Hey everyone! I'm looking to build some complex, industry-level desktop applications using Python. I have about 5 years of IT experience and am trying to figure out what frameworks are actually being used in real-world projects. The main ones on my radar are PySide, PyQt, wxPython, Kivy, and the idea of a web backend with a framework like React or Angular wrapped in Electron. My focus is strictly on desktop applications, not web apps. I'm looking for something that's:
- Widely used in the industry
- Scalable for larger applications
- Good for long-term maintenance and career growth
From what I've gathered so far:
- PySide and PyQt seem powerful and feature-rich.
- wxPython appears more native but feels a bit dated.
- Kivy looks like it's better suited for mobile or touch applications.
- Web-based tools might look modern but can be cumbersome.
I'd really appreciate insights from those with industry experience on the following:
- Which of these frameworks are commonly used for serious desktop applications?
- Is PySide becoming more popular than PyQt?
- Are wxPython or Kivy relevant in production environments?
- When is a web-based desktop application a sensible choice?
Thanks for any honest opinions and real-world insights!
1 Answer
Qt is definitely the most feature-rich GUI library out there. Just keep in mind that PySide has a more permissive license for commercial projects compared to PyQt. If you're doing something that interacts with hardware or requires in-place filesystem modifications, a desktop application makes the most sense. For internal stuff, it's fine, but for apps with many users or frequent updates, a web app is often a better choice because managing updates and maintaining code integrity can be a nightmare for desktop apps.
Why do you think fewer people use Qt over PySide then?