With Python dominating the programming landscape, businesses have increased their focus on leveraging its powerful libraries and frameworks as well. And when it’s about Graphical User Interface (GUI) Development in Python, there are limitless options to consider. GUI frameworks and libraries consist of pre-written code and tools providing the basic functionality and components for building GUI. 

In this article, we’ll present the list of Top 5 Python GUI Libraries, their pros and cons, and see how they are playing a crucial role in today’s technology-driven processes. 

Python GUI Development Options 

Before we discuss in brief the top 5 Python GUI libraries, let’s briefly understand why Python has become the top choice for GUI development. Python consists of a plethora of Python UI Libraries and frameworks that make development quick and more effective. The language’s simplicity and readability let developers focus on the user interface’s design instead of using those complex syntax and structures.    

Things to Consider While Selecting a Python Graphical User Interface 

Key considerations before choosing a Python Graphical User Interface include: 

OS-specific: In case the applications are native to a specific operating system only, rather than multiple platforms, make sure that the library you choose supports that OS. On the other hand, in case you plan to release your application to multiple platforms, make sure the library supports all targeted OSs. 

Support for various versions: While choosing a GUI framework, make sure it is compatible with the version of Python that you use. 

Extension support: If you are using multiple extensions for your application, then check whether the GUI library supports those extensions or not. 

Support: The framework you’ve selected must have a thriving community of Python developers and in case not, then you should look at some other GUI.  

Why Choosing the Right GUI Library for Python Is Important? 

Despite the availability of numerous Python GUI libraries, you can’t randomly choose any of the Python GUI framework. Some frameworks can be used with specific operating systems while other Python GUI frameworks can be used in combination with other GUI frameworks. Moreover, a Python GUI library is deployed for creating some specific kinds of GUIs only. 

Due to all these reasons, it’s crucial to select the right framework for your Python GUI project. 

Top 5 Best Python GUI Libraries 

Have a look at the best Python GUI libraries: 

PyQt5 

Designed by Riverbank Computing, PyQt5 is one of the most famous Python GUI Library. The PyQt package is built around the Qt framework, a cross-platform framework used to create different applications on different platforms. PyQt5 being a fully cross-platform is used by the developers for building applications on platforms such as Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. It features QtGUI and QtDesigner modules that provide visual elements letting developers deploy the same using dragging and dropping. This Python library is also useful for developing small-scale and large-scale applications easily. 

Pros 

• PyQt5 consists of a variety of features and tools, making it more versatile. 
• PyQt consists of widgets, layouts, and more, letting developers build complex applications. 
• For complex applications, PyQt5 is an ideal choice as a Python GUI Library. For applications requiring advanced features such as 2D/3D graphics, networking, or XML parsing, PyQt is an ideal option. 

Cons 

• Due to commercial license, PyQt5 becomes expensive. 

Tkinter 

Another popular Python GUI library is Tkinter, which is an open-source Python Graphic User Interface library. This library is quite popular among the developers for its simplicity and is already pre-installed in Python, thereby eliminating the additional work. All these features make Tkinter an ideal choice for beginners and intermediates. Moreover, Tkinter provides different levels of customizability and offers a wide range of commonly used elements used by the developers including Frame, Buttons, Checkbuttons, etc. 

Pros 

• It comes with zero downloads requirement, making it an ideal choice for developers. 
• Tkinter is straightforward and one can easily deploy windows, dialogs, buttons, and other GUI elements. 
• Since it is one of the oldest Python GUI frameworks, one can easily explore tutorials and examples to start. 

Cons 

• In case you have more visually demanding applications, then Tkinter is not recommended as it has a limited selection of widgets. 
• The overall appearance of Tkinter apps is minimal in comparison to the ones created with other Python GUI libraries. 

Kivy 

Kivy is an OpenGL ES 2 accelerated framework Library used to create new user interfaces. Python GUI library is compatible with a variety of platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. It consists of more than 20 widgets in its toolkit. This framework was written using a combination of Python and Cython, and it is useful in building some of the most intuitive user interfaces with multi-touch applications. By using Kivy the developers can use the same code across all devices and deploy the same on multiple platforms. 

Pros 

• Being an open-source framework, Kivy is more flexible and features customization and modification. 
• Kivy lets you customize various aspects of an application. 
• It is ideal for multi-touch applications. In case the project demands multi-touch, gestures, or other modern touch features, Kivy is an ideal option. 

Cons 

• While extremely powerful, Kivy’s extensive features are difficult to learn and deploy. 

wxPython 

Another Python GUI library is wxPython which allows Python developers to create native user interfaces without spending additional expenses on the application. Similar to other libraries and frameworks, wxPython is also compatible with a variety of platforms such as Mac OS, Windows, Linux, and Unix-based systems. The key USP of wxPython is the inclusion of several widgets and does not require any alterations. 

Pros 

• One of wxPython’s key USOs is that the apps created look native to the platform they’re running on, ensuring a consistent user experience. 
• wxPython consists of a comprehensive set of tools and widgets used for creating robust applications. 

Cons 

• While wxPython is quite powerful, it is difficult for newcomers to learn due to less extensive documentation as compared to other frameworks. 

PySimpleGUI 

PySimpleGUI which was introduced in 2018 is liked by Python beginners looking for GUI development. Unlike other GUI frameworks that are more complicated, PySimpleGUI is easy and enables developers to start without worrying about the advanced intricacies of other libraries.  This framework is dependent on other GUI frameworks as well including Qt, Tkinter, wxPython, and Remi. Beginners learning can choose this GUI framework and get wide access to the visual elements. 

Pros 

• It is an open-source framework. 
• It has a very shallow learning curve.  
• One can check numerous documentation and tutorials to understand this framework. 

Cros 

•         It only supports Python 3 and requires installation via pip.

Conclusion 

Selecting the right Python GUI Library or Framework among the available Python GUI Frameworks is important for the success of your project. Python GUI development tools are not just about the overall appearance, it’s about functionality, efficiency, and innovation. 

So, do you want to make your projects successful with a powerful Python GUI library? Connect with the Python experts at Kodehash Technologies who will help you choose the right Python GUI Library based on your project requirements. While using any of these frameworks, our developers follow Python best practices, to avoid problems related to the creation, deployment, or maintenance of your apps. 

Get started today and unleash the full potential of your software development journey. 

This article is updated on 11 May 2024.