How to build wxWidgets on Windows with Visual Studio?

Follow the platform-specific instructions in docs/msw/install.md, which detail steps for MSVC compilers from 2015 onward, including setting up project files and dependencies.

wxWidgets vs Qt for cross-platform C++ development?

wxWidgets excels with native UI and permissive licensing, while Qt offers more features, a larger ecosystem, and better mobile support but has stricter commercial licensing. Choose based on UI priorities and project scope.

Does wxWidgets support macOS on Apple Silicon?

Yes, the README specifies support for macOS 10.10+ on both amd64 and ARM platforms, including Apple Silicon Macs, using the Cocoa backend.

How to create a simple GUI application in wxWidgets?

Start with the extensive examples provided in the documentation; a basic app involves inheriting from wxApp and wxFrame, handling events, and building with the appropriate port for your OS.

Is wxWidgets free for commercial use without open-sourcing my code?

Yes, the modified LGPL allows static linking without distributing your source code, making it suitable for proprietary applications, as confirmed in the licence section.

What compilers are supported for wxWidgets in 2024?

It supports C++11 compilers including MSVC up to 2026, g++ up to 15, and Clang up to 19, with a legacy branch for C++98 if needed, per the README's platform details.

wxWidgets

C++v3.3.2

A free, open-source C++ framework for building native-looking GUI applications across Windows, macOS, and Unix platforms.

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What is wxWidgets?

wxWidgets is a free and open-source cross-platform C++ framework for writing advanced GUI applications that use native controls on each supported operating system. It solves the problem of developing desktop applications that need to run on Windows, macOS, and Unix platforms while maintaining a native appearance and feel. The framework abstracts platform differences in both GUI and non-GUI areas, allowing developers to maintain a single codebase.

Target Audience

C++ developers building desktop applications that must run on multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, Unix) and require native look-and-feel. It's suitable for both open-source and commercial projects.

Value Proposition

Developers choose wxWidgets because it provides true native controls on each platform, extensive documentation with numerous examples, and permissive licensing that allows static linking in commercial applications without source distribution. Its long-standing stability and cross-platform abstraction make it a reliable choice for complex desktop applications.

Overview

Cross-Platform C++ GUI Library

Use Cases

Best For

Developing cross-platform desktop applications with native look-and-feel

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C++ projects requiring a single codebase for Windows, macOS, and Unix

Commercial applications needing permissive licensing with static linking

Desktop tools that must integrate seamlessly with each operating system's UI

Legacy projects maintaining compatibility with C++98 compilers

Applications requiring extensive documentation and example code

Not Ideal For

Projects targeting mobile or web platforms, as wxWidgets is designed solely for desktop environments with no built-in support for iOS, Android, or browsers.
Applications requiring a custom, non-native UI design, since wxWidgets enforces platform-native look-and-feel and lacks extensive theming or styling options.
Teams seeking a framework with drag-and-drop GUI builders or rapid prototyping tools, as development typically involves manual C++ coding with limited visual design assistance.
Projects needing extensive third-party integrations or a large modern ecosystem, as wxWidgets has a smaller community compared to alternatives like Qt.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Native Look-and-Feel

Applications use the platform's native widgets on Windows, macOS, and Unix, ensuring seamless integration with each OS's UI standards, as emphasized in the README's focus on native controls.

Permissive Commercial Licensing

Modified LGPL allows static linking without source distribution, making it free for both open-source and commercial use, explicitly stated in the licence section.

Extensive Documentation

Comes with comprehensive documentation and over a hundred examples, aiding learning and productivity, as highlighted in the README's description.

Cross-Platform Abstraction

Abstracts GUI and non-GUI differences across Windows, macOS, and Unix, enabling a single codebase for multiple platforms, with support detailed for various compilers and OS versions.

Cons

Complex Build Process

Building requires consulting platform-specific documentation (e.g., docs/gtk/install.md, docs/msw/install.md), which can be cumbersome and error-prone for newcomers or cross-platform setups.

Desktop-Only Limitation

Lacks support for web or mobile development, restricting its relevance in modern multi-platform projects that need iOS, Android, or web targets.

Smaller Ecosystem

Compared to frameworks like Qt, wxWidgets has a smaller community and fewer third-party tools, which may affect long-term support, library availability, and innovation.

Legacy Code Overhead

Maintains a legacy branch for C++98 compatibility, which can lead to code bloat and slower adoption of modern C++ features, though C++11 is supported in the main branch.

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