Qt Creator may suit developers creating applications across desktop, embedded, mobile, and browser targets.
Free plan Free trial From €546 a year AndroidiPhone & iPadWebWindowsMacLinux
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Best C++ IDEs 2026
Facts read 23 Sep 2026 – 19 Oct 2026
A C++ IDE needs to suit the way you build, debug and run software across your target environments. Compared on build systems, compiler toolchains, debugging scope and supported platforms, these entries let you weigh core development requirements. Remote development may matter for your workflow, while a built-in profiler offers another listed capability to compare. Qt Creator, CLion and Visual Studio are among the options, as are PlatformIO IDE and KDevelop. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add plan context. Consider your toolchain and platform needs, then compare the IDE features that support the tasks you handle.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Qt Creator | Qt Creator may suit developers creating applications across desktop, embedded, mobile, and browser targets. | 6.2 | €546 a year | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 02 CLion | CLion suits C and C++ developers who need build, debugging, testing, remote, or embedded workflows. | 5.8 | $10.90 a month | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, Browser extension | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 03 Arm Keil MDK | It suits embedded developers working with supported Arm microcontrollers or Ethos-U processors who want IDE or command-line workflows. | 5.7 | 82.39 CHF a month | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 14 Oct 2026 |
| 04 Avidemux | 5.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 7 Oct 2026 | |
| 05 C++Builder | It suits C++ developers building native applications, particularly Windows applications, who want integrated visual components, database connectivity, and build tools. | 5.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Windows, Mac | 8 Oct 2026 |
| 06 Visual Studio | Visual Studio suits developers building apps, services or games for Windows and the listed web, cloud and cross-platform targets. | 5.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 07 Geany | Geany suits developers who want a free, lightweight coding environment across Linux, macOS, or Windows, with plugins and an embedded terminal. | 5.1 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 08 CS+ | CS+ is for developers building software for supported Renesas MCU families. | 5.0 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 3 Oct 2026 |
| 09 PlatformIO IDE | 5.0 | $249 a month, billed yearly | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, Browser extension | 29 Sep 2026 | |
| 10 e² studio | e² studio is intended for developers working with Renesas microcontrollers on Windows, Linux or macOS. | 4.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 4 Oct 2026 |
02
CLion
CLion suits C and C++ developers who need build, debugging, testing, remote, or embedded workflows.
WindowsMacLinux+2 Record5.8 Visit
03
Arm Keil MDK
It suits embedded developers working with supported Arm microcontrollers or Ethos-U processors who want IDE or command-line workflows.
WebWindowsMac+3 Record5.7 Visit
04
Avidemux
WebWindowsMac+1 Record5.5 Visit
05
C++Builder
It suits C++ developers building native applications, particularly Windows applications, who want integrated visual components, database connectivity, and build tools.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWindows+1 Record5.5 Visit
6
Visual Studio
WindowsAPI Free plan Record5.5 Visit Visual Studio suits developers building apps, services or games for Windows and the listed web, cloud and cross-platform targets.
7
Geany
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record5.1 Visit Geany suits developers who want a free, lightweight coding environment across Linux, macOS, or Windows, with plugins and an embedded terminal.
8
CS+
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record5.0 Visit CS+ is for developers building software for supported Renesas MCU families.
10
e² studio
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit e² studio is intended for developers working with Renesas microcontrollers on Windows, Linux or macOS.
11
Eclipse IDE
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit Eclipse IDE suits developers building tools or applications, including those working in Java and other supported development areas.
12
Infineon ModusToolbox
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit ModusToolbox suits developers building embedded applications for Infineon microcontrollers.
13
KDevelop
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit KDevelop suits developers who want a free IDE for supported languages on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
14
MPLAB X IDE
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit It suits developers building embedded projects for Microchip devices who want an IDE with integrated debugging and programming tools.
16
CodeLite
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.6 Visit CodeLite suits developers who want an IDE for its listed languages on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
17
STM32CubeIDE
WindowsMacLinux+1 Free plan Record4.6 Visit It suits developers editing, building, or debugging code for STM32 microcontrollers and microprocessors.
18
Code::Blocks
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.5 Visit Code::Blocks suits developers learning or building C, C++, and Fortran software across the listed desktop platforms.
19
Dev-C++
Windows Free plan Record4.5 Visit Dev-C++ suits Windows users learning or developing C and C++ programs, including students and researchers.
20
IAR Embedded Workbench
WindowsLinuxBrowser extension — Record4.4 Visit IAR Embedded Workbench suits embedded development and security teams working with its supported architectures.
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