WinPython VS Thonny

Compare WinPython VS Thonny and see what are their differences

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WinPython

The easiest way to run Python, Spyder with SciPy and friends out of the box on any Windows PC...

Thonny

Python IDE for beginners

Landing page //
2021-09-18

Landing page //
2023-07-15

WinPython

Website: winpython.github.io
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Thonny

Website: thonny.org
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WinPython features and specs

Portable
WinPython is completely portable and can be run directly from a USB device without the need for installation, making it easy to use on different machines.
Pre-configured Environment
It comes with a wide range of pre-installed packages commonly used in scientific computing, data analysis, and machine learning, saving time required for setup.
Standalone
It includes a standalone version of Python and can be used alongside other Python installations without conflict, allowing for multiple environments.
Ease of Use
The interface is user-friendly, including a comprehensive control panel that lets users manage their packages and environment easily.
Open Source
WinPython is open-source, allowing users to modify and contribute to its development, fostering a collaborative improvement route.

Possible disadvantages of WinPython

Windows Only
As the name suggests, WinPython is only available for Windows users, making it irrelevant for users of other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
Large Size
The distribution is relatively large compared to other distributions, which can be a downside when dealing with limited storage or downloading bandwidth.
Update Management
Managing updates for both the Python version and the individual packages can be cumbersome compared to alternatives like Anaconda, which can handle updates more seamlessly.
Resource Intensive
It might consume more system resources, which can be a limitation for users working on machines with limited specifications compared to lighter setups.
Less Popular
WinPython might have less community support and fewer resources available online compared to more popular distributions like Anaconda, which could be a concern for beginners seeking help.

Thonny features and specs

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 of Thonny

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.

WinPython videos

+ Add

[ENG] Python programming 1: WinPython/Anaconda Installation

Thonny videos

+ Add

Thonny - a Python IDE for beginners

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WinPython and Thonny)

Thonny

Python IDE

45 45%

Python IDE

55% 55

Text Editors

23 23%

Text Editors

77% 77

IDE

20 20%

IDE

80% 80

Technical Computing

100 100%

Technical Computing

0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using WinPython and Thonny. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare WinPython and Thonny

WinPython Reviews

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Thonny Reviews

steve

· retired · almost 4 years ago

I like Thonny

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 on my level so I am continuing the course using it instead. And successfully I might add.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Thonny should be more popular than WinPython. It has been mentiond 111 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.

WinPython mentions (19)

One path to connecting a Python script to a COM application on Windows
STEP 1: Python on Windows What to install Download and install WinPython from https://winpython.github.io. I researched Python on Windows and in very short order understood that WinPython is the way to go. While it’s stated audience is scientists, data scientists and education, it fully serves the needs of personal projects. Also, it is available as a portable distribution with no requirement to register with... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
qBitTorrent search plugins - portable python runtime ?
How can I use the portable version of winpython from https://winpython.github.io to configure into qbittorrent to detect the runtime pre-requisites so that my portable qbittorent search can work? Thx in advanced. #portablepython. Source: about 2 years ago
What you guys use to process data? Excel? r? python?
You equally are barred from e.g., WinPython which can work without an installation into the OS, too? Then - mechanically speaking - it wouldn't matter that the USB ports are permanently plastered with some polymer. Source: about 2 years ago
Jupyterlab Desktop
Thank for answering. I understand that the interpreter situation can be annoying. There is WinPython [0] to circumvent that to some degree. I feel like if I don’t do it the „VSCode and py-file“ way, it’ll be more and more difficult to keep everything together when teaching about modularity and putting functions in helper scripts, putting tests in other directories and such. I think it’s just because I got used to... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
How to learn Python without installation
One option would be to use a portable Python runtime. Like this one: https://winpython.github.io/. Source: over 2 years ago

Thonny mentions (111)

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 / about 1 month ago
Antirez/load81: SDL based Lua programming environment for kids similar to Codea
The nice thing about Python is that because it's so pervasive as a teaching language, there are many tools for it that specifically cater to this niche. In particular, https://thonny.org is very nice for explaining basic programming concepts like expression evaluation and function calls. And yeah, turtle graphics is the time-honored method of teaching things like loops, recursion, and parametrization via functions... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
Python: From Beginners to Pro in 30 Mins (Part 1)
Thonny or IDLE are great starting points for beginners due to their simplicity. As you become more comfortable, VS Code or PyCharm Community Edition offers more features to help you develop your skills. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
FeedMyFurBabies – Send and Receive MQTT messages between AWS IoT Core and your micro-controller
Install Thonny and run it. Then go to Tools -> Options, to configure the ESP32C3 device in Thonny to match the settings shown in the screenshot below. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
Raspberry Pico Badger: Hardware Features and OS
The recommended way to programm MicroPython on the Raspberry Pico is to use the Thonny IDE. Accessing the Badger with reveals the following file structure:. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago