Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CodeLite VS RAD Studio

Compare CodeLite VS RAD Studio and see what are their differences

CodeLite logo CodeLite

CodeLite is an open-source, cross platform IDE for the C/C++/PHP and Node.js programming languages.

RAD Studio logo RAD Studio

RAD Studio 10.2 with Delphi Linux compiler is the fastest way to write, compile, package and deploy cross-platform native software applications. Learn more.
  • CodeLite Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-19
  • RAD Studio Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-27

CodeLite features and specs

  • Cross-Platform
    CodeLite operates on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of developers regardless of their preferred platform.
  • Open Source
    It is an open-source IDE, which means it's free to use and has a community of developers contributing to its improvement and customization.
  • Debugger Integration
    CodeLite offers robust debugging tools, including support for GDB and LLDB, making it easier to identify and fix issues within code.
  • Multiple Language Support
    It supports a variety of programming languages such as C, C++, PHP, JavaScript, and Python, allowing developers to work on different types of projects within the same IDE.
  • Code Completion
    The IDE provides advanced code completion and real-time code linting, which helps developers write code quickly and efficiently with fewer errors.
  • Git Integration
    CodeLite has built-in Git support, providing easy version control and collaboration capabilities directly within the development environment.

Possible disadvantages of CodeLite

  • User Interface
    The user interface of CodeLite can be less polished and less intuitive than some other popular IDEs, potentially leading to a steeper learning curve for new users.
  • Performance
    While CodeLite is feature-rich, it may be slower and more resource-intensive on certain systems, especially when handling large projects.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to more comprehensive IDEs like Visual Studio or IntelliJ IDEA, CodeLite may lack some advanced features and extensions that professional developers might expect.
  • Community and Support
    Although it’s open source, the community size and availability of comprehensive support are relatively smaller compared to larger, more established IDEs.
  • Additional Configuration
    Setting up CodeLite for specific project needs might require additional configuration and tweaking, which can be time-consuming, particularly for less experienced developers.

RAD Studio features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Development
    RAD Studio supports the development of applications for different platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android from a single codebase.
  • Visual Design Tools
    The IDE offers a robust set of visual tools for rapid design and layout of user interfaces, which helps speed up the development process.
  • Rich Component Library
    RAD Studio includes a comprehensive library of pre-built components, which can be easily dragged and dropped into applications, boosting productivity.
  • Strong Performance
    Applications developed using RAD Studio typically exhibit strong performance due to the efficient use of native compilers.
  • Database Connectivity
    The IDE provides extensive support for database connectivity, making it easy to integrate with various databases for backend operations.
  • Active Community and Support
    RAD Studio has an active user community and offers various forms of support, including documentation, forums, and customer service.

Possible disadvantages of RAD Studio

  • High Cost
    The licensing fees for RAD Studio can be relatively high, especially for individual developers and small businesses.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    For developers who are new to the Delphi language or the IDE itself, there can be a steep learning curve to become proficient.
  • Limited Third-Party Integrations
    While RAD Studio comes with a rich set of components, it may have limited direct support for some third-party libraries and tools.
  • Large Installation Size
    The IDE and its associated files can take up considerable disk space, which may be a drawback for developers with limited storage.
  • Slower Updates
    Compared to some other IDEs and development environments, RAD Studio can be slower in adopting the latest programming trends and updates.
  • Complex Debugging
    Debugging cross-platform applications can sometimes be complex and time-consuming, requiring careful attention to platform-specific issues.

Analysis of CodeLite

Overall verdict

  • CodeLite is considered a solid IDE for developers seeking a free and versatile C++ development environment. While it may not have as many advanced features as some paid options, its balance of performance, usability, and extensive support for various programming languages makes it a good choice, especially for beginners or those working on smaller projects.

Why this product is good

  • CodeLite is a free and open-source IDE primarily known for its strong support for C, C++, PHP, and JavaScript development. It is appreciated for its lightweight nature, fast performance, and its own built-in debugger. CodeLite also supports wxWidgets for creating cross-platform GUI applications. Its plugins system extends functionality, which can be beneficial for developers who need specific tools integrated into their work environment.

Recommended for

  • Beginners in C++ programming seeking an accessible and cost-free IDE.
  • Developers working with PHP or JavaScript who need an environment with debugging capabilities.
  • Programmers needing a lightweight IDE that supports wxWidgets for cross-platform application development.
  • Users who prefer an open-source solution with an active community and customization options through plugins.

Analysis of RAD Studio

Overall verdict

  • RAD Studio is a strong choice for developers who require a cross-platform solution that can target multiple operating systems simultaneously. It is particularly well-regarded for Delphi programming. However, the cost can be a barrier for some, and the C++ Builder part of the suite may not be as strong as other dedicated C++ IDEs. Overall, it is suitable for teams and individuals looking for a mature environment with support for rapid application development.

Why this product is good

  • RAD Studio from Embarcadero is a popular integrated development environment (IDE) that offers a robust set of tools for building cross-platform applications. It supports both Delphi and C++ languages, which allows developers to create native applications for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android from a single code base. It provides a rapid application development approach, which is beneficial for delivering projects in a shorter time frame. RAD Studio is appreciated for its powerful visual design capabilities, comprehensive component library, and ability to connect to a variety of databases directly.

Recommended for

  • Developers familiar with Delphi looking for a robust IDE.
  • Teams needing to maintain existing Delphi or C++ Builder applications.
  • Organizations requiring rapid development cycles for cross-platform applications.
  • Individuals and businesses looking to leverage visual design capabilities for GUI applications.

CodeLite videos

Configuring CodeLite on Ubuntu Linux

More videos:

  • Review - Codelite IDE : Download, Install and Run First Program in C language

RAD Studio videos

See What's New in RAD Studio 10.3

More videos:

  • Review - See What's New in RAD Studio 10.3.3
  • Review - Getting Ahead with RAD Studio 10.3 Architect Edition

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CodeLite and RAD Studio)
IDE
43 43%
57% 57
Text Editors
46 46%
54% 54
Software Development
61 61%
39% 39
Development
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CodeLite and RAD Studio

CodeLite Reviews

We have no reviews of CodeLite yet.
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RAD Studio Reviews

9 Of The Best Android Studio Alternatives To Try Out
RAD Studio is an Android studio alternative that you can build Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android applications. You can design, develop, and debug applications and also share code with other members of the team.
10 Best Android Studio Alternatives For App Development
RAD stands for Rapid Application Development Studio. Which is among the industry’s most powerful rapid application development suites. And it is used for visually building GUI-intensive, data-driven end-user applications. Which is for both native Windows and .NET. RAD Studio.
Source: techdator.net

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CodeLite seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 8 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

CodeLite mentions (8)

  • Geany 2.0 Is Out
    This one's good, too: https://codelite.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Using Visual Studio for Mac with wxWidgets? (NOT VSCode)
    You can try CodeLite or Code::Blocks, both open source and uses wxWidgets. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Gitlab Web IDE Beta, Powered by Visual Studio Code
    > I really hope some of the open source alternatives that aren't corporation-controlled gain traction over the next year. Shout out to CodeLite. https://codelite.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CodeLite. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • My IDE is too heavy so I moved to Emacs
    > running the community edition of Jetbrains’ IntelliJ IDEA ... > As much as it hurts me to say this, as a fan of JetBrains and its tools, IntelliJ just seems to have become too heavy to run properly on a laptop that’s not at the very higher end of laptops in the early 2020’s. IntelliJ does what I want, but only barely. The autocompletion gets it wrong as much as it gets it right and it is a performance... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • codelite can not detect mingw64
    Regarding your actual question. Looking at docs.codelite.org, they seem to expect you to download all of these things using Mysys in bash. Maybe codelite is using the path variables set in that shell as opposed to your windows path? Source: over 2 years ago
View more

RAD Studio mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of RAD Studio yet. Tracking of RAD Studio recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CodeLite and RAD Studio, you can also consider the following products

Netbeans - NetBeans IDE 7.0. Develop desktop, mobile and web applications with Java, PHP, C/C++ and more. Runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Solaris. NetBeans IDE is open-source and free.

Qt Creator - Qt Creator is a cross-platform C++, JavaScript and QML integrated development environment. It is the fastest, easiest and most fun experience a C++ developer could wish for.

Microsoft Visual Studio - Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.

Xamarin.Android - Integrated environment for building not only native Android but iOS and Windows apps too.

Code::Blocks - Code::Blocks is a free C++ IDE built to meet the most demanding needs of its users.

Rider - Rider is a cross-platform .NET IDE based on the IntelliJ platform and ReSharper.