Eric
Ranked in Integrated Development Environments ·Free plan
About
Eric is a free Python editor and IDE written in Python, based on Qt and Scintilla. Its current stable version, eric7, uses PyQt6, Qt6, and Python 3. Editing features include syntax highlighting, autocompletion, calltips, source folding, brace matching, error highlighting, and project-wide search and replace. Development tools include a debugger with multi-thread and multiprocessing support, profiling, code coverage, code checking, task management, and unittest support. Core plugins provide interfaces for Mercurial, Subversion, and Git repositories; users can load additional extensions from the Plugin Repository. Python tooling includes pip and virtual environment management, an interactive shell, and an optional rope refactoring plugin. Eric also lists chat and a shared editor as cooperation functions. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with installation available through PyPI or a distribution archive. The maker recommends installing it in a Python virtual environment, and directs Windows users to a ZIP archive. The site lists English, German, Russian, and Spanish language options.
Who it is for
Eric suits Python developers who want an editor and project-management IDE with debugging, testing, profiling, and repository tools. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What is good
- Debugger supports multi-threading and multiprocessing
- Includes profiling, code coverage, and unittest support
- Core plugins interface with Git, Mercurial, and Subversion
- Supports pip and virtual environment management
What to know first
- Windows installation is directed to a ZIP archive
- The maker recommends installation in a Python virtual environment
- Optional rope refactoring requires a plugin
Verdict
Eric offers a substantial Python editing and development toolset at no listed cost. Its Qt-based desktop workflow and plugin approach are worth weighing against the installation method that fits each operating system.
Compared on integrated development environments
- Free plan
- Yeseric-ide.python-projects.org
Facts
- Product
- Eric is a Python editor and IDE written in Python, based on Qt and Scintilla.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Intended use
- The maker says Eric is designed for both quick editing and professional project management.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Current version
- The site identifies eric7, based on PyQt6, Qt6, and Python 3, as the current stable version.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Editing
- Features include syntax highlighting, autocompletion, calltips, source folding, brace matching, error highlighting, and project-wide search and replace.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Debugging and testing
- The IDE includes a Python debugger with multi-thread and multiprocessing support, profiling, code coverage, and unittest support.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Version control
- Core plugins provide an interface for Mercurial, Subversion, and Git repositories.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Extensions
- Eric has a plugin system, and plugins can be loaded from its Plugin Repository.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Additional integrations
- The listed capabilities include pip and virtual environment management, Google protobuf, CORBA via omniORB, and optional integrations such as rope and PyLint.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Download and installation
- The maker offers downloads through SourceForge and describes installation through PyPI or a distribution archive.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Operating systems
- The installation page provides instructions for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and says Windows users should download the ZIP archive.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Languages
- The site says Eric is available in English, German, Russian, and Spanish.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Support
- The maker provides user questions and answers, an issue tracker link, and a mailing list link.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- The website privacy policy says it uses cookies and server logs that may include IP addresses, and describes data subject rights under GDPR.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Maker
- The site copyright and imprint identify Detlev Offenbach; the imprint lists an address in Freising, Germany.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 29 Sept 2026
- License
- The official site displays a GPLv3 logo for Eric.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Development tools
- Eric includes a class browser, project wide search and replace, a Python debugger, profiling, code coverage, code checking, task management, and unittest support.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Collaboration
- The IDE includes chat and a shared editor as cooperation functions.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Python tooling
- Eric includes virtual environment management, pip support, an interactive Python shell, and an optional rope refactoring plug-in.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Installation
- Eric can be installed through PyPI or from a distribution archive, and the site recommends installing it in a Python virtual environment.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Plugins
- Users can load plug-in extensions from the IDE's Plugin Repository, and the site documents a plug-in API for developers.eric-ide.python-projects.org · 30 Sept 2026
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Sources
- eric-ide.python-projects.org· checked 29 Sept 2026
- eric-ide.python-projects.org/eric-download.html· checked 29 Sept 2026
- eric-ide.python-projects.org/privacy-policy.html· checked 29 Sept 2026
- eric-ide.python-projects.org/impressum.html· checked 29 Sept 2026



