Eric

API—OSS—FREEyesDOCS5/5
ER5.9#4 of 62
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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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