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PyCharm

jetbrains.com

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Spec score 8.9 #5 of 65 in Integrated Development Environments

What it is

PyCharm is an IDE for web, data, and AI/ML professionals, with tools for Python development. It provides code completion, PEP 8 checks, inspections, and refactoring, alongside debugging and testing. The IDE includes an integrated terminal, package managers, Docker integration, and support for Pipenv, conda, virtualenv, and Poetry. Version control includes Git, GitHub, GitLab, Subversion, Mercurial, and Perforce; database tools cover MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Redis, and other providers. Local AI code completion can run local LLMs without sending code over the internet. Remote development supports several listed services, and remote connections use end-to-end TLS 1.3 with SSH security and host-fingerprint verification. PyCharm runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its free plan costs nothing and includes one month of Pro. The listed Pro plan costs $200 a year, billed per user per year. PyCharm Ultimate can be evaluated free for 30 days before purchase and license activation are required.

Spec sheet

What it does
PyCharm is JetBrains' integrated development environment for Python programming, combining code analysis, debugging, testing, refactoring, project navigation, databases, version control, and collaboration tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Purpose
PyCharm is an IDE built for web, data, and AI/ML professionals.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Trial
PyCharm Ultimate can be evaluated free for 30 days before a purchase and license activation are required.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Integrations
Built-in version-control integrations include Git, GitHub, GitLab, Subversion, Mercurial, and Perforce support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Security
Remote development connections use end-to-end TLS 1.3 encryption with SSH security and host-fingerprint verification.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Support
PyCharm lists a community forum, bug and issue tracker, plugin repository, and PyCharm blog as support resources.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
License
The open-source PyCharm build consists of open-source software governed by the Apache 2.0 license; proprietary Pro functionality is distributed separately.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Headquarters
Amsterdam, NetherlandsRead 23 Sep 2026 · jetbrains.com
Founded
2000Read 23 Sep 2026 · jetbrains.com
AI completion
Its AI-powered local code completion can run local LLMs without sending code over the internet.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
API and SDK
PyCharm plugins can be built with the IntelliJ Platform Gradle tooling, a PyCharm dependency, bundled PythonCore or Pythonid plugins, and plugin.xml APIs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · plugins.jetbrains.com
Company founded
JetBrains was founded in 2000.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company headquarters
LinkedIn lists Amsterdam as JetBrains' headquarters.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company legal name
Crunchbase lists JetBrains s.r.o. as the company's legal name and identifies it as privately held.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
Company size
LinkedIn lists JetBrains in the 1,001–5,000 employee range.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Data collection
Data sharing is disabled by default in release versions, while Preview and EAP versions enable it by default.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Data science
The product supports scientific Python libraries, Jupyter notebooks, Anaconda, interactive tables, and SQL and NoSQL databases.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Database support
PyCharm provides database querying, schema browsing, database-object refactoring, and support for PostgreSQL, Oracle, MongoDB, and Redis.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Databases
Database tools support MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Redis, and other providers.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Debugging
PyCharm includes a configurable visual debugger that works locally, remotely, in virtual environments, and in containers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Dependency managers
PyCharm supports Pipenv, conda, virtualenv, and Poetry for project dependencies and interpreters.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Development tools
The IDE includes debugging and testing tools, Git and GitHub integration, an integrated terminal, package managers, and Docker integration.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Documentation
JetBrains maintains versioned PyCharm 2026.2 documentation covering setup, interpreters, testing, debugging, databases, remote development, security, plugins, and data sharing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Extensibility
The IntelliJ Platform exposes more than 1,700 extension points for adding tool windows, settings pages, language support, and other IDE behavior.Read 15 Oct 2026 · plugins.jetbrains.com
Limit: learning curve
Reviewers mention that PyCharm's feature density, configuration depth, and Git workflow can be difficult for beginners.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Limit: price
Independent reviewers frequently describe the Professional edition as expensive compared with lighter or free alternatives.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Limit: resource use
Reviewers commonly report high memory or CPU usage, slow startup, and lengthy indexing, especially on older or weaker machines and large projects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: update stability
Some reviewers report plugin incompatibilities, regressions, or broken workflows after updates and say remote development can be unstable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
LSP API
The IntelliJ Platform LSP API is publicly available in PyCharm, and unified PyCharm supports it without a Pro subscription.Read 15 Oct 2026 · plugins.jetbrains.com
OpenAPI tooling
PyCharm provides OpenAPI YAML and JSON assistance and integrates Swagger Codegen to generate server stubs, client SDKs, and documentation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Plugin distribution
Plugins can be installed from JetBrains Marketplace, local ZIP or JAR archives, the command line, or custom plugin repositories.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Praise: integrated workflow
Reviewers describe the bundled editor, debugger, test runner, database tools, notebooks, deployment tools, and version control as reducing the need to switch applications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Praise: productivity
Independent reviewers repeatedly praise code completion, syntax highlighting, static analysis, debugging, refactoring, virtual-environment handling, and integrated Git tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Project protection
PyCharm offers Safe Mode preview, trusted-project controls, and a Don't Open option for projects from unknown sources.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Project security
When opening unfamiliar projects, PyCharm offers Safe Mode preview, Trust Project, or Don't Open choices and can warn about startup tasks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Python editing
The IDE provides context-aware completion, type hints, quick documentation, inspections, and automatic imports across a project.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Python support
PyCharm provides code completion, PEP 8 compliance checks, intelligent refactorings, and inspections for Python.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Rating on Capterra
4.7 out of 5 from 371 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on G2
4.6 out of 5 from 788 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Gartner Peer Insights
4.5 out of 5 from 270 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Rating on GetApp
4.7 out of 5 from 370 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Trustpilot
2.6 out of 5 from 102 reviews for JetBrainsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Rating on TrustRadius
9.3 out of 10 from 233 reviews and ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Refactoring
Project-wide refactorings include renaming, function updates, constant or method extraction, and module-to-package conversion.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Release news
PyCharm 2026.2 added Rust-based Python extension development, debugpy as the default debugger, uv and workspace support, an editor minimap, Pyrefly integration, and AI project generation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blog.jetbrains.com
Remote development
Remote development uses a lightweight JetBrains Client connected by SSH to a Linux host; recommended hosts have at least two CPU cores, 4 GB RAM, and 5 GB disk.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Remote limitations
Remote development does not support single-board computers such as Raspberry Pi or shared web-hosting environments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Security compliance
JetBrains states that its Trust Center covers SOC 2 Type II, GDPR compliance, infrastructure security, product security, and data-protection controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Telemetry controls
Release builds disable data sharing by default; users can opt into anonymous usage statistics, while JetBrains says source code and custom input are not collected.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Testing
Built-in test support covers unittest, doctest, NoseTest, and pytest, with run and debug configurations and a test-results tool window.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Unified product
Since PyCharm 2025.1, Community and Professional are one product; core features including Jupyter support remain free and Pro adds advanced capabilities.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Version control
Out-of-the-box version-control support includes Git, GitHub, GitLab, Subversion, Mercurial, and Perforce.Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
Web development
Professional features support Django, Flask, FastAPI, JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Angular, HTML, CSS, and an HTTP client.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com

Plans and prices

PyCharm core Free core functionality · Jupyter Notebook support · advanced features require Pro Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
PyCharm Free Free Free forever · one month of Pro included Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
PyCharm Pro personal annual first year $100 a year first year advanced Pro features · AI Free included Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
PyCharm Pro $200 a year per user, per year Advanced support for data and web professionals · AI Free included · perpetual fallback license with annual subscription Read 1 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com
PyCharm Pro commercial annual $200 a year per user, per year advanced support for data and web professionals · AI Free included · perpetual fallback license Read 15 Oct 2026 · jetbrains.com

Every PyCharm plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Includes Python inspections and refactoring.
  • Supports six listed version-control systems.
  • Local AI completion can run local LLMs.
  • Includes debugging and testing tools.
  • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Limits

  • Pro costs $200 a year per user.
  • Ultimate requires purchase and license activation after its 30-day evaluation.
  • Preview and EAP versions enable data sharing by default.

Who it suits

It suits Python developers working in web, data, or AI/ML projects who need integrated debugging, testing, version control, or database tools. It also suits developers using local LLM completion or remote development services.

PyCharm in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

PyCharm is a Python IDE for web, data, and AI/ML development. It suits developers who want editing, debugging, testing, and project tools in one environment, especially when Python work extends into databases or remote development. Its breadth is a strength; the main trade-off is that the Pro plan costs $200 a year per user.

JetBrains was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. PyCharm is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Compare it with other Python IDEs, IDE Software, Integrated Development Environments, and Web Development IDEs.

Key features

Python editing and project workflow

Code completion, PEP 8 checks, inspections, and intelligent refactorings address both day-to-day editing and code maintenance. Support for Pipenv, conda, virtualenv, and Poetry gives teams flexibility to keep existing dependency and interpreter workflows. Build tools, an integrated terminal, debugger, and testing tools make PyCharm a substantial all-in-one environment rather than an editor that depends on a separate toolchain.

Development and data tools

Git and GitHub integration sit alongside out-of-the-box support for GitLab, Subversion, Mercurial, and Perforce. Docker integration and package managers widen its usefulness across project setup and deployment workflows. Database tools cover MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Redis, and other providers, a practical advantage for developers who work with application code and data in the same IDE.

AI, remote work, and project safety

AI-powered local code completion can run local LLMs without sending code over the internet, making it relevant to developers who want completion while keeping code local. Remote development can use Google Cloud Workstations, GitHub Codespaces, Gitpod, Coder, and Amazon CodeCatalyst. Connections use end-to-end TLS 1.3 encryption with SSH security and host-fingerprint verification.

Safe Mode preview, trusted-project controls, and a Don't Open option help reduce risk when opening projects from unknown sources. Data sharing is disabled by default in release versions, but enabled by default in Preview and EAP versions. Plugins from JetBrains Marketplace or local ZIP/JAR archives can add integrations and language or framework support; that flexibility is useful, though it also means the environment can be extended beyond its built-in toolset.

Pricing

PyCharm Free costs nothing and is free forever, with one month of Pro included. It is the sensible starting point for individuals who want to assess the IDE or remain on the free plan. PyCharm Pro costs $200 a year, billed per user, per year. It includes advanced support for data and web professionals, AI Free, and a perpetual fallback license with an annual subscription. The per-user annual term matters for teams budgeting multiple seats.

PyCharm Ultimate can be evaluated free for 30 days; after that, purchase and license activation are required. This trial gives prospective Pro users time to assess the paid experience, but it is not a permanent substitute for the free plan. The pricing model is freemium, with a free plan and a 30-day trial.

Platforms

PyCharm runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. That desktop coverage suits mixed-platform development teams, while readers who need a mobile-first Python environment should consider another tool.

Who it's for

PyCharm is best suited to Python developers whose work spans web applications, data, or AI/ML and who value integrated debugging, testing, database access, and version control. Remote development support is also useful for teams working through supported cloud development environments. It is less compelling for someone seeking only a lightweight editor or a mobile Python app.

Pros and cons

Broad Python workflow: completion, inspections, refactoring, debugging, testing, build tools, and dependency managers cover much of a developer's daily work in one IDE.

Useful beyond editing: database support, multiple version-control systems, Docker integration, and remote development options suit projects with varied infrastructure.

Local AI option: local LLM completion avoids sending code over the internet.

Meaningful Pro cost: $200 a year per user can be a substantial commitment for individuals or teams, even with a free plan and one month of Pro included.

Desktop-only platform range: Linux, macOS, and Windows cover common developer desktops but not mobile platforms.

Alternatives

Choose Anvil if you want a free, cloud-hosted app-building option with unlimited apps, any-library installation, and a one-developer allowance; its free plan also caps Data Table rows at 50,000. Eric is a free alternative for Linux, macOS, and Windows users who want a Python IDE without a stated price or usage limit. For iPhone or iPad use, Pyto is an iOS and macOS option with a free download and in-app purchases.

Wing Python IDE offers a 30-day free trial with the full Wing Pro experience, divided into three 10-day trials that can be paused and resumed, with no email or credit card required. Spyder is a free open-source scientific Python IDE for desktop and web platforms. TigerJython is a free alternative maintained by a community promoting computer science education with a focus on Python. Positron is a free desktop option from Posit, whose work centers on open-source software for data scientists. PyScripter is a free Windows-only option for Python 3.8 and later.

Verdict

Choose PyCharm if Python is central to your work and you want a single IDE for code quality, debugging, tests, databases, and remote development. Its local AI completion and wide project tooling strengthen the case for professional workflows. Look elsewhere if the $200 a year per user Pro subscription is hard to justify, or if your needs are limited to a lightweight or mobile-first Python environment.

Verdict

PyCharm brings Python editing, debugging, testing, version control, and database tools into one IDE, with local AI completion and remote development options. Its free plan includes one month of Pro, while the listed Pro plan costs $200 a year per user.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to PyCharmAll alternatives →