Eric review
A capable free Python IDE with debugging, profiling, testing, and environment tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
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, autocompletion, project management, an interactive Python shell, and environment tools in one desktop application. It is intended for casual users through professional project teams and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Its strongest case is the depth of its built-in development workflow. Eric includes a debugger for multithreaded and multiprocessing applications, remote debugging against a remote Python environment, profiling, code coverage, and integrated unittest support. Virtual-environment management and pip-based package management keep common Python project tasks close to the editor. Its plug-in system and plug-in repository extend the environment, while interfaces for Git, Mercurial, and Subversion connect it to several established version-control options. Framework and packaging integrations include Django, Pyramid, Flask, PyInstaller, CX_Freeze, Qt Designer, and Qt Linguist.
Eric’s main trade-off is its desktop-focused scope. Remote development is described through remote debugging and remote-file or project support, not as a separate hosted development product, so teams seeking a browser-based workspace should look elsewhere. The feature breadth also makes it a stronger fit for users who want an all-in-one Python IDE than for those who only need a lightweight editor for short scripts. There are no commercial plan tiers to compare: the product is free and open source. Choose Eric for a broad, no-license-cost Python environment with integrated debugging, testing, profiling, version control, and environment management; choose an alternative if hosted development or a narrower editor experience is the priority.
Questions about Eric
What does Eric run on? Windows, macOS and Linux. It runs as a desktop app.
What does Eric integrate with? 13 integrations, including Git, Mercurial, Subversion, pip and PyLint.
Who is Eric built for? Solo users, small businesses and mid-market companies (our editorial estimate).
Eric pros and cons
- 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
Eric fact sheet, pricing and score →
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.
Last updated · How we research and update