Processing

Windows · Mac · Linux

Visit site Alternatives

Freedom report

Three barsScore 6.4

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely3 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Processing is ranked #26 of 53 in IDE software on Freedom251. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. There is a free plan.

Processing plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free Free and open source processing.org · 2 Oct 2026

Compared on IDE software

Free plan: Yes

Best Processing alternatives

See all 12

Two bars Replit Free tier No. 1$18/mo6.8 Two bars Qt Creator Free tier No. 2Free6.7 Two bars Arm Keil MDK Free tier No. 3$99/mo6.6 Two bars C2000Ware Free tier No. 4Free6.6 Two bars Apache NetBeans Free tier No. 5Free6.5 Two bars BlueJ Free tier No. 6Free6.5

The record

Purpose: Processing began as a software sketchbook and a way to teach programming fundamentals through visual work, and has evolved into a development tool for professionals.
What it creates: Processing focuses on creating visual, interactive media, including graphics, animations, and interactive installations.
Development environment: The Processing Development Environment includes a text editor, compiler, and display window for creating and running sketches.
2D and 3D: Sketches can draw two-dimensional graphics with the default renderer or three-dimensional graphics with the P3D renderer.
Extensibility: Community libraries extend Processing with capabilities such as sound, computer vision, and advanced 3D geometry.
Built-in tools: Included tools provide sketch archiving, font creation, color selection, and movie making.
Integrations: Core libraries support network communication, serial connections to external hardware, audio, video, and PDF or SVG export.
Command line: Processing includes a command-line interface for running sketches from a terminal, including for automation and headless setups.
Privacy: The Processing software runs locally and does not collect, track, store, or share user data; its update check can be disabled in settings.
Support: Users can ask questions and share work through the Processing Forum.
Audience: Processing is used in classrooms, including art schools, universities, high schools, computer science programs, and humanities curricula.
Project history: Processing started in spring 2001, and the Processing Foundation was started in 2012 to support software development and expand access to learning programming and creative work with code.
Founded: 2001
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best IDE Software in 2026#26 of 53
Best Java IDEs in 2026#8 of 23

Is Processing yours?

Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.

Claim it free Promote Processing

Sources

processing.org/overview/· checked 2 Oct 2026
processing.org/environment/· checked 2 Oct 2026
processing.org/reference/tools/· checked 2 Oct 2026
processing.org/reference/libraries/· checked 2 Oct 2026
processing.org/privacy/· checked 2 Oct 2026
processing.org· checked 2 Oct 2026