Best Code::Blocks Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to Code::Blocks? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Code::Blocks alongside similar software solutions including Code::Blocks, Dev-C++, NetBeans IDE, TextPad, IntelliJ IDEA, CMake, X64 Debuggers And Tools, Visual Studio Build Tools 2017, Visual Studio Community 2017 and Arduino IDE.

Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Code::Blocks, Dev-C++, NetBeans IDE, TextPad, IntelliJ IDEA, CMake, X64 Debuggers And Tools, Visual Studio Build Tools 2017, Visual Studio Community 2017 and Arduino IDE stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	Programming Language Support	User Interface and Usability	License and Cost
Code::Blocks	Supports C, C++, and Fortran.	Simple and clean user interface with keyboard shortcuts and plugin manager.	Free and open-source under GNU General Public License version.
Dev-C++	Supports C and C++.	Easy-to-use code editor with outdated user interface design.	Free and open-source under GNU General Public License (GPL).
NetBeans IDE	Supports Java, Java EE technologies, JavaScript, PHP, C++ and more.	User-friendly interface with customizable layout options and a wide range of features.	Open-source under Apache License; free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes.
TextPad	Supports many programming languages with syntax highlighting.	Simple and intuitive user interface; fast and lightweight text editor.	Commercial software product with a 30-day fully functional trial version; license purchase required afterwards.
IntelliJ IDEA	Supports Java, Kotlin, Groovy, Scala, PHP, JavaScript and others.	User-friendly interface with customizable keymaps and themes; steep learning curve for beginners.	Free Community Edition plus a paid Ultimate Edition with additional features.
CMake	Supports many popular programming languages including C++, Fortran, Python.	Provides built-in graphical user interface; primarily a build system tool with scripting interface.	Open-source project under BSD 3-Clause License; free to use.
X64 Debuggers And Tools	Focused on debugging 64-bit applications regardless of programming language.	Complex user interface; command-line debugger with advanced debugging tools.	Various tools mostly free with some proprietary components like Microsoft Visual Studio integrated debugger.
Visual Studio Build Tools 2017	Supports C++, .NET Core, .NET Framework, Python, Node.js and more.	Standalone package without IDE; integrates with Visual Studio IDE if installed.	Free standalone build tools package provided by Microsoft.
Visual Studio Community 2017	Supports multiple programming languages including C++, C#, Visual Basic, Python, JavaScript.	Full-featured extensible integrated development environment; heavier system requirements.	Free fully featured IDE for individual developers, open source projects, academic research, education; some limits for enterprise use.
Arduino IDE	Supports primarily C++ for Arduino boards and embedded development.	Simple and user-friendly interface suited for beginners with basic code editing features.	Free and open-source software for Arduino boards development.

Programming Language Support

Code::Blocks	Supports C, C++, and Fortran.
Dev-C++	Supports C and C++.
NetBeans IDE	Supports Java, Java EE technologies, JavaScript, PHP, C++ and more.
TextPad	Supports many programming languages with syntax highlighting.
IntelliJ IDEA	Supports Java, Kotlin, Groovy, Scala, PHP, JavaScript and others.
CMake	Supports many popular programming languages including C++, Fortran, Python.
X64 Debuggers And Tools	Focused on debugging 64-bit applications regardless of programming language.
Visual Studio Build Tools 2017	Supports C++, .NET Core, .NET Framework, Python, Node.js and more.
Visual Studio Community 2017	Supports multiple programming languages including C++, C#, Visual Basic, Python, JavaScript.
Arduino IDE	Supports primarily C++ for Arduino boards and embedded development.

User Interface and Usability

Code::Blocks	Simple and clean user interface with keyboard shortcuts and plugin manager.
Dev-C++	Easy-to-use code editor with outdated user interface design.
NetBeans IDE	User-friendly interface with customizable layout options and a wide range of features.
TextPad	Simple and intuitive user interface; fast and lightweight text editor.
IntelliJ IDEA	User-friendly interface with customizable keymaps and themes; steep learning curve for beginners.
CMake	Provides built-in graphical user interface; primarily a build system tool with scripting interface.
X64 Debuggers And Tools	Complex user interface; command-line debugger with advanced debugging tools.
Visual Studio Build Tools 2017	Standalone package without IDE; integrates with Visual Studio IDE if installed.
Visual Studio Community 2017	Full-featured extensible integrated development environment; heavier system requirements.
Arduino IDE	Simple and user-friendly interface suited for beginners with basic code editing features.

License and Cost

Code::Blocks	Free and open-source under GNU General Public License version.
Dev-C++	Free and open-source under GNU General Public License (GPL).
NetBeans IDE	Open-source under Apache License; free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes.
TextPad	Commercial software product with a 30-day fully functional trial version; license purchase required afterwards.
IntelliJ IDEA	Free Community Edition plus a paid Ultimate Edition with additional features.
CMake	Open-source project under BSD 3-Clause License; free to use.
X64 Debuggers And Tools	Various tools mostly free with some proprietary components like Microsoft Visual Studio integrated debugger.
Visual Studio Build Tools 2017	Free standalone build tools package provided by Microsoft.
Visual Studio Community 2017	Free fully featured IDE for individual developers, open source projects, academic research, education; some limits for enterprise use.
Arduino IDE	Free and open-source software for Arduino boards development.

Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.

This quick comparison shows how Code::Blocks stacks up against Code::Blocks, Dev-C++, NetBeans IDE, TextPad, IntelliJ IDEA, CMake, X64 Debuggers And Tools, Visual Studio Build Tools 2017, Visual Studio Community 2017 and Arduino IDE in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License
Code::Blocks		Open Source
Dev-C++		Shareware
NetBeans IDE		Open Source
TextPad	5.7MB	Shareware
IntelliJ IDEA	2.6MB	Shareware
CMake		Open Source
X64 Debuggers And Tools	27.3MB	Shareware
Visual Studio Build Tools 2017	3.8MB	Shareware
Visual Studio Community 2017		Shareware
Arduino IDE	1.6MB	Shareware

Size

Code::Blocks
Dev-C++
NetBeans IDE
TextPad	5.7MB
IntelliJ IDEA	2.6MB
CMake
X64 Debuggers And Tools	27.3MB
Visual Studio Build Tools 2017	3.8MB
Visual Studio Community 2017
Arduino IDE	1.6MB

License

Code::Blocks	Open Source
Dev-C++	Shareware
NetBeans IDE	Open Source
TextPad	Shareware
IntelliJ IDEA	Shareware
CMake	Open Source
X64 Debuggers And Tools	Shareware
Visual Studio Build Tools 2017	Shareware
Visual Studio Community 2017	Shareware
Arduino IDE	Shareware

Rating

Code::Blocks
Dev-C++
NetBeans IDE
TextPad
IntelliJ IDEA
CMake
X64 Debuggers And Tools
Visual Studio Build Tools 2017
Visual Studio Community 2017
Arduino IDE

Popularity

Code::Blocks
Dev-C++
NetBeans IDE
TextPad
IntelliJ IDEA
CMake
X64 Debuggers And Tools
Visual Studio Build Tools 2017
Visual Studio Community 2017
Arduino IDE