Real-World Use Cases of Qt: Examples Across Industries

Qt (pronounced "cute") is a cross-platform application development framework.

It is widely used for building software that runs on desktop, embedded, and mobile platforms.

Qt framework is especially valuable when you need a consistent, responsive, and visually polished user interface (UI).

Qt apps can be compiled for Windows, Linux, macOS, and mobile systems with minimal code changes – all within a single codebase. This means significant cost reduction and development stability.

In short: Qt framework cuts complexity, shortens dev cycles, and scales effortlessly.

That’s exactly why we value it so much in software development.

Why Qt Stands Out?

• Cross-platform development – Code once, deploy anywhere,
• Native performance – No compromise on speed or responsiveness,
• Powerful tools – Qt Creator, Qt Design Studio, and integrated testing tools,
• Active community – Thousands of developers and rich documentation,
• Enterprise support – Commercial licenses and LTS versions for large-scale deployments.

Ever heard of K Desktop Environment (KDE)?

It is one of the most popular solutions for Linux and Unix-like systems across the entire IT industry.

Qt framework has been a cornerstone of KDE’s historical success. It was, and still is, a key player in the rise of this famous Windows alternative.

But Qt framework influence extends far beyond a Linux bubble.

Desktop and Mobile Apps | Qt Framework

Qt’s ability to target multiple platforms from a single codebase becomes especially handy when upgrading or rebuilding commercial projects.

Autodesk Maya is a good example here.

Back in 2011, this 3D graphics software company used the Qt framework for its user interface (GUI) modernization. This decision resulted in enhanced customization and extensibility – which both are crucial for professionals in film, gaming, or design industries.

The same goes with Adobe.

They use Qt in some of their flagship products, like Photoshop or Premiere. This upgrade allowed Adobe to deliver a more intuitive, responsive user interface – all without compromising performance.

When it comes to our own experience with Qt, we're especially proud of the CraftOS project.

During cooperation with Munson Furniture, we’ve built a powerful 3D configurator tool for real-time furniture blueprint personalization. The tool was deeply connected to manufacturing logic. Qt's flexibility allowed us to send each customization straight into automated production processes.

We always aim our deep Qt expertise at real-world business impact. In the CraftOS case, we delivered relief to both customers and the internal operations of our client.

Click here to read more about CraftOS for Munson Furniture >

MedTech & Healthcare | Qt Framework

In healthcare, an easy-to-use, high-performance UI is always a game-changer.

Modern medical software must be precise, responsive, and compliant with industry standards.

Qt framework addresses all those needs.

It provides a stable foundation for clinical-grade devices and diagnostic tools, including patient monitoring systems, ECG displays, and portable ultrasound devices.

Dräger products are a good example of Qt use case in the healthcare industry.

They use Qt to create responsive UI’s which can run on resource-limited hardware. Fresenius Kabi is another example of a MedTech company that leverages this framework to automate medical device testing.

Qt is especially useful when you focus on:

• real-time data visualization,
• high DPI screens,
• smooth interactions on touchscreens.

It is also worth noting that Qt supports compliance workflows, including documentation for HIPAA, FDA, and IEC 62304 standards.

That is exactly why we used it to develop Titan.

It is imaging software for X-ray and fluorography. Thanks to Qt capabilities, we managed to balance real-time processing with strict data protection – which are critical in the medical field today.

If you want to know more about this Qt-based MedTech project, click here to read our article: Titan >

Consumer Electronics | Qt Framework

Believe it or not, but you can find Qt in multiple smart home appliances, wearable tech, or smart TVs.

Brands like Garmin and Harman use Qt to build their interfaces.

One of the key advantages of this framework is Qt Design Studio. It makes real-time prototyping and integration much easier.

LG Electronics, for example, chooses this framework for its faster performance and lower memory usage. Both of which are essential for webOS and user experience customization. ​

Another company worth mentioning is Hasselblad.

They integrated Qt across all displays in their X2D 100C medium format cameras. This framework runs the main touch display and the top status screen of those devices.

Interested in more Qt capabilities in resource-constrained environments? Read our case study on TimeSys >

Finance & Fintech | Qt Framework

Responsive trading dashboards, data-heavy analytics tools, and customizable interfaces – all of those are in reach of Qt framework.

Let’s take Volven as an example.

This Norwegian fintech company builds its high-performing crypto trading platforms mainly with Qt. Volven is known for sophisticated algorithms and deep learning models designed to predict market movements and identify opportunities.

Qt allows them to maintain a seamless and customizable user experience across both desktop and mobile applications. Truth be told, it is constantly being used in high-frequency trading platforms (HFT) and portfolio management tools across the globe.

That is partially why we picked this framework to build Bunny Coin from scratch.

Our Qt-based project combined elements like:

• ERC-20 token,
• Ethereum blockchain,
• unique desktop / mobile wallet.

You can read more about this Qt-based project in our article: Bunny Coin >

Education & Research | Qt Framework

Believe it or not, Qt also fits the needs of academic research, STEM education, and data analysis tools – used in labs and universities.

Typical Qt framework use cases in this industry include:

• interactive simulators,
• scientific visualization tools,
• custom educational software.

If you want to discover more Qt capabilities in dynamic data visualisation, read our case study on: ProteinMetrics >

Qt is being used in Academies across the globe due to its open-source licensing, powerful UI libraries, and documentation support.

Take Aalto University from Finland as an example.

They incorporated Qt into their Object-Oriented Programming with C++ course.

During this project, over 300 students engaged in hands-on projects using Qt. Withing a relatively short period, participants became skilled enough to be involved in development games like Solitaire, Mahjong, as well as Turtle Graphics applications.

However, when it comes to truly impressive Qt use cases, MiniPCR makes us especially proud.

This Boston-based startup, born from the Mass Challenge accelerator, has revolutionized DNA testing across the globe.

Powered by our Qt-based software, miniPCR devices are being used today from high school classrooms to the NASA International Space Station.

If you want to know more about this success story, read our article: miniPCR >

Is Qt framework used for games?

Yes, Qt can be used for game development, but it's not typically the first choice for larger or more complex games.

This framework tends to be more suitable for simpler or UI-heavy 2D games such as card games, puzzles, or board games. It is worth noting though, that many AAA studios utilize Qt for their internal editors and dev tools.

Qt can be a good choice for cross-platform casual games where the flexibility and power of its UI system come in handy.

Additionally, for OpenGL-based games, Qt offers strong support since it integrates well with OpenGL and Vulkan.

It is capable of handling custom rendering pipelines effectively.

However, Qt is generally not the best fit for high-performance 3D games. Engines like Unity, Unreal, or Godot – or even custom-built engines – are more appropriate.

We strongly recommend you to check our case study on our Qt-based project named Run It Once (RIO) >

Industrial Automation (HMIs) | Qt Framework

Qt framework is extremely useful for power control systems, safety interfaces, and data monitoring dashboards. This includes PLC interfaces, robotic controllers, and factory dashboards.

Take Zeutec's SpectraAlyzer GRAIN as an example.

With the help of Qt framework, we’ve enhanced existing German technology, creating a user-friendly solution for grain analysis. SpectraAlyzer demonstrates Qt as a perfect bedrock for embedded systems and IoT integration.

You can read more about this project in our case study: Zeutec's SpectraAlyzer >

Real-time data handling, hardware integration, and customizable UIs make it ideal for industrial-grade software. Companies like Liebherr or BOMAG use Qt to provide mobile machine operators with detailed views of their working environment.

Additionally, Qt’s long-term support (LTS) versions ensure the stability needed in 24/7 operations. It is also great for much more advanced projects.

Another significant Qt-based project from our portfolio is Fusion Building Automation System (FBAS).

It is an industrial control and monitoring solution designed for large-scale facilities such as production halls and factories.

Interested in details? Click here to read our case study on Fusion Building Automation System >

Automotive Industry | Qt Framework

Qt is used by many automotive brands.

Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Tesla – all those giants used this framework for their interactive dashboards and control panels.

After all, this tech-savvy industry demands both aesthetics and performance, especially in in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) and digital instrument clusters.

With Qt at their sleeves, developers can create custom animations and transitions to reflect a brand’s unique design language, including:

• real-time rendering,
• 3D support (Qt Quick 3D),
• touch gestures.

Ducati Scrambler is another great example of a real-world Qt framework use case in the automotive industry.

They incorporated Qt for MCUs in their digital displays, providing responsive and customizable UIs.

Looking for more Qt-based success stories? Feel free to check our Qt portfolio >

• Qt core – Provides non-GUI functionality (file handling, threading, data structures).
• Qt widgets – For classic desktop-style user interfaces.
• Qt Quick (QML) – A declarative language for building fluid, touch-friendly UIs (often used in embedded systems).
• Qt Designer/Creator – IDE and visual tools to design and develop applications efficiently.
• Qt multimedia / 3D / charts – Modules for sound, video, 3D graphics, and data visualization.
• Qt for MCUs – A lightweight version for microcontroller-based devices.

Thinking about scaling your product across multiple platforms without multiplying your development costs?

Qt might just be the strategic lever you're missing. Global brands already trust it to speed up deployment and unify user experiences – and for good reason.

If your project needs to be reliable, scalable, and easy to use – Qt delivers.

It's future-ready, rock-solid, and trusted by the kinds of companies that don’t gamble with tech. Trust us – we’ve been building custom software solutions with Qt for over a decade. Even our CEO, Kacper Gazda, has roots in this framework.

Thinking about a project in automotive, healthcare, fintech, or industrial automation?

Click here to book a call >