Qt WebEngine vs WebView2

Developers should use Qt WebEngine when building cross-platform desktop applications that require embedded web content, such as displaying help documentation, rendering web-based dashboards, or creating hybrid apps with web technologies meets developers should use webview2 when building windows desktop applications that need to display web content, create hybrid apps with web uis, or leverage web technologies for parts of the interface while maintaining native performance and integration. Here's our take.

Qt WebEngine

Nice Pick

Developers should use Qt WebEngine when building cross-platform desktop applications that require embedded web content, such as displaying help documentation, rendering web-based dashboards, or creating hybrid apps with web technologies

Pros

• It is particularly useful for scenarios where you need a consistent, up-to-date web rendering engine across Windows, macOS, and Linux without relying on external browsers
• Related to: qt-framework, chromium

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

WebView2

Developers should use WebView2 when building Windows desktop applications that need to display web content, create hybrid apps with web UIs, or leverage web technologies for parts of the interface while maintaining native performance and integration

Pros

• It is ideal for scenarios like embedding web-based dashboards, using web frameworks for UI components, or modernizing legacy apps with web views, as it replaces older technologies like WebBrowser control and ensures compatibility with the latest Edge updates
• Related to: c-sharp, winui

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Qt WebEngine is a library while WebView2 is a framework. We picked Qt WebEngine based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Qt WebEngine wins

Based on overall popularity. Qt WebEngine is more widely used, but WebView2 excels in its own space.