20 Most Popular Python IDEs in 2024: Code Like a Pro (2024)

What Is an IDE?

• An IDE enables programmers to combine the different aspects of writing a computer program.
• IDEs increase programmer productivity by introducing features like editing source code, building executables, and debugging.

What Are IDEs and Code Editors?

IDEs and code editors are tools that software developers use to write and edit code.

• IDEs, or Integrated Development Environments, are usually more feature-rich and include tools for debugging, building and deploying code.
• Code editors are generally more straightforward and focused on code editing. Many developers use IDEs and code editors, depending on the task.

IDE vs. Code Editor: What's the Difference?

• An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a software application that provides tools and resources to help developers write and debug code. An IDE typically includes
  • A source code editor
  • A compiler or interpreter
  • An integrated debugger
  • A graphical user interface (GUI)
• A code editor is a text editor program designed specifically for editing source code. It typically includes features that help in code development, such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and debugging.
• The main difference between an IDE and a code editor is that an IDE has a graphical user interface (GUI) while a code editor does not. An IDE also has features such as code completion, syntax highlighting, and debugging, which are not found in a code editor.
• Code editors are generally simpler than IDEs, as they do not include many other IDE components. As such, code editors are typically used by experienced developers who prefer to configure their development environment manually.

Top Python IDEs

Now that you know about the integrated Development Environment, let's look at a few popular Python IDEs. Note that we won't be ranking these IDEs just for the sake of it because we believe that different IDEs are meant for various purposes.

But, we will indeed discuss which IDE you should use according to your needs or requirements. This will help remove any doubts that you may have and help you make a choice that best suits your purpose.

1. IDLE

• IDLE (Integrated Development and Learning Environment) is a default editor that accompanies Python
• This IDE is suitable for beginner-level developers
• The IDLE tool can be used on Mac OS, Windows, and Linux
• Price: Free

The most notable features of IDLE include:

• Ability to search for multiple files
• Interactive interpreter with syntax highlighting, and error and i/o messages
• Smart indenting, along with basic text editor features
• A very capable debugger
• Its a great Python IDE for Windows

Image Source: Stack overflow

2. PyCharm

• PyCharm is a widely used Python IDE created by JetBrains
• This IDE is suitable for professional developers and facilitates the development of large Python projects
• Price: Freemium

The most notable features of PyCharm include:

• Support for JavaScript, CSS, and TypeScript
• Smart code navigation
• Quick and safe code refactoring
• Support features like accessing databases directly from the IDE
• Its a great Python IDE for Windows

3. Visual Studio Code

• Visual Studio Code is an open-source (and free) IDE created by Microsoft. It finds great use in Python development
• VS Code is lightweight and comes with powerful features that only some of the paid IDEs offer
• Price: Free

The most notable features of Visual Studio Code include:

• One of the best smart code completion is based on various factors
• Git integration
• Code debugging within the editor
• It provides an extension to add additional features like code linting, themes, and other services

4. Sublime Text 3

• Sublime Text is a very popular code editor. It supports many languages, including Python
• It is highly customizable and also offers fast development speeds and reliability
• Price: Free

The most notable features of Sublime Text 3 include:

• Syntax highlighting
• Custom user commands for using the IDE
• Efficient project directory management
• It supports additional packages for the web and scientific Python development
• Its a great Python IDE for Windows

5. Atom

• Atom is an open-source code editor by GitHub and supports Python development
• Atom is similar to Sublime Text and provides almost the same features emphasis on speed and usability
• Price: Free

The most notable features of Atom include:

• Support for a large number of plugins
• Smart autocompletion
• Supports custom commands for the user to interact with the editor
• Support for cross-platform development

6. Jupyter

• Jupyter is widely used in the field of data science
• It is easy to use, interactive and allows live code sharing and visualization
• Price: Free

The most notable features of Jupyter include:

• Supports for the numerical calculations and machine learning workflow
• Combine code, text, and images for greater user experience
• Intergeneration of data science libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib

7. Spyder

• Spyder is an open-source IDE most commonly used for scientific development
• Spyder comes with Anaconda distribution, which is popular for data science and machine learning
• Price: Free

The most notable features of Spyder include:

• Support for automatic code completion and splitting
• Supports plotting different types of charts and data manipulation
• Integration of data science libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib
• Its a great Python IDE for Windows

8. PyDev

• PyDev is a strong python interpreter and is distributed as a third-party plugin for Eclipse IDE
• Being flexible, it is one of the preferred open-source IDE by the developers
• Price: Free

The most notable features of PyDev include:

• Django integration, auto code completion, and code coverage
• Supports type hinting, refactoring, as well as debugging and code analysis
• Good support for Python web development

9. Thonny

• Thonny is an IDE ideal for teaching and learning Python programming
• Price: Free

The most notable features of Thonny include:

• Simple debugger
• Function evaluation
• Automatic syntax error detection
• Detailed view of variables used in a Python program or project

10. Wing

• The wing is also a popular IDE that provides a lot of good features to ensure a productive environment
• Wing offers a 30-day trial version for the developers to check and understand the features of this IDE
• Price: US $95 - US$179 for commercial license

The most notable features of Wing include:

• It provides immediate feedback to your Python code
• It provides support for test-driven development with unit tests, Pytest, and Django testing framework.
• It assists in remote development
• Auto code completion is present

11. Vim

It is a flexible, open-source terminal-based text editor. Vi Improved, which means it is a revamped version of the Vi text editor.

12. GNU/Emacs

Finding the right code editor for python development can be tricky. Emacs is a set of macro extensions for different code editors. Richard Stallman adopted it into the GNU project in the early 1980s.

13. Dreamweaver

It is one of the popular web development IDE tools. It helps you to create, publish and manage websites. It can be uploaded to any web server.

14. Eric

It is a full-featured python editor and IDE, built on the cross-platform Qt GUI development framework. It has excellent plug-in management support.

15. Visual Studio

It is an integrated development environment from Microsoft. It is used to develop computer programs such as web services, web apps, and mobile applications.

16. Pyscripter

It has all the features expected in a modern Python IDE in a lightweight package. It is also natively compiled for windows to combine minimal memory consumption with maximum performance.

17. Rodeo

It is one of the best IDEs for Python. It was developed for data science-related tasks like taking data and information from different resources and also plotting for issues. It supports cross-platform functionality. It can also be used as an IDE for experimenting interactively.

18. Komodo IDE

Komodo IDE is a versatile and powerful integrated development environment tailored for dynamic programming languages like Python. It offers advanced features such as code intelligence, debugging, version control, and unit testing, making it an excellent choice for professional developers. The IDE supports multiple languages and provides a customizable workspace, allowing users to tailor the environment to their needs. Its robust tools and extensibility through plugins make Komodo IDE a preferred option for those seeking a comprehensive development platform.

19. Eclipse

Eclipse is a widely used open-source IDE renowned for its flexibility and extensibility, particularly through its rich plugin ecosystem. Initially designed for Java development, Eclipse now supports Python via the PyDev plugin, which adds essential features such as code completion, syntax highlighting, and debugging capabilities. Eclipse's robust platform integrates seamlessly with various tools and services, offering a holistic development environment. Its modular design allows developers to tailor their setup precisely to their needs, making it a popular choice for large-scale software projects and collaborative development.

20. Geany

Geany is a lightweight, fast, and efficient IDE that provides a simple yet powerful environment for Python development. Designed to be small and agile, Geany starts quickly and runs efficiently even on less powerful hardware. It features syntax highlighting, code folding, and an integrated terminal, among other essential tools. Geany's simplicity and speed do not come at the expense of functionality, as it supports numerous languages and can be extended with plugins. This makes Geany an excellent choice for developers looking for a straightforward, no-frills coding experience.

Features of an IDE

Let’s look at some main features of an IDE:

1. Syntax Highlighting

An IDE that knows your language's syntax can provide visual cues and keywords that are easier to read by visually clarifying the language syntax.

Code without Syntax

Code with Syntax

2. Autocomplete

IDEs are generally really good at anticipating what you're more likely to type next, making coding significantly faster and simpler.

3. Building Executables

IDE takes care of interpreting the Python code, running python scripts, building executables, and debugging the applications.

4. Debugging

In the event that a program does not run correctly, programmers can easily detect their code eros using the debugging tools that IDEs offer.

Which IDE to Use When?

We will divide the preference into three categories:

1. Based on Your Level of Knowledge

• Beginner: IDLE, Thonny would be the perfect choice for first-time programmers who are just getting into Python.
• Intermediate: For intermediate-level users, PyCharm, VS Code, Atom, and Sublime Text 3 are good options.

2. Based on Your End Goal

• Data Science: Spyder, Jupyter Notebook, PyCharm professional (Paid).
• Web Development: VS Code, PyCharm professional (Paid).
• Scripting: Atom, PyDev, Sublime Text 3, PyCharm Community (Free).

3. Based on the Hardware You Use

• Basic (Pentium, Celeron): IDLE, Atom, Sublime Text 3, Online IDEs.
• Developer (Intel core series): PyCharm, Jupyter, Spyder, VS Code, Eclipse + PyDev.

Which IDE Do We Recommend?

The preference of IDE should depend on your requirements. Here are different scenarios for you to help you decide which IDE to use.

• Data Science: Jupyter Notebook.
• Web Development: VS Code.
• Scripting: PyCharm Community (Free)

Choose The Right Software Development Program

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Program Name	Automation Testing Masters Program	Full Stack Developer - MEAN Stack	Caltech Coding Bootcamp
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What Is the Possible Answer?

Now that you have seen the Best Python IDEs that are currently available and their features, you can always decide which IDE to pick based on your requirements.

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FAQs

1. Which IDE is better for Python?

The best IDE for Python depends on your specific needs and preferences. Popular choices include PyCharm, which offers a comprehensive set of features for professional development; VS Code, which is highly customizable and lightweight; and Jupyter Notebook, ideal for data science and interactive computing. Each IDE has its strengths: PyCharm excels in advanced code analysis, VS Code in flexibility and extensions, and Jupyter in scientific computing. Consider your project requirements, workflow, and personal comfort when choosing the best IDE.

2. Is Visual Studio a good Python IDE?

Yes, Visual Studio is a good Python IDE, especially with the Python Tools for Visual Studio (PTVS) extension. It provides a robust environment with features like IntelliSense for code completion, debugging, and integration with version control systems. Visual Studio supports web frameworks, data science libraries, and other Python-related tools, making it a versatile option for Python developers. Its rich set of features and powerful debugging capabilities make it suitable for both beginners and experienced developers working on complex projects.

3. Which is the lightest IDE for Python?

Geany is considered one of the lightest IDEs for Python. It is a small, fast, and efficient text editor that includes basic IDE features like syntax highlighting, code folding, and an integrated terminal. Geany's minimalistic design ensures quick startup times and low memory usage, making it ideal for developers who need a simple, lightweight environment without the overhead of more feature-rich IDEs. It is particularly useful on older or less powerful hardware.

4. What is the fastest IDE?

When it comes to speed, Sublime Text is often cited as one of the fastest IDEs for Python. Its quick startup time, responsive interface, and efficient handling of large files make it a favorite among developers who prioritize performance. Sublime Text offers essential features like syntax highlighting, code snippets, and a powerful search function, all while maintaining high speed and low resource consumption. Its speed and efficiency are complemented by a wide range of plugins, making it a versatile and fast development tool.