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KDevelop

kdevelop.org

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 8.3 #17 of 65 in Integrated Development Environments

What it is

KDevelop is a free, open-source integrated development environment for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its built-in parser backends support C, C++, and JavaScript/QML; Python and PHP support comes through optional plugins. For fully supported languages, it offers semantic syntax highlighting, code completion, and navigation such as finding symbol uses or jumping to declarations and definitions. Build support covers CMake and QMake, partial support for custom Makefiles, and invoking tools such as make and ninja. Graphical debugging is available for C/C++ and Python, with PHP debugging through an extra plugin. KDevelop also integrates unit tests, code formatting, and documentation from QtHelp, Man pages, and CMake help. Version-control interfaces include Git, Bazaar, Subversion, CVS, and Perforce; Mercurial is available as an optional plugin. Views, color schemes, and shortcuts can be customized. The free plan is listed at free. Windows nightly builds may be unstable or incomplete, and independently developed Chocolatey packages may not be up to date.

Spec sheet

Product
KDevelop is a cross-platform IDE for C, C++, Python, QML/JavaScript, and PHP.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Security
KDE directs users who find a security issue in KDE software to report it and says its security advisories are listed there.Read 3 Oct 2026 · kde.org
Privacy
KDE says its hosted Matomo analytics immediately anonymizes IP records and automatically removes detailed records after 30 days.Read 3 Oct 2026 · kde.org
Support
KDE community support is provided without warranty by volunteers, with help available through its discussion forum and Matrix rooms.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kde.org
Headquarters
Berlin, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · kdevelop.org
Build systems
Supported build systems include CMake, QMake, partially supported custom Makefiles, and a generic build system.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Code intelligence
For fully supported languages, KDevelop provides semantic syntax highlighting, code navigation, and completion.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Code navigation
Navigation features include finding symbol uses, jumping to declarations or definitions, Quick Open, and project, class, and function browsers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Code tools
Supported languages include semantic syntax highlighting, code navigation and completion.Read 3 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Customization
Users can arrange split views and tool views, configure color schemes, and assign shortcuts to almost every IDE action.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Debugging
The IDE provides graphical debugger support for C/C++ and Python, with PHP support through an extra plugin.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Documentation
KDevelop integrates QtHelp documentation files, man pages, and CMake help pages.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Downloads
The download page lists distribution packages and Snap for Linux, a nightly 64-bit build and Chocolatey package for Windows, and a release installer for macOS.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Extensibility
KDevelop uses a plugin architecture, and the project site names Clang-Tidy, Heaptrack and Perforce support as examples of extensions.Read 3 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Languages
C/C++, Objective-C, Qt QML, and JavaScript are fully supported; Python and PHP support is provided through optional plugins.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Other features
The feature list includes unit test integration, graphical debugging for C/C++ and Python, and code formatting support.Read 3 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Other tools
KDevelop includes unit test integration, code formatter support, a filterable Problems view, and Vim-compatible input mode.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Plugins
The project describes KDevelop as extensible, with plugins such as Clang-Tidy, Heaptrack, and Perforce support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Release caveat
The Windows nightly build may be unstable and contain bugs or incomplete features, and the Chocolatey packages are developed independently from KDE and may not be up to date.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Release limitation
The site says Windows nightly builds are compiled from the master branch and may be unstable or contain bugs or incomplete features.Read 3 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org
Version control
KDevelop has GUI integration for Git, Bazaar, Subversion, CVS, and Perforce, with Mercurial available through an optional plugin.Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org

Plans and prices

KDevelop Free Free IDE; no paid tiers stated Read 4 Oct 2026 · kdevelop.org

Every KDevelop plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan listed at free
  • Supports CMake and QMake
  • Graphical debugging for C/C++ and Python
  • Integrates unit tests and code formatting

Limits

  • Python and PHP support require optional plugins
  • PHP debugging requires an extra plugin
  • Windows nightly builds may be unstable or incomplete
  • Chocolatey packages may not be up to date

Who it suits

KDevelop suits developers who want a free IDE with language tooling, build support, and graphical debugging. Its language support and debugger options vary by built-in support and optional plugins.

Verdict

KDevelop combines language-aware editing, build tools, testing, and debugging in a free IDE. Check the platform-specific release caveats and optional plugin requirements before choosing it.

Where Specifiction places it

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