You can write Python in any text editor, even Windows Notepad. But a plain text editor is the hardest way to write Python programs. So what do the professionals use? Most Python programmers use an IDE: an Integrated Development Environment. But what is the best Python IDE, out of all the ones you can choose from?
Why use a Python IDE?
Let’s first look at another question: why would you use an IDE at all? In general, an IDE speeds up development. The IDE will help you all the way, from setting up a project to debugging and running it. These are the main advantages.
Language support
IDEs offer great language support:
- Autocompletion of words, speeding up development considerably
- Suggesting (based on the context) which options are available to use
- Syntax highlighting, making your code more readable
- Pointing out errors while you type, before you even run your code
Debugging
IDEs integrate the debugging process very well. Debugging means finding errors (bugs) in your software and fixing them. With a debugger, you can pause your program on any line and look at the values of your variables. You can read more about it in the article on the Python debugger.
Project based workflow
IDEs have the concept of projects. You open your project in the IDE and keep it all together in one window. The IDE will remember your project and all its settings as well, including which Python version and virtual environment it uses.
What is the best Python IDE?
Many people asked me: what is the best Python IDE? Tastes differ, and there are several good options. If you ask me, the best Python IDE to start with is Visual Studio Code (VS Code). It’s free, it runs everywhere, and its Python support is excellent. That’s what I use in this tutorial.
Here’s how it compares to the other popular choices:
| IDE | Best for | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VS Code | Almost everyone, beginners included | Free | Python support through Microsoft’s extension; supports nearly every other language too |
| PyCharm | Larger Python projects, Django | Free core, paid Pro | Built for Python, with very strong refactoring and code analysis |
| JupyterLab | Data exploration, notebooks | Free, open source | Runs in your browser; mixes code, output and text |
| Positron | Data science in Python and R | Free | Built on the open source core of VS Code, with a data viewer and variable explorer |
| Zed | People who want a very fast editor | Free, open source | Younger and with fewer extensions than VS Code |
| Cursor | AI-assisted coding | Free tier, paid plans | A VS Code fork built around an AI assistant |
| Thonny | Absolute beginners, education | Free, open source | Very simple, comes with Python bundled |
VS Code advantages
I’ll only be telling you about VS Code in this Python tutorial. If you strongly prefer another IDE, like PyCharm, that’s OK. I won’t like you less! It’s not just personal preference, though. Here’s why I think it’s the best IDE to start with.
It’s free, and its core is open source
Some IDEs are free too, but keep features for their paid versions. VS Code is completely free. Its source code is open source and available on GitHub. To be precise: the VS Code you download from Microsoft is a build of that source with Microsoft’s own license and telemetry added. If you want a fully open source build, there’s VSCodium. For most people, the regular download is the easiest choice, because some Microsoft extensions, like Pylance, only work in Microsoft’s build.
It’s fast
Many cross-platform IDEs, including PyCharm, are built with Java, and they can feel heavy on an older computer. VS Code is built with TypeScript on top of Electron. It starts quickly and stays responsive, even on modest hardware. It’s not the lightest editor around (Zed is faster), but it strikes a good balance between speed and features.
It’s cross-platform
VS Code works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. And it works mostly the same on all of them, reducing the learning curve when you want or need to switch platforms.
It supports many languages besides Python
Python is rarely the only language in a project. For example, when you start creating websites using a Python framework like Django, you’ll also be creating HTML, CSS and JavaScript files. PyCharm handles those too, but VS Code has extensions for nearly every language and file format out there.
It’s extremely convenient when your IDE can support multiple languages. Many web developers use VS Code as their main editor, so the support is excellent. VS Code also handles file formats you’ll often encounter, no matter what language you write in, e.g.:
On top of all this, there are extensions for all the popular languages and platforms. E.g. Java, Kotlin, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, Rust, Go, Dart and Flutter, etcetera.
Works well on remote locations (SSH, Windows WSL, Docker containers)
VS Code has extensions that connect it to a remote environment over SSH, inside WSL, or in a container. If you’re a fan of Windows’ Subsystem for Linux, you’re in luck: you use the native Windows VS Code program and work inside WSL. This offers a full-fledged Linux experience without leaving Windows. That’s right. You can run Linux on Windows. You can also work inside a Docker container the same way.
Backed by Microsoft and many others
VS Code is built by Microsoft, so a big company backs it and keeps its development steady. It’s also the most popular editor among developers by a wide margin, and lots of companies and individuals create extensions for it. Whatever you need, there’s probably an extension for it.
Other good Python IDEs
PyCharm
PyCharm, by JetBrains, is the other big name. It’s made specifically for Python, and it shows: its code analysis and refactoring tools are excellent, and it understands large projects very well. Since 2025, PyCharm is a single product. The core features are free, and a Pro subscription unlocks extras such as support for web frameworks and databases. If you work on a large Python codebase all day, PyCharm is a great choice.
Jupyter and Positron for data science
If you work with data, you’ll likely use notebooks. JupyterLab runs in your browser and lets you mix code, output, charts and notes in one document. I wrote a separate article on Jupyter Notebook. VS Code can open notebooks too. Positron, made by Posit (the company behind RStudio), is built on the same open source core as VS Code but is designed for data science, with a data viewer, a variable explorer and good support for both Python and R.
AI coding assistants
Most IDEs now come with an AI assistant that can complete code, explain errors and make changes for you. VS Code has GitHub Copilot built in, with a free tier. PyCharm has the JetBrains AI Assistant. Cursor is a fork of VS Code that’s built around AI from the ground up. These tools can save a lot of time, but when you’re learning, use them with care. If the AI writes all your code, you won’t learn to write it yourself. I suggest you write the code yourself first and use the assistant to explain what you don’t understand.
Get started with VS Code
Ready to try it? Continue with installing and starting VS Code, and then learn how to run Python in VS Code.