Qt Creator develops desktop, embedded, mobile, and browser applications with C++ or QML.
Free plan Free trial From €546 a year AndroidiPhone & iPadWebWindowsMacLinux
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Best IDE Software 2026
Facts read 28 Sep 2026 – 15 Oct 2026
Qt Creator leads this list of 53 (record score 6.2, free plan). Replit is next (record score 6.2, free plan), and Xojo is the next highest-placed with a free plan (record score 6.2).
IDE software gives you a place to write, build and debug code. This guide helps you compare tools for different development projects and working styles.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Qt Creator | Qt Creator develops desktop, embedded, mobile, and browser applications with C++ or QML. | 6.2 | €546 a year | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 02 Replit | Replit may suit people who want to create applications with natural-language prompts, as well as developers who want browser-based coding and collaboration. | 6.2 | $18 a month, billed yearly | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 28 Sep 2026 |
| 03 Xojo | Xojo suits developers building for mobile, desktop, or web who want to use one programming language across platforms. | 6.2 | $499 one-time | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 3 Oct 2026 |
| 04 PyCharm | PyCharm may suit Python developers in web, data, or AI/ML work who need integrated development, testing, database, and version-control tools. | 6.1 | $100 a year | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 05 StackBlitz | StackBlitz is a web-based development environment with Android and iOS platform listings. | 6.0 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Browser extension | 14 Oct 2026 |
| 06 Arduino IDE | Arduino IDE builds software for Arduino projects on desktop, mobile, web, and other listed platforms. | 5.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 07 CLion | CLion provides tools for developing software in C and C++ across supported desktop systems. | 5.8 | $10.90 a month | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, Browser extension | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 08 IntelliJ IDEA | IntelliJ IDEA supports professional development in Java and Kotlin. | 5.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, Browser extension | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 09 Wing Python IDE | Develop Python projects with editing and debugging features; Wing Pro adds AI agent development tools. | 5.8 | $27 a year | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 10 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 |
Compare free access and paid pricing, supported languages, deployment options, mobile development support, debugger, testing tools and build tools. The list is ordered by the page’s current rule; no ranking basis has been published.
02
Replit
Replit may suit people who want to create applications with natural-language prompts, as well as developers who want browser-based coding and collaboration.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Record6.2 Visit
03
Xojo
Xojo suits developers building for mobile, desktop, or web who want to use one programming language across platforms.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Record6.2 Visit
04
PyCharm
PyCharm may suit Python developers in web, data, or AI/ML work who need integrated development, testing, database, and version-control tools.
WindowsMacLinux+2 Record6.1 Visit
05
StackBlitz
StackBlitz is a web-based development environment with Android and iOS platform listings.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Record6.0 Visit
6
Arduino IDE
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+5 Free plan Record5.8 Visit Arduino IDE builds software for Arduino projects on desktop, mobile, web, and other listed platforms.
7
CLion
WindowsMacLinux+2 $10.90 a month Record5.8 Visit CLion provides tools for developing software in C and C++ across supported desktop systems.
8
IntelliJ IDEA
WindowsMacLinux+2 Free plan Record5.8 Visit IntelliJ IDEA supports professional development in Java and Kotlin.
9
Wing Python IDE
WindowsMacLinux+2 $27 a year Record5.8 Visit Develop Python projects with editing and debugging features; Wing Pro adds AI agent development tools.
10
Arm Keil MDK
WebWindowsMac+3 82.39 CHF a month Record5.7 Visit It suits embedded developers working with supported Arm microcontrollers or Ethos-U processors who want IDE or command-line workflows.
11
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.
13
RubyMine
WindowsMacLinux $10.90 a month Record5.3 Visit Ruby and Rails developers who want coding, testing, debugging, version control, and remote-development tools in one desktop IDE may find RubyMine suitable.
14
RustRover
WindowsMacLinux $6.90 a month Record5.2 Visit RustRover suits Rust developers who want code assistance alongside project analysis, testing, and debugging tools.
15
Eclipse IDE
WindowsMacLinux+2 Free plan Record5.1 Visit Eclipse IDE is an open, industry-backed platform and development environment.
16
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.
17
WebStorm
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record5.1 Visit IDE for JavaScript and TypeScript development on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
19
Apache NetBeans
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit Apache NetBeans is a development environment, tooling platform, and application framework.
20
BlueJ
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit BlueJ is a Java development environment designed with teaching in mind.
21
e² studio
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit e² studio is intended for developers working with Renesas microcontrollers on Windows, Linux or macOS.
22
Eric
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit Eric is a Python editor and IDE with debugging, profiling, and testing tools.
23
Espressif-IDE
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit Create ESP-IDF projects and configure Kconfig options in this Linux, macOS, and Windows development environment.
24
KDevelop
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit KDevelop suits developers who want a free IDE for supported languages on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
25
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.
Before you choose
Match the IDE to your project
Start with the languages and deployment options your project needs. The comparison also covers mobile development, so check that detail if you are building for phones or tablets.
Check the development tools
A built-in debugger, testing tools and build tools can shape how you work. Compare those capabilities against the tasks you need to handle in the IDE.
Confirm platform support
IDE software may support Linux, Windows, macOS, the web, APIs or extensions. Verify that a tool supports the platform you plan to use before choosing it.
Review free and paid access
A free plan and a free trial are different ways to evaluate software. Check the pricing details for the IDE you are considering; listed plans and trial terms vary.
Questions
What should I compare when choosing IDE software?
Compare supported languages, deployment, mobile development, built-in debugging, testing tools, build tools, platform support and pricing.
Does IDE software have to be installed?
Not necessarily. The comparison includes platform support for Linux, Windows, macOS and the web, among other options.
Is there free IDE software?
The list includes tools with free plans as well as paid and freemium pricing models. Check the individual tool’s pricing details.
Is a free plan the same as a free trial?
No. A free plan is listed separately from a free trial. Check the tool’s terms to see what access it offers.
Can an IDE help with mobile development?
Mobile development is one of the capabilities compared. Check an individual IDE’s details to see whether it fits your project.
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