Kivy vs PyQt: What are the differences?

Introduction

Kivy and PyQt are both popular frameworks used for creating user interfaces in python. While they serve a similar purpose, there are several key differences between the two.

1. Development Philosophy: Kivy follows a more declarative approach, where the UI is described using a special language called Kv language. This allows for a clear separation between design and functionality. PyQt, on the other hand, follows an imperative approach, where the UI is built using python code. This gives more control and flexibility over the UI design.

2. Supported Platforms: Kivy is designed to be cross-platform and supports a wide range of operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Raspberry Pi. PyQt, on the other hand, is primarily focused on desktop applications and supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

3. Ease of Use: Kivy is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It provides a lot of built-in widgets and functionalities which makes it easier to create UIs. PyQt, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve and requires more code to achieve the same functionality. However, it offers more control and customization options.

4. Integration with Other Libraries: PyQt integrates well with other python libraries and frameworks, allowing for seamless integration of functionality like database access, networking, and plotting. Kivy, on the other hand, is designed to be a self-contained framework and may require more effort to integrate with other libraries.

5. Documentation and Community Support: PyQt has been around for a longer time and has a larger community, resulting in extensive documentation and online resources. Kivy, although growing in popularity, still has a smaller community and relatively fewer resources available.

6. License: Kivy is distributed under the MIT license, which allows for free and open-source use. PyQt, on the other hand, has a more restrictive license and requires a commercial license for certain uses.

In summary, Kivy offers a more declarative approach with cross-platform support and simplicity, while PyQt provides more control and customization options with better integration with other libraries and extensive community support.