15 Best Free C++ IDE (Editor & Compiler) for Windows (2023)
C++ is a general-purpose object-oriented programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup. It contains the features of C programming language as well as Simula67 (a first object Oriented language).
There are many Integrated Development Environments (IDE) that provide readymade code templates to write C++ programs. These tools automatically adjust the indent and format of code. IDE’s help to code your application in less amount of time.
Following is a handpicked list of Best C++ IDE, with their popular features and website links. The list contains both open source(free) and commercial(paid) software.
Best C++ IDE and C++ Editor for Windows & Mac OS
Name | Link |
---|---|
Dreamweaver | https://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver.html |
Visual Studio Code | https://code.visualstudio.com/ |
Eclipse | https://www.eclipse.org/ide/ |
Codelite | https://codelite.org/ |
Atom | https://atom.io/ |
#1) Dreamweaver
Dreamweaver is a popular C++ Development Tool. This tool helps you to create, publish, and manage websites. A website created with DreamWeaver can be uploaded to any web server.
Features:
- Dynamic websites can be quickly developed using Dreamweaver.
- You can create a website that fits any screen size.
- This tool helps you to customize workspace the way you like.
- It has an inbuilt HTML validator to validate your code.
- Provides Real-time collaboration, Live Preview, Drag-and-drop Editor, Multilingual, Syntax Highlighting, and Dual View
- Supports compliance standard such as GDPR
- Provides numerous plugins like Code View
- Seamlessly integrates with Fireworks and Flash
- Offers ready-made templates for blogs, ecommerce, newsletters and portfolios
- Provides programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Offers flexible coding, Seamless Live View editing, Multi-monitor, and Redesigned
- It provides customer support via Phone and Chat
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Android and iOS
- Price: Plans start at $20.99 a month.
- Free Trial: 7 Days Free Trial
7 Days Free Trial
#2) Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is an open-source code editor developed by Microsoft. It is one of the best c++ ide which provides smart code completion based on variable types, essential modules, and function definitions.
Features:
- It is one of the best c++ ide for windows that can work with Git version control system.
- You can debug code easily using this c++ programming software.
- It is one of the free c++ ide which supports numerous extensions for including new languages, themes, and more.
- Visual Studio Code can be used on Windows and Mac operating systems.
- It provides best c++ compiler and you can control multiple versions of one program with ease.
Link: https://code.visualstudio.com/
#3) Eclipse
Eclipse is a website development tool for C++. It highlights the syntax you have written. This tool enables you to easily debug the program.
Features:
- This online ide tool automatically validates syntax.
- It supports parser ( a part of the compiler).
- Eclipse enables you to manage the project remotely.
- It can be used on platforms like Windows, Linux, and OS X.
- This c++ programming software tool generates Makefile that contains instructions for how to build your C++ program.
- It provides readymade code templates.
Link: https://www.eclipse.org/ide/
#4) Codelite
CodeLite is an open source tool for writing programs in C++. It is one of the best c++ ide that supports code refactoring. This app highlights the syntax. You can use it on Windows and Mac operating systems.
Features:
- Codelite can be integrated with Cscope integration (text-based interface to search a code).
- You can customize syntax colors.
- This online ide tool helps you to find files effortlessly using a tree view.
- It is one of the best ide for c programming and c++ that has a command palate that holds functionality like sorting, changing the syntax, etc.
Link: https://codelite.org/
#5) Atom
Atom is a simple editor for writing C++ program. It can be customized to do anything without modifying a config file.
Features:
- It is one of the best editor for c++ which has an integrated package manager.
- This c++ editor tool allows cross-platform editing
- You can find, preview, and replace text typed in a file or across the entire project.
- It offers a command palette that contains items that are used repeatedly.
Link: https://atom.io/
#6) CLion
CLion is a tool developed by Jetbrains. It helps you to quickly solve errors in the program. This IDE for c++ enables you to analyze the performance of your application with no hassle.
Features:
- You can effortlessly run and debug your program.
- It helps you to test individual units of source code.
- You can integrate CLion with CVS (Concurrent Versions System) and TFS (Team Foundation Server).
- You can customize the editor the way you like.
- This software helps you to manage your project and code effectively.
- It automatically set formatting while you write code.
Link: https://www.jetbrains.com/clion/
#7) Emacs
Emacs is a Unix based tool that provides a highly customizable feature. It is one of the best c++ ide for mac that supports syntax coloring. You can use this software on GNU, Windows, or mac operating system.
Features:
- It is one of the best c++ editor that supports Unicode for numerous human scripts.
- It provides a packaging system for installing and downloading numerous extensions.
- You can customize this app using the Emacs Lisp code.
- Emacs offers complete built-in documentation.
- This app offers a tutorial for new users.
Link: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/
#8) Notepad++
Notepad++ is a code editor that can be used with Windows. This c++ ide tool highlights syntax and keyword. It helps you to work with multiple open files in a single window.
Features:
- It highlights brackets written in C++ program.
- You can zoom in or zoom out the screen.
- Macro (Automatic expandable instruction) recording and playback is possible.
- GUI is customizable.
- It is one of the best editor for c++ which supports the multi-language environment.
Link: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/
#9) Netbeans
NetBeans is an integrated development environment for writing C++ programs. It is one of the best c++ ide for windows that has a project window that shows a list of projects currently exists.
Features:
- You can set exception, variable, function breakpoints, etc. and view them in the Breakpoints window.
- It automatically adjusts indent and format the code.
- You can easily see the structure of the C++ class.
- This tool highlights variables and keywords in your C++ program.
- It automatically completes the brackets.
- Netbeans is one of the free c++ ide that offers readymade templates for writing C++ code.
Link: https://netbeans.org/downloads/8.0.1/
#10) Codeblocks
Codeblocks is open source IDE for writing programs in C++. It is one of the best c++ ide for mac that supports GCC (GNU Compiler Collection), Visual C++, etc. You can use this app on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Features:
- This c++ editor provides one of the best c++ compiler and workspace to easily combine more than one project.
- Codeblocks has a feature that automatically completes the code.
- You can build more than one project simultaneously.
- It allows you to write full breakpoint conditions (stop the execution of code if the expression is true).
- You can quickly switch between multiple programs.
- It is one of the free c++ ide app which provides a tabbed interface.
Link: http://www.codeblocks.org/
#11) Cevelop
Cevelop is one of the best C++ IDE for developers. It enables you to migrate a variable declaration to the new syntax. It is one of the best ide for c++ which helps you to detect uninitialized variables.
Features:
- It makes code more readable by using global namespace (a name representing one entity).
- This software has a template view that displays detailed template information.
- It helps you to analyze and optimize the code.
- Cevelop supports Ctylechecker plugin to find mistakes in the program.
Link: https://cevelop.com/
#12) Kdevelop
Kdevelop is an open-source integrated development environment for C++ developers. You can use this software on Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris, and more.
Features:
- It is one of the best ide for c programming and c++ which provides language support for OpenCL (Open Computing Language).
- You can jump to the declaration /definition code.
- Kdevelop helps you to quickly search for any function or class.
- It can highlight code having different meanings and usage.
- This c++ editor tool provides one of the best c++ compiler and can highlight the occurrence of same variable in a particular color.
- You can assign shortcuts to every action in this tool.
- This tool supports version control systems like Subversion, CVS, Perforce, and more.
Link: https://www.kdevelop.org/
#13) SlickEdit
SlickEdit is a cross-platform IDE for writing in the program. It is one of the best c++ editor which supports more than 60 languages. This ide for c++ can load large files quickly.
Features:
- You can customize menu items.
- It enables you to open a file without typing a path.
- Easy to integrate Subversion, CVS, etc.
- You can expand a common block structure.
- SlickEdit can automatically formats code when pasted.
- You can create multi-platform GUI dialogue boxes.
- This c++ editor software automatically saves the file after a period of inactivity.
Link: https://www.slickedit.com/products/slickedit
#14) Graviton
Graviton is a user-friendly editor that helps you to write and manage the C++ code effectively. It is one of the best c++ editor which is available in English, Spanish, and many other languages.
Features:
- It is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms.
- Graviton keeps your data on your PC instead of server.
- You can hide unwanted code in the editor.
- This tool has an explorer panel that helps you to select files or folders for copying, moving, or deleting.
Link: https://graviton.netlify.app/
FAQ
❓ What is the IDE in C++?
C++ is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup. An IDE generally contains a source code editor, a debugger, build automation tools. IDE’s help to code your application in less amount of time.
🚀 Which are the Best C++ IDE?
Below are some of the Best C++ IDE:
- Dreamweaver
- Visual Studio Code
- Eclipse
- Codelite
- Atom
- CLion
- Emacs
- Notepad++
🏅 Why use C++ IDE?
Here are the reasons for using C++ IDE:
- It provides you readymade code template.
- This tool automatically validates syntax.
- It supports code refactoring.
- It supports syntax coloring.
- It allows you to set breakpoints.
- C++ IDE offers a robust debugger.
- Robust C++ Editor