Spyder vs Eric

Spyder8.8Visit Eric8.6Visit

Higher score Spyder #3 in Python IDEs 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Spyder

vs

Eric #4 in Python IDEs 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Eric

• Spyder fits best

  Free data-science and Python development

• Eric fits best

  Free open-source general Python development

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Spyder 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Eric 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.6
Ranking	#3 in Python IDEs	#4 in Python IDEs
Best for	Free data-science and Python development	Free open-source general Python development
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs	Community
Integrations	10 integrations	13 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Spyder 5/5 · Eric 5/5
Integrated debugger	✓	✓
Integrated test runner	✓	✓
Remote development	✓	✓
Integrated profiler	✓	✓
Python environment tools	✓	✓
Specs
Code intelligence	Advanced	Advanced
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, web	windows, macos, linux
Our review
Pros	Advanced code intelligence, linting, completion, and multi-language editing Integrated IPython Console, Variable Explorer, debugger, and profiler Remote development with JupyterHub, SSH, containers, and external kernels	Advanced editing, autocompletion, debugging, profiling, and code coverage Supports Git, Mercurial, Subversion, pip, and virtual environments Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with remote debugging support
Cons	The integrated test runner depends on the Spyder-unittest plugin Spyder-unittest is not available with standalone Windows and macOS installers Its broad scientific focus may exceed the needs of simpler Python projects	Remote capabilities focus on debugging and remote files rather than hosted development The broad feature set may be more than casual Python scripting requires Its desktop IDE model may not suit browser-based development workflows
Our verdict	Spyder is a free, open-source scientific Python development environment for scientists, engineers, and data analysts. It brings together a multi-language editor, interactive IPython Console, Variable Explorer, debugger, profiler, code… Read the review →	Eric is a free, open-source Python editor and integrated development environment for developers working on local Python projects. Written in Python and based on Qt and Scintilla, it combines source-code editing, syntax highlighting,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Spyder — where it wins

  • Advanced code intelligence, linting, completion, and multi-language editing
  • Integrated IPython Console, Variable Explorer, debugger, and profiler
  • Remote development with JupyterHub, SSH, containers, and external kernels

  Where it doesn't

  • The integrated test runner depends on the Spyder-unittest plugin
  • Spyder-unittest is not available with standalone Windows and macOS installers
  • Its broad scientific focus may exceed the needs of simpler Python projects

• Eric — where it wins

  • Advanced editing, autocompletion, debugging, profiling, and code coverage
  • Supports Git, Mercurial, Subversion, pip, and virtual environments
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with remote debugging support

  Where it doesn't

  • Remote capabilities focus on debugging and remote files rather than hosted development
  • The broad feature set may be more than casual Python scripting requires
  • Its desktop IDE model may not suit browser-based development workflows

• Spyder8.8/10 · Free plan

  A broad, free Python IDE with strong data inspection, debugging, testing, and remote-development tools.

  Visit SpyderFull verdict →
• Eric8.6/10 · Free plan

  A capable free Python IDE with debugging, profiling, testing, and environment tools.

  Visit EricFull verdict →