9 Best Python IDEs For Your Next Python Web Development Project

Python is one of the prominent and high-level languages that was first released in 1991. It is largely used for the development of software, server-side web development, artificial intelligence, and scripting.

It runs on manifold platforms like Mac OS, Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi.

The best Python IDE and code editors are intended for developers to code and debug programs effortlessly. Using such Python IDEs, you can administer a huge codebase and attain rapid deployment.

As a Python web development agency, we use varied IDEs and code editors. Here we have compiled a list of the most popular IDE for Python in 2023.

What is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)?

An integrated development environment is a software app that offers wide-ranging services to computer programmers for any kind of software development.

An integrated development environment (IDE) usually comprises build automation tools, at least a source code editor, and a debugger.

Some of the IDEs, namely, Eclipse and NetBeans, have the required interpreter, compiler, or both; while others, like Lazarus and SharpDevelop, do not.

Various contemporary IDEs also have an object browser, a class browser, and a class hierarchy illustration for usage in object-based software development.

The border between an IDE and other fragments of the wider software development ecosystem is not clearly defined. At times, a version control scheme or several tools that streamline the structure of a graphical user interface (GUI) are unified.

Let’s look at one such counterpart of an IDE that is called a code editor.

What is a Code Editor?

A code editor is a text editor software package intended explicitly for editing the source code of computer programs. A dedicated code editor may be built into an IDE or maybe a standalone application or web browser.

These code editors are a vital programming tool, as the chief task of software programmers is to write and edit program codes.

Source-code editors have characteristics specially planned to streamline and speed up the typing of source codes, like indentation, autocomplete, syntax highlighting, and brace matching functionality.

Such editors also render a suitable way to run an interpreter, debugger, compiler, or another program pertinent to the website development procedure.

Therefore, while numerous text editors like Notepad can be utilized to edit Python code, if they do not augment, mechanize or ease the editing of code, they are not the best code editors.

Now that you know the difference between an IDE and code editor, let’s look at the 9 most widely used Python IDE of 2023.

9 Best Python IDE to Use in 2024 

When it comes to Python web applications, it is necessary to use IDEs that can handle the advanced technologies like Machine learning and Data Science being implemented in Python script.

Here we have listed 9 best IDE for Python web development.

Python IDE Name Logo Used Languages Developed By Licence type
monocubed icon
  • Python
  • C++
  • HTML
  • PHP
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
Jon Skinner Free
Eclipse PyDev
  • Java
  • C
  • C++
  • C#
  • JavaScript
  • Python
Aleks Totic Free
Vim
  • Python
  • Lua
  • Pearl
Bram Moolenaar Free
Atom
  • C++
  • C#
  • COBOL
  • CSS
  • CoffeeScript
  • Go
  • HTML
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • JSON
  • Perl
  • PHP
  • Ruby
  • Scala
  • SQL
John Dalton Free
Pycharm
  • Python
JetBrains Open source
Visual Studio Code
  • C
  • C++
  • C#
  • Python
  • Visual Basic
  • PHP
  • JavaScript
Microsoft Open source
Emacs
  • Lisp
  • Scheme
  • the Scheme-based DSSSL expression language
  • Ada
  • ASM
  • C
  • C++
Richard Stallman Free
Thonny
  • Python
Aivar Annamaa Free
Spyder
  • Python
Pierre Raybaut Open Source
  1. Sublime Text

    Written by a Google engineer, named Jon Skinner, Sublime Text is a cross-platform IDE established in Python and C++. This IDE for Python on Windows has elementary inbuilt support for Python.

    Sublime text is rapid and you can modify this editor as per your requirement to form a complete development ecosystem.

    Sublime Text is the best free Pythoncode editor of 2022 available. You can set up packages for auto-completion, debugging, and code printing.

    It is built in such a way that it supports numerous other mark-up and programming languages.The code editor permits users to add supplementary functions with the assistance of plugins.

    Some features offered by the IDE are:

    • ‘Command palette’ utilizes adaptive matching for rapid keyboard invocation of random instructions
    • A multi-language editor supporting various programming languages
    • Go to anything, symbols, quick navigation to files
    • Python oriented plugin API
    • Simultaneously make the identical interactive alterations to manifold selected areas
    • Wide-ranging customization via JSON setting files, comprising platform-specific and project-specific settings
    • Project-related preferences
    • Well-matched with various language grammars from TextMate
    • Cross-platform (mac OS, Windows, and Linux) and supportive plug-ins for these cross-platform
    Pros
    • Good compatibility with language grammars
    • Permits users to select specific preferences
    • GoTo Definition feature to produce an application-wide index
    • Dominant cross-platform user interface toolkit
    Cons
    • Sometimes intimidating to new users
    • No strong GIT plugin
  2. Eclipse PyDev

    Eclipse is an integrated development environment (IDE) generally intended for the Java language.

    Owing to its system of extensions or plugins, it can be utilized with other languages, comprising PHP and C/C++.

    Pydev is a great plugin that permits Eclipse to be utilized as an IDE that supports IronPython and Jython.Pydev employs progressive inference techniques to supply elements like code analysis and code completion.

    Pydev is an independent, free Python IDE of 2022 that endorses exceptional integrity with the Eclipse universe.

    Python development has become equivalent to Java development on Eclipse, creating the experience much more impressively. Eclipse PyDev is stable and offers decent performance for the Python project life cycle.

    The major emphasis of this online Python IDE is on debugging in the graphical pattern, analysis of code, and refactoring of python code.

    Below listed are some of its vital features:

    • Code completion and code folding with auto-import
    • Pydev supports Unittest, PyLint and Django integration
    • Permits you to make Google App Engine (GAE) Python project
    • Collaborating console
    • Remote debugger and highlighting syntax and keywords
    Pros
    • Strong syntax highlighting, code folding, parser errors, and multi-language support
    • Decent outline view
    • Support for Jython, CPython, Iron Python, and Django
    • Allows communicating probing in suspended mode
    • Provides smart indent, tabs, preferences, Pylint integration, auto-completion of keywords, ToDo tasks, and content assistants
    Cons
    • Plugins become unstable by creating issues in app development
    • Performance decreases if the app is too huge with manifold plugins

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  3. Vim

    Vim is the best Python code editor, letting manipulation of the text files.

    The program code of Vim was first printed in 1991 by Bram Moolenaar, its chief developer. Ever since then, the software has progressed and been upgraded by its developers and also has received contributions from the developers’ community.

    Vim varies from most of the text editors for Python framework in its modal mode of procedure.Vim has three rudimentary modes – normal or command, command line, and insert mode.

    Vim can be customized fundamentally by modifying its configuration file or adding extensions.This means that you can certainly adapt the text editor for web app development in Python.

    This is free software and includes an assembly of characteristics such as automatic indentation adapted to the language and multi-buffers that support simultaneous file editing.

    Some advanced features that make Vim stand out as an exceptional IDE for Python developers are –

    • Extremely persistent and also has a multi-level undo tree
    • Contains a wide-ranging system of plugins
    • Provides an extensive variety of support for numerous programming files and languages
    • Has an influential integration, examination and interchange functionality
    Pros
    • Provides two modes – editing mode and normal mode
    • Comes with its scripting language
    • Allows to alter behavior and customize functionality
    • Supports non-programming applications
    • Command sequences like Strings can save and reuse again
    Cons
    • Does not have a dissimilar colour for the pop up presented
    • No easy learning curve
  4. Atom

    Atom is a lightweight, cross-platform, and open-source IDE developed utilizing web technologies.It is established on a framework built by GitHub called Electron.

    Atom is extremely customizable and offers Python language support, installing the extension when Atom is executing Python scripts.

    Some of the packages for Python development are –

    • python black
    • atom-python-run
    • atom-python-test
    • python-indent
    • python tools
    • autocomplete-python
    • python-debugger
    • linter-flake

    Below are some features of this best Python IDE:

    • Contains inbuilt file system browser and package manager
    • Functions on cross-platform editing effortlessly, thereby increasing the performance
    • Facilitates manifold pane features, searches and replaces text across an application
    • Assists the users to write scripts more rapidly with flexible, smart code navigation and automatic code formatting
    • Smart code completion, lightweight, and multi-language support
    • Allows support for third-party packages
    Pros
    • Simple to use
    • Allows UI customization
    • Support from the team at GitHub
    • Quickly open the file to retrieve information and data
    Cons
    • Consumes more time to sort plugins and configurations
    • Tabs are clumsy, hence reduces the performance
    • Sometimes loads slowly
  5. Pycharm

    An experienced Python developer mostly utilizes PyCharm, and it is believed to be the best IDE for Python development in Windows.

    PyCharm is a cross-platform IDE established by the Czech company JetBrains. This intelligent code editor can be used on mac OS and Linux systems.

    This software comprises an API that can be employed by the developers to transcribe their Python plugins so that they can prolong the straightforward functionalities.

    PyCharm stands out from the competition due to its productivity tools, like quick fixes, auto code completion, and tools for data management.In addition, it provides a good Python development environment for test-driven development.

    It is obtainable in three versions, the Educational (Edu) version, the Apache-licensed Community version, and the proprietary Professional version.The first two versions are free of charge as they are open-source, while the Professional version is paid.

    The Community version is very fascinating as it has diverse features such as live code verification, syntax highlighting, and auto-completion.

    But the paid versions contains more advanced traits than the community version like complete database management and support for web frameworks namely Flask, Django, Pyramid, web2py, and Google App Engine.

    Below mentioned are some additional features of this Python web IDE.

    • Considered as one of the best Python code editors. As it has smart code and safe refactoring
    • Has more features for profiling, debugging, testing the code, remote development, quick fixing, error detection
    • Support for prevalent web frameworks, web technologies, version control, and scientific libraries
    Pros
    • Provides manifold framework support
    • Provides smart platform when it comes to error detection, auto code completion, and quick fixing
    • Customizable interface increases the productivity
    • Supports cross-platform development. With this, developers can transcribe script on diverse platforms
    Cons
    • The default setting may need adjustment before projects can be employed
    • Sluggish loading time
  6. Visual Studio Code

    Visual Studio Code or VS Code is an open-source, extensible code editing software generated by Microsoft that can be utilized for Python applications.

    VS Code offers a good Python development environment for professional web developers. You can add extensions to make a Python development setting.

    It delivers support for embedded Git control, IntelliSense completion of code, debugging, syntax highlighting, code refactoring, and snippets.

    Visual Studio Code is exceptionally well-designed, and its foremost benefit is that it delivers an extension-based structural design.Because this IDE is lightweight, it can be prolonged by adding sequential components as required.

    Some of the preeminent features of this open-source code editor are given below:

    • Visual studio is greatly customizable and extensible through which we can insert debuggers, languages, and themes
    • Has a commanding debugger and the users can debug from the code editor itself
    • Supports auto-code complete and syntax highlighting feature with IntelliSense which finishes syntax based on variable types and function definition
    • Has a strong integration with GIT. Hence, the user can execute GIT operations like commit straight and push from the editor
    Pros
    • Good layout and smart interface
    • Provides multi-language support and many additional functionalities
    • Supports the use of multi-split window and vertical orientation trait
    • Sanctions the usage of many plugins
    Cons
    • Initially, it takes time to launch
    • Examining with VS code is extremely slow
  7. Emacs

    Emacs was developed in 1976 by Richard Stallman. It is a completely free Python IDE. It is a customizable software obtainable on all platforms.

    Emacs utilizes a form of the commanding Lisp programming language for customization, and numerous customization scripts exist for development in Python.

    Guido van Rossum, the creator of Python, accepted Emacs as the best text editor for Python in one of his tweets in 2016 – Emacs of course!

    Below mentioned are some of its imperative features:

    • 24-bit color encrypted support for the terminals assisting it
    • Programmed indentation such as newlines, spaces, and brackets for constant formatting in the file
    • Syntax highlighting to distinguish document elements like comments and keywords
    Pros
    • 24-bit colour encrypted support for terminals supporting it
    • Automatic inclusion of elements like newlines, spaces, and brackets
    • Free and completely customizable
    Cons
    • Not easy to use for beginners
  8. Thonny

    Thonny is an IDE created by the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Tartu in Estonia. This software has been intended essentially to make life easier for beginners in Python by supplying them with a simple and lightweight IDE.

    Thonny is accessible for all chief platforms, with installation directions on the site. It sets up its own bundled version of Python, by default, so you do not require to install anything new.

    It has a basic and functional user interface and does not necessitate a huge amount of memory to function.

    Below stated are some of its vital features:

    • Offers the capability to the users to examine how python internally assesses the written expressions
    • Permits developers to observe how their shell commands and code affect Python variables
    • Python function call unlocks a different window with discrete local variables table and code pointer
    • An easy debugger with F5 to F7 function keys
    • Supports good demonstration of highlighting errors, function calls, and auto code completion trait
    • Automatically identify the syntax error
    Pros
    • Friendly for the beginners
    • Clean and simple GUI
    • Helps to elucidate scopes by highlighting spots
    • Users can alter the mode for explaining the reference
    Cons
    • Creation of plugin is slow
    • Interface design is limited to text editing
    • Lack of support for templates
  9. Spyder

    Termed Pydee in its initial versions, Spyder was established by Pierre Raybaut in 2008. Spyder is another great cross-platform and open-source Python IDE.

    It is also known as Scientific Python Development IDE and is the most lightweight Python IDE. It is mostly exercised by data scientists who can incorporate with SciPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, NumPy, IPython, SymPy, Cython, and other such open-source software.

    It comprises Anaconda package manager distribution and has some helpful advanced traits such as debug, edit, and data exploration.

    It presents an exclusive combination of innovative debugging, analysis, interactive execution, editing, in-depth inspection, and visualization competencies of scientific software packages.

    These chief components are documentation viewer, interactive console, development tools, and variable explorer. Below are some of the vital characteristics of this IDE:

    • Capability to identify and edit variables from the GUI
    • Syntax highlighting and intelligent code completion
    • Proficient in tracking every step of the script execution by an influential debugger
    • Static code scrutiny
    • Plan a time-series or histogram, make alterations in NumPy array or data frame
    • Considered as the best Python editor for Windows which permits you to execute Python code by line, cell, or file
    Pros
    • Powerful debugger traces every step of script execution
    • Efficient in searching and eradicating bottlenecks to unchain code presentation
    • Supports prolonged plugins to invent its functionality to another level
    • Instantly view object documents and alter your files
    Cons
    • Performance decreases when numerous plugins are invoked at the same time
    • Execution dependencies

IDE Feature Checklist

There are some of the major and standard requirements that are needed by every Python project in and after its development phase.

A project can possess more necessities than the ones mentioned below, but these are the fundamental features that any IDE must contain to be useful:

  1. Inbuilt Compiler

    It must have an inbuilt compiler to perform your code. If you are not implementing it in similar software, then perhaps it is a text editor.

  2. Auto backup of code

    The top Python IDEs and code editors should save your work and reopen the whole thing later, in the same way it was when you left. Hence, this saves time for development.

  3. Syntax Highlighting

    Being capable of finding out variables, keywords, and symbols in your code quickly make reading and understanding the code easier.

  4. Automatic Code Completion

    This is a fascinating feature where the code marks itself as the developer utilizes functions, loops, or any other block code.

  5. Debugging

    The debugger in most of the Python IDEs and code editors delivers moving through your code and executing breakpoints for the code’s fractional performance.

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Are IDEs Essential for Python Web Development?

Why Are IDEs Essential for Python?

Creating a good Python coding environment for your project is essential. The overall objective and foremost benefit is enhanced developers’ productivity.

Python IDEs for Windows increase productivity by increasing the speed of development tasks, decreasing setup time, keeping developers updated and regulating the complete development process.

  1. Debugging Support

    Identifying bugs or errors in your code is a procedure called debugging. Most of the expert developers in the globe spend time debugging.

    Writing seamless code on the first documentation is practically difficult.Inopportunely, the debugging support provided by native Python tools are nearly non-existent.

    Subsequently, the debugging competencies of your Python IDE for Windows are crucial.If you devote time to learning debugging tools and debugging while coding, you will save a lot of time post-development.

  2. Creating better code

    A decent IDE encompasses a definite amount of intelligence.

    For instance, the IDE can propose substitutes when you type the inappropriate keyword, or it can convey that a specific line of code merely would not function as written.

    The more intellect that an IDE comprises, the less difficulty you have to work to transcribe better coding.Writing enhanced code is crucial because no one wishes to spend hours looking for bugs.

Which Python IDE is Apt For You?

Only you can choose the perfect Python IDE as per your business requirements.

But here are some of the basic recommendations when it comes to choosing an IDE for your Python development project:

  • If you utilize a text editor for other related tasks like documentation or web pages, you must look for code editor resolutions.
  • If you are already building other software, you may find it simpler to affix Python capabilities to your prevailing toolset.
  • Developers that are new to Python must try the solutions with as little customizations as possible. The less time gets in the development procedure, the better it turns out to be.
  • For large-scale businesses, they prefer best Python IDEs like Atom, Sublime Text, PyCharm, and Wing so that they can avail all the characteristics with extended support for all the matters.
  • Whereas, for medium and small-scale companies that use Python, they look for open-source tools, mostly prefer PyDev, Spyder, IDEL, and Visual Studio Code for their projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Which is the best free Python IDE?

    In Python programming, you have numerous choices for a great open-source integrated development environment. Some of the best free Python IDE for web app development are Pyzo, Eric, Eclipse with PyDev, Spyder, and PyCharm.

  2. Is PyCharm good for beginners?

    PyCharm is one of the most prevalent editors utilized by professional Python programmers and developers. The immense features of PyCharm do not make this IDE tough to employ. Many of the features like debugging, profiling, testing the code, quick fixing, remote development, error detection, and auto code completing aid in making Pycharm good for beginners.

  3. Is Visual Studio a good IDE?

    Visual Studio Code is a Python code editor that was formed primarily for the web app development and debugging of the latest cloud and web projects. It is an open-source that is proficient in merging both editor and good development traits very effortlessly. It is one of the prime choices amongst Python developers.

 

Conclusion

Python is one of the most popular programming languages used worldwide. As with most chief languages, you have an assembly of practical, useful, and robust IDEs, paid as well as free.

The chief Python IDEs and code editors which are favoured by most of the software developers universally are enclosed in this article.

Observing the advantages and disadvantages of each IDE, the developers can decide to select the best Python IDE for web development.

Still confused which is the best IDE for you?

Contact us. We provide free consultation services to clear your doubts. If you have a web project in mind, you can get your idea validated by professionals and get a free quote for your project.

Jeel Patel

Written by

Jeel Patel

Jeel Patel is the Founder of Monocubed and is the main curator & writer of the content found on this site. With ideals of quality, commitment, and perseverance, he believes in creating lasting business relationships with the clients.