The best Python IDE for Mac

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 lots of other wonderful and more programming-focused text editors as well, 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 11 best tools for Python development on Mac

We value your time, so we've organized all the solutions from this article into a table to help you find the best tools quickly and easily.

Best tools for Python	What’s this about	Perks	Hiccups	Pricing
CodeRunner	Lightweight IDE for coding and debugging in Python (and 25 others)	Fast, code completion, live errors, debugging, customizable interface	Limited to simpler projects	Available on Setapp for $9.99/month
TeaCode	Code expander that completes snippets inside your editor	Increases coding speed, custom shortcuts	Limited use beyond code snippets	Available on Setapp for $9.99/month
IDLE	Python’s standard lightweight IDE	Free, comes with Python, good debugging tools	Not ideal for large projects	Free
VS Code	Highly configurable text editor with Python extension	Debugging, testing, large marketplace of extensions, free	Electron-based, can feel slow or bulky	Free
PyCharm	Full-featured Python IDE with remote support	Advanced debugging, code completion, error highlighting, cross-platform	Expensive for Professional version	Free and paid plans available
Spyder	IDE for scientific programming, especially for data science	Open-source, integrates with Anaconda for machine learning	Lacks some advanced features of paid IDEs	Free
PyDev	IDE for Django and web development	Free, open-source, well-supported with plugins	Heavy Eclipse environment may feel clunky	Free
Jupyter	Web-based environment for interactive notebooks	Great for data science, supports multiple languages	Not ideal for typical web app development	Free
Expressions	Tool for managing regular expressions	Highlights structures, suggests corrections, saves frequently used RegEx	Only useful for those who frequently work with RegEx	Available on Setapp for $9.99/month
SQLPro Studio	Database management tool for multiple databases	Easy to use, supports multiple DBMS	Only for database management	Available on Setapp for 6;9.99/month

What is an IDE?

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. 

How to choose the best IDE and code editor for Python?

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. 

The best Python editor for Mac

If you don’t want to research, download, and try all the best IDE for Python on Mac options out there, but would rather like to know the top option right now — get CodeRunner. 

CodeRunner perfectly balances the lightning-fast code editor experience with all the IDE options you’d expect from a full-featured software development app, including code completion, live errors, multiple selections, debugging, auto-indenting, and more. 

This IDE supports 25 languages, including Python, right out of the box and features 230 syntax highlighters, a documentation sidebar, as well as an intuitive and customizable interface with dark mode.

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. 

Other great Python IDEs for Mac

There are lots of other options that could turn into a more suitable Mac Python editor for you. Let’s explore the most popular ones and see why developers like to use them.

IDLE: Best for a lightweight IDE

You don’t have to go far to find a good Python IDE. In fact, Python’s standard library comes with its own IDE called IDLE. 

IDLE is pretty minimal as IDEs go, but is lightweight and free. It features auto-indenting, syntax highlighting, and formidable debugging capabilities. On the downside, IDLE can’t effectively manage large projects, so use it only if you have just a few Python files to work with. 

VS Code: Best for a highly configurable code editor

One of the most popular code editors of the last few years is VS Code (Visual Studio Code) from Microsoft. This open-source app supports Python programming with an easy-to-install extension. 

VS Code allows debugging and testing, has an integrated terminal, features a large marketplace of extensions, and much more. The app itself is highly configurable. 

When it comes to disadvantages, VS Code is a cross-platform Electron app, so it might feel a bit slow and bulky if you’re used to native-level software. 

PyCharm: Best for a full-featured Python IDE

If there’s one all-encompassing Python IDE for Mac, it’s PyCharm. Developed by JetBrains, the makers of professional development apps, PyCharm has two editions: Community is free but limited, while Professional is full-fledged but quite expensive ($249 for the first year, $199 for the second, and $149 a year after that). 

That said, PyCharm is nearly universally loved for its great features, from remote development support, to advanced debugging, code completion, error highlighting, version control, refactoring, and more.

The app is also cross-platform, letting you develop in the same environment on all your devices. 

Spyder: Best for scientific programming

Another open-source Python IDE most widely used by the scientific community is Spyder. While it doesn’t have all the features of paid apps like PyCharm, Spyder works with Anaconda distribution, which includes hundreds of popular machine-learning and data-science packages.

Besides, with Spyder, you get the standard features, such as autocompletion, debugging, and an iPython shell. A good option for those using Python in academia.

PyDev: Best for Django

Lots of developers swear by PyDev. And for good reasons! It’s free, open-source, and full of features. It runs in Eclipse, a popular IDE for other programming languages, and is well-supported with plugins. You can even use PyDev to work with Django, if you often develop for the web. 

The downside of PyDev is that the Eclipse environment might feel too heavy and clunky for some. So your choice might depend on how much time you’re planning to spend using the app.

Jupyter: Best for interactive notebooks

Jupyter notebooks approach programming from a different perspective, creating an interactive visual environment that supports any language you might need, including Python. 

JupyterLab is an web-based development environment for Jupyter notebooks, which lets you create code, equations, visualizations, and text at the same time. While developing a typical Python project like a web app is possible with Jupyter, these notebooks work best in mixed-use projects.

More apps for productive development

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. 

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. 

Best of all — CodeRunner, TeaCode, Expression, and SQLPro Studio are available to you for free for seven days through the trial of Setapp, a platform with more than 240 outstanding apps for Mac and iOS. Try them all and see which ones take your productivity to the next level.

FAQ