The best free C and C++ IDEs and compilers for Windows
Getting started with C or C++ on Windows takes two things: a compiler that turns your code into a program and an editor or IDE to write it in. The free tools below cover both, from the classic Dev-C++ IDE that generations of students learned with to the GCC toolchains used by professional open-source projects, plus a library collection and a documentation generator you will meet sooner or later. Each links to its page on this site with the official download.
6 apps from our catalog
-
The Orwell edition of Dev-C++: a quick, lightweight C/C++ IDE with GDB debugging, popular for learning and small projects on Windows.
-
The original Bloodshed Dev-C++ 4.9.9.2, kept for courses and legacy projects that still expect it.
-
Open Source
The maintained GCC runtime for 32- and 64-bit Windows that most modern GNU toolchains for Windows are built on.
-
Open Source
The original Minimalist GNU for Windows with the mingw-get installer, for 32-bit targets and older tutorials.
-
A huge collection of peer-reviewed, portable C++ libraries, many of which inspired features of the C++ standard.
-
Generates browsable documentation straight from comments in your C and C++ source code.
How to choose
If you are learning, start with Dev-C++: install it, create a console project and press F11 to compile and run. It comes in editions with or without a bundled compiler; pick the one with a compiler if you have none. If you already have an editor such as Visual Studio Code or prefer the command line, install a GCC toolchain based on MinGW-w64 and add its bin folder to your PATH so gcc and g++ work in any terminal.
Not sure which MinGW to use? Our MinGW vs MinGW-w64 comparison explains the difference. In short, MinGW-w64 is the one to use for new work.
Check that your compiler works
After installing, open a terminal and run g++ --version. Then compile a test file with g++ hello.cpp -o hello.exe and run hello.exe. If the command is not found, the compiler’s bin folder is missing from PATH.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free C++ IDE for beginners on Windows?
Dev-C++ is a good first choice because it is small, quick to install and compiles with one key. As projects grow, many people move to a larger editor while keeping the same GCC compiler.
Does Dev-C++ include a compiler?
Some Dev-C++ installers bundle a GCC compiler and some do not. Check the file names on the app page; "No Compiler" builds need a separately installed MinGW-w64 toolchain.
Do I need Boost to write C++?
No. Boost is optional. It adds well-tested libraries for things like networking, file systems and data structures when the standard library is not enough.
Is GCC on Windows free for commercial use?
Yes. GCC and the MinGW-w64 runtime are free software, and you can use them to build commercial programs. Check each library’s licence for the code you link in.
More guides
Best Free Note-Taking Apps · Best Privacy and VPN Tools · Best Disk and USB Utilities · Best Free File Archivers · Best Free Developer Tools · Best Free Video and Media Tools · Best Free Design and CAD Tools · Best Free Security Tools · Best V2Ray, Xray and Clash Proxy Clients · Best Free PDF and DjVu Readers · Best Free Photo and Image Tools · Best Linux Distros for Old PCs · Best Free Math and Science Software · Best Portable Apps for a USB Stick · Open-Source Router Firmware and Custom ROMs