Free and open first
Best Integrated Development Environments in 2026
Integrated development environments gather tools for building and working on software projects. Compared on build tools, integrated debugger, and integrated testing tools, these entries can be assessed against the tasks in your development workflow. Dev container support and project management offer further points of comparison, while supported operating systems help clarify where an environment fits. Free plans and paid-from pricing provide access and cost details. Omnis Studio, Qt Creator, and KDevelop are among the environments shown. Consider the listed capabilities alongside your project needs and preferred operating systems.
- 65 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Avidemux
Free plan Open source LinuxMacWeb+1 - 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
PyCharm
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2PyCharm combines Python-focused editing with debugging, testing, integrations, and database tools across three desktop platforms.
- 4
Allegro CL
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1Choose Allegro CL if you need a Common Lisp environment with development tools, persistent storage, and options for application deployment.
- 5
Architect
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1Architect brings data analysis, application development, and infrastructure tools together at no listed cost.
- 6
C++Builder
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1Choose C++Builder if you need a native C++ development environment with Windows interface components, database connectivity, and REST and cloud libraries.
- 7
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.
- 8
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.
- 9
Arduino Eclipse Plugin
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsChoose Sloeber if you want a free Eclipse-based environment for Arduino development with code search, compile controls, and support for multiple projects.
- 10
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.
- 11
Ecere SDK
Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+2Ecere SDK combines eC development tools with graphics, networking, and database components. Developers should account for the project's stated documentation limits when evaluating it.
- 12
Cevelop
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsChoose Cevelop if you want a free C++ IDE with Eclipse CDT, integrated CUTE testing, refactoring, and header analysis. Look elsewhere if you need native CMake support or a 32-bit platform.
- 13
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.
- 14
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.
- 15
GeneXus
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5Choose GeneXus if you need a low-code platform for mission-critical software across mobile, web, and backend targets, with model-based generation and broad deployment options.
- 16
IntelliJ IDEA
Free plan APIExtensionLinux+2IntelliJ IDEA combines Java and Kotlin coding assistance with debugging, build, testing, and version-control integrations.
- 17
EiffelStudio
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsEiffelStudio combines Eiffel development, contract checking, testing, debugging, and building in one environment.
- 18
Eric
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsEric brings Python editing, debugging, testing, and project tools into one free IDE.
- 19
FlashDevelop
by FlashDevelopFree plan LinuxMacWindowsChoose FlashDevelop for a free editor centered on ActionScript and Haxe, with project builds, debugging, web editing, and plugin support.
- 20
LabVIEW
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1Choose LabVIEW for engineering work that combines automated testing, instrument connectivity, and graphical programming.
- 21
LANSA
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2Choose LANSA if your team needs tools for IBM i modernization, enterprise application development, or business data integration.
- 22
- 23
Greenfoot
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsGreenfoot combines Java learning, interactive project building, and online sharing in a free environment. Check the listed system requirements, especially if 32-bit support is needed.
- 24
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.
- 25
Lazarus
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsPick Lazarus for a free Free Pascal IDE that combines visual form design with editing, building, debugging, and testing.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
More in Developer Tools
- Integration Testing Tools26
- Interactive Application Security Testing Software14
- Internal Developer Portals27
- IoT Development Tools16
- IP Address Management Software43
- Issue Tracking Software40
- Java IDEs23
- JavaScript Build Tools27
- JavaScript Package Managers19
- JavaScript Testing Frameworks23
- JSON Tools29
- Key Management Software25