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When it comes to programming in Python on Mac, you can start writing useful scripts literally in any environment. Just open TextEdit, available from the Applications folder, and code away.
There are also many other wonderful, more programming-focused text editors, such as Sublime Text and Nova. However, if you write code in Python all the time, you'll benefit from using an environment that was specifically designed for it, and that's exactly what IDEs offer.
The best Python IDE for Mac doesn't have to be PyCharm or VS Code
I value your time, so I've compiled all the solutions from this article into a table to help you quickly and easily find the best tools.
| Best tools for Python | What's this about? | Perks | Hiccups | Pricing |
| CodeRunner | Lightweight, native macOS IDE for quick Python (and multi-language) scripting | Instant launch, low resource use, built-in debugger with breakpoints, customizable templates, 200+ syntax highlighters, simple & intuitive, great for snippets/testing. | No built-in terminal emulator (uses console), slower feature updates than VS Code | Included in Setapp Membership. |
| TeaCode | Code expansion / snippet tool (mentioned as a productivity companion) | Helps with code expansion for faster typing. | Limited details in source text | Included in Setapp Membership. |
| IDLE | Beginner-friendly, lightweight Python IDE that ships with Python | Free with Python install, simple interface, REPL shell, basic syntax highlighting + auto-indent, graphic debugger, minimal setup | Dated interface, lacks advanced productivity/refactoring features | Completely free (included with Python) |
| VS Code | Highly configurable, extensible code editor from Microsoft | Thousands of extensions, excellent Python support (Pylance), integrated terminal/debugger/source control/Jupyter, Live Share collaboration, lightweight & fast | Can get bloated/slower with many extensions, memory-heavy on large projects, steep config for beginners | Free |
| PyCharm | Full-featured, professional Python IDE by JetBrains | Top debugging / refactoring, intelligent completion / navigation, project/venv management, Django / Flask / FastAPI support, database tools (Pro) | Higher resource usage, slower startup/indexing on older Macs, learning curve, advanced features need Pro | Community Edition: Free Pro: ~$109 → $65/yr (individual, decreases over time). |
| Spyder | Scientific computing / data analysis IDE (MATLAB-like) | Variable Explorer, integrated IPython console, plotting support, excellent for NumPy / Pandas / Matplotlib workflows, Anaconda-friendly | Not ideal for large software engineering or web dev, fewer refactoring tools | Free & open source |
| PyDev | Eclipse plugin turning it into a Python IDE | Good for multi-language (Java + Python) workflows, Django support, code completion / analysis / testing | Requires full Eclipse (heavier/slower), dated UI, more involved setup | Free & open source |
| Jupyter (Notebooks / Lab) | Interactive notebook environment for exploration & presentation | Cell-based workflow, inline visualizations, mixes code + Markdown + equations, great for data science / ML prototyping & sharing | Not suited for large applications, version control challenges (JSON format), out-of-order execution risks | Free & open source |
| Expressions | Regex helper & testing app | Highlights structures, suggestions, validation, organizes common expressions | Niche tool (not a full IDE) | Included in Setapp Membership. |
| SQLPro Studio | Database management app (companion tool) | View/edit multiple DBs, query comparison, fast data operations | Niche (database-focused, not Python editor) | Included in Setapp Membership. |
An IDE is an integrated development environment. Unlike a simple text editor, an IDE offers an easy way to run and test your code. By using an IDE, you can avoid typing errors, reuse components, integrate third-party tools, automate deployments, and much more.
In short, if you're looking for a Mac Python editor for serious work, you should go with an IDE.
Code editors are basically text editors with a few extra features that make programming syntax easier to read and edit. They are fast, light, and easy on your RAM and CPU, so occasional coders often prefer them to full-blown IDEs.
However, the best software for Python coding is still an IDE. There's so much productivity to gain from using an IDE, from file organization to debuggers, code suggestions, and repository integrations that the only question remaining is which OS X Python IDE you should choose.
If you don't want to research, download, and try all the best IDEs for Python on Mac options out there, but would rather like to know the top option right now, I've compiled a list for you.
If you've ever opened a heavyweight IDE just to test a Python script, CodeRunner feels refreshingly different. It's a Mac-native coding environment that launches instantly, stays responsive even on older hardware, and gives you many of the tools you'd expect from a full IDE without the complexity that often comes with larger development environments.
Mac developers who work across multiple programming languages, but want a fast and lightweight coding environment.
"Seems most editors fall short somewhere and lack the one feature I need or a small detail is missing. CodeRunner is everything I have always wanted in an editor. As well as being pretty straight forward and intuitive, at least to me, it's not bloated, confusing or trying to be something it's not. Simply perfect!", shares Geoffrey Smith, a Setapp user.
For someone who enjoys building small automation tools for data processing, CodeRunner can be a great fit. It allows you to write, run, debug, and refine scripts in a single window without having to put together an extensive workspace.
You can host more complex applications in PyCharm or VS Code and use CodeRunner as a secondary tool for testing snippets or experimenting with algorithms, or validating scripts before adding them to a larger project.
Included in Setapp under a flat fee, along with 260+ other apps. Free for 7 days on Setapp. Try CodeRunner free.
Also available standalone via Mac App Store or Setapp Marketplace. Get CodeRunner standalone via Marketplace — no membership needed.
Tip: In addition to using the best code editor for Python like CodeRunner, you can add a few other apps to your toolkit that would make coding more productive and less prone to bugs. For example, TeaCode.
TeaCode is a powerful code expander that turns short, memorable templates into full-fledged code right inside your editor. Avoid typing the same code lines over and over again and start your own code library for any project you're working on, in any language, with TeaCode.
To use TeaCode, just press the preselected shortcut, and the app will automatically finish the code for you. Now you're ready to build new apps faster than ever.
Typing the same Python boilerplate every time you start a new class or function is time you're not spending on the logic that actually matters. TeaCode expands it in a keystroke. Get TeaCode free for 7 days.
If you want to learn programming, Integrated Development and Learning Environment (IDLE) can be the solution you're looking for.
It's a beginner-friendly Python environment for new learners, so you don't need to be bothered about setups. In a nutshell, it may lack many advanced features that you'll find in modern IDEs, but on the brighter side, its simplicity makes it easy for you to adapt.
Absolute beginners looking to learn Python or instructors who teach code principles on screen.
The best use for IDLE is as a learning environment or a playground for scripting concepts. For instance, if you're studying Python and want to see how specific conditional statements behave, you can type your code directly into an IDLE active shell and move them to a script once they're working.
It's also useful for educators who want to demonstrate code examples during lessons so that students can follow along without installing additional software beyond Python itself.
| Scenario | Recommended use | What IDLE provides | When to move on |
| Testing snippets | REPL Shell | Interactive execution + history | Larger projects |
| Learning syntax/conditionals | Shell → Editor copy-paste | Syntax highlighting, auto-indent | Advanced debugging |
| Classroom demos | Shared screen, minimal setup | Runs with base Python only | Collaborative or team work |
| Simple scripts | Editor + Run Module (F5) | Basic debugger, breakpoints | Professional tooling |
IDLE is free and included with standard Python installations.
It's no surprise that Visual Studio Code is popular among developers. It's developed by Microsoft, free to use, and one major perk is that you can build a customized Python development environment similar to an enterprise IDE.
Polyglot developers who regularly jump between multiple languages in a single project.
If Python is only a part of your development stack, then VS Code is an excellent pick. For example, you can build a Django application with a React frontend and manage both projects from a single editor window to manage both codebases simultaneously. Open split-screen views to edit your Python backend files on one side while tweaking JavaScript components on the other.
When you open a Python file, the editor immediately initializes the Pylance language server and activates your virtual environment. The same thing happens when you open an API file; tools like Thunder Client let you test your endpoints natively without forcing you to open separate testing software.
VS Code is free to use.
PyCharm is a Python development environment developed by JetBrains, a software company that's popular among professional developers. It's a comprehensive platform that integrates code writing, debugging, testing, database control, and environment configuration into a single automated workspace for Python development. Note, however, that advanced database tools and full framework support require the Pro version of the app.
Professional Python developers managing large-scale infrastructure or web developers building web services with backend frameworks like Django, FastAPI, and Flask.
PyCharm proves its worth when you're working on a long-term Python project with multiple modules, dependencies, and contributors. When developing a FastAPI or Django application, you no longer need separate tools to run your server, manage database queries, or test API endpoints. You can handle the entire cycle from one interface.
Spyder is an open-source Python IDE meant for scientific computing, data analysis, and research workflows. It has an interface that is familiar to users coming from MATLAB, and it includes several tools that make working with datasets more convenient than in a general-purpose code editor.
Data scientists, researchers, machine learning practitioners, and users who prefer a MATLAB-style development environment.
In usage, Spyder shines when you're working with large datasets. Let's say you're analyzing customer data with Pandas, you can load a dataframe, inspect it in the Variable Explorer, visualize trends with Matplotlib, and test transformations interactively from the IPython console.
The workflow reduces the amount of debugging and print statements typically needed when exploring data. This alone makes Spyder appealing for a research and analytics project.
Pricing
Spyder is free and open source.
PyDev is an open-source plugin that transforms Eclipse into a Python development environment. If you're already working in Eclipse, PyDev provides a way to build, test, and debug Python applications without the need to switch to a separate IDE.
Developers already using Eclipse for Java or other languages, and Django developers who prefer the Eclipse ecosystem.
PyDev makes the most sense when Python is part of a larger Eclipse-based workflow. A team maintaining both Java and Python services can work across projects without having to switch between development environments.
It can also be a practical option for Django developers who already rely on Eclipse and want integrated debugging, testing, and project management tools while keeping their existing setup intact.
PyDev is free and open source.
Jupyter combines live code, visualizations, equations (via LaTeX/MathJax), and interactive text in a single interactive document, which essentially is a different approach to Python. It excels as a workspace for exploration, experimentation, teaching, and presenting results.
Data scientists and machine learning engineers who need to clean raw datasets, prototype training models, and audit statistical outputs side by side.
Jupyter is often the starting point for machine learning and analytics projects. For example, you might load a dataset, clean the data, visualize trends, test several models, and document your findings in the same notebook. Just spin up a local Jupyter server by opening the terminal and typing 'jupyter lab' or 'jupyter notebook.' Inside the browser view, you can test data connections, drop in a sample dataframe, and plot a quick distribution curve using Matplotlib to see what you're working with.
Jupyter is free and open source.
When you're working with code, whether professionally or on a personal project, an IDE is not the only thing you need. There are lots of other apps that can make your overall development environment much more productive.
Expression is another useful app to help you with RegEx. Instead of remembering syntax and how regular expressions work, just use Expression, which will highlight proper structures, offer suggestions, and organize frequently used expressions for later use. Moreover, the app will actually let you know if your RegEx is correct, saving you time debugging.
SQLPro Studio is an essential companion of any developer, making database management fast and easy. This app lets you view, edit, and retrieve data in just a few clicks. Work with multiple databases at the same time. Select and update tables, compare queries, edit multiple cells, and more. Soon enough, you wouldn't be able to imagine how you worked with databases without SQLPro Studio at hand before.
"Super easy and intuitive to set up and use. I didn't have to look at the User Guide / Manual / Documentation'', says Vicki Mitchell, a Setapp community member.
As you can see, the notion of the best Python editor for Mac might depend on your specific use case more than anything else. If you're not sure where to start — CodeRunner is always a good choice. Especially when you augment it with other apps suggested above, such as TeaCode for code expansion, Expression for RegEx management, and SQLPro Studio for working with databases.
The best Python IDE for Mac is one you'll actually enjoy using. CodeRunner starts in seconds, debugs without plugins, and stays native to macOS. Free for 7 days. CodeRunner is on Setapp alongside 250+ other curated Mac and developer apps. Free for 7 days for the entire collection. Start My 7-Day Free Trial. Just need CodeRunner? Get it via Marketplace — no membership needed.
The best app to run Python on a Mac depends on your needs. CodeRunner is an excellent choice for most users, offering fast performance, code completion, debugging features, and support for multiple languages. Spyder is great for those in scientific fields, while PyCharm is ideal for full-featured Python development.
The best IDE for Python is PyCharm. It offers advanced features like code completion, version control, and robust debugging tools. It's particularly favored for larger projects and professional work. However, for lighter tasks or those looking for a free solution, VS Code with Python extensions or IDLE can be excellent alternatives.
The IDE you should use for Python on Mac depends on your needs:
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