Introduction

The latest Stack Overflow 2024 developer survey shows more than 30 different options based on responses from just 60K developers. So, it’s important to find a perfect tool that meets all your needs and skills at once.

This blog will help you evaluate the best code editors for Windows, regardless of your experience level.


What is Coding Software?

Coding software is a tool that lets developers write, check, and organize code when building a software system. In simple terms, it’s what you use to build everything from mobile apps to websites. Here’s what these tools usually include:

  • Source code editor: This is the main part of the coding software where you write and modify your code.
  • Debugging tools: Help you easily find and fix errors in your code by running them in debug mode with detailed logs.
  • Build automation: Helps automate tasks like compiling code so you can focus on feature development.
  • Version controlling: Some tools come with built-in Git integrations.
  • Plugins and extensions: There are marketplaces where you can install additional features based on the language and frameworks you use.
  • Test runners: Some coding software includes built-in support or plugins for running tests.

Why Choosing the Right Coding Software Matters

Picking the right tools makes a difference in your work. Here’s why making a good choice is important:

  • Better productivity: The right tool helps you do more in less time. Features like code completion, shortcuts, and integrated terminals speed up routine tasks.
  • Higher code quality: Tools with features like linting, syntax highlighting, and refactoring tools help you write cleaner, more efficient code.
  • Fewer errors: Tools with built-in debugging tools, real-time feedback, and testing capabilities help you catch errors early.
  • Easier collaboration: Good tools help teams work better with features that simplify sharing and collaborating.

Benefits of Using Coding Software on Windows

Why do so many developers favor coding software on Windows? Let’s explore some key advantages:

  • Widespread compatibility: Windows supports almost all coding software, providing developers with a broad range of tools.
  • Rich feature sets: Many Windows programming software solutions come packed with features for various programming languages.
  • Strong community and support: A large user base means better community support, frequent updates, and an abundance of tutorials, plugins, and extensions.
  • User-friendly environment: Windows offers a comfortable, powerful environment for managing files and installing development tools.

Best Coding Software for Windows

Here’s an in-depth look at the top picks for the best coding software for Windows in 2024, focusing on coding and programming software that can significantly enhance your coding experience:

1. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Undoubtedly, Visual Studio Code is the most popular coding tool among developers. It is used by over twice as many developers as any other code editor due to its light weight, flexibility, and performance. VS Code is ideal for anyone looking for a tool that supports multiple languages and frameworks.

Best Features:

  • IntelliSense code completion.
  • Built-in Git support.
  • Supports a wide range of extensions.
  • Integrated terminal for command-line operations.
  • Allows real-time collaboration for pair programming and review codes.

Pricing: VS Code is free for private or commercial use.

2. WebStorm

WebStorm

WebStorm by JetBrains is a powerful IDE designed specifically for JavaScript and front-end development. It features smart code completion and powerful debugging options, making it ideal for working with frameworks such as React, Angular, and Vue.js.

Best Features:

  • Intelligent coding assistance for JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
  • Built-in tools for debugging and testing.
  • Built-in terminal and SSH support.
  • Seamless version control with Git.

Pricing:

  • WebStorm Non-Commercial – Free
  • WebStorm Commercial – $6.90/month
  • All Products Pack – $28.90/month

3. Vim

Vim

Vim is an advanced text editor known for its efficiency and keyboard-only navigation. It is ideal for developers seeking maximum control over their editing workflow.

Best Features:

  • Modal editing: switching between command and insert mode.
  • Lightweight and highly configurable through plugins
  • Efficient text manipulation commands for search and replace, macros, and multi-line editing.
  • Cross-platform support for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Pricing: Vim is free and open-source.

4. PyCharm

PyCharm

PyCharm by JetBrains is designed specifically for Python. It is ideal for web development with Python frameworks like Django or Flask, web scraping, data science, and machine learning projects.

Best Features:

  • Code analysis and intelligent code completion.
  • Integrated debugger and test runner.
  • Integrated support for Jupyter Notebooks.
  • Built-in database tools for easier data access.
  • Supports Git, Mercurial, and other version control systems.

Pricing:

  • Free: Students, Educators, Open-Source Developers, User Groups, Content Creators
  • Discounted: Universities, Startups, Non-profits, Former Students
  • PyCharm Professional – Personal: $9.90/month, Organizations: $24.90/month

All Products Pack – Personal: $28.90/month, Organizations: $77.90/month

5. Sublime Text

Sublime Text

Sublime Text is a lightweight code editor famous for its speed and level of customization. With features such as “Goto Anything” and a customizable interface, Sublime Text is ideal for web development, scripting, and rapid prototyping.

Best Features:

  • “Goto anything” for quick navigation.
  • Simultaneous editing with “multiple selections.”
  • Customizable via JSON files.
  • Split editing for efficient workflow.
  • Distraction-free mode.

Pricing: One-time purchase of $99 after an evaluation period.

6. Visual Studio

Visual Studio

Visual Studio is an integrated development environment launched by Microsoft that focuses on desktop, mobile, and web development. Although it has strong support for .NET development, it also supports multiple languages, including C++, Python, and JavaScript.

Best Features:

  • Advanced debugging and profiling tools.
  • Live Share feature allows real-time collaboration.
  • Integrated Git version control.
  • Extensible with a wide range of plugins and extensions.
  • Seamlessly integrate with Azure.
  • Includes built-in testing tools for unit tests, load tests, and integration tests.

Pricing:

  • Free: Community version is free for students and open-source developers.
  • Paid (starting from $69/month): Professional, Enterprise, Test Professional, and with GitHub Enterprise.

7. Android Studio

Android Studio

Google’s Android Studio is the official IDE for Android development. It comes with a set of tools focused on mobile app development, such as a drag-and-drop interface for designing and a virtual emulator for testing your application.

Best Features:

  • Powerful layout editor with drag-and-drop components.
  • Built-in emulator for testing Android apps.
  • Integration with Firebase for backend services.
  • Real-time code analysis and suggestions.
  • The instant run feature enables quick updates without restarting the app.

Pricing: Android Studio is free and open-source.

8. IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA by JetBrains is one of the most powerful Java development tools. It’s mainly designed for enterprise-level Java-based desktop, web, and mobile applications. However, it also supports a large set of languages and frameworks, including JavaScript, SQL, HTML/CSS, and popular frameworks like Spring and Hibernate.

Best Features:

  • Smart completion and code analysis.
  • Integrated version control tools.
  • Ergonomic design for productivity.
  • Provides powerful refactoring for renaming, moving, and extracting methods.
  • Built-in database tools for managing SQL databases.

Pricing:

  • Free: Students, Teachers, Classroom Use, Open Source, Developers Program, Training Courses
  • Discounted: Universities, Startups, Non-profits, Former Students
  • IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate – Personal: $16.90/month, Organizations: $59.90/month
  • All Products Pack – Personal: $28.90/month, Organizations: $77.90/month

9. Atom

Atom

Atom is a highly customizable open-source text editor developed by GitHub. It is popular for web development and scripting and is suitable for developers who want a simple yet customizable option.

Best Features:

  • Built-in package manager for added functionality.
  • Integrated Git control for collaboration.
  • Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Highly customizable interface.
  • The teletype feature enables real-time collaboration.

Pricing: Atom is free and open-source.

10. Eclipse

Eclipse

Eclipse is a fully featured IDE that fully supports Java, C/C++, and PHP. It is ideal for developers working on large-scale projects that require an enterprise-level IDE.

Best Features:

  • Comprehensive Java development tools.
  • Rich client platform (RCP) for desktop apps.
  • Wide range of plugins for customization.
  • Integrated debugger and profiler.

Pricing: Eclipse IDE is free and open-source

11. NetBeans

NetBeans

NetBeans is a free, open-source IDE for creating applications based on Java. However, it also supports other languages, such as PHP, HTML, and C/C++, making it suitable for web, desktop, and mobile development.

Best Features:

  • Built-in tools for debugging and code analysis.
  • Easy integration with version control systems.
  • Modular architecture for easy extensibility.
  • Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Pricing: NetBeans is free and open-source

12. JetBrains Rider

JetBrains Rider
JetBrains Rider provides powerful .NET development support by combining the IntelliJ platform’s capabilities with ReSharper’s functionality. It is best for those building cross-platform applications using .NET Core, Unity games, and Xamarin mobile applications.

Best Features:

  • Supports .NET Framework, .NET Core, and Mono.
  • Code inspections and refactoring tools.
  • Built-in profiler for performance monitoring.
  • Integrated version control.
  • Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Pricing:

  • Rider Non-Commercial – Free
  • Rider Commercial – $14.90/month

dotUltimate – $16.90/month

13. Notepad++

Notepad++

Notepad++ is a free, lightweight code editor, ideal for beginners and small projects. It is favored for its simplicity and minimal resource use, making it suitable for scripting, HTML/CSS editing, and learning programming basics.

Best Features:

  • Syntax highlighting and folding.
  • Customizable GUI for a personalized look.
  • Lightweight and fast performance.
  • Support for multiple programming languages.
  • Supports a variety of plugins.
  • Allows users to record and play back macros.

Pricing: Notepad++ is free and open-source

14. PHPStorm

PHPStorm

PHPStorm by JetBrains is a PHP-focused IDE developed for developers who need an advanced PHP environment. It supports popular PHP frameworks such as Laravel, WordPress, and Symfony, providing a comprehensive toolset for modern PHP development.

Best Features:

  • Debugging, testing, and profiling tools.
  • Coding assistance for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Integration with version control systems.
  • Built-in database tools.

Pricing:

  • Free: Students, Teachers, Classroom Use, Open Source, Developers, Non-academic Educators
  • Discounted: Universities, Startups, Non-profits, Former Students
  • PhpStorm Professional – Personal: $9.90/month, Organizations: $24.90/month
  • All Products Pack – Personal: $28.90/month, Organizations: $77.90/month

15. Neovim

Neovim

Neovim is an advanced text editor based on Vim. It is designed to enhance the user experience while maintaining speed and efficiency. It’s ideal for developers seeking a modern, feature-rich environment with Vim’s classic, keyboard-centric editing style. Neovim simplifies configuration and integrates smoothly with modern tools and workflows.

Best Features:

  • Supports extensions in any language for enhanced functionality.
  • Advanced code inspection and refactoring with built-in LSP.
  • Enables persistent, detached sessions through client-server architecture.
  • Offers advanced terminal features like cursor styling and bracketed paste.

Pricing: Neovim is free and open-source.

Free vs. Paid Coding Software: Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between free and paid coding software often depends on the scope of your projects, support needs, and the complexity of the tasks at hand.

Free tools are sufficient for learning, small projects, or personal use, while paid tools are generally tailored for professional use and offer more powerful features, robust support, and regular updates.

Advantages of Free Coding Software:

  • Ideal for beginners and hobbyists.
  • No cost is involved, making it budget-friendly.
  • Many free tools, such as VS Code and Vim, have extensive communities that contribute to plugins and extensions.

Advantages of Paid Coding Software:

  • Advanced tools tailored to specific programming needs, which help streamline workflows.
  • Access to premium support for troubleshooting and optimization.

Additional features not present in free versions, such as deeper code analysis and advanced debugging options.

Comparison Table

Free vs. Paid Coding Software

Conclusion

As you may now understand, selecting coding software for Windows is challenging since many options are available. However, looking closer, we see that each tool has unique features, making them specialized in some areas. For example, Sublime Text, Nodepad++, and Vim are perfect for quick edits, VS Code, Visual Studio, and all JetBrains products are suitable for complex projects, and some can be categorized as AI coding tools. The key is to choose a tool that aligns with your skill level and effectively enhances your workflow.