Notepad++
Free, open-source Windows code editor and Notepad replacement, only 6.6 MB
Programming software for Windows, sorted by what each tool does
Programming tools for Windows cover quite different jobs, so grouping them by purpose is more useful than ranking them. The set includes code editors such as Notepad++ and Microsoft Visual Studio Code, the Python 3.13 language runtime, Android development packages like Android Studio and Android SDK Platform-Tools, and command-line tools such as cURL.
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All of them are free. The picks below choose one representative from each sub-type instead of simply taking the highest scores.
Sizes vary a lot. Notepad++ is 6.6 MB, while Android Studio is 1460.1 MB. Check disk space before you install the larger IDEs and engines.
Apps in this category
Microsoft Visual Studio Code
Free Microsoft code editor for web and cloud work, version 1.143.1
Python 3.13
Python 3.13.17 for Windows: free 28.6 MB runtime with a pip security bump
Android Studio
Google's free Android IDE for Windows, built on IntelliJ IDEA, 1460.1 MB
Android SDK Platform-Tools
Google's free adb and fastboot toolset for Windows, version 37.0.2, 7.9 MB
cURL
Free command line tool and library for URL transfers, 8.3 MB on Windows
Windows Subsystem for Linux
Free Microsoft tool that runs Linux on Windows 10 without dual booting
Godot Engine
Free MIT-licensed 2D and 3D game engine, 82 MB, with one-click export
Cursor
VSCode-based AI code editor from Anysphere, free, 219 MB for Windows
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Top 5 picks
Notepad++
Notepad++ is the lightest of these programming tools at 6.6 MB. It is a source code editor that can also replace the standard Notepad, with support for several languages. It is free under the GPL-3.0-or-later license. Pick it for quick edits to code files when a full IDE would be overkill.
Python 3.13
Python 3.13, version 3.13.17, is the language runtime in this group rather than an editor. The Python Software Foundation publishes it under the PSF-2.0 license, and the package is 28.6 MB. Its stated aim is faster work and easier integration of systems. You will still need an editor from the list to write code. Updated October 21, 2026.
Android Studio
Android Studio 2026.2.2.8 is Google's official IDE for Android app development, built on the code editor and developer tools of IntelliJ IDEA. It is the largest download here at 1460.1 MB. The license is the Android Software Development Kit License Agreement. Android SDK Platform-Tools, at 7.9 MB, covers adb and fastboot as a separate package.
Windows Subsystem for Linux
Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.7.14 runs a Linux environment on a Windows machine without a separate virtual machine or dual booting. Microsoft Corp. lists it under the MIT license, and the package is 247 MB. It fits developers who want Linux and Windows tools side by side. cURL, at 8.3 MB, is a separate command-line option for transferring data with URLs.
Godot Engine
Godot Engine 4.7.2 is the game-making entry, a cross-platform engine for 2D and 3D games with a single interface. Projects export to desktop (Linux, macOS, Windows), mobile (Android, iOS), web and consoles. It is MIT licensed and 82 MB. It was last updated August 18, 2026, the oldest date among the nine.
Questions and answers
What separates an editor from an IDE in this list?
Notepad++ and Microsoft Visual Studio Code are code editors. Android Studio is the official IDE for Android app development, and Cursor describes itself as an IDE built upon VSCode.
Are any of these programming tools paid?
All nine are free. Licenses differ: Notepad++ uses GPL-3.0-or-later, Godot Engine and Windows Subsystem for Linux use MIT, and Cursor is proprietary.
How does Cursor relate to Visual Studio Code?
Cursor, from Anysphere, is listed as built upon VSCode with AI integrations. It is version 3.27.12 at 219 MB. Microsoft Visual Studio Code is version 1.143.1 at 237.3 MB and is also available for Linux and macOS.
Related categories
Best-of lists
A practical setup pairs one editor with one runtime or SDK. Python 3.13 at 28.6 MB next to Microsoft Visual Studio Code at 237.3 MB is a modest install compared with Android Studio, which needs 1460.1 MB. Visual Studio Code is also offered for Linux and macOS, which matters if you work on more than one system. Download each tool from its official project page where possible, and compare the version you get with the number shown here, such as 1.143.1 for Visual Studio Code or 8.9.8.1 for Notepad++.