| Name |
Comments |
license |
Unix X11+ |
Unix X11+
Motif |
MS Win 95/98 |
MS Win NT/2000 |
MS Win 3.1 |
OS/2 PM |
MacOS |
NextStep OpenStep
MacOS
X |
other platforms |
|
AbiWord 's
cross platform layer |
cross-platform framework
in C++
see
interesting
development methodology for more info
Unix version built on gtk+ |
GPL |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
|
y |
QNX and BeOS |
|
AbsoluteX |
n open source free class library primarily developed
for use with X Window System. Uses libsigc++. |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amiga
Foundation Class |
aims to support Amiga and X11 |
art |
? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amiga (?) |
|
AlfaGUI |
a small GUI library for DOS, useful for embedded
applications |
|
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DOS 16/32 bit |
Amulet
OpenAmulet
|
research-oriented toolkit from CMU. native look
andfeel. High-level support for interactive interfaces: Direct
Manipulation Behaviors, Undo, Animation, etc. original project at CMU
completed and Nolonger supported. However, another group has
picked up development as OpenAmulet. |
PD |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
y |
|
|
|
Andrew |
research system from CMU. C and C++
API. |
BSD |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bakery |
a C++ Framework for creating GNOME applications using
Gnome-- and
Gtk--. |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Berlin
Fresco
(new)
|
a totally new window system for Unix/Linux that
alsoincludes high level APIs for GUI programming. Very experimental
asit buids upon OpenGL and CORBA. Successor of Fresco andOffix. Also listed as an alternative
windowing system
Berlin renamed to Fresco in 2002, taking on
the name of the old GUI toolkit Fresco
|
LGPL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BGUI |
GUI library for Amiga.based on BOOPS. C
API. |
freely distributable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amiga |
|
CG |
GUI toolkit of the Arachneproject |
BSD |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
y |
|
|
| CLX
|
(Component Library for Cross-platform)
Cross-platform library for, and part of, Delphi, Kylix and CBuilder -
Based on
top of Qt,
Linux only |
GPL
|
y
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coral
(ctGUI) |
very powerful and
complete advanced application framework with strong GUI
components. Advanced functionalities for non-GUI tasks like
networking, shared memory, etc. |
Art |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
Amiga (old versions) |
CroPL
|
a C++ application framework
and utility library for single-source Mac/Windows
applications
|
non-profit use
only
|
|
|
y
|
y
|
|
|
y
|
y
|
|
|
Cvo |
|
BSD |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CX |
an "UI utility with themes support." just
begin. |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DCLAP |
bare-bone application framework. Nolonger developed and maintained for 3 years
already |
noncommercial
only |
|
y |
y |
y |
y |
|
y |
|
|
|
EasyGTK (link broken?) |
EasyGTK is a wrapper library to make GTK
programmingeasier, and quicker |
GPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epeios |
Collection of general purposes libraries essentially
coded in C++ and working under UNIX and Windows. containing GUI
library |
GPL |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ET++ |
project is completed. successor is MET++. |
BSD |
y(?) |
y(?) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EZWGL
|
C API. motif look and feel. |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fltk
|
The Fast Light Tool Kit. API modeled after Xform,but in C++.
SGI Motif look and feel. good documentation.( Fluid, an UI
builder) |
LGPL with additional
permissions |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
y
|
y |
y |
Microwindows/NanoGUI/Nano-X |
|
FOX |
C++-based toolkit on top of XLib. MS Win 95
look.under development |
LGPL with additional permissions |
y |
|
y |
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
Fresco (old)
also see Berlin
as the new Fresco
|
Advanced research toolkit formly supported by theX
Consortium but now independently developed. Successor to Interviews.( alt. page)( Java
version)
( another info
page)
development
stopped, succeeded by Berlin |
BSD |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
y |
|
|
|
GEM |
The old GUI environment for MSDOS and Atari ST
(about1985), now free software |
GPL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MS-DOS and Atari ST |
|
GEM++ |
C++ classes for GEM programming, for Atari
ST. |
LGPL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GINA |
a research project, is completed. (ftp) |
|
|
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GLOW
|
"a cross-platform object-oriented framework for
building interactive applications using OpenGL or similar APIs such as Mesa. It
is, at its heart, an C++ wrapper for GLUT, providing a fully
object-oriented API for creating windows, menus and other GUI elements,
and for event handling. GLOW also features an extensible cross-platform
widget library for building powerful user interfaces."Note: Thusportable to any platform where a functional
OpenGL implementation exists(including Mesa ) |
LGPL |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
|
GLUI
|
An OpenGL /GLUT-basedGUI
toolkit. Rendering is done entirely in OpenGL. Win 95 lookand
feel. Note:
Thusportable to any platform where a functional OpenGL implementation
exists(including Mesa ) |
LGPL |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
note |
|
GNOME
(libs)
|
the GNOME desktop also servesas
an application framework, C API. Requirers gtk+ |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GNUstep
|
envolving NextStep/OpenStep clone. C/Objective CAPI.
Version 0.6.6 just
released |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
gnewt |
a gtk+-based toolkit for writing simple user
interfaces |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
grafix |
a library for "drawing pictures, functions or
othergraphic objects in an interactive manner" or simple graphical user
interfaceconstruction" with emphasis on visualization, not
UI |
GPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GraphAPP |
C API. a small toolkit for
teaching. |
? |
y |
y |
? |
? |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
gtk+
|
The GIMP
Toolkit.developed as part of the GIMPproject. Now at version 2.2. C API.
IS the leading
toolkit in the free software community in conjuction with Qt. variable look and feel
(default:Motif).
(ftp) (mailing list) ( gtk--,a C++
wrapper)(
Gtkkitand Gtoolkit , ObjectC
wrappers) (
wxGTK, WxWindows
port to gtk+ (C++ API)) (
gtkv,Vport to gtk+ (C++
API))
(VDK , SDPGTK, Inti, other C++
wrappers)
glade, grad, epingle,UI builders for
gtk+ and gtk--
libglade
, a library for gtk/ GNOME allowing GUI
built at run time from specifications in configuration files in XML
format, without the need to recompile program |
LGPL |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
|
in progress |
BeOS , Linux console, DirectFB |
gtkmm (gtk--)
gnomemm
(gnome--) |
complete C++ wrapper for gtk+ and GNOME. Uses modern C++
features (templates, etc.) for type-safe callbacks and signal/slots with
libsigc++ . glade--,GUI builders
for gtk--
related: gnomemm, c++
bindings for GNOME |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GuiToolkit
|
"a class set which allow You to build applications with new
Microsoft interface style .It includes more than 50 of MFC
classes"
|
no cost
use
|
|
|
y
|
y
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harmony |
attempts to create a Qt clone witha true Free
Software license. Development is halted. |
LGPL |
unfinished |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hv |
C API. |
? |
|
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interviews
ivtools
|
Ivtoolsis an
actively maintained and envolved version of
Interviews, formerly by Vectaport Ivtool apps
can be embedded inside Motif and Xt canvas. Ivrools contains an application
framework, a GUI widget framework,
A command
interpreter , drawing editor
application framework, command
interpreter into the drawing editor and graph/network
application
Interviews
(ftp)
was
an early advanced toolkit whose
development stopped around 1993. conceptual successor is Fresco. |
BSD |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inti |
a set of integrated foundation libraries for
developingC++ applications on UNIX-like systems such as Linux, including
C++ wrapper for gtk+.(2.0 only) new developer, now in
version 1.0 beta. |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IUP |
ANSI C, native controls, custom contros, abstract
layout, only a few functions, Lua Scripting |
freely
distributable |
|
y |
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
IBTK |
a small, "basic self-contained no-frills toolkitto
create platform-independent GUI software (in C++) |
GPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JAPI |
Written in
JAVA and
C, provides the JAVA AWT Toolkit to non
object oriented Languages like C, Fortran, Pascal, Ada and even
Basic |
LGPL |
y |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
KaiView |
stalled in favor of the LIP . recently
resumed |
? |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KDE(libs) |
KDE
desktop also serves as anapplication framework. Requires Qt |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LessTif
|
an envolving Motif 1.2 clone. getting close to
becomea complete Motif substitution. C API. |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
libsx |
"the Simple X library -- is a lightweight
wrapperlibrary sitting on top of the Athena Widget set." C
API |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lightweight
GUI Interface |
also for BeOS |
LGPL |
|
|
? |
? |
|
|
|
|
BeOS |
|
libgui |
C API. |
BSD |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIP |
Linux Interface Project. still under development, in
the beginning stage. development stalled? |
LGPL(?)
Art(?) |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MacAPP |
Apple 's Mac
framework, probably the first widely available GUI
framework. No longer supported by Apple but third party
development at http://www.clubmacapp.com/ |
MacAPP
license |
|
|
y
(unfinished) |
y
(unfinished) |
|
|
y |
y |
|
|
Marx |
C API. the GUI toolkit is part of a C-like
scriptlanguage for quickly building GUIs, although also usable from
compiled C. Motif look and feel. |
GPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MacZoop
|
C++ API. Framework on top of Carbon
API.
|
MacZoop
license
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
y
|
y
|
|
|
MET++ |
"an object-oriented application framework ....
providingreusable objects for 2D graphics, user interface components, 3D
graphics,video, audio, and music." based on ET++. |
? |
y |
|
? |
y(?) |
|
|
y(?) |
|
|
|
MGUI |
C API. |
? |
y |
|
y |
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
Microwindows
|
a small windowing system providing Win32 and X11API,
targetting embedded systems. C API |
MPL, GPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MS-DOS, Linux framebuffer, RTEMS, Linux
SVGAlib |
|
MiniGUI
|
" a compact Graphics User Interface (GUI) support
system for Linux. MiniGUI defines some Win32-like APIs for the
applications. The goal of MiniGUI is keeping its features of small and
exquisiteness to provide a small windowing system support
library." |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linux framebuffer, Linux SVGAlib and
libCGI |
(Motif)
OpenMotif
|
The real Motif, the
traditionalstandard Unix X11 toolkit, now moving toward free/open
source software. C API. |
OpenGroup Public
License (free for free/open source unices only) |
y |
native |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Motif++ |
C++ wrapper for motif. |
? |
|
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
notif |
written in object-oriented C. C API. Motiflook
and feel. (
announcement) |
GPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NWS |
distributed as part of Pavuk.C
API. |
GPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPaC |
"a highly portable user interface toolkit with
dynamicedition." look and feel and behavior are adjustable/editable at run
time |
"OPaCFree Public
License" |
unfinished (?) |
|
y |
y |
|
unfinished |
unfinished |
|
|
|
OpenOffice(as an GUI application framework )
|
possibly modern forms of StarView? containing a complete application framework and GUI library
as the basis of an office suite, including low level GUI toolkit (VCL), application framework, graphics applications
services |
GPL/LGPL/SISSL |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offix |
a very rich C++ interactive application API
withclasses for X11 windows, images, events, clipboards, inter-application
communications, styles for look and feel, layout management and drag
anddrop. Also has classes for Unix system services. Open Look and
Motiflook and feel. In alpha release. No
longerdeveloped, work merged into
Berlin |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OpenGUI |
a small graphics &
windowing library built upon a fast,
low-level x86 asm graphics kernel. Windows 95 look and
feel |
LGPL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linux console, MS-DOSDJDPP,
QNX |
|
ParaGUI |
a high-level crossplatform application framework and
GUI library. It is completely based on the SimpleDirectMedia Layer (SDL). Works on
any environment where SDL exists. |
LGPL |
y (via SDL) |
|
y (via SDL) |
y (via SDL) |
|
|
y (via SDL) |
|
|
PicoGUI
|
"a new Graphical User Interface
architecture designed with embedded systems in mind. ... includes
low-level graphics and input, widgets, themeing, layout, font rendering,
network transparency, and debugging features." Also can be an alternative
windowing system (when running on framebuffers) |
GPL/LGPL
|
y (native or via SDL) |
|
y
|
y
|
|
|
|
y (via SDL) |
Linux frame buffer, numerous embedded
devices (see this
list)
|
|
Pingo |
a C++ class library and framework for X Window
Systemwith OSF/MOTIF look-and-feel. API is similar to the Java AWT
API. |
LGPL |
|
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qt
|
a high-quality framework.
hasadvanced features not present in other toolkits, such a full 2d
graphics API (with rotations, scaling, shearing, etc.), metafile support,
same code for screen and printer output. variable look and feel (default:Motif or
Win95). Version 3.1
released.
KDevelop , EBuilder, Qt Architect , QtDesigner and
QtEZ, UI buildersfor Qt
Qwt, additional GUI components for
Qt for scientific appl
|
Qt
Free Edition license (1.x series, X11 versiion)
QPL(
Qt 2.x series, X11 version)
QPL and GPL
(Qt 2.2 and later, X11 version)
no
cost for non-commerical use (Windows version) |
y (QPL and
GPL) |
|
y (no
cost for non-commercial use) |
y (no
cost for non-commercial use) |
|
|
|
|
Qt/Embedded: for the Linux frame buffer without
X. |
|
STDWIN |
C API. No longer supported. |
? |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
y |
|
|
|
SUIT |
Simple User Interface Toolkit. C
API. |
? |
y |
|
|
|
y |
|
y |
|
|
|
Tk |
good widget set but not frequently used as a pure C
library. Widely used in combination with high-level script languages (Tcl, Scheme, Python, Perl,etc.). C API. Native
look and feel. |
BSD |
y |
|
y |
y |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
TOAD |
in early stage, still alpha |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TWIN/The
Willows
Toolkit |
implementation of MS Windows API on other
platforms.C API. |
LGPL |
y |
|
native |
native |
native |
|
y |
|
|
|
V |
Common C++ wrapper for many platforms. a good
"competitor"of WxWindows.native
look and feel. (
gtkv, gtk+ port of V) |
LGPL |
y |
y |
y |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
VDK |
"Visual Development Kit", a C++ wrapper for gtk+ ( VDK
Builder, a RAD tool for VDK) |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vibrant (NCBI
Toolkit) |
part of National Center for Biotechnology
Informationsoftware development toolkit, a multi-platform user interface
developmentlibrary that automatically handles the behavior of GUI objects,
with callbacksto programs |
|
|
y |
y(?) |
y(?) |
y(?) |
|
y |
|
|
|
(TheHungry)
ViewKit |
a clone of the SGI (ICS)
Viewkit.Currently not being developed. |
LGPL(?) |
(in the future with lesstif) |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ViewKit (ICS) |
C++ framework for Motif. Freely available for
Linux Only. |
no-cost (for Linux
only) |
|
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VCF![]()
|
Visual Component Framework,
"a
simple to use cross platform GUI framework, with many of the advanced
design features of Java and Java's Swing, and Borland's Visual Component
Library.Also provides advanced RTTI/Introspection features common in
languages like Object Pascal, Objective C, Smalltalk, and Java, but not
typically found in C++" |
BSD
|
in development
|
|
y
|
y
|
|
|
|
in development
|
|
|
VXCL |
The Virtual X
Class Library. API strongly linked to the Win32 API. |
LGPL |
|
y |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
VxLib |
Visual Text Library, a "character cell"-based
librarylike text mode but displayed in a X window |
GPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wafe |
"Wafe (Widget[Athena]front end) is a package
thatimplements a symbolic, string based interface based on Tcl to the X Toolkit, the
Athena Widget Set , Motif and various complementary widget classes and
extension packages. " C API. |
BSD |
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whisper |
"general purpose Mac/Win32 C++ application
framework. successor to the Mac framework Raven.
is a modern framework that takes advantage of templates, multiple
inheritance, STL, and exceptions. is designed around the
notionofDesign by Contract and includes
numerous debugging tools." |
BSD |
|
|
y |
y |
y |
|
y |
|
|
|
WideStudio
|
an IDE with an original windowing library and visual
window editor and a rich set of development facilities |
BSD |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wine
|
"a free implementation of Windows (API) on Unix"
On Intel x86 PCs only, can be used to port
Windows programs to X11 |
Wine
license |
y (Intel x86 PC only) |
|
native |
native |
native |
y |
|
|
|
|
WIRP |
"Windows Interface Reduced Programming is a
libraryof c routines for simple, platform independent GUI programming." C
API. |
? |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WWL( ?) |
C++ classes around X widgets. |
? |
y(?) |
y(?) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WxWindows
|
Common C++ wrapper for many platforms. version
2,.4 just released. native look and feel. good cross-platform
support.(Wxxt, X Toolkit
port)
( WxGTK, gtk+ port) |
BSD(version1.x
only)
LGPL ( wxxt1.6x
only)
WxWindows
license (version 3.0, actually LGPL plus
exceptions) |
y |
y |
y |
y |
y |
unfinished |
y |
y |
also on top of MicroWindows, and MGL (unfinished) |
|
Xarm
|
a C++ wrapper for Motif. |
LGPL |
|
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X|Front |
"a C++ library providing an object-oriented
interfaceto X11R5 Xlib" |
BSD |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
xclasses |
"the X11 layout library." details available in
Germanonly
note another
toolkit has the samename |
LGPL |
? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
xclasses,
xclass95 |
developed in conjuction with the fvwm95window
manager. MS-Win 95 look and feel.
note another toolkit has the samename |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XForms |
a toolkit distributed in binary form only. C API.
(fdesign,a
UI builder) |
X
Forms license |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Xm++
(?) |
C++ classes for Motif and X11 Athena
widgets |
? |
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Xmt (Motif
Tools),Xmt++
|
"Xmt is a Motif Tools library. The Xmt Motif Tools
library provides developers of user interfaces tools that make Motif
easier to use. Xmt consists of the core library of additional widgets,
utility programs, docs, tutorials, and example code." C API. Supports
rapid prototyping, GUI story boarding.
"Xmt++ is
to provide a C++ Model-View-Controller framework implementation based on
Xmt. This framework makes it easier to integrate a Motif GUI to an
application and maintain design integrity." |
BSD |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPIP |
C API |
BSD |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPToolkit
(Xpfe) |
cross-platform, toolkit for Mozilla."An open source SDK for
building common cross-platform user interfaces usingexisting
cross-platform
standards (e.g., XML, RDF, HTML,
CSS, DOM, JavaScript) and technologies (e.g., Gecko, XPConnect) to
minimize
platform-specific code." May built on
top of gtk+ and Xt for X11 |
MPL/GPL/LGPL |
y (Xt, gtk) |
? |
y |
y |
y |
y |
y |
y |
BeOS |
|
XView |
the Open Look widget set. C API. no longer
supportedby Sun in favor of Motif. |
|
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
YACL |
native look and feel |
BSD |
|
y |
y |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
YAAF |
Yet Another Application Framwork, with
fairlycomplete GUI classes and good cross-platform
support |
BSD |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
y |
|
|
|
yzone |
a set of universal cross-platform libraries for
creationof the graphical modular applications for any UNIX or Microsoft
Windowsplatform. C API |
LGPL |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zinc |
well stablished, cross-platform
framework. supports 24 platforms (including MS DOS and
Unix text mode) |
desktop use only (not
for embedded applications) |
|
y |
y |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
MS-DOS, VxWorks, pSOS |
|
Zoolib |
"Zoolib provides a GUI toolkit with a uniquely
flexible layout system. It also provides a single-file database format,
TCP networking, and extensive debugging support. ZooLib applications are
multithreaded. ZooLib requires only minimal support from the underlying OS
and platform GUI layer, and thus could be ported to a completely new
platform without too much difficulty" |
BSD |
y |
|
y |
y |
|
|
y |
y |
BeOS |
|
Zune |
Amiga MUI clone for X11 |
LGPL |
y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
Comments |
license |
Unix X11
+ |
Unix X11
+
Motif |
MS Win 95/98 |
MS Win NT/2000 |
MS Win 3.1 |
OS/2 PM |
MacOS |
NextStepOpenStep
MacOS
X |
other
platforms |
.gif){kind=small}
part of 
