Survey: Which C++ frameworks are used in production in 2024

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Survey: Which C++ frameworks are used in production

Despite the venerable age of the C++ language, its ecosystem continues to actively evolve. However, unlike the world of Python or JavaScript, where lists of popular frameworks change annually, the situation in C++ is more conservative. To understand which libraries and frameworks developers actually rely on in production projects, we studied data from several 2023–2024 surveys, including the annual JetBrains survey and the C++ User Groups community.

Here are the top five that consistently appear in the responses of respondents working with C++ in production.

1. Qt — the king of GUI and beyond

Qt remains the perennial leader. According to surveys, about 35-40% of developers using C++ in commercial projects use Qt. This is not just a graphical interface framework: Qt modules for working with networks, databases, XML, JSON, and multithreading make it a full-fledged platform. Qt is actively used in:

Medical equipment and diagnostic systems;
Automotive industry (instrument panels, multimedia);
Industrial automation and SCADA systems.

2. Boost — a must-have for modern C++

Many developers perceive Boost not as a framework, but as a "proving ground" for the C++ standard. However, in production, almost 60% of respondents use it (often in combination with other tools). The most in-demand components: Boost.Asio (networking), Boost.Beast (HTTP/WebSocket), Boost.Filesystem, and Boost.PropertyTree. It's important to note: with the release of C++17 and C++20, some of Boost's functionality has moved into the standard library, but in legacy projects, Boost remains indispensable.

3. POCO C++ Libraries — a lightweight all-rounder

POCO (POrtable COmponents) is a set of libraries for creating network and server applications. Its share in production is about 15-20%. POCO is chosen for:

Clean C++ and minimal macros (unlike Qt);
Built-in support for HTTP, FTP, SMTP, SSL;
Convenient work with threads and network sockets.

POCO is especially popular in fintech, telecommunications, and IoT gateways, where predictable performance and a small binary size are important.

4. OpenCV — the standard for computer vision

If a project involves image or video processing, OpenCV is practically the only choice. In surveys, 25-30% of developers mention it. The library is used in production for:

Video surveillance and facial recognition systems;
Robotics and autonomous vehicles;
Medical imaging (analysis of MRI, CT scans).

Interesting fact: OpenCV is actively used not only in C++, but also through Python bindings; however, the core and high-load modules are always written in C++.