48+ Free Software Development Tools
49 of the 84 tools in this category have a free plan. 4 are completely free and 45 offer a free tier beside paid plans.
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Software Development tools with a free plan
Showing 49 to 49 of 49 tools
EditPlus
freemiumEditPlus is a versatile Windows text editor designed for programmers and web authors, featuring syntax highlighting for multiple languages, built-in FTP/SFTP upload, seamless HTML preview, and extensive customization options.
All 84 tools in this category, A to ZShowHide
- Acunetix
- Aikido Security
- Airbrake
- Apache Cassandra
- Apache Maven
- Apache NetBeans
- Apiary
- Apiiro
- Apple Developer
- AppSignal
- Bitbucket Pipelines
- Black Duck
- BrowserStack
- Buddy
- BugSnag
- Bugzilla
- Burp Suite
- Checkmarx One
- Checkov
- CircleCI
- Code::Blocks
- CodeCritic
- Contrast Security
- Cycode
- Cypress
- Datadog Error Tracking
- Devin Desktop
- Docker
- EditPlus
- Ember.js
- Endor Labs
- Flagsmith
- GitGuardian
- GitHub
- GitHub Advanced Security
- GitLab
- GNOME
- Gradle
- HCL AppScan
- Hyperping
- IntelliJ IDEA
- Invicti
- Jenkins
- JFrog Xray
- Knapsack
- Kubernetes
- Legit Security
- Mailinator
- Mend.io
- Mergify
- MongoDB
- Nightwatch.js
- Node.js
- Octopus Deploy
- OpenText Fortify
- OWASP ZAP
- OX Security
- perl
- Playwright
- Postman
- Prisma Cloud
- Python
- Qt
- Rainforest QA
- Raygun
- React Native
- Redis
- Rollbar
- Semgrep
- Sentry
- Snyk
- SonarQube
- Spideroak
- StackHawk
- Storybook
- Telerik
- TestCafe
- The Elixir programming language
- Veracode
- Verdent
- Visual Studio Code
- Vitest
- WebdriverIO
- Wiz
3 decisions
How to choose Software Development tools
Some focus on a single job - Code Security, say, or running automated tests - while others tie several jobs together in one place. The clearest way to browse is by the job you need to do first.
Visual Studio Code is free and open source, with AI-assisted writing built in, though the AI part needs a separate subscription. CodeCritic adds code review on top of GitHub pull requests and has a free plan. GitLab ties together build, test, and deploy automation and also has a free tier. Its advanced AI tools require buying extra credits. Telerik bundles UI components, reporting, and automated testing into one paid suite starting at $1,149 per developer per year and going up to $1,649 per developer per year.
Free tools versus paid ones
Visual Studio Code, Python, and Nightwatch.js cost nothing and have no time limit. Nightwatch.js is backed by the BrowserStack open-source programme and covers end-to-end testing, browser automation, and full-stack testing without a paywall. CodeCritic has a free starting plan, but its merge-risk analysis is off by default and only turns on with a paid plan. GitLab also has a free tier, but charges extra for the AI credits its advanced tools need. Telerik is paid only, with plans from $1,149 to $1,649 per developer per year, making it the most expensive option here by a wide margin.
Single-job tools versus multi-job platforms
CodeCritic does one thing: it reviews code for security issues and gives structured feedback on GitHub pull requests, with severity levels to help you sort what matters. Nightwatch.js also stays focused, covering browser automation and end-to-end testing for web projects. GitLab spans more ground: it automates builds, tests, and deployments, and adds security checks inside the same automated sequence. Postman covers the full API lifecycle from design through testing to monitoring. A focused tool is faster to set up for one job. Managing several stages of a build is easier when a platform like GitLab reduces the number of separate tools you need.
How much the tool does for you automatically
Mailinator automates the testing of email and SMS messages sent by your code, with API and webhook connections so checks run without manual steps. CodeCritic flags problems by severity and groups them, but its AI suggestions may not match your project's exact standards, so a human still makes the final call. GitLab can run security scans inside an automated build sequence, though self-managed setups need technical work to configure. Nightwatch.js runs tests in parallel across real browsers, which cuts the time a full test run takes, but it is community-supported with no commercial support plan listed.
6 questions
Frequently asked questions
Which software development tools are completely free?
Visual Studio Code, Storybook, TestCafe, and Apple Developer are completely free with no paid tier. Python and Nightwatch.js are also free with no time limit. CodeCritic and GitLab have free starting plans but charge for features beyond the basics.
What is the cheapest way to get code security scanning?
CodeCritic has a free plan that reviews code on GitHub pull requests and checks for security issues. Its Professional plan is $20 per month and its Enterprise plan is $75 per month. Semgrep, Snyk, SonarQube, and GitGuardian are also listed here for code security, though none of them publish a price in their listings.
Which tools cover end-to-end testing without any cost?
Nightwatch.js is free with no paywall and covers end-to-end testing, browser automation, and full-stack testing. TestCafe is completely free. Cypress, Playwright, and WebdriverIO are also listed here for end-to-end testing, but no pricing details are published for them here.
How does GitLab handle build and deploy automation?
GitLab automates the steps from writing code to shipping it: it runs builds, tests, and deployments through an automated sequence and can add security checks in the same flow. The free plan covers the basics. The Premium plan is $29 per user per month billed annually, and the top plan requires a sales call for pricing. Advanced AI features need extra credits purchased separately.
Which tools help catch errors after code is running in production?
Sentry, Rollbar, Raygun, BugSnag, Airbrake, and Datadog Error Tracking are all listed here for error monitoring. None of them publish a price in their listings. AppSignal is also listed for error monitoring. If your code is still in review, CodeCritic catches issues earlier, before anything reaches a live environment, with a free plan starting at $0 per month.
Which tools automate Git workflow steps?
GitLab, Mergify, CircleCI, Buddy, and Bitbucket Pipelines are all listed here for automating the steps around Git: running checks when code is pushed, merging branches on conditions, and triggering deployments. GitLab has a free plan and a Premium plan at $29 per user per month billed annually. No prices are published for Mergify, CircleCI, Buddy, or Bitbucket Pipelines in their listings here.