7 Best C++ IDE for Windows 10 and 11 (2023)
Looking for the best IDE for C++? You have found it. In this article, we’re going to share the best C++ IDE for Windows that is most popular in 2023. And these will be proven the best software for your C++ programming journey. So, read till the end.
Now, writing a C++ program has become extremely easier than ever before. A few years back, programmers had to install different pieces of software separately to compile, test, debug, and run their applications. But now, IDEs have made life much better than before. All the tools are available in one piece of software which is called IDE. So, what is IDE? Let’s see more about that.
What is IDE?
IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment. And we use it to build software and games etc. IDE contains all the stuff like a compiler, tester, debugger, application runner, etc. And it gives us the ability to code C++ quickly and elegantly. It speeds up the process of software development by providing different helpful features.
So, let’s go ahead and see what are the best C++ IDEs.
7 Best C++ IDE for Windows
1. Dev-C++ : Best C++ IDE for Beginners
Dev-C++ is a free and open-source IDE or source code editor made for Windows. It is one of the best-known IDE used for both C and C++ programming languages. Dev-C++ is really a fast, simple, and easy-to-use integrated development environment. It was first released in 1998.
It is only available for Windows. You can run dev C++ on any version of Windows from 2000 and Windows XP to Windows 11. And millions of developers use this IDE to build their software.
Features Included in DEV-C++
- Syntax Highlighting
- Auto Code Completion
- Fast and Easy to use
- Debugging
- GCC-based Compilers
- Tool Manager
- CVS Support
- Profiling Support
- Customizable Code Editor
- Available in 30+ Languages
2. Code:: Blocks – Best C++ IDE for Windows
Code Blocks is another amazing IDE for C++. It is open-source and freely available for Windows. And it is specially used for C and C++ programming. Like Dev-C++, it also has unique features and smooth performance.
You can download Code::Blocks from their official site codeblocks.org. And another best thing about this is that you can add more functionalities by installing plugins. It is also used for Fortran programming. And this is written in C++. Let’s see its features.
Features Included
- Auto Code Completion
- Extensible through plugins
- Customizable Code Editor
- Multiple Compiler Support
- Debugger
- Easy-to-use Interface
- Smart Indent
- and More.
3. Visual Studio Code – Best IDE and Source Code Editor
Visual Studio Code is the most popular source code editor. It is not just a C++ IDE. You can use it for many purposes. It is a well-known source code editor made by the world’s most popular company Microsoft. It is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
You will appreciate its outstanding features. You can extend its functionalities through plugins. And it has a lot of themes that will make your code look beautiful. Also with this, you can code in 20+ languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, C#, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Features Included
- Syntax Highlighting
- Intelligent Auto Code Completion
- Code refactoring
- Code Snippets
- Debugger
- Integrated Git
- Live Server
- Code Folding
- Use for Both Web Development and Software Development.
- And much more.
4. NetBeans – Another One of the Best C++ IDEs
NetBeans is another mostly used integrated development environment for C++. It is available for Windows at no cost. You can easily build, run and debug your C++ projects.
Features Included in NetBeans IDE
- Code Refactoring
- Syntax Highlighting
- Debugging
- Bracket Matching
- Code Folding
- And more.
5. Code Lite – C++ IDE
A free open-source cross-platform best C and C++ IDE for Windows. However, it can also be used for PHP and node.js. It is available for all versions of Windows and Linux operating systems. And it is licensed under GPL (General Public License) means it’s free for a lifetime.
It is the best C++ editor. Now let’s see its main features.
Features Included
- Code Completion
- Source Browsing
- C scope integration
- Debugging
- Subversion integration
- Project management
- Source code editing.
6. C++ Builder
C++ Builder is another awesome IDE for Windows offered by Embarcadero. This IDE is not completely free, they offer a trial version. It’s a lightweight solution for C and C++ programming that runs best on both Windows and iOS.
Features Included in C++ Builder
- Version Control Integration
- Collection of helpful plugins
- Boosted libraries integration
- Remote Desktop Support
- Supports Native Mobile App development on iOS and Android
- Supports Windows 11
- Also, they have free blogs written on their site to guide you
7. Eclipse C++ IDE
Eclipse is another popular open-source and best C++ IDE used for software development purposes. The best thing is that you can run this IDE on multiple operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS. It’s user-friendly and easy to use.
Features include in Eclipse IDE
- Drag and Drop functionality
- Code Auto Completion feature
- Ready-made code templates
- User-friendly interface
- Cross-platform
- Better for Smaller C++ projects
This is all for now. And you might be wondering what is the best C++ IDE for you. Let’s see that.
What is the best C++ IDE for Windows?
If you’re a beginner or a student then I will recommend you use Dev-C++. And the only reason behind this is that it is mainly built for C++ programming and is easy to use for beginners. Also, don’t have a lot of options to stuck in using.
However, all the C++ IDEs mentioned above in the list are the best and have unique capabilities that make them different from one another. I will suggest you should try all these best C++ IDE by yourself and decide which one is the best fit for you.
Furthermore, you should also check out:
I hope this guide will be helpful to you. If you have any questions regarding this. Then, feel free to ask in the comment section below.
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