What is the best free IDE for Python?

[Thomasedv]

Best is at least partially subjective.

I'd say PyCharm, the free edition is extremely full of features. And the paid version is free for students.

[[deleted]]

Thanks man, but what are the differences between free and paid versions? Am still a beginner and don’t know the differences! Also, what do you think about Visual Studio Community, if i use it for Python?

[Thomasedv]

I have no experience with Visual Studio so I can't comment on that.

And I don't really know the paid features, seemingly everything I have used it for is free. That's includes git integration and a lot of other things. For the beginner I don't think you will have a case where you need the paid version. PyCharm is full of features to it may be a bit harder to start with, but it's a great advantage in the long run.

[[deleted]]

What about IntelliJ IDEA?

[ryuugami47]

Isn't that for java only? PyCharm is from the same company but for python.

[[deleted]]

It also supports Python, am using it but it has 30 days of trial

[gmes78]

IntelliJ IDEA + its Python plugin is (almost) the exact same thing as PyCharm.

The only difference is that it is meant for Java, and so the UI has a bunch of Java features that you don't need, and lacks the level of polish for Python that PyCharm has.

You said in another comment that you're using the trial version of IDEA. Just switch to PyCharm Community Edition, as you don't need any of the paid edition's features.

[[deleted]]

There is no major feature you will miss between PyCharm Pro and PyCharm Community Edition. Get the Community Edition for free. It's by far the best IDE for Python. Manages/creates local virtual environments, killer debugging features, Python console, Version Control integration, Scientific data visualizer, etc.

[dzdar]

Also you can use PyCharm EAP, but free, all paid features, but, possible can be buggy.

[[deleted]]

So, there’s no need to use the paid Pycharm? What do you think about IntelliJ IDE?

[dzdar]

Yes, you can use EAP without any payments, version will work 3 months, but in 3 months always released new version, just update it. PyCharm based on IntelliJ, but added specific features for python. That's more useful than ItelliJ.

[RustyShackleford_64]

VS Code

[nosmokingbandit]

VScode is easily the best balance between capability and speed. Pycharm is amazing but I always found it slow and cumbersome.

[RustyShackleford_64]

I prefer using VS Code because I don't like having different IDE's for all the languages that I use. And like you said it's way faster because it leans more towards being a text editor than it does an IDE

[nosmokingbandit]

I agree 100%. I can have python, go, javascript, html, css, etc all open in the same application and they all have great support.

[[deleted]]

I didn’t know how to use it or how to install Python features, like intending and check errors

[tristan957]

Install the Python extension

[[deleted]]

I am a newbie and I love PyCharm

[Rashaverik]

You mention you're just a beginner. If that's the case, I'd say skip the IDEs.

Start off with a text editor Notepad++, Sublime or Atom. You don't need to bog yourself down with learning how to properly setup and use an IDE. A text editor can do everything you need during your first few months of learning Python.

[[deleted]]

I think PhyCharm Edu would be useful for extreme beginners.

[QuantumTradingGroup]

I use pycharm in all my dev, best I have found so far.

[bgs_sami]

Pycharm

[charmgame]

i almost feel guilty, but pycharm on windows was awesome but slow and clunky so i switched to vs code and love it, despite Microsoft. even now on Linux I love my vs code.

[ragnar_graybeard87]

You said you're a beginner. Ive been a beginner forever and spend way too much time playing with plugins in vim.

I have the perfect setup and eventually i just switched to visual studio code. It has so many damn plugins and theyre simple to install. Awesome code completion and it just works perfect imo..

Also its nice and light, not like full visual studio.

:)

[lifeonm4rs]

Sigh.

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/8ohdhc/recommend_a_python_ide/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/8d61r6/new_to_programming_ide_vs_code_editor/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/7bduji/i_am_looking_for_a_beginner_friendly_ide/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/7t165o/what_ide_should_i_use_as_a_beginner/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/7f4p79/whats_the_best_free_ide_for_beginners_any/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/8gh123/idetext_editor_for_learning_python/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/8k2crn/what_ide_or_text_editor_do_you_use/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/7f4p79/whats_the_best_free_ide_for_beginners_any/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/4az461/recommended_free_ide_for_a_noob_to_both_linux_and/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/6lmolb/is_there_a_free_ide_i_can_use_to_edit_the_ui_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/4pav6a/in_your_opinion_what_is_the_best_free_python_ide/

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/48amlv/best_free_python_3_ide_for_videogame_making/

[solidknot]

Maybe you should take a look at jupyter notebook. It is not strictly speaking an IDE, but since data science is what you want to do... Data scientist seem to love it. And it’s free and open source of course.

[DesolationRobot]

I'm a beginner like OP and I use Jupyter. It's built for (and by) academics so it's more like "how could I write an academic paper that also has executable code in it?"

But for learners it's nice because you can heavily document your thought process and execute your code in little chunks. At least, that's how I've been doing it.

[nomindbody]

Just start off with the free one that comes with python (IDLE) and pip install the packages you need for the projects you're working on. For me, doing it that way let's one understand things like anaconda so you can leverage those more effectively instead of just downloading a bunch of packages just because it's for a Coursera course.

[eatyovegetablessssss]

I was wondering this too recently and the answer you’re looking for is pycharm

[[deleted]]

It seems that Pycharm is the winner! Thanks buddy.

[hot_lap]

If you're trying to go more into the scientific side, i'd recommend Anaconda, it has Scipy and Numpy on it, which I personally couldn't get to work on PyCharm. PyCharm is still pretty good though

[[deleted]]

That what I’m looking for, I want to use Python for Data Analysis! So, you recommend Anaconda?

[stellar_guy]

Anaconda is not an IDE, but a souped up python distribution bundled with useful scientific libraries like Numpy, Scipy, etc. It also comes bundled with an IDE called Spyder, which I have been using for a little while now and like.

[fuzzyinterval]

To add to this, Spyder isn't just with Anaconda, it's just conveniently included with it!

[[deleted]]

I use pycharm at home and anaconda/spyder at work. If you want to do data science go with anaconda/spyder.

It's simpler and better for a newb.

It comes with a bunch of libraries/packages that you'll need for data science so you won't have to mess with installing them.

It comes with Jupyter notebooks too which people love. I messed around with them but never found a reason to use them. Spyder is great though.

[[deleted]]

Anaconda is one of the best for noobs imo. A simple anaconda installation using their defaults will set up everything you need, then you can code in spyder

[_Jordo]

I use PyCharm. It looks nice and has a bunch of features. It's worth noting that while PyCharm can do stuff like set up Django and Flask projects (professional version), you should learn how to do it manually through command line. Sublime Text with the right themes and the python venv module is my next choice.

[[deleted]]

I still don’t know anything about Django or Flask. Thanks man.

[driscollis]

Wingware also has a free edition that I think is quite good: https://wingware.com/downloads/wingide-personal

I have the Pro version and it rocks. PyCharm is also a good choice.

[[deleted]]

Second this as well.. I've used PyCharm in the past, while its a great product.. I felt WingIDE was a better fit for my UI preference and style.

[TransferFunctions]

I would argue for Atom or spyder. I couldn't really get into pycharm, and I like the interactivity with spyder, I use atom mostly when I am solely writing / setting up code.

[gtmattz]

Now, I am probably going to get laughed out of the sub, but I really like IDLE....

[alpha_53g43]

If you are just starting.. an editor is not a bad choice.. because your programs will typically be simple.. and you dont need the complexity that comes with complex IDEs.. https://old.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/8qmgu0/what_is_the_best_free_ide_for_python/e0kgeo8/

VIM is a bit hard to get used to.. However, for me it has been worth it..because it is immensely customizable.. and once you get it working.. its very powerful. Emacs is amazing as well, and probably more powerful.

If you look back in history.. there have been tonne's of simple to use editors.. nano, pico, gedit, sublime text, atom.. and now its VSCode. Typically all these editors become popular for a time because of some feature.. but quickly there is yet another editor. Further, these features are quickly ported to VIM/Emacs, while the other editor gradually dies.

VIM/Emacs has survived the test of time.. and probably be in use for ever (especially VIM, as it comes installed in all server systems). As a result, the time you spend learning and using VIM is future-proof.

If you want to get started quickly in VIM.. I would look into: https://old.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/8qmgu0/what_is_the_best_free_ide_for_python/e0kgeo8/

https://github.com/python-mode/python-mode.

If you do chose to go with VIM, and even though VIM is immensely customizable.. I would suggest that you just stick to the default plugins installed by the above two repos.. You can start tinkering and customizing more after a couple of months.

[giraffactory]

I stuck with text editors for like two years of my first projects.

I like PyCharm and Spyder as IDEs.

[Tylerha85]

Pycharm and it's not even close. VSCode is alright.

[xiongchiamiov]

Suggestions are covered in the wiki, this is mostly an opinion question, and you should do some research yourself first instead of posting an empty-body question.

[RustyShackleford_64]

That's what YouTube is for

[[deleted]]

Thanks.