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qmake

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Spec score 7.6 #24 of 42 in Build Automation Software

What it is

qmake manages builds for applications, libraries and other components by turning project files into Makefiles. Its `.pro` files can define source files, configuration, libraries and include paths. It supplies build rules for Qt's moc and uic tools, with templates for applications, libraries and plugins. Projects can specify third-party libraries, and qmake can use pkg-config for supported libraries such as D-Bus and ogg. It can generate Microsoft Visual Studio project files and, on macOS, Xcode project files. Platform notes cover iOS universal binaries, frameworks and bundles. In Qt 6, qmake remains supported for building Qt applications, but cannot compile custom Qt plugins or libraries that rely on Qt 5 build-system internals. Qt warns that building an untrusted project can execute code on the build machine. The Qt Community Edition is free under LGPL or GPL terms, with source-code obligations and limited access to some Qt capabilities.

Spec sheet

Purpose
qmake manages the build process for applications, libraries, and other components by expanding project files into Makefiles.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
Headquarters
Espoo, FinlandRead 28 Sep 2026 · doc.qt.io
Build security
Qt warns that developer tools such as qmake treat processed projects as trusted input, so building an untrusted project can execute code on the build machine.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
IDE project generation
qmake can generate Microsoft Visual Studio project files and, on macOS, Xcode project files.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
Licensing
Qt offers commercial and open-source licensing, with the Community Edition available under LGPL or GPL terms.Read 11 Oct 2026 · qt.io
Maker and location
Qt Group is headquartered in Espoo, Finland, and its company history page says the first public Qt Framework version was released in 1995.Read 11 Oct 2026 · qt.io
Mobile targets
The platform notes describe qmake features for iOS, including creating universal binaries, frameworks, and bundles.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
Project files
qmake project files use `.pro` files that can specify source files, configuration, libraries, and include paths.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
Project types
qmake has templates for building applications, libraries, and plugins.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
Qt 6 limitation
In Qt 6, qmake remains supported for building Qt applications but cannot compile custom Qt plugins or libraries that rely on Qt 5 build-system internals.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
Qt tools
qmake automatically includes build rules for Qt's moc and uic tools.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
Security reporting
Qt directs reports about open-source Qt vulnerabilities to [email protected] and says it does not currently have a bug bounty program.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
Security responsibility
Qt describes application security as a shared responsibility among application developers, Qt Group and Qt Project, and operators or device manufacturers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io
Third-party libraries
Project files can specify third-party libraries and include paths, and qmake can use pkg-config for supported libraries such as D-Bus and ogg.Read 11 Oct 2026 · doc.qt.io

Plans and prices

Qt Community Edition Free Open-source use under LGPL or GPL · source code must be open to copy, modify, and distribute · limited access to some Qt capabilities Read 11 Oct 2026 · qt.io

Every qmake plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Project files describe sources, libraries and include paths.
  • Includes rules for Qt moc and uic.
  • Can generate Visual Studio and Xcode project files.
  • Supports iOS universal binaries, frameworks and bundles.

Limits

  • Qt 6 cannot build certain Qt 5-dependent plugins or libraries.
  • Building an untrusted project can execute code.
  • Community Edition has source-code obligations and limited capabilities.

Who it suits

qmake suits developers building Qt applications and other projects described with `.pro` files. It may also fit teams that need generated Makefiles or IDE project files across the listed platforms.

Verdict

qmake offers a project-file-based build process with Qt-specific rules and several project-generation options. Account for the Qt 6 limitation and treat projects being built as trusted input.

Where Specifiction places it

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