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libui-ng/libui-ng

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libui-ng: a portable GUI library for C. "libui for the next generation"

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About libui-ng/libui-ng

libui-ng is a simple, portable GUI library written in C that leverages native GUI technologies on each supported platform. It is a fork of andlabs/libui, aiming to provide a lightweight yet flexible toolkit for building graphical user interfaces. The library currently supports Windows (Vista SP2+), Unix-like systems with GTK+ 3.10+, and macOS (OS X 10.8+). Builds are managed via Meson and support both static and shared library configurations. As mid-alpha software, the project is actively developed, with examples and tests included.

Key Features

Portable GUI library written in C
Uses native GUI technologies of each supported platform
Cross-platform: Windows Vista SP2+, GTK+ 3.10+, macOS 10.8+
Build with Meson (0.58.0+) supporting static and shared libraries
Includes examples and tests for development
Mid-alpha software with active development

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Native look and feel on all major desktop platforms
  • Simple and straightforward C API
  • Open source with permissive license
  • Lightweight and portable across Windows, Linux, and macOS
Cons
  • Currently mid-alpha software, not yet stable
  • Limited documentation (README still being written)
  • Specific build requirements (Meson, certain compiler versions)
  • No support for mobile or web platforms

Best For

Building native desktop GUI applications in CCross-platform tool development requiring simple GUILearning and prototyping GUI programming with native controls

FAQ

What is libui-ng?
libui-ng is a fork of andlabs/libui, providing a portable GUI library in C that uses native GUI technologies on Windows, Unix (GTK+), and macOS.
What are the runtime requirements?
Windows: Vista SP2+ with Platform Update; Unix: GTK+ 3.10+; macOS: OS X 10.8+.
What build system does libui-ng use?
It uses Meson (0.58.0 or newer) with Ninja as the default backend. Other backends are also supported.
Is libui-ng stable?
No, libui-ng is currently mid-alpha software. See CHANGELOG.md for details.