PyCharm vs Spyder
PyCharm
jetbrains.com
Spyder
spyder-ide.orgSide by side
| Figure | PyCharm | Spyder |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8.33/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · Python IDEs | 9.2 (#2) | 7.4 (#18) |
| Extensibility | The IntelliJ Platform exposes more than 1,700 extension points for adding tool windows, settings pages, language support, and other IDE behavior. | Spyder supports third-party plugins, but the documentation recommends Conda-based installation for plugin use while standalone plugin installation is under development. |
| License | The open-source PyCharm build consists of open-source software governed by the Apache 2.0 license; proprietary Pro functionality is distributed separately. | Spyder is open-source software available free to use, and its documentation states that anyone can contribute. |
| Purpose | PyCharm is an IDE built for web, data, and AI/ML professionals. | Spyder is a scientific environment written in Python for scientists, engineers and data analysts. |
| Support | PyCharm lists a community forum, bug and issue tracker, plugin repository, and PyCharm blog as support resources. | The documentation directs users to its FAQ, troubleshooting guide, GitHub issue tracker and Google Group for help. |
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.
Spyder
Spyder is a free, open-source scientific Python environment for scientists, engineers, and data analysts. Its multi-language editor offers code completion, real-time analysis, syntax highlighting, and split panels. Users can run whole files, selected lines, or code cells in an IPython Console, which includes function calltips, debugger integration, a Variable Explorer, and plots. Standalone installers for Windows, macOS, and Linux include common scientific libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib. Spyder can connect to existing local or remote Python kernels. It supports third-party plugins, though its documentation recommends Conda-based installation for plugin use and says standalone plugin installation is under development. For browser access, Binder provides a functional session without installation; code and data are lost when the tab is closed or left. Spyder's documentation points users to its FAQ, troubleshooting guide, GitHub issue tracker, and Google Group for help, and states that anyone can contribute.