15 Best Free C++ IDE (Editor & Compiler) for Windows (2024) (2024)

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

#1) Dreamweaver

I found Dreamweaver to be a good C++ Development Tool during my evaluation. Here are the reasons why:

Features:

• Starter Templates: Dreamweaver offers a variety of starter templates that I can customise to quickly build HTML emails, About pages, blogs, e-commerce pages, newsletters, and portfolios.
• Creative Cloud Integration: As part of Adobe Creative Cloud, Dreamweaver integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products. I can easily bring assets from my Creative Cloud Libraries and Adobe Stock to enhance my websites.
• Responsive Design: Dreamweaver provides tools for designing and developing responsive websites that work across different screen sizes and devices. I liked using live previews and real-time edits.
• Code Editor: Dreamweaver includes a powerful code editor that supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more. It offers code hints, syntax highlighting, and code introspection for quick and accurate coding.
• Real-Time Browser Preview: I can preview my websites in real time in multiple browsers and devices simultaneously.

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#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://github.com/Cevelop

#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/

#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/

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

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