Best 12+ Python IDEs In 2023: Choosing The Best One

Integrated Development Environments are software applications generally including code editors, automation tools, debugging tools, and many more features.

In this post, we will learn about some of the Top Python IDEs in 2023 that can provide facilities to programmers for software development.

What is an IDE?

An IDE is an Integrated Development Environment which facilitates programmers by providing various features like code syntax highlighting, code editor, debugging tool, automated completion, etc. This can significantly increase the programming capacity of a programmer.

Why Python IDEs Instead of a Text Code Editor

Nowadays, various python IDEs offer various features that increase the productivity of programmers by providing them with many additional features as compared to a standard code editor. The Integrated Development Environment can help programmers easily code, compile, run, and debug their code.

These python IDEs contain internal compilers that execute the code, syntax highlighting and auto code completion features. They also offer various packages, libraries, and debugging tools to help programmers.

Top 12 Python IDEs in 2023

There are many Python IDEs available nowadays. However, here we will present you with some of the best integrated development environments that you can use while coding.

1. PyCharm

This is one of the most popular Python IDEs created by JetBrains. This IDE can be used for large project development by professional developers. There are many top functionalities in this IDE. There are mainly two versions of PyCharm.

Professional Version: This is a paid version of PyCharm, which is mainly additional advanced features generally needed for developing large projects.

Community version: This is open source and can be downloaded without additional cost. It consists of sufficient features of the IDE unlocked in the free version.

Features of PyCharm

Pycharm is an intelligent code editor that can suggest keywords, classes, and methods while typing.
It can help in highlighting errors and also offer quick fix suggestions.
It consists of debugging tools that help debug your Python code.
It also assists in code restructuring.
It also includes database tools, which help to interact with databases easily.
It also contains frameworks like Django, flasks, etc.
It is highly customizable and supports various plugins.

2. IDLE

IDLE is a default Python IDE that comes with the Python programming language. It is also referred to as an integrated development and Learning Environment. It is a simple, lightweight IDE generally designed for beginners and new programmers. It also consists of many features that help programmers code efficiently. Let us check out some of the critical features of IDLE.

Features of IDLE

It consists of an interactive python shell which helps users code quickly.
It also consists of features like syntax highlighting, indentation support, auto code completion, etc.
It consists of debugging tools and auto-complete features.
It contains built-in version control tools.

3. Visual Studio Code

Microsoft created an open-source software called Visual Studio Code. It is one of the most well-known IDEs. The number of cutting-edge features it offers helps Python programmers work more efficiently. It can operate on various platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Let us know some of the important features of Visual Studio Code.

Features of Visual Studio Code

It is an open source IDE
It is easy to use.
It provides a user-friendly environment with custom theme features.
It offers auto code completion features.
It also contains syntax highlighting, deployment tools and plugins.
It offers various plugins that can make coding easy.
It also offers debugging tools.

4. Sublime Text

This trendy code editor supports many languages like C, Java, C++, React, and Python. It offers high reliability and speed. It is an open-source IDE available on the internet. You can download and use most of its features for free.

Features of Sublime Text

It provides cross-platform support for its users.
You can easily access any files, symbols, or code with a few keystrokes.
It consists of powerful API and plugin support.
The command palette helps access features with a text interface.
Users can define their own custom snippets in the latest sublime text.
It also offers syntax highlighting, code editor, debugging tools, auto code completion, version control integration, etc.

5. PyDev

PyDev is an open-source Python IDE for Eclipse. It provides many robust features for Python development within the Eclipse platform. It also consists of various tools and features that help programmers write their code effectively.

Features of PyDev

It offers a rich Python development environment with an interactive console and support for various Python versions.
It also provides syntax highlighting features along with auto code completion.
It helps in debugging your code and also provides quick fix suggestions.
Users can define their own custom snippets in the latest sublime text.
It also consists of code editor, debugging tools, auto code completion, version control integration, etc.
It can connect to databases to run SQL queries, and use different schemas.

6. Spyder

Spyder is a robust open-source integrated development environment (IDE) used for various data analytics, machine learning, and scientific computing work. It is specially designed for data analysts, scientists, and engineers.

Features of Spyder

It consists of an interactive Python console that allows users to run Python code efficiently and explore test snippets and variables of the code.
It consists of many ipython features. It contains interactive widgets and commands, which help to improve visualization.
It offers syntax highlighting, a code editor, and code analysis. These features make coding accessible and efficient.
It also supports different types of charts.
It comprises preloaded data science libraries like Numpy, Pandas, and Matplotlib.
It consists of major features that help implement data science and its libraries.

7. Google Colaboratory

This is one of the most simple and easy-to-use Python IDEs available in 2023. You do not have to download it on your local computer. You only need to sign in with your Google account. It is preloaded with all the advanced features and tools. It is especially used for machine learning models.

Features of Google Colaboratory

It is an open-source Python IDE available online for free.
Its interface is highly user-interactive.
You do not need to download any heavy files.
It consists of libraries, multi-language support, and tools.
It runs entirely on the cloud, and users can run it remotely without downloading it to their personal computers.

8. Jupyter

This integrated development environment is specifically designed for data science. It can also be installed on a remote server or desktop. You will need to download anaconda before using Jupyter.

Features of Jupyter

It is specifically designed for data science work.
It consists of significant data science libraries such as Numpy, Seaborn, Numpy, etc.
It provides an interactive computing environment to help users interact easily.
It can integrate with libraries like Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Plotly to help users create interactive visualizations.
It is open-source software used to implement visualization and narrative testing and is free to use.
It comprises advanced features like auto code completion, syntax highlighting, data analysis, debugging tools, etc.

9. Thonny

This IDE is especially designed for beginners to learn to program in Python. It provides a beginner-friendly interface and tools that help you understand programming concepts easily.

Features of Thonny

It contains a simple and clean interface, which is ideal for beginners.
It contains basic IDE features such as code editor, highlighting, debugging, code analysis, error detection, etc.
Thonny highlights the syntax errors and other issues in the code. It can help programmers identify and fix errors.
It consists of various education tools and plugins which is specially designed to teach programming concepts to beginners or students.
It is available on Windows, Mac and Linux.

10. Pyscripter

Pyscripter is an open-source platform that is specially designed for Windows users. It contains all the major additional features available in other advanced Python IDEs.

Features of Pyscripter

It contains all the advanced features, such as syntax highlighting, code completion, database support, code analysis, debugging, etc.
It integrates with the version control systems, which allows managing source code directly from the github
It consists of multiple languages supported, such as Javascript, Python, Jscript, VBScript, and HTML.

11. Wing

Wing is one of the most powerful IDEs in 2023. It consists of many features to make coding efficient. It consists of debugging solid support and a smart editor. It is a fast and reliable IDE for development. It contains a 30-day trial version for users.

Features of Wings

It is a powerful IDE with many advanced features in 2023.
It consists of find and go to definition.
It consists of auto-code completion, debugging tools, refactoring, and many more.

12. Vim

Vim is an open source crossed Python IDE which is supported on every platform, like Windows, Mac, OS, etc. It is a highly customizable and multilevel IDE. It consists of auto-indentation, conversion of file formats, and a large amount of plugin support. It also allows auto code completion, debugging, refactoring, etc.

How To Choose The Best Python IDEs

Choosing the best IDE depends upon various conditions. It depends on the user’s choice and his area of comfort with a particular IDE. However, it also depends on the kind of task to perform.

If you are a beginner, you can start with IDLE or Thonny. They are easy to use and are beginner-friendly.
However, for medium to large-level projects, one can use VS Code, PyCharm, Atom, etc.
If you are a data scientist, then you will prefer Jupyter and Google colaboratory for easy handling and advanced features.

Recommended Course

However, the main objective of the Python IDE is to make coding easy and effective. It depends on what the user is most comfortable with. There are no restrictions on which IDE to use.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FAQs

Q1. What is an IDE?

Ans: The IDE is a development environment which consists of many other advanced features than the code editor which makes coding more effective and simple.

Q2. Which IDE is best for Python programming?

Ans: Pycharm is considered one of the best Python IDEs many professional developers use. It consists of all the advanced features and an excellent interactive environment required for coding. It makes coding productive and easy.