BEST C# IDE for Windows, Linux & Mac (2023 Update)

By : Barbara Thompson Barbara Thompson
Hours Updated

C# (C Sharp) is one of the most popular programming languages widely used for building Windows applications, mobile applications, and games.

It is a middle-level programming language, so it is easy to understand and user-friendly. Moreover, C# contains fewer libraries, and it has a faster execution time; therefore, it is widely used in embedded programming.

Programming in C# becomes very easy using a C# IDE. There are many C# IDE software available in the market that contains a source code editor, a debugger, build automation tools.

Following is a handpicked list of Top 9 C# IDE with their popular features and website links. The list contains both open source (free) and commercial (paid) software.

Best FREE C# IDE & Compiler (Editor)

Name Support platform Link
VS Code MacOS, Windows, Linux. Learn More
SlickEdit Windows, Linux, Mac, and Raspberry Pi. Learn More
Dreamweaver Windows, Android and iOS Learn More
Eclipse aCute Windows Learn More
Notepad+ Windows and Linux Learn More

#1) VS Code

Visual Studio Code is an open-source code editor software developed by Microsoft. This free text editor offers built-in support for C#, TypeScript, JavaScript, and Node.js. It provides autocomplete with IntelliSense features that provide smart completions based on variable types, essential modules, and function definitions.

VS Code

Features:

  • Easy working with Git and other Software Configuration Management providers.
  • Offers code refactoring & debugging.
  • This C sharp IDE is easily extensible and customizable.
  • Visual Studio Code runs on Node JS easily.
  • Omni sharp server helps you to change the values in the drop-down that helps you to manage with different API calls.
  • Supported platforms: MacOS, Windows, Linux.

Link: https://code.visualstudio.com/

#2) SlickEdit

SlickEdit is a cross-platform, multi-language code editor with support for over 60 languages on nine platforms. It allows you to sync with version control integration. This C# IDE offers smart editing features and also provides increased productivity.

SlickEdit

Features:

  • Symbol analysis and navigation
  • Syntax expansion and indenting
  • Multiple cursors and selections
  • This product offers version control support with Shelving.
  • You can use a compiler and debugger for your code to show all errors for quick access.
  • Its standard and pro editions are available with affordable plans as per your needs.
  • Provides JUnit integration
  • Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac, and Raspberry Pi

Link: https://www.slickedit.com/

#3) Dreamweaver

Dreamweaver is a popular C# Editor Tool. This tool helps you to create, publish, and manage websites. A website created with DreamWeaver can be uploaded to any web server.

Dreamweaver

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

Visit Dreamweaver >>

#4) Eclipse aCute

Eclipse aCute is a language-based extension that provides development tools for C# and .NET Core. It allows resource allocation towards other language features. This one of the best C# IDE provides great features for developers who are looking to build a customized code editor of their own.

Eclipse aCute

Features:

  • It provides ready-made code templates.
  • This tool automatically validates Syntax.
  • Eclipse enables you to manage the project remotely.
  • Supported platform: Windows.

Link: https://projects.eclipse.org/projects/tools.acute

#5) NotePad++

Notepad++ is a popular free to use C# code editor. It uses pure Win32 API, which offers great execution speed and smaller program size. This free C# IDE runs only in the Windows environment, and it uses GPL License.

NotePad++

Features:

  • This free text editor supports syntax highlighting for languages like HTML, PHP, JavaScript, and CSS.
  • Auto-completion: Word completion, Function completion.
  • It offers macro recording and playback.
  • It also offers user-defined syntax highlighting and folding.
  • This C# compiler supports a multi-language environment.
  • Provides customizable GUI interface.
  • Multi-language and multi-view support.
  • Supported platforms: Windows and Linux.

Link: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/

#6) Rider

Rider is a cross-platform C# IDE, which works perfectly with the IntelliJ platform and ReSharper. It is designed to function with .NET Framework and .NET Core.

Rider

Features:

  • It provides 2200+ live code inspections and hundreds of context actions and refactoring.
  • It allows you to split the editor either horizontally or vertically.
  • It helps you visualize project dependencies in your solution.
  • Allows you to run and debug unit tests based on NUnit, xUnit.net, or MSTest.
  • This C Sharp IDE helps you work with SQL and databases without leaving Rider.
  • Rider comes with TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Sass support built-in.
  • It supports Windows, Linux, Mac platforms.

Link: https://www.jetbrains.com/rider/

#7) DevExpress

DevExpress is one of the best C# IDE, which helps you create elegant, high-impact user experiences with emulator. It also provides high-performance decision support systems and analytics dashboards.

DevExpress

Features:

  • Desktop UI components
  • Offers office file and PDF API
  • It also offers a fully integrated suite of UI controls, reporting tools, and dashboards.
  • This C sharp IDE provides reporting and analytics.
  • Offers cross-platform .Net app development.

Link: https://www.devexpress.com/

#8) Codeanywhere

Codeanywhere is one of the best C# IDEs that helps you save time by deploying a development environment in seconds. It also enables you to code, learn, build, and collaborate on your projects.

Codeanywhere

Features:

  • You can preview your projects using private URLs with a preconfigured SSL certificate or assign your domain.
  • Provides a fully-featured development environment with dedicated memory and disk space.
  • You can stick with your favorite development tools and workflows.
  • It helps you view and insert possible completions to speed up your coding.
  • This free C# complier helps you to save time by deploying a development environment.
  • Helps you debug code with breakpoints, call stacks, and an interactive console.
  • This application enables you to share the project with your colleague.
  • It helps you to compare two files side by side.
  • Codeanywhere helps you to easily move or copy a folder from one server to another.
  • It enables you to save changes to a remote server.
  • Expandable with a vast amount of existing extensions.
  • Supported platforms: Windows.

Link: https://codeanywhere.com/

#9) Scriptcs

Scriptcs offers a lightweight text editor that helps you code in C# with ease. It is a strongly typed compiled programming language. You can use it as the JavaScript in the scripts environment for executing scripts.

Scriptcs

Features:

  • Write C# in your favourite text editor.
  • You can use this C# IDE for programming that helps you manage dependencies easily.
  • This C# IDE allows you to bootstrap the environment for new scripts.
  • Helps you write and execute an application with ease with less and clean code.
  • Providing the option of Syntax highlighting in visual studio code.
  • Provides plugin for Omni-sharp that will give immediate syntax highlighting.

Link: http://scriptcs.net/

FAQ:

C# (C Sharp) is a general-purpose, multi-paradigm programming language developed by Microsoft that runs on the .NET Framework. C# is widely used for building Windows applications, mobile applications, games.

Here are some of the Best C# IDE:

  • VS Code
  • SlickEdit
  • Dreamweaver
  • Eclipse aCute
  • NotePad++
  • Rider
  • DevExpress

C# IDE is an application that offers comprehensive facilities to programmers for software development. An IDE generally contains a source code editor, a debugger, build automation tools.

Here are the reasons for using C# IDE:

  • It provides you ready-made code templates.
  • This tool automatically validates syntax.
  • It supports code refactoring.
  • It supports syntax coloring.
  • It allows you to set breakpoints.
  • It offers a robust debugger.

C Sharp programming is widely used for developing Desktop applications, Web applications, Web services, large scale Windows applications, and developing Games.

Best FREE C# IDE & Compiler (Editor)

Name Support platform Link
VS Code MacOS, Windows, Linux. Learn More
SlickEdit Windows, Linux, Mac, and Raspberry Pi. Learn More
Dreamweaver Windows, Android and iOS Learn More
Eclipse aCute Windows Learn More
Notepad+ Windows and Linux Learn More
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