Best IDE Software for Windows

Microsoft Visual Studio is the industry-leading integrated development environment (IDE) for building modern applications across desktop, mobile, cloud, and web. It empowers developers to write, refactor, debug, test, and deploy software faster with intelligent assistance powered by GitHub Copilot and AI-driven workflows. With Agent Mode, developers can automate repetitive coding tasks, optimize performance, and receive contextual help directly in the IDE. The suite includes Visual Studio 2022, the comprehensive IDE for .NET and C++ development on Windows, and Visual Studio Code, the lightweight, cross-platform editor supporting JavaScript, Python, and dozens of other languages. Visual Studio integrates seamlessly with Azure, GitHub, and CI/CD pipelines, enabling teams to collaborate and ship code efficiently. Trusted by millions worldwide, Visual Studio provides the tools and intelligence developers need to build reliable, scalable, and secure applications from concept to release.

Cursor is an advanced AI-powered IDE designed to make developers exponentially more productive. Built with deep codebase understanding and intelligent automation, it combines natural language interaction with precise, context-aware editing tools. Its Agent feature acts as a human-AI coding partner capable of planning and executing entire development workflows, while the Tab model delivers remarkably accurate autocompletion and targeted suggestions. Cursor seamlessly integrates across environments—from GitHub and Slack to the command line—ensuring AI assistance is available wherever you code. Supporting leading models like GPT-5, Claude Sonnet, Gemini Pro, and Grok Code, it gives developers full control over autonomy and model selection. Fast, intuitive, and built for serious builders, Cursor is redefining what an IDE can be.