Best Python IDE and Code Editors [Ultimate Guide] - Be on the Right Side of Change (original) (raw)

Python is one of the best and well-reputed high-level programming languages since 1991. It is best for server-side development, AI, scripting, software development, and math. It works well on multiple platforms like Mac, Linux, Windows, and Raspberry Pi.

Developers use Python code editor’s software to program and debug the code easily. By using Python IDE, you can manage big codebases and achieve a better and quicker deployment.

Developers can use these IDEs to create web or desktop applications. DevOps engineers may also use it for continuous integration.

What’s an IDE and code editor?

IDE: The term IDE means Integrated Development Environment. It is the set of tools that enable programmers and coders to increase their productivity. It provides different ways of writing codes in any computer program.

Developers use text editors, testing platforms, code libraries, and compilers. They combine the most common activities like editing source code, debugging, compiler, and executable in a single application.

The IDE makes coders life easy because without an IDE, a developer needs to deploy, integrate, and manage all the tools individually. The IDE toolset simply brings all these tools together. It is more helpful to identify coding bugs and minimize coding mistakes and other errors.

Code Editor: Code editors are also known as lightweight editors. They are not as best as IDE’s, but still, they are handy, fast, and simple to use. They are great for editing files instantly.

This program is specifically designed for editing source code, and it might be a stand-alone application. Code editors may also have some plugins, directory level syntax analyzers, or autocompleters, so they are not much different from IDEs.

The code editor helps programmers in many ways like it makes editors more skilled at writing codes. Code editors are the personal assistant that will examine code for developers and show them all the results. It tells coders where they need to edit their code.

The most common examples of code editors are Atom, TextMate, notepad++, bluefish, NetBeans, vim, Geany, etc.

IDE and code editor resemble in many ways, but the main difference is that IDE works on a project-level where we need to analyze project structure and many other things. But, Code editor is great for one file mostly, and it is much faster than IDE.

There are multiple IDEs for Python, but here is the collection of some of the Best Python IDE for different environments.

Best Python IDE for Mac

Let’s discuss the best Python IDEs for the MacOS.

1. Pydev

Pydev is the feature-rich, and open-source Python IDE that is best to use for mac. It supports code completion, Django integration, code completion with auto-import, code analysis, and type hinting.

Pydev comes with a debugger, token browser, refactoring, code coverage, unit test integration, and Pylint integration. It can also be best for Jython, Python, and IronPython development.

Pros

Cons

2. GNU Emacs

GNU Emacs is one of the best Python editors since always. It is compatible with many operating systems, including mac. GNU is an extendable and self-documenting editor with an on to go display. The developers of GNU are always upgrading it for better results.

Furthermore, GNU Emacs adopts the lisp coding language and syntax coloring. It offers Unicode support as well.

Pros

Cons

3. SciTE

It is the SCIntilla based text editor, and you can use it for mac. It is quite a useful editor for running and building different applications and programs. It is a powerful, flexible, and portable editor.

It is the free source code editor that comes with the source code and license that allows use in any free project or commercial project. Its features are useful for debugging and editing code.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Windows

These are the three top Python IDEs for Windows:

1. PyCharm

PyCharm is one of the most loved Python IDEs. PyCharm is JetBrains IDE, who is well known for making developers stuff. For IntelliJ products, it is one of the most comfortable IDEs.

It has excellent tools and plugins to work with. Its advanced commercial edition owns thousands of professional features. Moreover, it serves as a reliable support tool to develop any kind of python application from backend applications to web apps.

Pros

Cons

2. Wing IDE

Wing IDE is a product of Wingware, and it is well-reputed when the main concern is a powerful debugger. It is a lightweight but full-featured IDE with editing, code inspection, and testing features.

It is available in different versions like free edition, personal edition, and professional edition. It is the perfect choice for professional developers because it provides auto-completion, refactoring, and auto-editing that speed up the process of development.

Pros

Cons

3. Eric Python IDE

It is the open-source, and full-featured editor and IDE. It is the best IDE for windows platform.

The best thing about Eric python IDE is that everyone can use it, whether they are students, beginners, or pro. Many lecturers and professors use it for teaching purposes as well. Moreover, it works on the cross-platform, and it has extensions and plug-ins for different IDE functionalities.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Linux

These are the top Python IDEs for Linux:

1. IDLE

Idle is one of the best IDE for Linux as it is the standard Python development environment. IDLE stands for the integrated development environment, and it is the cross-platform that is best to use for both Windows and LINUX operating systems.

It is the best IDE that contains all the necessary functions and features you need to have python on your system. it is highly recommended for the Python beginner developers

Pros

Cons

2. PyDev For Eclipse

It is the feature-rich, and open-source Python IDE for the eclipse. It supports code completion, Django integration, code completion with auto-import, code analysis, and type hinting.

Pydev comes with a debugger, token browser, refactoring, code coverage, unit test integration, and Pylint integration. You can also find references using shortcut keys. Moreover, it can be great to use for Jython, Python, and IronPython development.

Pros

Cons

3. VS Code

Visual studio is the cross-platform editor for the different OS including Linux. It is Microsoft IDE that supports multiple programming languages. You just need to install the extension of the programming language.

The best thing about VS is that you can customize it, create your shortcut keys, change the theme, and other preferences. Install Python extension to activate support for python development and use it in your VS code.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Ubuntu

These are the best Python IDEs for Ubuntu:

1. Vim

Developers use vim as a command-line interface and a standalone application. It is best to use for college projects. It makes programming more fun, easy, and enjoyable.

Vim is loved by the Linux and Ubuntu-users. It is because it is highly customizable and fast. Vim makes debugging a lot easier, and it also helps to support many plug-ins and tools.

Pros

Cons

2. PyCharm

PyCharm is one of the most loved IDEs for Ubuntu. It is JetBrains Product who is well known for making developers things. For IntelliJ products, it is one of the most comfortable IDEs.

It has handy tools and plugins to work. You can also use its advanced commercial edition with hundreds of professional features. It also serves as a reliable support tool to develop any kind of python application from backend applications to web apps.

Pros

Cons

3. Atom

Atom is free and open-source with the same features as an integrated development environment. It supports almost all programming languages, including python. You can use the Atom editor on Ubuntu easily.

You can make Atom function like IDE by installing some plug-ins and extensions. It has a slick user interface. It provides many features like syntax highlighting in the code, diagnostics, auto-completion, etc.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Beginners

These are the top Python IDEs for beginner developers:

1. Spyder

It is the dedicated IDE for beginners, and it incorporates some very useful features that make it popular.

It facilitates coders and programmers to do programming easily and accurately. It’s code editor, debugger, and compiler make it the best choice for new learners. Moreover, the user doesn’t have to provide a compiler or interpreter; this IDE creates the environment itself.

Pros

Cons

2. Eric Python IDE

It is the open-source, and full-featured editor and IDE and it will work fine for you if you are a newbie.

The best thing about Eric python IDE is that everyone can use it, whether they are students, beginners, or pro. Many lecturers and professors use it for teaching purposes as well. Moreover, it works on the cross-platform, and it has extensions and plug-ins for different IDE functionalities.

Pros

Cons

3. Sublime

Sublime is the light-weight editor with the API and package system. It provides powerful features like python scripting, multiple panes, plug-ins, and much more.

It can customize everything by itself. So users can code with efficiency, speed, and accuracy.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Machine Learning

Are there any special IDEs for machine learning and AI? You bet! Check out those top IDEs for ML and AI:

1. Visual Studio

Visual studio is the best python IDE for machine learning. It is a Microsoft product, and it provides support for many programming languages. It is the heavy-weight IDE that offers code refactoring, debugging, profiling, and many other tools.

It provides full support for python language, including scientific computing, web development, and data science. It is the best choice if you want to debug python and C/C++ side by side.

Pros

Cons

2. Geany

It has been a Python machine learning IDE since 2005. It is quite a light-weight IDE that is written in C and C++. It might be tiny, but it provides the same functionality as other IDEs in the market.

Along with this, it provides support to the coder by highlighting syntax and line numbering as well. It has features like code completion, auto HTML, XML tags, braces closing, etc. it also provides code folding and support code navigation.

Pros

Cons

3. Atom

It is another free and open-source editor with the features the same as an integrated development environment. It is the best choice for supporting almost all programming languages, including Python. You can use the Atom IDE for machine learning.

You can make Atom function like IDE by installing some plug-ins and extensions. It has a slick user interface. It provides many features like syntax highlighting in the code, diagnostics, auto-completion, etc.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Raspberry Pie

Now, that’s specific—but there are some IDEs that are much better for Raspberry Pies. Read on to learn which ones are the best!

1. Geany

Geany is a lightweight graphical user interface IDE. It uses a text editor that uses scintilla and GTK+ with IDE. It is independent of a special desktop environment, and it requires only a few dependencies on other packages. It supports tons of programming languages.

Along with this, it provides support to the coder by highlighting syntax and line numbering as well. It has features like code completion, auto HTML, XML tags, braces closing, etc. it also provides code folding and support code navigation.

Pros

Cons

2. Ninja

Ninja IDE is written purely in Python, and it supports multiple platforms like Linux, windows, mac for code execution. It is a cross-platform software that is exclusive to build Python applications and websites.

It is a very light-weight IDE that performs functionalities like file handling, code locating, going to lines and tabs, zoom editor, and automatic code identification. Moreover, it supports a few more languages other than python.

Pros

Cons

3. Code block

This IDE is also written in C++ using WX widgets as a graphical user interface in 2005. The code block is open-source, free and cross-platform IDE, and it supports multiple compilers like Visual C++, clang, and GCC.

This IDE is quite intelligent, and it also performs various functions like code folding, code completion, syntax highlighting, and much more. Code block also has several external plugins for different customizations. Moreover, it runs on various operating systems.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Data Science

What are the best IDEs for data science and data analytics? The difference between suitable and not-so-suitable editors is like 50 shades of grey. Start at the top!

1. PyCharm

PyCharm is a well-reputed python IDE by the data science developers. It has excellent tools and plugins to work with.

It is best for those who have experience of using different Jetbrains IDE. It is because the features and the interface can be similar. It also allows data science developers to integrate its tools and libraries such as Matplotib.

Pros

Cons

2. Spyder

It is the dedicated IDE for data science developers, and it incorporates some very useful features that make it popular among them.

Spyder is built specifically for data science. It facilitates coders and programmers to do programming easily and accurately. Its code editor, debugger, and compiler make it the best choice for new learners. Moreover, if you are a beginner, you will like features like online help that allows you to search for library information.

Pros

Cons

3. Jupyter Notebook

Python notebooks have got a lot of attention in recent years as a tool showing code, and the results are amazing. It helps to lower the barrier to start with programming because the input is noticeable with output.

Jupyter lap is working to enable users to work with activities like Jupyter notebook and custom components in an interactive manner.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Android

Programming Android? Then check out those awesome Python IDEs that belong to the best-in-class 100%!

1. IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA is one of the best python IDEs for android as it specializes in web and mobile app development. It uses java, groovy and other frameworks that are best for android app development.

The detailed documentation helps in integration that is also easy to understand. It has multiple plugins to perform different types of tasks. The assistance, unobtrusive intelligence, and inspections are also available with IDE. You can go in-depth coding, fast navigation, and error analysis by this IDE.

Pros

Cons

2. Eclipse

Eclipse is the feature-rich, and open-source that is best for Python IDE for android. It supports code completion, Django integration, code completion with auto-import, code analysis, and type hinting.

It comes with a debugger, token browser, refactoring, code coverage, unit test integration, and Pylint integration to code the best python apps. It can also be best for Jython and IronPython development.

Pros

Cons

3. Visual Studio Python IDE for Android

Visual studio is the cross-platform editor for the different OS including Android. It is Microsoft IDE that supports multiple programming languages. You just need to install the extension of the programming language.

The best thing about VS is that you can customize it, create your shortcut keys, change the theme, and other preferences. Install Python extension to activate support for python development and use it in your VS code.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE with Debugger

Code is more or less buggy. If your code leans towards the former—check out those IDEs with powerful debugging functionality.

1. Eclipse + Pydev

It is a Python IDE with a lot of plugins, extensions, and debugging features. You can use it with other programming languages like C, C++, Python, and PHP.

Pydev is a plugin that allows eclipse to use as a python IDE that also supports the Jython and IronPython. It also uses some advanced techniques to provide elements such as code completion and analysis. It also offers features like interactive console, basic syntax highlighting, and many more.

Pros

Cons

2. Vim

It is the text editor that allows the manipulation of the text file and debugging feature as well. This software is quite better by now as compared to its old version.

It differs from the other Python’s IDEs in the modal mode of operation. It has 3 modes: normal, command, and command-line mode. It is free software which means you can easily adapt extensions and modify its configuration files.

Pros

Cons

3. GNU Emacs

GNU Emacs is one of the best Python IDEs with debugging features. It is compatible with many operating systems. GNU enables coders to perform better with a self-documenting editor with an on to go display. The developers of GNU are always upgrading it for better results.

Furthermore, GNU Emacs adopts the lisp coding language and syntax coloring. It offers Unicode support as well.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Engineers

Are you an engineer? I mean a true engineer (not a mere software engineer)? Then check out these IDEs that may be just the ones you’ve been looking for:

1. Enthought Canopy

This Python IDE is one of the best for scientists and engineers. The canopy comes with many integrated tools that are best for data analysis, app development, and data visualization. You can use its free or commercial license.

Currently, it ships above 450 python packages for data science. It also offers a graphical package manager to install, update, and remove packages from the user environment.

Pros

Cons

2. Jupyter Notebook

Python notebooks have got a lot of attention in recent years as a tool showing code, and the results are amazing. It helps to lower the barrier to start with programming because the input is noticeable with output.

This IDE combines code, text, and images, thus providing an interstice data science environment for engineers. It has many integrated data science libraries. Jupyter lap is working to enable users to work with activities like Jupyter notebook and custom components in an interactive manner.

Pros

Cons

3. Rodeo

Rodeo is another python IDE for data science and machine learning projects. It helps you to explore data and plots, that’s why it is the best IDE for engineers. It is much like the RStudio IDE for the R programming language.

Furthermore, it provides syntax highlighting and auto-completion features. It is also supportive of the other platforms. Rodeo IDE also helps to keep track of functions and variables.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Algorithmic Trading

Money, money, money. Make more money with those best Python IDEs for algorithmic trading:

1. Spyder

Spyder is a light-weight open-source IDE comes pre-installed with Anaconda distribution. It stands for Scientific Python Development Environment and was built mainly for data science practitioners. It offers a large set of data visualization models to simplify financial analysis. The most promising feature of Spyder is its HELP toolbar where you can search a plethora of information related to modules or libraries.

Pros

Cons

2. Algorithm IDE

If you want to code trading strategies, the Algorithm Integrated Development Environment is best for you. It uses Algorithm API to streamline your work process.

Pros

Cons

3. Codenvy

It offers you a feature-rich cloud-based development environment where you code, develop and enhance effectiveness. It has everything a python developer can expect from an IDE.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE For Tensor Flow

We’re getting kind of specific here. But, yes, there are some Python IDEs that are almost perfect for developing TensorFlow apps. Check them out if this is you!

1. Ninja IDE

It is a cross-platform IDE that allows developers to create several applications, including tensor flow. Ninja IDE is designed to make the task of coding more enjoyable and easier.

Pros

Cons

2. Sublime Text

If you need to write tensor flow applications, you can test out ideas on sublime. It is one of the most widespread text editors for code and markup. The tricky part of every application is debugging, which you can easily handle with Sublime debugger.

Pros

Cons

3. Jupyter Notebook

When you are dealing with complex tensorflow applications, Jupyter Notebook is best for code. It combines text, images, and code in an excellent way that will refresh a developer’s mind.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE with Intellij

Intellij is very popular these days. These are the best Python IDEs with IntelliJ:

1. Jet Brains IDE (PyCharm)

JetBrains IDE PyCharm shares the same plugins and features as Intellij and offers all the necessary tools a python developer should want. You can keep control of the quality with testing assistance, inspections, smart refactorings, and PEP8 checks.

Pros

Cons

2. Intellij IDEA

Every aspect of this IDE is designed to enhance a developer’s productivity. The IDE uses Groovy, JavaScript, and other frameworks and provides detailed documentation.

Pros

Cons

3. WebStorm

It is a robust JavaScript IDE with all the features of IntelliJ. It is designed to maximize the performance of a modern developer by offering refactoring for TypeScript, JavaScript, style sheet languages, and many other popular web frameworks.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE with Autocomplete

Auto… thi. sente…! Want to find the best Python IDEs that autocomplete your code, check out these ones:

1. IDLE

Every developer looks for the python IDE with autocomplete feature. IDLE is a popular Integrated Development Environment which is mainly used by newbie developers. It is a cross-platform developed purely in Python. It has a multi-window text editor with various features including smart indentation, call tips, python colorizing, and undo.

Pros

Cons

2. Wing

This IDE creates an intelligent development environment for a python developer. It has a smart debugger, auto code completion feature, and editor to make the development accurate and fun to complete. Wing supports the test-driven coding with Django testing, unit testing, pytesting framework.

Pros

Cons

3. Geany

It is a lightweight graphical user interface IDE that has a text editor that uses scintilla and GTK+. It supports all types of programming languages and provides support to the coder by highlighting syntax and line numbering.

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Data Visualization

More and more businesses rely on meaningful visualizations of their proprietary data. These IDEs help you produce them:

1. Visual Studio Code

It is a cross-platform, Microsoft IDE that supports multiple programming languages. You can customize it, create shortcut keys, and change the theme in this IDE. Just install Python extension to activate support for Python development in VS Code.

Pros

Cons

2. Rodeo

It is an open-source native python IDE for data science that was developed by Yhat. It has some amazing features, such as easy interaction with frames, plots, and data, syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and plots, built-in IPython support.

Pros

Cons

3. Angular IDE by CodeMix

Write your best code with the new source code editor. The Angular IDE has an excellent control panel where you can view your project in a particular browser, generate blocks like components, directives, and guards. With a quick drag and drop option, you can customize your control panel

Pros

Cons

Best Python IDE for Hackers

Believe it or not—many people want to know the best IDE for hackers. Well, I don’t think that a hacker would ever ask such a question… But I try to answer it anyway.

1. Jet Brains IDE

Hackers only use IDEs for debugging and code analysis. There is no specific IDE designed for a hacker. But yes, you can use those Integrated Development environments with all the features needed in the code analysis. Jet Brains Popular IDEs are ideal for this purpose as they have all the smart features a hacker should need. You can use any of the JetBrains IDEs including PyCharm, Webstorm and IntelliJ IDEA.

Pros

Cons

2. Atom

Atom is an open-source editor with the same features as an IDE. It supports almost all programming languages, including python. Atom can work like an IDE if you install some specific plug-ins and extensions.

Pros

Cons

3. Komodo

A hacker needs swift coding with excellent performance of the IDE, and Komodo is exactly what a hacker want. Now you can code faster in any of the modern programming languages including Python, PHP, Golang, Perl, Ruby and more.

Pros

Cons

Where to Go From Here?

Enough theory. Let’s get some practice!

Coders get paid six figures and more because they can solve problems more effectively using machine intelligence and automation.

To become more successful in coding, solve more real problems for real people. That’s how you polish the skills you really need in practice. After all, what’s the use of learning theory that nobody ever needs?

You build high-value coding skills by working on practical coding projects!

Do you want to stop learning with toy projects and focus on practical code projects that earn you money and solve real problems for people?

🚀 If your answer is YES!, consider becoming a Python freelance developer! It’s the best way of approaching the task of improving your Python skills—even if you are a complete beginner.

If you just want to learn about the freelancing opportunity, feel free to watch my free webinar “How to Build Your High-Income Skill Python” and learn how I grew my coding business online and how you can, too—from the comfort of your own home.

Join the free webinar now!