PyCharm vs PyScripter
PyCharm
jetbrains.comPyScripter
github.comSide by side
| Figure | PyCharm | PyScripter |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8.33/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · Python IDEs | 9.2 (#2) | 8.2 (#6) |
| Debugging | PyCharm includes a configurable visual debugger that works locally, remotely, in virtual environments, and in containers. | It includes integrated and remote Python debugging with call stacks, variables, watches, conditional breakpoints, thread debugging and post-mortem analysis. |
| Founded | 2000 | 2005 |
| License | The open-source PyCharm build consists of open-source software governed by the Apache 2.0 license; proprietary Pro functionality is distributed separately. | PyScripter is distributed under the MIT License, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution and commercial use. |
| Purpose | PyCharm is an IDE built for web, data, and AI/ML professionals. | PyScripter is a free and open-source Python integrated development environment. |
| Support | PyCharm lists a community forum, bug and issue tracker, plugin repository, and PyCharm blog as support resources. | The project links to GitHub Discussions for support. |
| Version control | Out-of-the-box version-control support includes Git, GitHub, GitLab, Subversion, Mercurial, and Perforce. | The file explorer offers integrated version control using Tortoise Git, Tortoise SVN, or Tortoise CVS. |
Plans
PyCharm
- PyCharm coreFree
- PyCharm FreeFree
- PyCharm Pro personal annual first year$100 a year
- PyCharm Pro$200 a year
- PyCharm Pro commercial annual$200 a year
In their own words
PyCharm
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.
PyScripter
PyScripter is a free, open-source Python IDE for Windows, with an editor, interpreter, debugger, testing tools, and refactoring features. The editor provides syntax highlighting, code folding, completion, call tips, and syntax checks while code is being written. Its integrated debugger supports remote sessions, conditional breakpoints, call stacks, variables, watches, thread debugging, and post-mortem analysis. A unit-testing interface, automatic test generation, and tools to organize imports, rename items, or extract functions support code maintenance. The file explorer integrates version control through Tortoise Git, Tortoise SVN, or Tortoise CVS, and external tools can include PyLint, TabNanny, and Profile. Built-in LLM assistance includes editor help and chat, with OpenAI, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, and local models supported. OpenAI use requires a paid plan or pay-as-you-go credit; light Gemini use is free, and Ollama runs local models. Python 3.8 or later must be installed. The 64-bit build requires 64-bit Windows and Python; the 32-bit build requires 32-bit Python. Portable zip packages need no installation, and the project is MIT-licensed.