awesome-cpp
A curated list of links to C++ and C libraries, tools, and learning resources.
- Stars
- 74.2k
- Forks
- 8.4k
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- —
- Last update
- 6 days ago
- Type
- Curated list
What it is
Awesome C++ is a long, categorized list of links to C++ (and some C) libraries, frameworks, compilers, tools, books, talks, and articles. It is a reference index rather than software you install. People use it to find a library for a specific job, such as networking, JSON, logging, or GUI work, and then to read about the options.
- Browse the Networking or JSON sections to shortlist libraries before starting a project
- Find C++ books, articles, and talks under Resources
- Look up compilers, debuggers, and build systems under Software
- Check license tags such as MIT or Apache2 next to each entry before choosing a library
Great for
- C++ developers looking for a library for a specific task
- Students or newcomers who want an overview of the C++ ecosystem
- Developers comparing several candidate libraries in one area
- Anyone looking for C++ learning resources, talks, or podcasts
Not ideal for
- People who need a working program to run right away, since this is only a list of links
- Anyone who needs verified, current status for each entry, because the README marks some projects as retired and the list depends on community upkeep
How to get it
- 1
Read it online
Clone the repository locally (optional)
git clone https://github.com/fffaraz/awesome-cpp - 2
Run it
- Open the README on GitHub or the project homepage
- Pick a section that matches your problem, such as JSON or Networking
- Check the license tag and the project link for each candidate
- Open the linked project and review its docs before adopting it
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Use the table of contents at the top of the README to jump to a category
- Check the license tags (for example MIT, Apache2, or LGPL) before choosing a library for commercial work
- Look at the Other Awesome Lists section for more curated lists in related areas
- Read the Books, Talks, and Podcasts sections to build background knowledge
Downloads
Strengths
- Very broad coverage across many C++ domains, organized by topic
- Each entry has a short description and, in many cases, a license tag
- Maintained by community pull requests, with a stated process for removing stale links
Trade-offs
- Links can go stale; the README itself flags retired and unmaintained projects
- Being listed does not mean a project is endorsed or well maintained
- Entries are brief, so you still need to evaluate each library yourself
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| awesome-cpp (this) | 74.2k | Curated list | beginner | 6 days ago | C++ developers looking for a library for a specific task |
| vcpkg | 27.6k | Dev tool | intermediate | 4 days ago | C and C++ developers who need third-party libraries in their projects |
| public-apis | 495k | Curated list | beginner | 4 days ago | Developers looking for a third-party API to add to a side project |
| the-book-of-secret-knowledge | 255k | Curated list | beginner | 2.0 years ago | System and network administrators looking for a reference of tools and howtos |
| Front-End-Checklist | 74.6k | Curated list | beginner | 6 days ago | Developers doing a pre-launch review of a website or web app |
| awesome-shadcn-ui | 20.7k | Curated list | beginner | 4 days ago | Developers looking for ready-made shadcn/ui components such as calendars, date pickers, forms or dialogs |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.