Alternatives to Spyder

An open-source Python IDE for scientific work with a variable explorer and an IPython console. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Spyder.

  • Positron

    A free data science IDE for Python and R from the makers of RStudio.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    Positron adds R alongside Python with a data explorer and persistent consoles, but it is source-available under Elastic License 2.0, not open source.

  • PyCharm

    Python IDE with debugging, testing, scientific tools and web framework support.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    PyCharm adds web framework support, a graphical debugger and notebooks, but it is closed source and professional features need a subscription.

  • Visual Studio Code

    Microsoft's code editor, free to use but shipped under a Microsoft licence rather than an open one.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    Visual Studio Code is a general editor that handles Python and notebooks through extensions, without a built-in variable explorer and with telemetry on by default.

  • Wing Python IDE

    A Python IDE with a debugger, editor and testing tools, plus features for managing AI coding agents.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    Wing Python IDE focuses on Python debugging and unit testing, with free editions and a paid Pro license, and is not open source.

  • Thonny

    A Python IDE for beginners that comes bundled with Python and includes a simple debugger.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Thonny is a simpler open-source Python IDE for beginners that bundles Python, with fewer tools for scientific data work.

  • PyScripter

    A free, open-source and lightweight Python IDE for Windows.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    PyScripter is a free, open-source, lightweight Python IDE, but it runs on Windows only rather than on Windows, macOS and Linux.

  • RStudio

    A free, open-source IDE for R with a data viewer, environment pane and support for Python and SQL.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    RStudio offers a similar data viewer and environment pane, but it is built around R with Python treated as secondary.

  • Jupyter

    Browser-based notebooks, JupyterLab and the classic Notebook, that combine live code, text and visualizations.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxWeb

    JupyterLab runs in a browser with a notebook workflow and supports over 40 languages instead of Spyder's Python-only desktop IDE.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.