15 Best Free C++ IDE (Editor and Compiler) for Windows (2023) (2023)

C++ is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup. It contains the functions of the C programming language and Simula67 (an early object-oriented language).

There are many integrated development environments (IDE) that provide ready-made code templates for writing C++ programs. These tools automatically adjust the indentation and formatting of the code. The IDE helps you program your application in less time.

Below is a handpicked list of the best C++ IDEs with their popular features and website links. The list includes both open-source (free) and commercial (paid) software.

Best C++ IDE and C++ Editor for Windows and Mac OS

#1)dream weaver

dream weaveris a popular C++ development tool. This tool helps you create, publish and manage websites. A website created with DreamWeaver can be uploaded to any web server.

Characteristics:

• Dynamic websites can be developed quickly with Dreamweaver.
• You can create a website that adapts to any screen size.
• This tool allows you to customize the workspace to your liking.
• It has a built-in HTML validator to validate your code.
• Features real-time collaboration, live preview, drag-and-drop editor, multilingualism, syntax highlighting, and dual view
• Supports compliance standards like GDPR
• Offers various plugins like Code View
• Integrates seamlessly with Fireworks and Flash
• Offers ready-made templates for blogs, ecommerce, newsletters, and portfolios
• Offers programming languages ​​such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript
• Offers flexible encoding, seamless live view editing, multi-monitor and reengineering
• Offers customer support via phone and chat
• Supported platforms:Windows, Android and iOS
• Preis:Plans start at $20.99 per month.
• Free trial period:7 days free trial

Visit Dreamweaver >>

7 days free trial

#2) Visual Studio-Code

Visual Studio Code is an open source editor developed by Microsoft. It is one of the best C++ ideas that provides intelligent code completion based on variable types, core modules and function definitions.

Characteristics:

• It is one of the best C++ IDE for Windows that can work with Git version control system.
• You can easily debug code with this C++ programming software.
• It is one of the free C++ ideas that supports numerous extensions to include new languages, themes and many more.
• Visual Studio Code can be used on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
• It offers the best C++ compiler and you can easily deal with multiple versions of a program.

Shortcut:https://code.visualstudio.com/

#3) Solar eclipse

Eclipse is a website development tool for C++. It highlights the syntax you have written. With this tool, you can easily debug the program.

Characteristics:

• This online IDE tool automatically validates the syntax.
• It supports parsers (part of the compiler).
• Eclipse allows you to manage the project remotely.
• It can be used on platforms like Windows, Linux and OS X.
• This C++ programming software tool generates a makefile that contains instructions for building your C++ program.
• It offers ready-made code templates.

Shortcut: https://www.eclipse.org/ide/

#4) Codelite

CodeLite is an open source tool for writing C++ programs. It's one of the best C++ ides that support code refactoring. This app highlights the syntax. You can use it on both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Characteristics:

• Codelite can be integrated with Cscope integration (text-based interface for searching a code).
• You can customize syntax colors.
• This online ide tool helps you find files effortlessly using a tree view.
• It is one of the best ideas for C and C++ programming that has a command palette that contains functions like sorting, changing syntax, etc.

Shortcut:https://codelite.org/

#5) Atom

Atom is a simple editor for writing C++ programs. It can be customized to do anything without changing a configuration file.

Characteristics:

• It is one of the best editors for C++ with an integrated package manager.
• This C++ editing tool enables cross-platform editing
• Find, preview, and replace typed text in a file or across a project.
• It provides a command palette that contains items that are used over and over again.

Shortcut:https://atom.io/

#6) CLion

CLion is a tool developed by Jetbrains. It helps you to quickly fix errors in the program. With this c++ IDE you can easily analyze the performance of your application.

Characteristics:

• You can run and debug your program effortlessly.
• It helps you test individual units of source code.
• You can integrate CLion with CVS (Concurrent Versioning System) and TFS (Team Foundation Server).
• You can customize the editor as you like.
• This software will help you manage your project and code effectively.
• Formatting is set automatically as you write code.

Shortcut:https://www.jetbrains.com/clion/

#7) Emacs

Emacs is a Unix-based tool that offers a highly customizable feature. It's one of the best C++ ideas for Mac that supports syntax coloring. You can use this software on GNU, Windows or Mac OS.

Characteristics:

• It is one of the best C++ editors that supports Unicode for various human scripts.
• It offers a package system to install and download various extensions.
• You can customize this app with Emacs Lisp code.
• Emacs comes with full built-in documentation.
• This app provides a tutorial for new users.

Shortcut: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 keywords. It helps you work with multiple open files in a single window.

Characteristics:

• It highlights the square brackets written in the C++ program.
• You can zoom in or out of the screen.
• Macro recording and playback (automatically expandable instruction) are possible.
• GUI is customizable.
• It is one of the best editors for C++ that supports multilingual environment.

Shortcut:https://notepad-plus-plus.org/

#9) Net Beans

NetBeans is an integrated development environment for writing C++ programs. It's one of the best C++ ideas for Windows that has a project window that shows a list of currently existing projects.

Characteristics:

• You can set exceptions, variables, function breakpoints, and so on. and display them in the breakpoint window.
• It automatically adjusts the indentation and formats the code.
• You can easily see the structure of the C++ class.
• This tool highlights variables and keywords in your C++ program.
• The parentheses are auto-completed.
• Netbeans is one of the free C++ IDEs that provides ready-made templates for writing C++ code.

Shortcut: https://netbeans.org/downloads/8.0.1/

#10) Code Blocks

Codeblocks is an open source IDE for writing C++ programs. It is one of the best C++ ideas for Mac that supports GCC (GNU Compiler Collection), Visual C++, etc. You can use this app on Windows, Linux and macOS.

Characteristics:

• This C++ editor offers one of the best C++ compilers and workbenches to easily combine more than one project.
• Codeblocks has a feature that auto-completes code.
• You can create more than one project at a time.
• It allows you to write full breakpoint conditions (stop code execution if expression is true).
• You can quickly switch between multiple programs.
• It is one of the free C++ IDE apps that offers a tabbed interface.

Shortcut:http://www.codeblocks.org/

#11) Cevelop

Cevelop is one of the best C++ IDEs for developers. This allows you to migrate a variable declaration to the new syntax. It's one of the best ideas for C++ that helps you detect uninitialized variables.

Characteristics:

• It makes code more readable by using the global namespace (a name that represents an entity).
• This software has a model view that shows detailed model information.
• It helps you to analyze and optimize the code.
• Cevelop supports the Ctylechecker plug-in to find program errors.

Shortcut:https://cevelop.com/

#12) Development

Kdevelop is an open source integrated development environment for C++ developers. You can use this software on Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris and more.

Characteristics:

• It is one of the best ideas for C and C++ programming that has language support for OpenCL (Open Computing Language).
• You can jump to the declaration/definition code.
• Kdevelop helps you quickly search for functions or classes.
• It can highlight code with different meanings and uses.
• This C++ editing tool offers one of the best C++ compilers and can highlight occurrences of the same variable in a specific color.
• You can assign shortcuts for any action in this tool.
• This tool supports version control systems like Subversion, CVS, Perforce and more.

Shortcut:https://www.kdevelop.org/

#13) SlickEdit

SlickEdit is a cross-platform IDE for writing in programs. It is one of the best C++ editors that supports 60+ languages. This C++ IDE can load large files quickly.

Characteristics:

• You can customize menu items.
• It allows you to open a file without typing a path.
• Easy integration of Subversion, CVS etc.
• You can extend a common block structure.
• SlickEdit can automatically format code as you paste it.
• You can create cross-platform GUI dialogs.
• This C++ editor software saves the file automatically after a period of inactivity.

Shortcut:https://www.slickedit.com/products/slickedit

#14) Gravity

Graviton is an easy-to-use editor that allows you to effectively write and maintain C++ code. It is one of the best C++ editor available in English, Spanish and many other languages.

Characteristics:

• It is compatible with macOS, Windows and Linux platforms.
• Graviton keeps your data on your PC instead of on the server.
• You can hide unwanted code in the editor.
• This tool has an explorer panel that allows you to select files or folders to copy, move, or delete.

Shortcut:https://graviton.netlify.app/

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is IDE in C++?

C++ is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup. An IDE typically includes a source code editor, a debugger, and build automation tools. The IDE helps you program your application in less time.

🚀 What are the best C++ IDEs?

🏅 Why use C++ IDE?

Here are reasons to use C++ IDE: