Best AUI Framework Alternatives in 2026
The top AUI Framework alternatives are Flutter, Electron and .NET MAUI: 15 desktop app development frameworks our editors would look at instead of AUI Framework, in our ranking order.
AUI Framework: AUI pairs a declarative UI toolkit with build, packaging, networking, and testing modules. Where it falls short: macOS support is early stage and lacks features.
Switching from AUI Framework? For most desktop app development frameworks buyers the best AUI Framework alternative is Flutter, built for teams building across platforms with one UI codebase.
Why People Look for an AUI Framework Alternative
- macOS support is early stage and lacks features
- MPL-2.0 requires attribution and sharing changes to AUI
- Self-hosted deployment with community and documentation support
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallFlutter9.3
Teams building across platforms with one UI codebase
Visit Flutter - Best free optionFlutter9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Flutter
All 15 AUI Framework Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forTeams building across platforms with one UI codebase
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 4.2
An open-source Dart framework for building cross-platform apps from shared UI code.
- Open source
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Flutter -
Best forJavaScript teams building desktop apps
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 4.2
An open-source framework for building desktop apps from a shared JavaScript codebase.
- Open source
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Electron -
Best forC# teams targeting desktop and mobile
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 4.2
.NET MAUI shares C# and XAML development across native mobile and desktop apps.
- Open source
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit .NET MAUI -
Best forC++ teams needing a full-featured IDE
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 4.2
A full-featured C++ and QML IDE with broad build, debug, test, and deployment tools.
- Open source
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Qt Creator -
Best forPython teams building Qt desktop applications
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 4.2
A broad Qt toolkit for Python desktop apps, with Android deployment and a commercial licensing path.
- Open source
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Qt for Python -
Best forKotlin teams sharing declarative UI across platforms
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 4.2
A free Kotlin framework for shared UI, with JVM desktop apps and platform-specific installers.
- Mobile targets
- Open source
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit JetBrains -
Best forC# developers building Windows-only desktop apps
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 4.2
A free, Windows-only .NET framework for C# desktop interfaces built with XAML.
- Open source
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forJava teams building cross-platform desktop UIs
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 4.2
A broad Java UI toolkit for cross-platform desktop applications, with mobile and embedded support.
- Open source
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit OpenJFX -
Best forTeams building desktop GUIs with C or language bindings
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 4.2
A free, cross-platform toolkit for desktop GUIs, with widgets and multiple language bindings.
- Open source
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit GTK -
Best forTeams wanting visual design and native app toolchains
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 4.2
A Windows-based IDE pairing visual design tools with native Object Pascal toolchains.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Delphi -
Best forC++ teams needing a native cross-platform GUI API
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 4.2
A free, open-source desktop GUI library for C++ teams targeting multiple platforms.
- Open source
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit wxWidgets -
Best forPython developers using the Qt ecosystem
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 4.2
A broad Qt toolkit for Python GUI apps across desktop and mobile platforms.
- Open source
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit PyQt -
Best forPascal teams wanting a free visual desktop IDE
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 4.2
A visual Free Pascal IDE with building, debugging, testing, and desktop platform support.
- Open source
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Lazarus -
Best for.NET teams building cross-platform interfaces
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 4.2
A cross-platform .NET framework with a free core and paid tooling, controls, and support.
- Open source
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Avalonia -
Best forDelphi or C++ teams wanting an integrated IDE
- Better than AUI Framework:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 4.2
An integrated toolchain for native desktop and multi-device app development, with a paid edition structure.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Embarcadero
AUI Framework Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to AUI Framework?
Flutter: #1 in our Desktop App Development Frameworks ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. An open-source Dart framework for building cross-platform apps from shared UI code.
Is there a free alternative to AUI Framework?
Yes. Flutter, Electron, .NET MAUI, Qt Creator and Qt for Python have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for AUI Framework alternatives?
macOS support is early stage and lacks features; MPL-2.0 requires attribution and sharing changes to AUI; Self-hosted deployment with community and documentation support.
How do I switch from AUI Framework?
Export your data from AUI Framework (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel AUI Framework.
How to Switch from AUI Framework
- Export your data from AUI Framework (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel AUI Framework.
AUI Framework vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Open source | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | AUI Framework | Yes | Free | Yes | 4.2 |
| 1 | Flutter | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | Electron | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | .NET MAUI | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.0 |
| 4 | Qt Creator | Yes | €546/user/yr | Yes | 8.9 |
| 5 | Qt for Python | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 6 | Compose Multiplatform | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.7 |
| 7 | Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.6 |
| 8 | OpenJFX | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.5 |
| 9 | GTK | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.4 |
| 10 | Delphi | Yes | 8.3 | ||
| 11 | wxWidgets | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.2 |
| 12 | PyQt | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 13 | Lazarus | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.0 |
| 14 | Avalonia | Yes | €299/seat/yr | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | RAD Studio | No | No | 7.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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