Table of Contents
Creating a user interface can be a challenging and time-consuming task. However, it is crucial to ensure that the UI is user-friendly and visually appealing to users. Fortunately, there are several software programs available that can ease the burden of UI design. One such program is WxFormBuilder – an open-source GUI builder application. It offers an integrated GUI solution that is designed to streamline UI development in cross-platform programming. However, it is not the only option available on the market. In this blog post, we will take a look at the top six alternatives to WxFormBuilder for building user interfaces.
Video Tutorial:
What is WxFormBuilder?
WxFormBuilder is an open-source, cross-platform GUI builder for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It provides a drag-and-drop interface for creating user interfaces that can be used with various programming languages, including C++, Python, and Perl. Its interface is easy to use, even for those without any programming skills. Users can generate its code in various formats such as C++, XRC, and XML. It can be used for creating functional graphical applications and helps the developers to implement error-free UIs.
Top Alternatives to WxFormBuilder
Here are the top six alternatives to WxFormBuilder for building user interfaces:
Top 1: Qt Creator
Qt Creator is a cross-platform integrated development environment (IDE) that allows developers to build user interfaces and applications in C++, QML, and JavaScript. It is a comprehensive suite of tools designed to create a modern and functional user interface. Qt Creator offers a drag-and-drop visual interface designer where users can create layouts quickly and easily. It allows users to tweak the design of their UI without needing to write any code. It also includes a built-in debugger, code editor, and more extensive features that make it a viable alternative to WxFormBuilder.
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qt Creator | No | Free | Easy | High |
Pros:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop UI builder.
- Supports multiple programming languages, including C++ and JavaScript.
- Provides an integrated debugger for debugging your code.
- Flexibility is offered with customizable extensions.
Cons:
- It has a steep learning curve for beginners.
- The UI builder is not as user-friendly as those of other programs.
- The installation process can be complex.
Top 2: Glade
Glade is another open-source GUI builder that allows developers to create user interfaces with ease. Users can design and build application interfaces quickly and efficiently using a visual interface. It is ideal for designing GTK+ based user interfaces for applications and runs on multiple platforms such as Linux, Windows, etc. Its design is modular, and UI designs can be ported to several programming languages, including C++, Perl, Python, and Ruby.
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glade | No | Free | Easy | High |
Pros:
- Supports multiple programming languages.
- Its interface is user-friendly and easy to use.
- It is free to use.
- It is extensible and can be used to build complex interfaces.
Cons:
- It offers limited features compared to some of the other programs available.
- It has limited compatibility with other development environments and IDEs.
Top 3: Adobe XD
Adobe XD is an all-in-one UI/UX design tool that allows designers and developers to create interactive prototypes for desktop, mobile, and web applications. It has an intuitive interface for creating user interfaces and prototypes quickly and easily. Adobe XD also offers the ability to collaborate within your team through its cloud storage and sharing features.
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe XD | Yes | Starting at $9.99 per month | Easy | High |
Pros:
- Provides support for multiple platforms such as Windows and macOS.
- It has extensive UI design capabilities.
- Collaboration within teams is easy using XD’s cloud-storage and sharing features.
- Offers the ability to create interactive prototypes quickly.
Cons:
- Requires payment for full functionality.
- It may have a learning curve for beginners.
- The customer support can be limited.
Top 4: Figma
Figma is a cloud-based design and prototyping tool that allows teams to collaborate in real-time on UI and UX design tasks. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools, including vector editing, prototyping, and in-built feedback and collaboration tools. It also provides an easy-to-use interface to create UI with drag and drop functionality.
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figma | Yes | Starting at $12 per month | Easy | High |
Pros:
- Provides real-time collaboration with other team members.
- It is accessible from any desktop or mobile device with internet access.
- It offers a variety of UI design options, including vector editing tools.
- Figma is designed to be intuitive, even for beginners.
Cons:
- Requires payment for full functionality.
- It may feel clunky compared to some of the other programs.
- The real-time sync feature can become slow and affect your workflow.
Top 5: Sketch
Sketch is another popular user interface design tool that offers a range of design and collaboration features. It simplifies UI design by providing an extensive toolkit to assist in creating UI from scratch. It offers great vector editing capabilities with flexible layout options, allowing users to design beautiful UIs. Sketch is not only one of the most widely used products among UI designers due to its user-friendly features and attractive pricing.
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sketch | Yes | Starting at $9 per month | Easy | High |
Pros:
- Provides a smooth workflow with an intuitive interface.
- It offers many custom UI design and layout options.
- It has a growing library of plugins and extensions.
- Offers real-time collaboration for designing UIs.
Cons:
- It is more expensive than other tools on this list.
- Its vector editor is not as comprehensive as some other programs.
- It is only available for macOS users.
Top 6: Balsamiq
Balsamiq is a rapid wireframing tool that allows developers to mockup user interfaces quickly. It offers a drag-and-drop interface for creating wireframes/layouts that can be used for desktop, web & mobile applications. Balsamiq has a vast library of pre-built UI components which helps users in the creation of wireframes at a fast pace. It is an excellent tool for brainstorming and communication, providing users the freedom to create mockups with ease and in no time.
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balsamiq | Yes | Starting at $9/month | Easy | High |
Pros:
- It is a fast and easy tool for wireframing and creating UI layouts.
- It provides a large library of pre-built UI Elements, thus reducing the time spent on crafting layouts
- It allows for collaborative work
- It offers a real-time preview, testing, and approval functionality of wireframes and UIs
Cons:
- The UIis not suitable for creating highly-detailed designs – hence not a fit for final designs
- The software only offers one level of undoing changes
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WxFormBuilder | N/A | Free | Easy | High |
| Qt Creator | No | Free | Easy | High |
| Glade | No | Free | Easy | High |
| Adobe XD | Yes | Starting at $9.99 per month | Easy | High |
| Figma | Yes | Starting at $12 per month | Easy | High |
| Sketch | Yes | Starting at $9 per month | Easy | High |
| Balsamiq | Yes | Starting at $9 per month | Easy | High |
*Note: The prices mentioned above are subjected to change, please visit the respective software websites to get updated information.
Our Thoughts on WxFormBuilder
WxFormBuilder, as an open-source software, offers an integrated development environment that is easy to use and streamlines UI development for cross-platform development. It is suitable for those who have no programming background and is an excellent start for creating GUI applications. However, its compatibility with other languages may be limited, and it may not be suitable for advanced users. For these reasons, it might be appropriate for beginner users, and for developers who plan small projects or have simple requirements.
FAQs
Q1: Is WxFormBuilder free to use?
A: Yes, WxFormBuilder is a free and open-source software program.
Q2: Is WxFormBuilder compatible with multiple programming languages?
A: Yes, WxFormBuilder is compatible with various programming languages, including C++, Python, and Perl.
Q3: What operating systems are compatible with WxFormBuilder?
A: WxFormBuilder is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Q4: Does WxFormBuilder provide the ability to create responsive layouts?
A: WxFormBuilder does not offer support for creating responsive user interfaces, as it is designed for desktop applications.
Q5: Does WxFormBuilder offer community support?
A: Yes, WxFormBuilder has an active community that offers support and tutorials.
In Conclusion
WxFormBuilder is an outstanding open-source software program that offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface for creating graphical user interfaces. Nonetheless, there are several alternatives that are just as good or even better at creating UIs and provide additional features that can enhance productivity. Developers have to choose which software is the best alternative for them based on their requirements. The comparison table should help viewers better evaluate the various programs based on their specific needs. However, it’s essential to consider the learning curve, cost, ease of use, compatibility, and other factors before making a choice.