Python GUIs: Which Python GUI library should you use? — Comparing the Python GUI libraries available in 2025

Python is a popular programming language used for various tasks, including building graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for desktop applications, mobile apps, and hardware devices. To create GUIs with Python, you need a GUI library, and there are many options available, each with different capabilities and licensing. Tkinter is a built-in Python library suitable for simple tool GUIs and small portable applications, but it has limitations and an outdated look on Windows. PyQt and PySide are popular choices for building commercial, multimedia, scientific, or engineering desktop applications, offering a complete application development framework with a slight learning curve. PyQt and PySide are wrappers around the Qt framework, which provides a wide range of tools and resources for building GUIs. PyQt is licensed under the GPL, while PySide is licensed under the LGPL, making PySide a better choice for non-GPL applications. PyQt and PySide can also be used with QML, a declarative language ideal for building modern touchscreen interfaces for microcontrollers or device interfaces. Kivy is another option, written in pure Python, suitable for Python mobile app development and touchscreen-oriented interfaces. Kivy has a large community and offers a high level of customization, making it a good alternative to libraries like Pygame. Finally, when choosing a GUI library, consider the type of project, the level of complexity, and the desired look and feel of the application.