Best Arduino IDE Alternatives in 2025
Looking for alternatives to Arduino IDE? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Arduino IDE alongside similar software solutions including Arduino IDE, Arduino, Visual Studio Community 2017, Repetier-Server, Rainmeter, NetBeans IDE, HARDiNFO PRO, SlimCleaner Plus, PCmover, TextPad and Code::Blocks.
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 Arduino IDE, Arduino, Visual Studio Community 2017, Repetier-Server, Rainmeter, NetBeans IDE, HARDiNFO PRO, SlimCleaner Plus, PCmover, TextPad and Code::Blocks stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.
Primary Use
 Arduino IDE
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Programming Arduino microcontroller boards primarily using C++ with a simplified interface for beginners. |
 Arduino
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Open-source electronics platform for developing various electronic projects using easy-to-use hardware and C++. |
 Visual Studio Community 2017
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Fully featured IDE supporting many programming languages and modern application development including mobile and cloud. |
 Repetier-Server
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Server application for controlling and monitoring multiple 3D printers via a web-based interface. |
 Rainmeter
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Desktop customization tool allowing creation and use of customizable skins and widgets on Windows PCs. |
 NetBeans IDE
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Modular integrated development environment focused on Java, C++, PHP, and web applications with extensive plugin support. |
 HARDiNFO PRO
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Comprehensive system information, diagnostic, and benchmarking tool with real-time monitoring and remote features. |
 SlimCleaner Plus
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System optimization tool focusing on disk cleanup, performance improvement, and registry cleaning for Windows. |
 PCmover
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Software for migrating applications, files, and settings between Windows computers easily with no technical skills required. |
 TextPad
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Fast, lightweight text editor optimized for programming source code files with macro recording and syntax highlighting. |
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Code::Blocks
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Open-source multi-platform IDE mainly for C/C++/Fortran development with built-in debugger and compiler support. |
Operating System Support
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Arduino IDE
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Windows, Linux, Mac OS X (certain versions). |
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Arduino
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Windows, Linux, Mac OS. |
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Visual Studio Community 2017
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Windows 7 SP1 or later, macOS, Linux. |
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Repetier-Server
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Windows, Linux, Mac OS X. |
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Rainmeter
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Windows only. |
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NetBeans IDE
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Windows, Linux, Mac OS. |
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HARDiNFO PRO
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Windows only. |
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SlimCleaner Plus
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Windows only. |
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PCmover
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Windows only (supports migration between various Windows versions). |
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TextPad
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Windows only. |
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Code::Blocks
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Cross-platform: Windows, Linux, macOS. |
Key Features
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Arduino IDE
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Simplified interface; vast community; open-source; supports Arduino boards; auto-completion; limited debugging capabilities; offline project support. |
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Arduino
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User-friendly electronics platform; large community; compatible with various communication protocols; ideal for beginners and education. |
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Visual Studio Community 2017
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Fully featured extensible IDE; supports multiple languages; cloud services integration; source control like GitHub; extensions marketplace. |
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Repetier-Server
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3D printer management server; web-based user interface; multi-user access; live video streaming; slicing models integration; printer sharing. |
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Rainmeter
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Customizable desktop skins; active community support; advanced skin editor; supports third-party plugins; system monitoring widgets. |
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NetBeans IDE
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Modular architecture; built-in version control (Git/Subversion/Mercurial); code completion and refactoring tools; supports Java EE and PHP frameworks. |
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HARDiNFO PRO
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Detailed hardware/software info; real-time monitoring (CPU, GPU usage, temperatures); benchmarking tools; remote monitoring features; customizable reports. |
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SlimCleaner Plus
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Disk cleanup; duplicate file finder; registry cleaning; startup program management; real-time system monitoring; optimization algorithms. |
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PCmover
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Automated migration of files, settings, and applications to new Windows PCs; supports USB/network transfer methods; no technical skills needed. |
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TextPad
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Powerful macro recording; syntax highlighting for multiple languages; spell checker; handles large files efficiently; simple user interface. |
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Code::Blocks
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Built-in debugger and compiler support (GCC/Clang/MSVC); code completion; git integration; plugin manager for extensibility; cross-platform support. |
Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.
This quick comparison shows how Arduino IDE stacks up against Arduino IDE, Arduino, Visual Studio Community 2017, Repetier-Server, Rainmeter, NetBeans IDE, HARDiNFO PRO, SlimCleaner Plus, PCmover, TextPad and Code::Blocks in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.
Size
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Arduino IDE
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1.6MB |
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Arduino
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162MB |
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Visual Studio Community 2017
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|
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Repetier-Server
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|
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Rainmeter
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8.7MB |
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NetBeans IDE
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|
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HARDiNFO PRO
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17.7MB |
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SlimCleaner Plus
|
|
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PCmover
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356.8MB |
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TextPad
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|
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Code::Blocks
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License
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Arduino IDE
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Open Source |
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Arduino
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Open Source |
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Visual Studio Community 2017
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Freeware |
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Repetier-Server
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Commercial |
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Rainmeter
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Freeware |
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NetBeans IDE
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Open Source |
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HARDiNFO PRO
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Commercial |
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SlimCleaner Plus
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Freeware |
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PCmover
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Freeware |
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TextPad
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Commercial |
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Code::Blocks
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Open Source |