Free and open first
Best IDE Software in 2026
Choosing an IDE often depends on the languages you use and the stages of development you want to handle in one environment. Compared on supported languages, build tools, built-in debugging, testing, deployment, mobile development, free plans, and paid-from pricing, these entries give you several practical dimensions to weigh. Consider which development tasks matter for your projects, then compare the tools and access options against them. Replit, Qt Creator, and Arm Keil MDK are among the IDEs to examine across those criteria.
- 53 apps
- Research read 24 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Arduino IDE
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+5Arduino IDE combines editing and debugging tools with CLI support for building sketches and managing boards and libraries. Review the stated as-is terms before downloading.
- 2
Eclipse IDE
Free plan Open source APIExtensionLinux+2Eclipse IDE offers a broad set of development packages and Marketplace extensions at no cost. Check the relevant project's documentation for which versions receive security fixes.
- 3
Geany
Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindowsGeany offers a compact set of editing and terminal features, with plugin support and packages for its listed platforms. Developers who rely on multi-cursor editing should note that it is not included.
- 4
PyCharm
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2PyCharm combines Python-focused editing with debugging, testing, integrations, and database tools across three desktop platforms.
- 5
Arm Keil MDK
Free plan APIExtensionLinux+3Keil MDK combines an IDE, CLI, compiler, and separately addable software packs for embedded development.
- 6
CLion
Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+2CLion covers core C and C++ development workflows alongside remote and embedded toolchains. Its free offer is limited to non-commercial use, so commercial developers need a paid subscription.
- 7
Apache NetBeans
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsApache NetBeans combines a code editor and tools with a modular Swing application framework, at no cost under the Apache License.
- 8
BlueJ
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsBlueJ centers on an approachable Java learning workflow with interactive tools and teaching resources. Check the current system requirements and documentation notes before choosing it.
- 9
Code::Blocks
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsCode::Blocks combines editing, project building, debugging and plugin support in a free IDE for three languages. Check its MSVC import and debugger limitations against your needs.
- 10
CodeLite
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsCodeLite combines a broad set of language and workflow tools in a free, cross-platform IDE. Check the separate Git requirement and configure language servers where needed.
- 11
Eclipse Che
by Eclipse CheFree plan LinuxSelf-hostedWebEclipse Che provides Kubernetes based development workspaces with several IDE and Git identity options. Teams should account for how workspace files persist when a workspace stops.
- 12
AWS Cloud9
Free plan LinuxWebCloud9 combines coding, debugging, terminal access, and AWS development tools in a browser-based IDE.
- 13
Eric
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsEric brings Python editing, debugging, testing, and project tools into one free IDE.
- 14
Espressif-IDE
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsChoose Espressif-IDE if you are developing ESP-IDF IoT applications and want project templates, build configuration, flashing, and debugging tools in one desktop IDE.
- 15
e² studio
Free plan LinuxMacWindowse² studio provides project setup, editing and debugging tools for Renesas MCU development at no charge. Developers need to obtain compilers separately and check host-specific family support.
- 16
- 17
IntelliJ IDEA
Free plan APIExtensionLinux+2IntelliJ IDEA combines Java and Kotlin coding assistance with debugging, build, testing, and version-control integrations.
- 18
KDevelop
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsKDevelop brings language-aware editing, debugging, testing, and build support into a free IDE. Some language capabilities depend on plugins, and Windows nightly builds may be unstable or incomplete.
- 19
Qt Creator
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Qt Creator covers editing, builds, testing, and debugging across several application targets.
- 20
Lazarus
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsPick Lazarus for a free Free Pascal IDE that combines visual form design with editing, building, debugging, and testing.
- 21
MPLAB X IDE
by MPLAB X IDEFree plan LinuxMacWindowsMPLAB X IDE brings development, debugging and production programming tools together for supported Microchip targets at no cost.
- 22
Positron
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsPositron brings data exploration, notebooks, database connections, and Python and R tools into a free desktop IDE.
- 23
- 24
GNAT Studio
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsGNAT Studio brings editing, building, navigation, debugging, version control, and analysis into one free environment.
- 25
Processing
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsProcessing combines a sketch-focused development environment with tools for visual output, libraries and command-line use.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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