Software Alternatives & Startups

Google's Python Class VS Thonny

Compare Google's Python Class VS Thonny and see what are their differences

Google's Python Class

Assorted educational materials provided by Google.

Rating
0 reviews
Thonny

Python IDE for beginners

Rating
4.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Open source
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Thonny should be more popular than Google's Python Class. It has been mentioned 113 times since March 2021.

social mentions
23 vs 113
Online Learning popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
57 vs 58

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Google's Python Class
Thonny
Website developers.google.com thonny.org
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Google's Python Class 5 features
Thonny 6 features
  • Free Access
    The class is available for free online, making it accessible to anyone with internet access who is interested in learning Python.
  • Beginner-Friendly
    Designed for people with little or no coding experience, the class starts with the basics of Python programming, making it ideal for beginners.
  • Comprehensive Content
    Covers a wide range of topics from basic syntax to advanced functions, data structures, and more, providing a well-rounded introduction to Python.
  • Hands-On Exercises
    Includes exercises and code examples that allow learners to practice and apply what they've learned, reinforcing comprehension and retention.
  • Google-Endorsed Quality
    As a course offered by Google, learners can trust that the material is presented clearly and structured effectively by industry experts.

Possible disadvantages

  • Outdated Information
    Some of the materials and examples may be outdated, as Python and its libraries have evolved over time, possibly leading to confusion for learners expecting the latest practices.
  • Lack of Interactivity
    The static nature of the materials, such as downloadable slides and text resources, might not engage all learning styles as effectively as interactive platforms would.
  • Limited Advanced Topics
    While comprehensive for beginners, the class might not delve deeply into more advanced topics, which could limit its usefulness for intermediate or advanced learners.
  • Prerequisite Knowledge
    Assumes some familiarity with general programming concepts, which might be a hurdle for absolute beginners who have no coding background.
  • No Formal Certification
    Completing the class does not provide a recognized certification, which may be a downside for those looking to add credentials to their professional profiles.
  • Beginner-Friendly Interface
    Thonny is designed with simplicity in mind, which makes it ideal for beginners. The interface is clean and intuitive, helping new users to focus on learning Python without being overwhelmed by unnecessary features.
  • Integrated Python Debugger
    Thonny comes with a built-in debugger that allows users to step through their code line by line. This feature helps in understanding the flow of the program and is especially useful for debugging and learning.
  • Simple Variable Inspector
    The variable inspector in Thonny provides a clear and straightforward view of variables and their values, helping users to better understand how data changes as the program runs.
  • Preinstalled with Python
    Thonny comes with Python preinstalled, which makes the setup process easier for beginners. Users don’t have to worry about separate Python installation and can start coding right away.
  • Support for MicroPython
    Thonny supports MicroPython, making it a suitable choice for programming microcontrollers and embedded systems. This expands its usability beyond just desktop applications.
  • Educational Focus
    Thonny includes features specifically designed for educational purposes, such as highlighting syntax errors and visualizing code execution, which helps students grasp programming concepts more effectively.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Thonny is great for beginners, it lacks some advanced features found in other IDEs like PyCharm or Visual Studio Code. This may hinder users as they advance and need more complex workflows and customizations.
  • Performance Issues with Large Projects
    Thonny may not perform efficiently with large-scale projects or extremely large files, potentially causing lag or crashes, which could be a limitation for more extensive development work.
  • Plugin Ecosystem
    Thonny's plugin ecosystem is not as robust as some other IDEs. Users might find fewer extensions and customizations available, which can limit its functionality for certain workflows.
  • Limited Language Support
    Thonny is designed primarily for Python and lacks support for other programming languages. This makes it less flexible for developers who work with multiple languages.
  • Basic Editor Features
    Essential features such as intelligent code completion, refactoring tools, and version control integration are present but not as sophisticated as in more professional IDEs, which could limit productivity for seasoned developers.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    Compared to more popular and commercially-backed IDEs, Thonny receives less frequent updates. This could mean slower adoption of new Python features and slower fixes for bugs.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Google's Python Class
Thonny

No analysis of Google's Python Class yet.

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Thonny is highly regarded as a good choice for beginner programmers, particularly those starting with Python. It effectively balances simplicity and functionality, making it an excellent tool for educational purposes.

Why this product is good

  • Thonny is a beginner-friendly Python IDE designed to make programming more accessible and understandable for newcomers. It offers an intuitive interface, a simple debugger, and features like variable tracing and expression evaluation that are particularly helpful for beginners. Its design minimizes distractions and helps in focusing on learning the basics of programming without being overwhelmed by complex features.

Recommended for

  • Beginners learning Python.
  • Educational environments and coding classrooms.
  • Users who prefer a simple and clean interface without extra complexity.
  • Those interested in a straightforward setup to start coding quickly.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Google's Python Class 0 videos + Add
Thonny 3 videos + Add

No Google's Python Class videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Thonny - a Python IDE for beginners

More videos

  • - Step Through Python Scripts With Thonny
  • - Introducing Thonny

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Google's Python Class
Thonny
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
IDE
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Google's Python Class and Thonny. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Google's Python Class no reviews yet
Thonny 4.0 · 1 review

We have no reviews of Google's Python Class yet. Be the first one to post

  • I like Thonny
    SaaSHub review
    · Aug 2021

    I started an on-line python course that used Pycharm as its basis. I had previously used Thonny to look at code for various programs. I found Pycharm to be over-featured for a beginner like me. Thonny seems much more...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Google's Python Class 23 mentions
Thonny 113 mentions
  • THE FIRST STEP
    Decided to write this post. I will be studying from: 1)https://developers.google.com/edu/python 2)https://www.py4e.com/ 3)https://realpython.com/. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • [AMA] Gano $200,000+ MXN al mes a mis 23 años
    Https://youtu.be/rfscVS0vtbw Https://developers.google.com/edu/python/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Best resources to learn Python?
    The original Google Python crash course was made for people like you in mind! Self paced with exercises set up for you to jump right in. Source: over 3 years ago

View more

  • Hacking with Raspberry Pico: Data Exfiltration with a Captive Portal
    The Pico reboots itself. Then, open the Thonny IDE, configure the interpreter to "MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico)", and select your connected board. Using Thonny's file explorer, you can add the required library. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Adafruit: Arduino's rules are 'incompatible with Open Source'
    There is a version of Thonny[1] designed for use with the Pico that is great for education. Raspberry Pi have some good resources on getting started[2]. If your target audience is school kids, you really can't go past the micro:bit and... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Essential Software for Hardware Hackers: Your First IDE & Tools
    Raspberry Pi Pico (MicroPython): The Thonny IDE is highly recommended and often pre-installed in Raspberry Pi OS. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago

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Alternatives to Google's Python Class and Thonny

When comparing Google's Python Class and Thonny, you can also consider the following products.