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Pelles C

Free#47 of 65 in Integrated Development Environments

Pelles C: A focused, free Windows IDE with C tooling, debugging, profiling, and project management. Ranked #47 of 65 in Integrated Development Environments by our editors (4.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free Windows-native C development.

4.6/10Editor score

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Pelles C4.6 Visit Pelles C

At a glance

Editor score
4.6 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Free Windows-native C development
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Supported operating systems
Windows
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Includes an optimizing C compiler, assembler, linker, and build utilities
- Combines project management, debugging, profiling, and source editing
- Supports C99, C11, C17, and C23 with x86, x64, and ARM64 targets
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only platform support limits cross-platform development
- Focused on C development rather than a broad set of programming languages
- Windows resource editors target application assets within the Windows ecosystem

Our verdict on Pelles C

Pelles C is a freeware development kit for desktop Windows applications written in C. It brings core compiler and build components into an integrated development environment, including an optimizing C compiler, macro assembler, linker, resource and message compilers, make utility, install builder, and code-signing utility. Its IDE adds project management, an integrated debugger, profiler, source code editor, and Windows resource editors. It is aimed at developers who want a focused C environment for Windows rather than a general-purpose, multi-platform IDE.

Its strongest advantage is the breadth of included C development tooling. The compiler supports C99, C11, C17, and C23, while target support includes x86, x64, and ARM64 on supported Windows versions. Project management, builds, debugging, profiling, and editing are available within the same environment, and the resource and message compilers support Windows application assets. That combination makes Pelles C a practical fit for Windows-focused C projects that need more than a standalone compiler.

The pricing model is straightforward: Pelles C is free, with no paid tiers described. That makes it suitable for developers seeking Windows-native C tooling without a subscription structure. Its tradeoff is its narrow platform and language focus. Developers targeting desktop Windows and working primarily in C should consider it; teams needing a broader language environment or development across operating systems should look elsewhere.

Your product? Our editors can test Pelles C in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Pelles C pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on pellesc.se

Pelles C fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Supported operating systems	Windows
Integrated debugger	Yes
Integrated testing tools	Not verified
Build tools	Yes
Project management	Yes
Dev container support	Not verified
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Windows
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	pellesc.se
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

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Featured on iTechGuides

Pelles C is listed in our Integrated Development Environments directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

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Last updated 28 Sep 2026 · How we research and update