Python GUI – PyQt VS TKinter

Last Updated : 11 Dec, 2020

A GUI toolkit contains widgets that are used to create a graphical interface. Python includes a wide range of Interface implementations available, from TkInter (it comes with Python, ) to a variety of various cross-platform solutions, such as PyQt5, which is known for its more sophisticated widgets and sleek look.

PyQt

PyQt is a toolkit for graphical user interface (GUI) widgets. It is extracted from the library of Qt. PyQt is the product of the combination of the Python language and the Qt library. PyQt is coming with the Qt Builder. We will use it to get the python code from the Qt Creator. With the support of a qt designer, we can build a GUI, and then we can get python code for that GUI. PyQt supports all platforms including Windows, macOS and UNIX. PyQt can be used to create stylish GUIs, a modern and portable python framework.

Code:

Python3

# Import sys for handle the  
# exit status of the application. 
import sys 
  
# Importing required widgets 
from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QApplication 
from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QLabel 
from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QWidget 
  
# To create an instance of QApplication 
# sys.argv contains the list of 
# command-line argument 
app = QApplication(sys.argv) 
  
# To create an instance of application GUI 
# root is an instance of QWidget, 
# it provides all the features to 
# create the application's window 
root = QWidget()   
  
# adding title to window 
root.setWindowTitle('Geeks App')  
  
# to place txt at the coordinates 
root.move(60, 15)  
  
# to display text 
txt = QLabel('Welcome, Geeks!', parent = root)  
txt.move(60, 15) 
  
# Show application's GUI 
root.show() 
  
# Run application's main loop 
sys.exit(app.exec_()) 

Output:

A simple app to display text using PyQt.

Advantages of using PyQt

Coding versatility –GUI programming with Qt is built around the idea of signals and slots for creating contact between objects. This allows versatility in dealing with GUI incidents which results in a smoother code base.
More than a framework : Qt uses a broad variety of native platform APIs for networking, database development, and more. It provides primary access to them through a special API.
Various UI components: Qt provides multiple widgets, such as buttons or menus, all designed with a basic interface for all compatible platforms.
Various learning resources: As PyQt is one of the most commonly used UI systems for Python, you can conveniently access a broad variety of documentation.

Disadvantages of using PyQt

Lack of Python-specific documentation for classes in PyQt5
It takes a lot of time to grasp all the specifics of PyQt, meaning it’s a pretty steep learning curve.
If the application is not open-source, you must pay for a commercial license.

Tkinter

Tkinter is an open-source Python Graphic User Interface (GUI) library well known for its simplicity. It comes pre-installed in Python, so you don’t even need to think about installing it. These characteristics make it a strong position for beginners and intermediates to begin with. Tkinter cannot be used for larger-scale projects.

Code:

Python3

# importing the module tkinter 
import tkinter as tk 
  
# create main window (parent window) 
root = tk.Tk() 
  
# Label() it display box 
# where you can put any text.  
txt = tk.Label(root, 
               text="Welcome to GeekForGeeks") 
  
# pack() It organizes the widgets 
# in blocks before placing in the parent widget. 
txt.pack() 
  
# running the main loop 
root.mainloop() 

Output:

A simple app to display text using tkinter.

Advantages of using Tkinter

Tkinter is easy and fast to implement as compared to any other GUI toolkit.
Tkinter is more flexible and stable.
Tkinter is included in Python, so nothing extra need to download.
Tkinter provides a simple syntax.
Tkinter is really easy to understand and master.
Tkinter provides three geometry managers: place, pack, and grid. That is much more powerful and easy to use.

Disadvantages of using Tkinter

Tkinter does not include advanced widgets.
It has no similar tool as Qt Designer for Tkinter.
It doesn’t have a reliable UI.
Sometime, it is hard to debug in Tkinter.
It is not purely Pythonic.

Difference between PyQt and Tkinter

No.	Basis	PyQt	Tkinter
1.	License	PyQt is available under Riverbank Commercial License and GPL v3 (General Public License v 3.0) and if you do not wish to release your application under a GPL-compatible license, you must apply for a commercial license.	Tkinter is open source and free for any commercial use.
2.	Ease of Understanding	It requires a lot of time for understanding all the details of PyQt.	Tkinter is easy to understand and master due to a small library.
3.	Design	PyQt has a modern look and a good UI.	Tk had an older design and it looks outdated.
4.	Widgets	thenPyQt comes with many powerful and advanced widgets.	TkInter does not come with advanced widgets.
5.	UI Builder	PyQt have a Qt Designer tool which we can use to build GUIs than get python code of that GUI using Qt Designer.	It has no similar tool as Qt Designer for Tkinter.
6.	Installation	PyQt is not included by default with Python installations.	It is included in the standard Python library so no need to install it separately.

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Python GUI – PyQt VS TKinter

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