Freedom251 › Integrated Development Environments
LispWorks
What LispWorks is
LispWorks is an implementation of ANSI Common Lisp for writing and delivering software. It combines a compiler, interpreter, runtime system, language extensions, an IDE, and CAPI, a portable GUI toolkit. The maker lists Windows, x86_64 Linux, ARM Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, and x86/x64 Solaris support, and says source code is compatible across those platforms. Development tools include an integrated debugger, build and code coverage tools, a Foreign Language Interface, ASDF3 integration, and multi-thread profiling. Enterprise Edition adds database access through ODBC or native Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL interfaces via Common SQL. The wider feature set also includes Java, OpenSSL, ActiveX, and COM interfaces. Edition choice affects use: Professional and Enterprise are required for commercial work, while Hobbyist editions are limited to individual non-commercial, non-business, and non-academic use. Personal Edition is free for personal and educational programming, but limits heap size, ends sessions after five hours, and does not support application delivery. Evaluation licenses last one month and carry no purchase commitment. LispWorks Ltd launched in 2005 and is based in Cambridge, England.
Who it suits
LispWorks suits Common Lisp developers who need an IDE and cross-platform development tools. Edition restrictions make the intended use and commercial requirements important when choosing a license.
What it does well
- Source code is compatible across supported platforms.
- Includes an IDE, debugger, and build tools.
- Enterprise offers Common SQL database interfaces.
- Evaluation licenses last one month without purchase commitment.
What to know first
- Personal Edition limits heap size.
- Personal sessions end after five hours.
- Personal Edition does not support application delivery.
- Commercial use requires Professional or Enterprise editions.
Limits
Personal Edition is free for personal and educational use, but limits heap size, ends sessions after five hours, and does not support application delivery. Evaluation licenses last one month; LispWorks may extend them if a customer is still considering a purchase.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Edition | personal and educational use · heap size limit · 5-hour sessions · no application delivery | Free |
| HobbyistDV Edition | individual use only · non-commercial, non-business and non-academic · runtime executables and libraries allowed for non-commercial use | On request |
| Professional Edition | commercial Common Lisp development and application delivery · 32-bit and 64-bit licenses sold separately · no runtime license fees | On request |
| Hobbyist Edition | individual use only · non-commercial, non-business and non-academic · 32-bit and 64-bit licenses sold separately | On request |
| Enterprise Edition | Professional features · Common SQL database interfaces · LispWorks ORB · KnowledgeWorks and embedded Prolog · 32-bit and 64-bit licenses sold separately | On request |
As lispworks.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the LispWorks product page.
- Choose an edition suited to your intended use.
- Download an evaluation license for a one-month evaluation, or obtain a license for your chosen edition.
- Install on a supported platform: Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, or Solaris.
Verdict
LispWorks brings Common Lisp development tools and cross-platform source compatibility together. Check edition restrictions carefully, especially if you need commercial use or application delivery.
Questions
Is LispWorks free?
Personal Edition is free for personal and educational Lisp programming. The listed paid price starts at $500.
Can I use LispWorks for commercial development?
Professional and Enterprise editions are required for commercial use. Hobbyist editions are restricted to individual non-commercial, non-business, and non-academic use.
Which platforms does LispWorks support?
The product page lists Windows, x86_64 and ARM Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, and x86/x64 Solaris.
Does LispWorks offer a trial?
Evaluation licenses are provided as downloads, last one month, and have no purchase commitment. LispWorks may extend them if the customer is still considering a purchase.
What does Enterprise Edition add?
It adds Common SQL access through ODBC or native Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL interfaces, along with the LispWorks ORB, KnowledgeWorks, and embedded Prolog.
Who makes LispWorks?
LispWorks Ltd launched in 2005 and gives its registered address in Cambridge, England.
Facts from LispWorks's own pages
- Cross-platform code
- LispWorks states that its source code is compatible across all supported platforms. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Edition restrictions
- Professional and Enterprise editions are required for commercial use; Hobbyist editions are for individual non-commercial, non-business and non-academic use. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Enterprise database connectivity
- Enterprise Edition provides database access through ODBC or native Oracle, PostgreSQL and MySQL interfaces via Common SQL. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Evaluation
- Evaluation licenses are provided as downloads, last one month, and have no purchase commitment; LispWorks may extend them if the customer is still considering a purchase. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2005 · lispworks.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Cambridge, England, United Kingdom · lispworks.com, 28 Sept 2026
- IDE and language features
- The feature list includes an IDE, CAPI portable GUI toolkit, Foreign Language Interface, ASDF3 integration, code coverage tools and multi-thread profiling. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Maintenance
- Maintenance contracts are available for Professional and Enterprise editions, last one year, and provide free upgrades to product releases while current. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Maker and location
- LispWorks Ltd says it launched in January 2005 and gives its registered address as St John's Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0WS, England. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Other integrations
- The feature list also identifies a Java interface, OpenSSL interface, ActiveX support, and COM server and client interfaces. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Personal Edition limits
- Personal Edition is free for personal and educational Lisp programming, but limits heap size, ends sessions after five hours, and does not support application delivery. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Platform support
- The product page lists Windows, x86_64 Linux, ARM Linux, macOS, FreeBSD and x86/x64 Solaris as supported platforms. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy statement says LispWorks will not transfer personal information to third parties unless required by law and describes handling it confidentially under applicable laws. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- LispWorks is an implementation of ANSI Common Lisp with a compiler, interpreter, runtime system, language extensions, CAPI portable GUI toolkit and IDE. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The feature list states that TCP/UDP sockets support SSL and IPv6, and that an OpenSSL interface is available. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- New license purchases include 30 days of Getting Started support for installation and typical new-user issues; technical support otherwise requires a support contract. · lispworks.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where LispWorks stands on Freedom251
- Integrated Development Environments#28 of 65