Qt5 vs wxWidgets: What are the differences?

1. Toolset and Language Compatibility: One key difference between Qt5 and wxWidgets is the toolset and language compatibility. Qt5 is primarily compatible with C++ and provides its own set of tools for developing applications. On the other hand, wxWidgets supports multiple programming languages such as C++, Python, and Perl, allowing developers to choose the language they are most comfortable with.

2. Platform Support: Qt5 and wxWidgets also differ in terms of platform support. Qt5 is known for its extensive cross-platform support and allows developers to build applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, and various embedded systems. In contrast, wxWidgets provides support for a wide range of platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix, and even some mobile platforms such as Android and iOS.

3. GUI Design: Another significant difference lies in the GUI design approach. Qt5 follows a declarative approach to UI design using its own markup language called QML. This allows for more flexibility in designing graphical interfaces and creating visually appealing applications. On the other hand, wxWidgets follows a more traditional procedural approach where GUI components are created programmatically using the wxWidgets API.

4. License: Qt5 and wxWidgets have different licensing models. Qt5 is available under both commercial and open-source licenses, allowing developers to choose between a free open-source version or a commercial license for commercial use. On the other hand, wxWidgets is released under a modified version of the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) which allows for free distribution of applications.

5. Community and Documentation: Qt5 and wxWidgets also differ in terms of community support and documentation. Qt5 has a large and active community with extensive documentation, tutorials, and resources available, making it easier for developers to find support and learn the framework. While wxWidgets also has a supportive community, it may not be as large as Qt's community, resulting in a relatively smaller pool of resources and support available.

6. Ecosystem and Third-Party Libraries: Lastly, the ecosystems surrounding Qt5 and wxWidgets differ in terms of available third-party libraries and tools. Qt has a well-established ecosystem with a wide range of libraries, tools, and plugins, offering additional functionality and features to developers. In comparison, while wxWidgets also has a decent collection of third-party libraries, it may not be as extensive as Qt's ecosystem.

In Summary, Qt5 and wxWidgets differ in terms of toolset and language compatibility, platform support, GUI design approach, licensing, community support, and ecosystem of third-party libraries.