Best Python IDEs and Code Editors to Consider in 2024

Originating in 1991, Python belongs to the most universal programming languages of 2024. Over the years, this language has evolved to automate legacy and repetitive operations for global businesses. Besides, experienced developers recommend it for those new to software development and coding. From stirring highly responsive web/mobile development to aligning with Blender, Python proves to be a comprehensive solution.

You can complete your small projects with Python by using a shell. But if you have a large-scale project on your desk, you need to consider a dedicated integrated development environment (IDE) or code editor to satisfy your business requirements. It shall not only boost operational efficiencies but also improve the coding experience. Just keep in mind that each code editor or IDE has its own set of capabilities, UI, features, etc.

This blog shall introduce you to the list of best Python IDE and coder editors readily used by developers and are worth mentioning. But before we move any further, let’s understand what an IDE or code editor means.

What are IDEs and Code Editors?

Whether a beginner or a certified development professional, you definitely need a code editor for Python or an IDE to launch a market-dominating product, service, or solution.

An IDE is a software that comprises common programming tools within a sole comprehensible Graphical User Interface (GUI). Concretely, it has a source code editor to write software codes and an in-built program – debugger to test other programs. With an integrated development environment, developers can create a local build of the software, such as collecting computer source code via local build automation.

A code editor is another software backed by additional features. Unlike IDE, which contains various development tools, this software resembles a text editor. It has the potential to outline unique keywords and provide essential suggestions concerning the language used for programming and writing codes for creating next-gen web and mobile applications using Angular IDE is a viable option. Check out the top 10 Best Java Editors in 2024.

Why is There a Need for a Good Python Coding Environment?

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Choosing a good Python coding environment is the need of the hour as it’s the key to effectively working with code. It helps developers to read and write codes successfully. A robust IDE onboard can integrate your projects with state-of-the-art features and improved performance.

The below points shall give you a better idea of why a coding environment is so important:

Accessibility & Usability: A good Python coding environment shall offer your developers the needed accessibility and usability for the tasks performed. These tasks may include auto-complete operations, code navigation, and code color styles.

Comprehensive Support: Your project shall receive a dedicated support system for every development requirement. A good Python IDE offers it all, be it a dire necessity for a syntax highlight feature, docker integration, debugger, terminal access, version control, testing system, etc.

Launch Speed: A feature-rich and optimized Python-integrated development environment or text editor can help your developers launch, process, and autocomplete code faster with less to no programming shortcomings.

Better Coding: As said earlier, Python IDE provides alternative suggestions for an inappropriate keyword or line of code. This helps developers write better, clearer, and more concise codes in a seamless manner.

Debugging Functionality: Your native Python development tools lack debugging capabilities for better coding results. On the other hand, a decent Python IDE gives you the needed debugging capabilities to find bugs and write error-free codes.

Best Python IDE & Code Editors

Best Python IDE and Code Editors | Mindbowser

Now, that you know the importance of a good Python coding environment, let’s check out a compilation of some popular Python IDEs and code editors.

✅ PyCharm: Developed by JetBrains, PyCharm is a smart programming environment that satisfies all the requirements of Python development. This environment helps developers in writing clean and easily maintainable code.

Pros:
· It is the best Python IDE for remote development that offers multiple framework assistance
· It’s has a customizable UI
· It’s smart technology to detect errors and initiate quick fixing

Cons:
· Considering its set of features, this tool seems expensive
· The process of installation is much more difficult at the initial stage and may hang up a little

Supported Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Paid

✅ Spyder: Spyder belongs to the most powerful Python compilers. It was typically designed for engineers and scientists to offer a robust scientific environment. Its ability to use PYQT helps developers in using it as an extension.

Pros:
· It proves to be an essential debugger
· It has a robust support system to view and modify documentation accordingly
· It offers decent support for extended plugins

Cons:
· It lacks the knack to configure which specific warning your programmers want to deactivate.
· Spyder IDE displays a downfall in performance when coding needs the involvement of many plugins

Supported Platform: Mac OS, QT, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Free

✅ Pydev: Experts recommend Pydev as one of the preferred open-source coding environments for Python development. Being a plugin for Eclipse makes it suitable for web as well as mobile application development. It’s also a good Python interpreter.

Pros:
· It’s supported by syntax highlighting and multi-language support
· Pydev offers good support for Django, Jython, CPython, and Iron Python
· It has an intuitive console with capabilities to enable comprehensive probing when on hold

Cons:
· The plugins sometimes hit instability
· If there are multiple plugins involved, Pydev reduces operational performance

Supported Platform: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Free

✅ Idle: It’s the best fit for beginner-level developers with an aim to practice and learn Python development. This IDE is considered to be a little bit basic and simple but has also earned popularity for its cross-platform development.

Pros:
· It provides complete assistance for intelligent indentation, syntax highlighting, and auto code completion
· Idle is aligned with a debugger with call stack visibility that augments the performance
· Developers can search through several files and within any window

Cons:
· Focus across this coding environment is sometimes nonexistent and has typical usage problems
· The numbering of the line option is absent in Idle

Supported Platform: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Free

✅ Wing: Wing is a popular coding environment with a lot of interactive features for Python development. It helps in writing code in a faster and more accurate manner. Besides, Wing brings in the best editor to help developers in completing tasks quickly.

Pros:
· Developers can migrate to their application in 10 minutes if the trial version reaches expiration
· All the variables used in the script can be seen via a source browser
· Developers can debug the code with an added exception management tab

Cons:
· Wing has no provision for dark themes
· Its commercial version is very costly

Supported Platform: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Paid

✅ Eric Python: This is a feature-rich Python IDE and code editor that helps developers in completing recurring tasks. It has an in-built plugin system that offers a unique extension for various coding environment functionalities.

Pros:
· It has wide-ranging support for Google Protobuf, unittest, and CORBA
· It’s a feature-rich integrated development environment that avoids the risk of errors via spell check library
· It has a rope refactoring tool and assists localization & web browsers for the development

Cons:
· GUI is not easy and it also raises some issues with the installation
· When many plugins are involved, Eric IDE records low-performance

Supported Platform: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Free

✅ Rodeo: It’s an environment for Python that was specifically created to perform tasks connected to data science. It works well when your projects need some experimenting. Also, this IDE strongly promotes cross-platform functionality.

Pros:
· This coding environment is extremely customizable and lightweight
· It consists of a Python dashboard as well as a text editor
· It can automatically update its existing version

Cons:
· It’s not readily maintained
· In case of issues, the company facilitates no extended assistance

Supported Platform: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Free

✅ Thonny: If you’re a beginner with less-to-no Python experience or expertise, Thonny could just be your best pick to practice Python development. The environment is easy to understand with simple and vital coding features.

Pros:
· It has an easy and clean GUI
· You can highlight the spots and explain the scopes
· If users want to explain the reference, they can easily change the mode

Cons:
· It has fewer options for text editing and also lacks an active provision for templates
· The process of plugin creation is time-consuming

Supported Platform: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Free

✅ Sublime Text: It’s one of the most sought-after and reliable cross-platform code editors that highly supports various markup languages and programming. Integrated with a Python API, Sublime Text is developed in Python and C++.

Pros:
· Users can select their preferences with respect to their projects
· It has a power-packed cross-platform UI toolkit
· An app-wide index of each function, class, and method can be created with its GOTO Definition feature

Cons:
· New users may initially find it unapproachable
· The GIT plugin is weak

Supported Platform: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Paid

✅ Atom: The Atom’s foundation is determined by atom shells. A ready-to-use desktop app, it’s a subtle open-source code editor and IDE created with web technology. This technology has extensive plugin support that is designed in Node.js.

Pros:
· Users can enjoy the benefits of UI customization
· It’s an open-source Python text editor that is assisted by a huge GitHub community
· Data recovery is easier because of its swift file-opening feature

Cons:

· Being a browser-enabled application, arranging plugins and configurations becomes laborious
· Sometimes it takes more time to load than usual

Supported Platform: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Free

✅ Vim: Vim can be the perfect choice for projects that require creating and modifying any kind of code. It’s a highly configurable and stable text editor that helps developers perform and complete quality commercial tasks effortlessly.

Pros:
· Offers users with two distinct editing and normal modes for their projects
· Non-development apps are also supported
· Users can adjust behaviour and custom functionality with self-scripting language

Cons:
· Vim has a steep learning curve
· The pop-up visibility has a no different color

Supported Platform: AmigaOS, Mac OS, UNIX, iOS, Android, MorphOS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Free

✅ Visual Studio Code: It’s a globally accepted open-source text editor that is enabled with good editing as well as development functionalities. This intelligent technology was largely designed for the building and debugging of cloud and web projects.

Pros:
· This text editor for Python possesses multi-language support
· It has a smart user interface and layout
· Users can satisfy their project customization needs with the use of various plugins

Cons:
· It intends slow searching
· Primarily, the process of launching appears to be slow

Supported Platform: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing: Free

Parameters to Choose the Best Python IDE in 2024?

Parameters to choose the best Python IDE editors | Mindbowser

As you have gone through the list of the best online IDEs for Python, many questions must have crossed your mind. How to choose the right one out of these many options? What could prove to be the most suitable option for your project? The answer to these questions is very simple. For picking the best Python IDE, you need to be clear about your project requirements, what kind of tasks you want to perform with it, and your end goal.

Here are some major characteristics that shall help you choose the correct IDE and satisfy your build phase and post-development needs. Let’s take a look.

Save and Reload: A code editor or IDE must facilitate saving and reloading the source code. It should be able to save your code in the first place and reopen it in the same phase where you stopped, thereby saving your time and effort.

Built-in Compiler: An IDE should be able to execute your codes from within the environment through a built-in compiler. If you cannot execute your codes in the same software, you should consider it a text editor.

Fixing Bugs: While choosing an IDE, ensure it has vital debugging support to fix bugs in real-time, as most IDEs offer partial implementation of the code by moving through it and adding a certain set of divisions.

Syntax Highlighting: You need to choose an IDE or a code editor that efficiently spots symbols & keywords and supports smooth adjustments for your code. Quick identification of these requisites provides easy understanding and reading of codes.

Code Automation: Automatic code formatting should be a must-have feature while selecting your integrated development environment. As your programmer performs block code, loops, or other functions, the code makes indentations.

Regular Updates: The IDE you pick must get its versions updated on a regular basis. It should systematically introduce new functionalities, features, and bug-fixing facilities and observe continuous upgrades.

Third-party Plugins: An IDE or code editor fulfils most of the project requirements. However, it should actively support third-party plugins as there are certain requirements that these plugins can only fulfil.

Pricing Options: You can choose from multiple options based on your requirements for features and available budget. These options include an open-source integrated development environment, a subscription-based, free version of an exclusive product, and a lump-sum investment model.

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Conclusion

The provided list encompasses the top Python IDEs and code editors, offering comprehensive insights into their advantages, disadvantages, and compatibility. By understanding these aspects, developers can make informed decisions when choosing an integrated development environment (IDE).

This knowledge equips them to create innovative products, services, and solutions that have the potential to make a significant impact in the dynamic field of software development. Adopting the right IDE is crucial for fostering productivity and ensuring the successful execution of development projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Python IDE mode is more suitable for coding?

PyCharm stands out as one of the top and most comprehensive dedicated IDEs for Python.

What are the functions of IDE?

An IDE, or Integrated Development Environment, allows programmers to streamline various aspects of writing a computer program. IDEs enhance productivity by bringing together key activities like editing source code, building executables, and debugging within a single application.

Which language is used in IDE?

IDE supports over 40 languages, including JavaScript, Python, PHP, Ruby, Go, and C++.

Content Team

This blog is from Mindbowser‘s content team – a group of individuals coming together to create pieces that you may like. If you have feedback, please drop us a message on contact@mindbowser.com

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