provides a native look-and-feel across all platforms without the need for significant customization.
- Widget Library: wxPython offers a large library of widgets, providing a variety of options for developers.
- Native Look-and-Feel: It provides a native look-and-feel across all platforms, enhancing user experience.
- Flexibility: wxPython is highly flexible, catering to different coding styles.
- Community Support: It has a supportive user community, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and problem-solving.
5. PySimpleGUI
PySimpleGUI is a Python GUI framework designed to make GUI development more accessible to Python beginners. It simplifies complex processes, enabling beginners to start developing right away.
Key Features of PySimpleGUI
PySimpleGUI uses four other GUI frameworks: Qt, Tkinter, wxPython, and Remi. This provides beginners with easy access to the visual elements of their favorite GUI framework.
- Beginner-Friendly: PySimpleGUI’s simplicity makes it an excellent choice for beginners in GUI development.
- Supports Various Frameworks: It supports Qt, Tkinter, wxPython, and Remi, enabling a wide range of UI creations.
- Ease of Use: PySimpleGUI allows users to create intuitive user interfaces with ease.
6. Libavg
Libavg is a Python GUI framework that is considered one of the best for developing user interfaces for modern touch-based devices. It is written in C++, facilitating fast execution times.
Key Features of Libavg
Libavg offers a wide range of features, like camera support, animation support, text alignment, GPU effects, among others. Its advanced screen layout engine supports various visual element techniques.
- Python as Scripting Language: Libavg uses Python as its scripting language, making it easier to understand and use.
- Feature-Rich: Libavg offers a broad range of features, providing a comprehensive toolkit for developers.
- Advanced Screen Layout Engine: It offers an advanced screen layout engine, enabling the creation of visually appealing interfaces.
7. PyForms
PyForms is a GUI framework that is the Python implementation of Windows Forms. It enables developers to create highly interactive interfaces for Windows GUI mode, Web mode, and Terminal mode.
Key Features of PyForms
PyForms is an open-source and cross-platform library. It simplifies the process of creating applications for multiple platforms without significant changes to the code.
- Interactive Interfaces: PyForms allows the creation of highly interactive interfaces for various modes.
- Cross-Platform: It is a cross-platform tool, offering flexibility to developers.
- Minimal Code Changes: It doesn’t require significant changes to the code, making it easier for developers to create applications for multiple platforms.
8. PySide2
PySide2, or QT for Python, offers the official Python bindings for Qt. It allows the use of its APIs in Python applications, and its binding generator tool can expose C++ projects in Python.
Key Features of PySide2
PySide2 is a cross-platform tool with extensive community support and documentation. It supports Python 3 and Python 2.7 and is used by big companies like Mercedes.
- Cross-Platform: PySide2 is a cross-platform tool, offering flexibility to developers.
- Community Support: It offers extensive community support and documentation, making it easier for developers to get started.
- Python Support: PySide2 supports Python 3 and Python 2.7, catering to a wide range of developers.
9. Wax
Wax is a wrapper for wxPython, offering the same functionality as wxPython but is easier to use. It supports the development of cross-platform applications.
Key Features of Wax
Wax simplifies the process of accessing Python elements and objects for building GUIs. Its underlying platform, wxWindows, is highly efficient, making Wax a high-performance tool.
- Open-Source and Cross-Platform: Wax is an open-source and cross-platform tool, offering flexibility to developers.
- Easy to Use: It is user-friendly, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
- Same Functionality as wxPython: Wax offers the same functionality as wxPython, providing a comprehensive toolkit for developers.
10. PyGUI
PyGUI is a simple API that allows developers to create user interfaces with native elements for Python applications. It is a lightweight framework, requiring minimal code between the app and the target platform.
Key Features of PyGUI
PyGUI supports the creation of applications across different systems, such as Windows machines, MacOS devices, and Unix-based systems. All its documentation is written in Python, making it easier for developers to get started.
- Documentation in Python: All PyGUI’s documentation is written in Python, making it easier to understand.
- Python Support: It is available in Python 2 and 3, catering to a wide range of developers.
- Supports Python Extensions: PyGUI supports Python extensions like OpenGL and GTK, offering a comprehensive toolkit for developers.
Conclusion
Choosing the best Python GUI framework largely depends on the developer’s needs and the project requirements. Beginners might find PySimpleGUI or Tkinter easier to start with, while more design-focused coders might prefer PyQt5, Tkinter or PySide 2. Kivy and Libavg are excellent choices for touch screen UIs, while Pyforms is a good choice for form-driven UIs. For Python 2 support, PyGUI, PySide 2 and wxPython are good options.
Regardless of the framework you choose, Python offers an extensive array of GUI frameworks that can cater to all your development needs. It’s all about finding the framework that best aligns with your project requirements and coding style.
