Best Code Editors & IDEs software
Editors and integrated development environments for programmers.
17 apps
Top Code Editors & IDEs apps ranked by the community
Cursor is a code editor from Anysphere, forked from VS Code, with AI integrated throughout the workflow. Its Tab model predicts multi-line edits, chat understands the whole codebase, and agent mode plans and applies changes across files while running terminal commands. Background agents can also work on tasks in the cloud. It stays compatible with VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings, and has a free Hobby plan.
12 Cursor alternativesPros
- Tab completion predicts multi-line edits as you type
- Agent mode applies changes across files and runs commands
- Keeps VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings
Cons
- Request limits and usage-based billing can be confusing
- As a VS Code fork, it can lag behind upstream updates
- The free Hobby plan is quickly limiting for daily work
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesWindsurf is an AI code editor based on VS Code, created by the team behind Codeium and now owned by Cognition, the company behind Devin. Its Cascade agent understands the codebase, edits multiple files, runs terminal commands and remembers project context, while Tab suggests next edits as you type. Plugins also bring its features to JetBrains IDEs and other editors. A free plan is available.
12 Windsurf alternativesPros
- Cascade agent edits multiple files and runs commands
- Remembers project context across sessions
- Plugins bring its features to JetBrains and other editors
Cons
- Ownership changes have made its roadmap less predictable
- Credit-based limits can run out with heavy use
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesVisual Studio Code is a free source code editor from Microsoft that runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and in the browser. It combines IntelliSense completion, a built-in debugger, Git tools and an integrated terminal with a large extensions marketplace. It is built on the MIT-licensed Code - OSS project and integrates GitHub Copilot for AI chat and agent workflows.
12 Visual Studio Code alternativesPros
- Huge extensions marketplace for almost any language or tool
- Integrated terminal, debugger and Git tools
- Remote development over SSH, in containers and with WSL
Cons
- Official builds include Microsoft telemetry and proprietary components
- As an Electron app it uses more memory than native editors
- Large extension setups can slow it down
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesSublime Text is a cross-platform text and code editor from Sublime HQ, known for its speed and low resource use. Goto Anything, multiple cursors and a command palette make large files and projects quick to navigate. It is extended with Python plugins, usually installed through the community Package Control manager. It can be evaluated for free, but a license is required for continued use.
12 Sublime Text alternativesPros
- Extremely fast, even with very large files
- Multiple cursors and Goto Anything speed up navigation and edits
- Low memory use compared with Electron-based editors
Cons
- A license is required for continued use, with reminders during evaluation
- Fewer built-in IDE features, such as debugging, than VS Code
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesIntelliJ IDEA is the JetBrains development environment for Java, Kotlin, Groovy and Scala, with deep code analysis, refactoring, a debugger and Maven and Gradle support. Since 2025 it ships as a single download: the core IDE is free, including for commercial work, and a subscription unlocks advanced Ultimate features for enterprise frameworks and web development. JetBrains AI tools are built in.
10 IntelliJ IDEA alternativesPros
- Deep code analysis and safe refactoring for Java and Kotlin
- The core IDE is free, including for commercial work
- Excellent Maven, Gradle and debugger integration
Cons
- Resource-hungry, with slow indexing on large projects
- Enterprise framework and web features require a subscription
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesWebStorm is a JetBrains IDE dedicated to JavaScript and TypeScript, with built-in support for React, Angular, Vue, Node.js and common test runners. It provides smart completion, safe refactorings, a debugger for browser and Node code, and Git tools without extra plugins. WebStorm is free for non-commercial use, and a paid license is required for commercial work.
8 WebStorm alternativesPros
- Built-in support for React, Angular, Vue and Node.js
- Smart completion and safe refactoring for JavaScript and TypeScript
- Free for non-commercial use
Cons
- Commercial use requires a paid license
- Heavier than VS Code for quick edits
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesPyCharm is the JetBrains IDE for Python, with code completion, inspections, refactoring, a graphical debugger, test runners and virtual environment management. A single distribution provides a free core for everyday Python work, while a Pro subscription unlocks advanced features for web frameworks such as Django, databases and remote development. JetBrains AI features are available in the IDE.
8 PyCharm alternativesPros
- Excellent Python completion, inspections and refactoring
- Graphical debugger, test runners and virtual environment management
- The free core covers everyday Python work
Cons
- Heavy on memory and slower to start than lighter editors
- Django, database and remote development tools require Pro
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesNeovim is a community-driven fork of Vim that keeps modal editing while modernizing the codebase. It adds first-class Lua scripting, a built-in Language Server Protocol client, Tree-sitter syntax highlighting, an embedded terminal and an RPC API that lets other programs use it as an editing engine. It is free and open source, and popular with developers who build a customized, keyboard-driven setup.
12 Neovim alternativesPros
- Lua scripting makes configuration and plugins easier to write
- Built-in LSP client and Tree-sitter highlighting
- Fast, keyboard-driven editing that runs anywhere in a terminal
Cons
- Modal editing has a steep learning curve
- Turning it into a full IDE takes time and ongoing plugin maintenance
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesVim is a highly configurable modal text editor derived from the Unix vi editor, preinstalled on many Linux and macOS systems and available for Windows. Editing is driven by keyboard commands and motions, and behavior is extended with Vim script and a large ecosystem of plugins. Created by Bram Moolenaar and now maintained by its community, it is charityware that encourages donations to help children in Uganda.
7 Vim alternativesPros
- Preinstalled on most Linux and macOS systems
- Very efficient modal editing once motions become second nature
- Lightweight, fast and ideal over SSH
Cons
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Modern IDE features depend on plugins and configuration
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesZed is a code editor written in Rust by the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, with a GPU-rendered interface that stays fast on large projects. It includes multiplayer editing, an agent panel that works with several AI models, edit predictions, Git tools, remote development over SSH and an extensions registry. Zed is open source under the GPL and runs on macOS, Linux and Windows; paid plans cover hosted AI usage.
12 Zed alternativesPros
- GPU-rendered interface that stays fast on large projects
- Built-in multiplayer editing and an agent panel for several AI models
- Open source under the GPL
Cons
- Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
- Some IDE features are less mature than in established editors
- Hosted AI usage requires a paid plan
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesNotepad++ is a free source code editor for Windows and a popular replacement for the built-in Notepad. Written in C++ on the Win32 API and the Scintilla editing component, it starts quickly and stays light while offering syntax highlighting for dozens of languages, tabs, macros, regular expression search and replace, and a plugin manager. It is open source under the GPL and maintained by Don Ho.
7 Notepad++ alternativesPros
- Starts instantly and stays light on resources
- Syntax highlighting for dozens of languages, tabs and macros
- Free, open source and extendable through a plugin manager
Cons
- Windows only, with no native macOS or Linux version
- Lacks the debugging, Git and project tools of a full code editor
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsVisual Studio is Microsoft's integrated development environment for building .NET, C# and C++ applications, games and cloud services. It includes IntelliSense, an advanced debugger and profiler, visual designers, testing tools, Git integration and GitHub Copilot. The Community edition is free for individuals, students, open source and small teams, while Professional and Enterprise are paid. It runs on Windows only.
8 Visual Studio alternativesPros
- Advanced debugger and profiler for .NET and C++ apps
- Visual designers and testing tools for Windows development
- Free Community edition for individuals, students and small teams
Cons
- Windows only, as Visual Studio for Mac has been retired
- Large install and heavy resource use
- Professional and Enterprise editions are paid
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesPlatformsVSCodium is a community project that compiles the open source VS Code codebase into ready-to-use MIT-licensed binaries, with Microsoft telemetry disabled and branding removed. It offers the same editing experience, debugger, terminal and Git tools, and installs extensions from the Open VSX registry instead of the Microsoft marketplace. It suits developers who want the VS Code workflow in a fully open source package.
12 VSCodium alternativesPros
- The VS Code experience without Microsoft telemetry or branding
- Fully open source, MIT-licensed binaries
- Ready-made builds for Windows, macOS and Linux
Cons
- Open VSX lacks some extensions found in the Microsoft marketplace
- Microsoft extensions such as Pylance or Remote SSH are not officially usable
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesXcode is Apple's free development environment for building apps for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS. It bundles the Swift and Objective-C toolchains, SwiftUI previews, Interface Builder, device simulators, Instruments for profiling, a debugger and tools to submit apps to the App Store. Recent versions add predictive code completion and coding help from AI models. It runs on macOS only.
7 Xcode alternativesPros
- Everything needed to build and ship Apple apps in one free package
- SwiftUI previews, simulators and Instruments built in
- Built-in tools to submit apps to the App Store
Cons
- Runs only on macOS, so a Mac is required
- Large downloads and updates take up a lot of disk space
- Indexing and previews can be slow or unstable on large projects
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesPlatformsAndroid Studio is the official development environment for Android, built by Google on the IntelliJ platform. It provides Kotlin and Java editing, a visual layout editor, Jetpack Compose previews, an emulator, profilers and Gradle builds for phones, tablets, Wear OS, Android TV and cars. Gemini in Android Studio adds AI help for writing code and fixing errors. It is free on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.
7 Android Studio alternativesPros
- Official, complete Android toolkit, free on all desktop systems
- Emulator, profilers and Compose previews built in
- Gemini helps write code and fix build errors
Cons
- Heavy on RAM and CPU, especially with the emulator running
- Gradle builds can be slow on large projects
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesGNU Emacs is a free, extensible text editor built around an Emacs Lisp interpreter, so almost every part of it can be reshaped. It supports programming with language servers through Eglot, debugger integration and built-in shells, and many people also use it for Org mode notes and planning, email and file management. Packages install from ELPA archives. It is part of the GNU Project and licensed under the GPL.
7 GNU Emacs alternativesPros
- Almost every part can be reshaped with Emacs Lisp
- Org mode is a powerful system for notes, tasks and planning
- Huge package ecosystem through the ELPA archives
Cons
- Steep learning curve and unusual default keybindings
- Needs significant configuration to match a modern IDE
- Can slow down with heavy configurations or very large files
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesNova is a native macOS code editor from Panic, the company behind Transmit and Coda. It pairs a Mac-style interface with language server support, Git source control, a built-in terminal, task runners and publishing to remote servers, and can be extended with JavaScript extensions from its library. Nova is a paid app with a free trial, aimed at web and app developers who prefer a fully native editor.
8 Nova alternativesPros
- Fully native Mac interface that feels fast and polished
- Built-in terminal, Git, task runners and remote publishing
- JavaScript extensions add languages and tools
Cons
- Available on macOS only
- Smaller extension library than VS Code
- Requires a paid license after the trial, while strong free editors exist
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesPlatforms
