Mobile App Development in QT: Pros, Cons, and Use Cases

Mobile app development has become an integral part of the modern world. With the growing demand for user-friendly apps, developers constantly seek new tools and frameworks to simplify the development process.

Qt, a versatile cross-platform development framework, has gained significant recognition in recent years due to its powerful capabilities in mobile app development.

In this article, we will explore what Qt is, discover its benefits, consider alternatives, describe its various use cases, and explain why you should choose it for your project.

What Is Qt?

Qt is a cross-platform app development framework for mobile, desktop, and embedded applications. Qt supports such platforms as Android and iOS, Windows, Linux, OS X, and many others.

Qt is used by such brands as AMD, Autodesk, European Space Agency, Lucasfilm, Siemens, Valve, and Telegram. Some elements of Qt may be found in such mobile apps and systems as Skype, Ubuntu Touch, Plasma Mobile, and more.

Benefits of Using QT

Let’s find out why companies opt for Qt mobile app development. Qt is a top choice for several strong reasons:

Qt is Mature

Companies have been using Qt as a software development framework for more than 20 years. Over the years, the framework has been improved many times.

Qt was used in different industries and tested under various conditions, which means that it provides stability that cannot be expected from any young frameworks. Among other things, Qt was improved to be faster and easier to use.

High performance is listed among the main characteristics of Qt on StackShare. (Source: stackshare.io)

Also, some developers note that the QT framework has such advantages as development simplicity and speed.

Qt Is Open Source

The open-source nature of specific technologies helps to make them more efficient and reliable, and Qt is no exception. Besides The Qt Company, which is the main developer of Qt, many other contributors took part in the development of the framework.

For instance, KDAB, a Swedish Qt consulting company, helped to improve some elements of the framework. These and other improvements in the framework have helped to make the framework more secure and ease the work for software developers.

Qt Is Cross-Platform

Qt covers a wide range of operating systems and platforms and may bring many opportunities to companies. Qt is a good choice for businesses that want to build software for several mobile app platforms or target both Android and iOS users.

The Qt framework offers many modules for different platforms. (Source: doc.qt.io)

Managing a cross-platform development process that is based on Qt may also be useful because developers can easily share data and libraries, as well as reuse the code, which can positively affect the speed and cost of development.

Qt Provides Developers and Clients with the Advantages of C++

Since the Qt framework is based on the C++ programming language, it provides some benefits of C++ that may positively impact Qt development:

• Such features of C++, such as polymorphism, inheritance, encapsulation, and classes, make apps more reliable and allow developers to reuse the code.
• By using С++, developers can effectively create both small-scale mobile apps and complex resource-intensive programs.
• C++ has a huge community. Therefore, developers can always get advice, which can reduce risks and development time.

According to the TIOBE rating, C++ is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. (Source: tiobe.com)

Despite the fact that usually Qt-based mobile apps are written in C++ and QML (Qt Modeling Language), there are also bindings to other languages. Also, one of the Qt modules provides integration between QML and JavaScript.

If, for some reason, JavaScript doesn’t fully suit an app based on Qt, engineers can always turn to C++ mobile app development to rewrite parts of the code. In this way, developers can even take a combined approach to cross-platform development.

Despite all the advantages of developing Qt-based software, the framework still has some drawbacks.

For instance, similar to C++, Qt-based cross-platform development requires extensive expertise, so companies may have difficulties in finding an experienced development team. Also, some platforms may not support every feature required for your project, which may cause additional difficulties.

Why Choose Qt Development For Your Project

Choosing Qt development for your project can offer several advantages that make it a suitable choice for a wide range of applications.

Here are some reasons why you should opt for Qt for your project:

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: With Qt, you can write code once and use it for multiple platforms, such as Windows, macOS, and more. This feature saves development time and costs, as you can target a broad audience with a single codebase.
• Rich and Customizable UI: Qt offers a wide range of tools and widgets that make it easy to create rich and highly customizable user interfaces. With Qt’s QML language and Qt Quick, it’s possible to build modern and visually appealing apps that deliver a superior user experience.
• Active Community: Qt has an active and helpful community of developers. This means you can find comprehensive documentation, resources, and libraries to support your project. Additionally, the Qt Company provides commercial support for those who require expert guidance and assistance.
• Licensing Options: Qt is available under both open-source and commercial licenses. This flexibility allows developers to choose the licensing model that best suits their project’s requirements and budget.
• Robust Performance: Qt is a good choice for applications where efficiency is a top priority. It is well-suited for projects that require real-time processing, such as 2D and 3D graphics rendering, or resource-intensive tasks.

Alternatives to Qt

While Qt is a versatile and powerful framework, there are some alternatives that might better suit specific project requirements. Some of the most notable alternatives to Qt include:

Flutter

Flutter, made by Google, is a UI framework for developing natively compiled apps for different platforms from a single codebase. It is popular for its rapid development and expressive, flexible UI.

React Native

React Native, maintained by Facebook, helps developers create mobile applications using JavaScript and React. It provides code reusability and is perfect for projects that require a strong online presence.

Electron

Electron is a framework that simplifies the development of desktop applications leveraging web instruments such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is ideal for building desktop apps with web technology familiarity.

Use Cases of Qt

Qt is a versatile framework that proves to be a great choice for a wide range of use cases and different types of projects. Here are some prominent use cases of Qt:

1. LG Electronics: LG Electronics, a global leader in consumer electronics, uses Qt for developing the user interfaces of its smart TVs. Qt helps LG create intuitive and visually appealing interfaces for their TVs and other consumer electronic devices.
2. Siemens: Siemens, a multinational industrial giant, employs Qt for building Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) for their industrial automation and control systems. Qt’s capabilities in creating responsive and reliable interfaces are vital for Siemens’ products.
3. Koenigsegg Automotive: Koenigsegg, a Swedish high-end car manufacturer, uses Qt to develop the infotainment system for their luxury sports cars. Qt helps deliver a high-performance and responsive user experience in their vehicles.
4. Philips Healthcare: Philips Healthcare uses Qt for developing medical devices and healthcare software. Qt’s capabilities in creating user-friendly interfaces and handling complex data are a must in the healthcare sector.
5. RIMAC Automobili: RIMAC, a Croatian electric hypercar manufacturer, uses Qt for creating infotainment and control systems in their high-performance electric vehicles. Qt’s performance and customization options are beneficial for the luxury car industry.

Conclusion

Qt is a powerful and flexible framework that offers numerous benefits for quality and quick app development, including cross-platform compatibility, rich UI capabilities, strong community support, and licensing flexibility.

When choosing the right framework for your project, it’s essential to consider your specific requirements and the advantages of alternatives like Flutter, React Native, and Electron.

Regardless of your choice, Qt remains a compelling option for creating high-quality, cross-platform applications and is particularly well-suited for projects demanding rich user interfaces and top-notch performance.

If you want to know more about Qt development or hire professional Qt developers, please feel free to contact us. Our experts will provide you with a free consultation and advice on the worthiness of using the Qt framework for your project.