Best Eric Alternatives in 2026
The top Eric alternatives are PyCharm, Wing Python IDE and Spyder: 15 python IDEs our editors would look at instead of Eric, in our ranking order.
Eric: A capable free Python IDE with debugging, profiling, testing, and environment tools. Where it falls short: remote capabilities focus on debugging and remote files rather than hosted development.
Switching from Eric? For most python ides buyers the best Eric alternative is PyCharm, built for professional Python development across platforms.
Why People Look for an Eric Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallPyCharm9.4
Professional Python development across platforms
Visit PyCharm - Best free optionPyCharm9.4
Has a free plan
Visit PyCharm
All 15 Eric Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forProfessional Python development across platforms
- Better than Eric:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.6
A full-featured, cross-platform Python IDE with a capable free tier.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit PyCharm -
Best forTeams needing a polished paid Python IDE
- Better than Eric:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.6
A feature-rich Python IDE for teams willing to pay for an integrated workflow.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Wingware -
Best forFree data-science and Python development
- Better than Eric:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.6
A broad, free Python IDE with strong data inspection, debugging, testing, and remote-development tools.
- Integrated profiler
- Integrated test runner
- Remote development
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Spyder -
Best forData scientists using Python and R
A focused Python-and-R IDE with strong data science tooling at no software cost.
- Remote development
- Python environment tools
- Integrated debugger
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Positron -
Best forWindows developers wanting a full free IDE
A capable free Windows IDE with debugging, testing, refactoring, and AI-assisted coding.
- Integrated profiler
- Integrated test runner
- Remote development
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit PyScripter -
Best forEclipse users wanting a focused Python IDE
A paid Python IDE for Eclipse users who need advanced development tools.
- Integrated test runner
- Remote development
- Python environment tools
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit LiClipse -
Best forFree interactive Python development
A focused, free Python IDE for interactive work, debugging, and scientific computing.
- Python environment tools
- Integrated debugger
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Pyzo -
Best forBeginners learning Python interactively
A free, approachable Python IDE for learning, debugging, and small projects.
- Remote development
- Python environment tools
- Integrated debugger
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Thonny -
Best forBuilding and deploying Python web applications
A broad Python application platform for teams building and deploying web apps.
- Integrated profiler
- Python environment tools
- Integrated debugger
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Anvil -
Best forCloud Python development and lightweight deployment
A capable web IDE for cloud Python work, package management, and lightweight app hosting.
- Remote development
- Python environment tools
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Python Online -
Best forAndroid-based Python development
A capable Android Python workspace for learning, scripting, and scientific packages.
- Integrated debugger
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Pydroid 3 -
Best foriPhone and iPad coding with notebooks
A capable local Python workspace for iOS, with notebooks and optional AI assistance.
- Python environment tools
- Integrated debugger
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Juno -
Best foriPad and iPhone Python development
A capable paid Python workspace for developing directly on iPhone and iPad.
- Integrated test runner
- Integrated debugger
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Pythonista -
Best forPaid Python coding on iOS and macOS
A capable paid Python workspace for Apple devices, with debugging and local execution.
- Integrated debugger
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Pyto -
Best forFree browser-based Python practice and demos
A free web IDE for Python practice, demos, and quick experiments.
- Integrated test runner
- Integrated debugger
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Online Python
Eric Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Eric?
PyCharm: #1 in our Python IDEs ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A full-featured, cross-platform Python IDE with a capable free tier.
Is there a free alternative to Eric?
Yes. PyCharm, Wing Python IDE, Spyder, Positron and PyScripter have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Eric alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Eric?
Export your data from Eric (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Eric.
How to Switch from Eric
- Export your data from Eric (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Eric.
Eric vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Integrated debugger | Code intelligence | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Eric | Yes | Free | Yes | Advanced | 8.6 |
| 1 | PyCharm | Yes | 9.4 | |||
| 2 | Wing Python IDE | Yes | $69/user/yr | 9.0 | ||
| 3 | Spyder | Yes | Free | Yes | Advanced | 8.8 |
| 4 | Positron | Yes | Free | Yes | Advanced | 8.4 |
| 5 | PyScripter | Yes | Free | Yes | Advanced | 8.2 |
| 6 | LiClipse | No | $99 one-time | Yes | Advanced | 7.9 |
| 7 | Pyzo | Yes | Free | Yes | Advanced | 7.7 |
| 8 | Thonny | Yes | Free | Yes | Basic | 7.5 |
| 9 | Anvil | Yes | Yes | Ai-assisted | 7.3 | |
| 10 | Python Online | Yes | Advanced | 7.2 | ||
| 11 | Pydroid 3 | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.0 | |
| 12 | Juno | Yes | Yes | Ai-assisted | 6.9 | |
| 13 | Pythonista | No | Yes | Advanced | 6.8 | |
| 14 | Pyto | No | $7.99 one-time | Yes | Basic | 6.7 |
| 15 | Online Python | Yes | Free | Yes | Basic | 6.6 |
Head-to-Head
- Eric vs PyCharm
- Eric vs Wing Python IDE
- Eric vs Spyder
- Eric vs Positron
- Eric vs PyScripter
- Eric vs LiClipse
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update