Logo
×

Top 14 Best Free C++ IDE (Editor & Compiler) for Windows in 2024

Bjarne Stroustrup created the all-purpose object-oriented programming language C++. To develop C++ programs, there are various Integrated Development Environments (IDE) that offer prewritten code templates. These programs automatically modify the code's indent and format.

1. C++ Builder

The full-featured C++ IDE, C++Builder allows you to create Windows applications five times faster than other IDEs. The extensive libraries and rich visual frameworks are to blame for this. With C++Builder, prototyping, developing, and shipping are simple.

Features

  •  It supports you all through the entire development lifecycle and gives you a single source codebase that is simple to recompile and redeploy..
  • Including items like Boost and SDL2 in the C++Builder package manager, an improved Clang-based compiler, Dinkumware STL, and many more.
  • MS Build, CMake, and Ninja support provide easy integration with continuous build configurations, whether working alone or in a team.
  • You can connect natively to about twenty databases using FireDAC's high-speed direct access, including MariaDB, Oracle, SQL Server, Postgres, and others.
  • Features the highly effective Fire Monkey (FMX) framework for cross-platform UIs and the prestigious VCL framework for high-performance native Windows programs.

2. Visual Studio Code

Microsoft created the open-source code editor known as Visual Studio Code. One of the most significant C++ IDEs, it offers intelligent code completion based on the types of variables, necessary modules, and function definitions.

Features

  • One of the most significant C++ development environments for Windows supports the Git version management system.
  • Operating systems for Windows and Mac can both use Visual Studio Code.
  • It offers the best C++ compiler, and you can easily manage numerous versions of a single program.

3. Eclipse

Eclipse is a C++ website development tool. You may debug the program with this tool.

Features

  • This online IDE tool performs syntax validation automatically.
  • Eclipse gives you the option of remote project management.
  • It is compatible with operating systems like Windows, Linux, and OS X.
  • The Make file produced by this C++ programming tool offers instructions on constructing your C++ program.
  • It offers prewritten code templates.

4. Codelite

CodeLite is an open-source C++ programming tool. It is one of the most significant C++ IDEs for code reworking.

Features

  • Syntax colouring can be changed.
  • Using a tree view, this online IDE tool makes it simple to find files.
  • One of the greatest IDEs for C and C++ programming, it features a command palette with capabilities for sorting, modifying syntax, and other things.

5. Atom

Atom is a straightforward editor for C++ programming.

Features

  • The most acceptable C++ editor with an integrated package manager is this one.
  • This C++ editor program supports editing on various platforms.
  • It provides a command palette with frequently used objects on it.

6. CLion

JetBrains is the company behind the tool CLion. With its aid, you can quickly fix application bugs. You may quickly evaluate the performance of your program using this IDE for C++.

Features

  • Your software can be efficiently run and debugged.
  • You can test specific pieces of source code.
  • Concurrent Versions System (CVS) and TFS integration are possible with CLion (Team Foundation Server).
  • The editor can be modified in whatever you'd like.

7. Emacs

A Unix-based program called Emacs has a feature that enables substantial customization. This is the most sophisticated C++ IDE for Mac that supports syntax colouring. Operating systems including GNU, Windows, and Mac can all run this program.

Features

  • It is one of the most excellent C++ editors that support several human scripts using Unicode.
  • It offers a packaging method for downloading and installing various extensions.
  • This application can be altered using the Emacs Lisp code.
  • Complete built-in documentation is available with Emacs.
  • For first-time users, this software provides a tutorial.

8. Notepad++ 

A code editor for Windows is called Notepad++. This C++ IDE tool emphasizes keywords and syntax. Working with multiple open files in a single window is beneficial.

Features

  • The C++ program's brackets are highlighted.
  • The screen can be zoomed in or out.
  • Recording and playing back of macros (automatic expandable instructions) is possible.
  • GUI can be modified.
  • One of the most incredible editors for C++ that supports a multilingual environment is this one.

9. Netbeans

NetBeans is an integrated development environment (IDE) for writing C++ programs. One of the top C++ IDEs for Windows offers a project pane that displays a list of active projects.

Features

  • Breakpoints for variables, functions, and other types of code can be set and viewed in the Breakpoints Window.
  • The code is formatted, and the indent is adjusted automatically.
  • The C++ class's structure is clear to see.
  • The variables and keywords in your C++ program are highlighted by this tool.
  • The brackets are automatically finished by it.

10. Codeblocks

Codeblocks is an open-source IDE for writing C++ programs. It is one of the most significant C++ development environments for Mac that supports GCC (GNU Compiler Collection), Visual C++, etc. This application is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Features

  • One of the most excellent C++ compilers and a workspace are provide by this editor, making it simple to integrate many projects.
  • The code in Codeblocks is automatically finished by a feature.
  • You can work on multiple projects at once.
  • It enables you to create comprehensive breakpoint conditions (stop code execution if the expression is true).
  • Multiple programs can be switched between with ease.
  • One of the free C++ IDE apps that offer a tabbed interface is this one.

11. Develop

Develop is one of the top C++ IDEs for developers. You can migrate a variable declaration to the new syntax using it. It is one of the best C++ IDEs for uninitialized inconsistent detection.

Features

  • Using a global namespace improves code readability (a name representing one entity)
  • This program has a template view that shows specific template data.
  • You can use it to analyze and improve the code.
  • Develop supports the Ctylechecker plugin to discover program errors.

12. Kdevelop

For C++ developers, Kdevelop is an open-source integrated development environment. This software works with several operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Solaris.

Features

  • It is one of the unique programming environments for C and C++ that supports OpenCL (Open Computing Language).
  • You can skip to the code for declaration and definition.
  • You may rapidly search for any function or class with the aid of Kdevelop.
  • It might draw attention to code that has multiple uses and meanings.
  • One of the most excellent C++ compilers is offered by this tool's C++ editor, which can also highlight repeated instances of a variable in a specific colour.
  • This tool allows users to assign shortcuts to each operation.
  • This tool supports versioning systems like Svn, CVS, Perforce, and others.

13. SlickEdit

A cross-platform IDE for writing in the program is called SlickEdit. It is one of the best C++ editors and supports more than sixty languages. This C+ technique allows for rapid loading of large files.

Features

  • It is possible to alter menu items.
  • You can use it to open a file without having to type a path.
  • Simple to integrate CVS, Subversion, etc.
  • Expanding a typical block structure is possible.
  • When code is pasted, SlickEdit may format it automatically.
  • Multi-platform GUI dialogue boxes can be made.
  • After some inactivity, this C++ editor program automatically saves the file.

14. Graviton

Graviton is a user-friendly editor that aids in efficiently writing and managing C++ code. It is among the best C++ editors available, and it is available in many different languages, like English and Spanish.

Features

  • The platforms macOS, Windows, and Linux are all compatible with it.
  • Graviton stores your data on your computer rather than a server.
  • Unwanted code can be hidden in the editor.
  • With the explorer panel on this utility, you may choose which files or folders to copy, move, or delete.

Related Topics

Loops in C++

A loop statement in most programming languages allows us to execute a statement or a collection of statements numerous times. Control structures of programming languages vary, allowing for more complex...

6 minutes read.

Accumulate() and partial_sum() in C++ STL Numeric header

The C++ STL's numeric library includes the numeric header. This library provides efficient numeric arrays, support for random number generation, and fundamental mathematical operations and types. Several of the numeric...

3 minutes read.

Type conversion in C++

Type conversion is the process of changing the type of variables in a program. The ultimate goal of type conversions is to allow variables of a single data type operate with...

7 minutes read.

Queue in C++

What is Queue? As the name suggests, the queue is the type of data structure that follows the FIFO (First In - First Out) mechanism. In simple words, it is...

4 minutes read.

Reverse a String using Stack C/C++

Reverse the given string using stack. To turn "tutorialandexample" into "elpmaxednalairotut," for instance. Here is a straightforward stack-based technique for reversing strings. Algorithm: 1) Make a stack that is empty. 2) Push each character...

3 minutes read.

DES in C++

The popularity of the Data Encryption Standard (DES) is slightly declining as a result of the discovery that DES is susceptible to very strong attacks. Since DES is a block cypher,...

3 minutes read.

How to call a void function in C++

Generally, any function has two types: 1. Void function: It doesn't return any value. 2. Non-void function: It returns some value. Program to call a void function in C++ #include <iostream> using namespace std;  void check() {  ...

2 minutes read.

Priority Queue in C++

Priority Queue in C++ Introduction: We have already come across Queues by concluding that they are linear data structures that follow FIFO (First-In-First-Out) approach. We had also discussed the syntax of queues...

4 minutes read.

Different Ways to Compare Strings in C++

This section will go over the many methods for comparing strings in the C++ programming language. The string comparison checks if the first string is equal to another string. HELLO...

6 minutes read.

C++ Recursion Function

A programming method called recursion that uses a function to call itself to address lesser problems. The Fibonacci sequence, factorial computation, and tree traversal are just a few of the...

4 minutes read.

Find the Size of Array in C/C++ without using sizeof() function

We know that arrays in C/C++ are the most essential data structures as they have the ability to hold the data in a continuous manner line where the address of...

3 minutes read.

Virtual Function Vs Pure Virtual Function

Virtual activity is a member function defined in the foundation phase that can be redefined by acquired classes. Let's have a look at an example: #include <iostream>   #include <bits/stdc++.h> #include <stdlib> using namespace std;   class Base   {    ...

5 minutes read.

Continue in C++ While loop

Continue statement: Inside the loop, the continue statement is used to control the loop. C++ utilizes the continue keyword to implement the continue statement, which transfers the program's flow at the...

4 minutes read.

C++ STL (Standard Template Library)

Introduction C++ is a flexible type and general proposed programming language. So we need a standard library that supports C++. C++ STL (Standard Template Library) is a collection of templates that...

6 minutes read.

Diamond Pattern using While-loop in C++

What is while Loop? A while loop or while statement repeats all code of its body as long as a specific condition is satisfied. The loop ends if or when the...

5 minutes read.

C++ Close file

C++ File Handling close() Function A file which is opened while reading or writing in file handling must be closed after performing an action on it. The close() function is used to close...

2 minutes read.

Difference between OOP and POP in C++

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Prioritizes data over methods (functions) and treats data as an essential component of program development.  OOP prohibits the free flow of data throughout the system. Tighter ties to data manipulation...

4 minutes read.

Maps in C++

Maps: Maps in C++ are the containers associated with key and mapped values. By keys and mapped values, we mean that the maps are used to store elements formed by the...

4 minutes read.

Dynamic Binding in C++

The notion of dynamic binding solved the challenges associated with static binding. Static binding refers to bindings that can be resolved by the compiler at runtime. All storage, stationary, and...

3 minutes read.

How to declare a 2D array dynamically in C++

In this article, we will learn how to declare the dynamic array in C++. We also learn the initialization of a 2D array using a pointer in C++. Here, we...

3 minutes read.