C/C++ GUI builders

🧱 What Is a GUI Builder?

A GUI builder (or RAD tool, “Rapid Application Development”) provides:

• Visual design tools — drag-and-drop interface components (buttons, menus, dialogs)
• Code generation — automatically creates C/C++ source for your GUI layout
• Integration — connects UI events (signals, callbacks) to your application logic

Instead of hand-coding UI layout and event wiring, you design it visually, then edit the generated code or use it as a resource file.

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⚙️ Major GUI Frameworks for C/C++

Before comparing GUI builders, you should know the main frameworks they’re built upon.

Framework	Language	License	Platforms	Typical GUI Builder
Qt	C++	LGPL/commercial	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Qt Designer / Qt Creator
wxWidgets	C++	LGPL (modified)	Windows, macOS, Linux	wxFormBuilder, wxSmith (Code::Blocks), DialogBlocks
GTKmm	C++ (wrapper over GTK)	LGPL	Linux, Windows, macOS	Glade (with gtkmm)
FLTK	C++	LGPL	Cross-platform	FLUID
Dear ImGui	C++	MIT	Cross-platform	None (code-based, immediate mode)
Ultimate++ (U++)	C++	BSD	Windows, Linux, macOS	TheIDE (built-in GUI designer)
Nana C++ Library	C++17	Boost	Windows, Linux	None (programmatic UI)
MFC / WinAPI	C++	Proprietary (MS)	Windows only	Visual Studio Resource Editor

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🧰 GUI Builders Overview and Comparison

1. Qt Designer / Qt Creator

• Framework: Qt (C++)
• Type: Integrated (Qt Creator includes Designer)
• License: LGPL / Commercial

Features

• Drag-and-drop design of widgets, layouts, menus, dialogs
• Generates .ui XML files, loaded at runtime or converted to C++ code via uic
• Signal/slot editor for event handling
• Built-in preview and resource management
• Integrated into Qt Creator IDE

Pros

• Extremely mature, professional, cross-platform
• Supports theming, animations, accessibility, internationalization
• Integrates seamlessly with modern CMake and QML (if needed)

Cons

• Large runtime (Qt libraries)
• Licensing can be complex for commercial apps

Use case: Best for serious cross-platform desktop apps (e.g., OBS, VirtualBox, MuseScore).

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2. wxFormBuilder

• Framework: wxWidgets (C++)
• License: GPL
• Type: Standalone GUI builder

Features

• Drag-and-drop UI designer for wxWidgets
• Generates C++ source or XRC resource files
• Connects to wxWidgets event system
• Supports custom controls and layout managers

Pros

• Simple, fast, free, cross-platform
• Generates clean, readable C++ code

Cons

• Less polished than Qt Designer
• Limited advanced UI elements
• Fewer IDE integrations (though Code::Blocks supports it)

Use case: Lightweight open-source desktop apps with native look and feel.

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3. wxSmith (Code::Blocks IDE)

• Framework: wxWidgets
• Type: Integrated with Code::Blocks

Features

• Built into Code::Blocks IDE
• Drag-and-drop wxWidgets interface design
• Auto-generates event handlers
• Resource management integrated with projects

Pros

• All-in-one environment for wxWidgets dev
• Lightweight and familiar if you use Code::Blocks

Cons

• Not as powerful as Qt Creator
• IDE itself is aging

Use case: Educational use, simple cross-platform GUIs.

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4. Glade

• Framework: GTK / GTKmm (C++)
• License: LGPL
• Type: Standalone GUI builder

Features

• XML-based .glade UI files
• Designed for GTK (C) and GTKmm (C++)
• UI loaded at runtime via GtkBuilder
• Separation of design and logic

Pros

• Mature, open-source, cross-platform
• Used widely in Linux ecosystem (e.g., GNOME apps)

Cons

• Complex signal connection for C++
• UI styling can differ across platforms

Use case: Linux-first applications using GTK or GTKmm.

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5. FLUID (Fast Light User Interface Designer)

• Framework: FLTK (C++)
• License: LGPL
• Type: Standalone tool (comes with FLTK)

Features

• Generates C++ source directly
• Lightweight, simple widget set
• Real-time preview

Pros

• Very small binaries and dependencies
• Cross-platform (X11, Windows, macOS)
• Good for embedded or performance-critical GUIs

Cons

• Minimalist look (not “modern”)
• Limited widgets and layouts

Use case: Lightweight tools, embedded devices, internal utilities.

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6. Ultimate++ (TheIDE)

• Framework: U++ (C++)
• License: BSD
• Type: Integrated in TheIDE

Features

• Drag-and-drop GUI editor integrated with TheIDE
• Uses U++ layout system (layouts and widgets)
• Automatic code generation with encapsulated controls

Pros

• Extremely fast compilation and execution
• Very small distribution size
• Everything integrated (no external dependencies)

Cons

• Non-standard framework, smaller community
• UI looks basic compared to Qt/wxWidgets

Use case: Performance-focused desktop apps with native speed and minimal dependencies.

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7. Microsoft Visual Studio (MFC, Win32, .NET/C++/CLI)

• Framework: MFC (C++) / WinAPI
• License: Proprietary
• Type: Integrated in Visual Studio

Features

• Resource editor for dialogs, menus, toolbars
• Event wizard connects messages to handlers
• Full Windows SDK integration

Pros

• Excellent for native Windows apps
• Mature and well-integrated with MS tools

Cons

• Windows-only
• MFC feels outdated (though still supported)
• No cross-platform capability

Use case: Enterprise or legacy Windows applications.

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🧮 Summary Comparison Table

Builder	Framework	Platforms	License	Visual Editor	Code Output	Cross-Platform
Qt Designer	Qt	Win/mac/Linux	LGPL	Yes	.ui → C++	✅
wxFormBuilder	wxWidgets	Win/mac/Linux	GPL	Yes	C++/XRC	✅
wxSmith	wxWidgets	Win/mac/Linux	GPL	Yes	C++	✅
Glade	GTK/GTKmm	Win/mac/Linux	LGPL	Yes	XML .glade	✅
FLUID	FLTK	Win/mac/Linux	LGPL	Yes	C++	✅
TheIDE	U++	Win/mac/Linux	BSD	Yes	C++	✅
Visual Studio	MFC/Win32	Windows	Proprietary	Yes	C++ Resource	❌

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🧭 Recommendations

Goal	Recommended Tool
Professional cross-platform desktop app	Qt Creator / Qt Designer
Lightweight native look (open source)	wxFormBuilder + wxWidgets
Linux/GNOME apps	Glade + GTKmm
Tiny/embedded GUI	FLTK + FLUID
Performance-oriented custom framework	Ultimate++ (TheIDE)
Windows-only enterprise app	Visual Studio + MFC

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🔮 Emerging Options

While C/C++ GUI builders are mature, modern projects sometimes mix C++ backend with newer frontends:

• Qt/QML (declarative UI)
• CEF / Ultralight / WebView (HTML/JS frontends)
• ImGui (immediate-mode UIs for tools and game engines)

These aren’t “GUI builders” in the traditional sense but are popular for modern development workflows.

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