Best Python IDEs to Use in 2021

Best Python IDEs to Use in 2021

Python is one of the most preferable languages used by millions of software developers nowadays. It was introduced in 1991 by Guido Van Rossum.


Best Python IDEs to Use in 2020

In recent years, Python has gained enormous popularity due to its simple features including, ease of readability and understanding of code, automating repetitive tasks, and efficient and fast.

Python is widely deployed for creating websites and applications, mainly in big data operations. This language is suitable for both beginners and advanced coders with a variety of libraries, in-built extensions, and plugins to ease the task of program execution.


To make the job of running Python programs easier, various Integrated Development Environment (IDE) has been created for software developers. Today, we will discuss the best Python IDEs to use in 2020 for your software application development.


1. Pycharm IDE


Type: IDE

First release year- 2010

Last release year- October 2019

Operating System- macOS/Linux/Windows

Pycharm is an IDE developed by JetBrains and deployed to the program in Python. It stands out from the competition because of its productive tools, including quick fixes. 

It is one of the best Python IDEs to use for creating applications. It is available in three versions i.e. the Educational (Edu) version, Apache-licensed Community version, and the proprietary professional version.

The first two versions are open-source thus cost nothing, while the Professional version is not free.




What are the Features of Pycharm Python IDE?



It has syntax highlighting & Live code verification.

It has an auto-completion and full database management tool.

It supports JavaScript, HTML, CSS, AngularJS, and other languages.

Powerful integration with IPython notebook and scientific stack.


What are the Advantages of Pycharm Python IDE?


It offers a smart Operating System to the software developers to help them in auto code completion, quick fixing, and error detection.

By offering multiple framework support it helps in cost-saving.

Pycharm provides a cross-operating System development advantage in which developers can easily write a script on various Operating Systems.

It comes with a feature of a customizing interface which in turn augments productivity.


Also read, Top 10 Applications that can be developed using Python

What are the Disadvantages of Pycharm Python IDE?


Slow loading time

The default setting may need adjustment before existing projects can be used.



2. Visual Studio Code Python


Type: Source code editor

First release year- 2015

Last release year- December 2019

Operating System- Linux/Windows/macOS

Visual studio code is developed by Microsoft for Windows Linus and OS. It is an open-source platform and released under MIT license. 

It is available for commercial purposes as well. It is easily customizable and has a rich set of extensions that can be integrated to improve the functionalities. It is the second-best python IDE and a source code editor.

Visual studio code is based on electron which is a framework to create Node JS applications for the computer working on the Blink browser engine.



Also read, Top 10 Applications that can be developed using Python

What are the Features of Visual Studio Code (Python IDE)?



It supports auto code complete and syntax highlighting features with IntelliSense which completes syntax based on function, variable types, and definition.

Visual studio is highly customizable and extensible through which we can add debuggers, languages, and themes.

It has a powerful debugger and the developer can debug from the editor itself.

It has a strong bond with GIT which helps the user to perform GIT operations, such as push, common straight from the editor itself.


What are the Advantages of the Visual Studio Code (Python IDE)?


It offers multi-language support and various other functionalities that the other languages don’t possess.

It has a smart interface and a good layout.

It permits the use of various plugins that a software developer can get from the VS code marketplace for its customization.

It supports the deployment of a multi-split window and vertical orientation feature.


Disadvantages of Visual Studio Code (Python IDE)?


VS Code is not really suitable for handling large code files
Difficulty to find the extension that best suits your needs due to the thousands of extensions available.

Searching with visual studio code is quite slow.


Popular Companies using Visual Source Code (Python IDE)


The Delta Group, TwentyEight, Inc., Focus Ponte Global, Creative Mettle, and National Audubon Society, Inc.


3. IDLE Python IDE


Type- IDE

First release year- December 1998

Operating System- Linux/Unix, macOS, and Windows

IDLE is one of the best Python IDEs. This tool is very easy to use for programmers. IDLE is another best python IDE, introduced in 1998 by Guido Van Rossum. 

It has everything you require, with easy to learn features. It is coded in Python and integrates the lightweight Tkinter toolkit to design its GUI.

It is widely adopted by beginners and experienced software developers who are looking for fast and speedy python IDE.



Also read, Top 10 Applications that can be developed using Python

What are the Features of IDLE Python IDE?



It can search for multiple files.

It has an interactive interpreter with the colorizing of input, output, and error messages.

It supports undo, call tips, smart indent, and auto-completion.

It helps in searching and replacing within a window.


What are the Advantages of IDLE Python IDE?


It has a practical Python shell, that helps you to play around with code snippets.

It has very nicely colored keywords and outputs which the majority of programmers appreciate.

It supports using both spaces and tabs for indentation.
It can automatically indent multiple lines.


What are the Disadvantages of IDLE Python IDE?


Honestly, there is no substantial disadvantage of using IDLE.


Popular Companies using IDLE Python IDE



Google, Wikipedia, CERN, Yahoo, and NASA.


4. Spyder IDE


Type- IDE

First release year- October 2009

Last release year- December 2019

Operating System - macOS, Linux, Windows

Spyder, original name Pydee, is also considered as the easiest and best python IDE, written in Python codes that can be used for analysis, code editing, and debugging. 

With additional APIs and plugins, developers can extend their functionalities. It is an open-source Operating System and available for free.

The online community helps the programmers or coders and Spyder rich documentation aids in solving the errors quickly.


What are the Features of Spyder Python IDE?



It helps coders to run Python code by line, cell, or file.

It provides an automatic code competition and vertical/horizontal splitting facility.

It finds and eliminates bottlenecks.

It is an interactive way to track and trace each step of Python code deployment.


What are the Advantages of Spyder Python IDE?


It plots a time-series or histogram that makes changes in the NumPy array or data frame.

It provides a unique combination of advanced editing, analysis, debugging, in-depth inspection, and interactive execution.

It has the visualization capabilities of a software package, including variable explorer, interactive console, documentation viewer, and other development tools.

It has community support and is rich in development tool facilities.


What are the Disadvantages of Spyder Python IDE?


Execution and optional dependencies are not a cup of tea for many programmers.



Also read, Top 10 Applications that can be developed using Python

5. Jupyter


Type- IDE

First release date- February 2015

Operating System- macOS, Linux, and Windows

Jupyter Project supports execution environments in several different languages. Spun-off from IPython in 2014 by Fernando Pérez.

It is easy to deploy, interactive data science IDE across various programming languages that don’t work only as an editor, but also as a presentation or educational tool.


What are the Features of Jupyter Python IDE?



It combines text, code, and images.

It integrates data science libraries ( NumPy, Matplotlib, Pandas)
It supports various programming languages.

It also supports data cleaning, statistical modeling, machine learning, Numerical simulation, and data visualization.


What are the Advantages of using Jupyter Python IDE?


It allows the users to view code results in-line without depending on other parts of the code.

It helps the programmers to work on large data sets for analysis.

The architecture of this language is independent. The decoupling between kernel and client makes it possible to design kernels in any language.

It helps the users to control input sources for code and offer feedback directly on the browser.



What are the Disadvantages of using Jupyter Python IDE?


It is very tough to test long asynchronous tasks.

It is less secure and runs the cell out of order.


Popular Companies of Using Jupyter Python IDE

Google, Bloomberg, Microsoft, IBM, and Soundcloud.