PowerBuilder
PowerBuilder: A Windows IDE for PowerBuilder development, with a $895 annual per-developer entry plan. Ranked #59 of 65 in Integrated Development Environments by our editors (3.4/10); pricing: Paid; best for windows teams maintaining PowerBuilder applications.
At a glance
- Editor score3.4 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forWindows teams maintaining PowerBuilder applications
- Free planNo
- Paid from$895/user/yr
- Supported operating systemsWindows
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Combines editing, debugging, automated builds, and deployment tooling
- Includes Git/SVN source control and REST API scaffolding
- CloudPro adds installable cloud apps and PowerServer development
Where it doesn't
- Runs on Windows only
- No free plan; Professional starts at $895 per developer per year
- CloudPro's included PowerServer development license has a 5-user session limit
Our verdict on PowerBuilder
PowerBuilder is a Windows integrated development environment for creating client/server applications, Web APIs, and installable cloud apps. Its tools cover application editing, debugging, automated builds, compilation—including native 64-bit Windows executables—and deployment. That breadth makes it relevant to teams maintaining or developing PowerBuilder business applications across desktop and cloud deployment paths. It is a specialized choice rather than a general-purpose IDE for developers seeking a free entry point or cross-platform desktop tooling.
The two annual subscriptions are priced per developer. PowerBuilder Professional costs $895 per developer per year and covers client/server applications and Web APIs, with standard support and updates. PowerBuilder CloudPro costs $1,595 per developer per year; it adds installable cloud apps and includes a PowerServer development license with a 5-user session limit. Both plans include standard support and updates. The practical distinction is whether cloud-app development is part of the work: Professional covers the listed client/server and API scope, while CloudPro adds the cloud capabilities at a higher annual cost.
Development workflow support is a notable strength: the IDE includes an integrated debugger, automated builds, compilation, deployment tooling, and a Git/SVN client, alongside REST API creation and scaffolding. That concentration can suit teams working within the PowerBuilder ecosystem and needing those stages in one environment. The trade-offs are its Windows-only IDE and paid-only entry, which make it a poor fit for cross-platform teams or developers looking for a free IDE. Teams focused on PowerBuilder applications should weigh Professional against CloudPro based on whether installable cloud apps are needed; those outside that scope should consider another environment.
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PowerBuilder pricing
All 2 PowerBuilder plans and prices →
PowerBuilder fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $895/user/yr |
| Supported operating systems | Windows |
| Integrated debugger | Yes |
| Integrated testing tools | Not verified |
| Build tools | Yes |
| Project management | Not verified |
| Dev container support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop, Cloud |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: Git, SVN |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | appeon.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
PowerBuilder integrations
PowerBuilder lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- Git
- SVN
Alternatives to PowerBuilder
- IntelliJ IDEAA full-featured, cross-platform IDE for Java and Kotlin teams.9.4
- Visual StudioA full-featured Windows IDE for .NET and C++ teams with broad tooling.9.3
- PyCharmA full-featured Python IDE with strong testing, debugging, data, and remote workflows.9.2
See all PowerBuilder alternatives →
Also Ranked In
PowerBuilder is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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