FlashDevelop review
A focused Windows IDE for legacy ActionScript and Haxe workflows, but no longer maintained.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
FlashDevelop was a free, open-source Windows desktop code editor and IDE for developers working with ActionScript, Haxe, Flex, AIR, and related web technologies. Its strongest fit is for teams maintaining existing Flash, ActionScript, or Haxe projects that need a focused environment rather than a broad general-purpose editor. The product combines code completion, code generation, project compilation, debugging, templates, file editing, and source-control support in one application.
Its feature set is particularly focused on ActionScript and Haxe workflows. FlashDevelop supports compilation for ActionScript, Haxe, Flex, AIR, and generic projects, along with integrated Flash, AS3, and Haxe debugging. SWF and SWC inspection helps developers browse compiled assets and libraries, while snippets, file templates, and custom project templates support repeatable project work. The editor also handles HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and XML, and its plugin architecture supports third-party extensions and C# plugin development. Git, Subversion, and Mercurial support add compatibility with established source-control workflows.
The main consideration is product status. FlashDevelop has been discontinued, its website is down, and the listed 5.3.3 release dates from 2018. It remains relevant for developers who need its specialized language support and can work within a Windows-only, legacy-oriented setup. Developers starting a new project, requiring ongoing maintenance, or seeking a current cross-platform editor should choose an actively maintained alternative instead. For existing ActionScript and Haxe projects, its free licensing, open-source codebase, debugging tools, compilation support, and inspection features may still make it a practical fit where compatibility with the established workflow matters most.
FlashDevelop pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free and open-source Windows desktop editor
- Specialized ActionScript and Haxe completion and debugging
- Compilation, inspection, templates, plugins, and source control built in
- Where it doesn't
- Discontinued, with the website down
- Windows-only desktop availability
- Listed 5.3.3 release dates from 2018
FlashDevelop fact sheet, pricing and score →
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