In this tutorial, we explore the 10 best IDEs for GoLang, each tailored to specific coding needs. A comparison table at the end will assist you in picking the perfect IDE for your Go projects. Go, or Golang, a Google-developed language, is famous for simplicity and performance. Selecting the right Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is essential for effective Go development.
10 Best IDEs for GoLang
Here are the 10 best IDEs for GoLang in 2023.
1. Goland
Goland is one of the best cross-platform IDEs specifically serving GoLang developers. It offers a wide range of features, including:
- Intelligent code completion
- Error detection and refactoring
- Code navigation and debugging
- Support for Go modules and workspaces
- Integration with popular Go tools and frameworks
Goland is a product from JetBrains, which is also the company behind IntelliJ IDEA. Goland is famous for its powerful features and its user-friendly interface.
2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular open-source code editor that supports GoLang. It offers many of the same features as Goland, such as code completion, error detection, and refactoring. It also has a large library of plugins, including many for Go development.
VS Code is a product from Microsoft and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. VS Code offers a lightweight, customizable design, and a large library of extensions.
Also Read: Best JavaScript IDE for Coders
3. LiteIDE
LiteIDE is a free and one of the best IDEs specifically designed for GoLang. It offers many of the same features as Goland and VS Code, such as code completion, error detection, and refactoring. It is a good option for developers who are looking for a free and lightweight IDE.
LiteIDE is the idea of the LiteIDE team and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. LiteIDE comes with a simple and intuitive user interface.
4. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a popular commercial text editor that is even suitable for Go development. It offers many of the same features as Goland and VS Code, such as code completion, error detection, and refactoring. It is a good choice for coders who want a lean and fast text editor.
Sublime Text finds its origin at Sublime HQ and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Sublime Text claims speed and performance.
5. IntelliJ IDEA
IntelliJ IDEA is a popular commercial IDE from JetBrains. It is the best IDE that supports many coding languages, including GoLang. It offers a wide range of features for Go development, including code completion, error detection, refactoring, code browsing, and debugging. IntelliJ IDEA is good for developers who want a powerful and feature-rich IDE.
It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. This IDE has powerful features and a wide range of supported languages.
6. Vim-go
Vim-go is a Vim plugin that adds Go support. It offers many of the same features as Goland and VS Code, such as code completion, error detection, and refactoring. It is good for developers who are already familiar with Vim.
Vim-go is a free and open-source plugin developed by the Vim-go team. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. More importantly, it has a lightweight design and supports integration with Vim.
7. GoClipse
GoClipse is an Eclipse plugin for Go development. It offers many of the same features as Goland and VS Code, such as code completion, error detection, and refactoring. It is right for developers who are already familiar with Eclipse.
GoClipse is a free and open-source plugin developed by the GoClipse team. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Furthermore, it comes with support for Eclipse and offers a wide range of features.
Must Read: Best Python IDEs You Must Try
8. AWS Cloud9
AWS Cloud9 is a cloud-based IDE that supports Go development. It offers many of the same features as Goland and VS Code, such as code completion, error detection, and refactoring. It is good for developers who need a cloud-based IDE or who want to collaborate with other developers.
AWS Cloud9 is a commercial IDE developed by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It has support for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Without a doubt, it is one of the best IDEs for GoLang in the cloud that has collaboration features.
9. Replit
Replit is an online IDE that supports Go development. It offers many of the same features as Goland and VS Code, such as code completion, error detection, and refactoring. Replit is a good option for developers who want to try out a new IDE without having to install anything
10. Code::Blocks
Code::Blocks is a free and open-source IDE for C, C++, and Fortran development.
It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is known for its simple and intuitive user interface, its powerful code completion and error detection features, and its support for a wide range of compilers and debuggers.
Pick of the Day: How to Set Up Code::Block for Coding in C
Comparing the Best IDEs for GoLang
| Feature | Goland | Visual Studio Code (VS Code) | LiteIDE | Sublime Text | IntelliJ IDEA | Vim-go | GoClipse | AWS Cloud9 | Replit | Code::Blocks | Atom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code completion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Error detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Refactoring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Go module support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Go workspace support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integration with popular Go tools and frameworks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lightweight | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free and open-source | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud-based | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Online | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Additional information on the Best IDEs for GoLang
- Goland is the most expensive IDE on this list, but it is also the most feature-rich.
- Visual Studio Code is the most popular IDE for Go development due to its lightweight design and large library of extensions.
- LiteIDE is a good option for beginners and developers on a budget.
- Sublime Text is a good option for experienced developers who want a fast and lightweight text editor.
- IntelliJ IDEA is a good option for developers who want a powerful and feature-rich IDE that supports a wide range of programming languages.
- Vim-go is a good option for developers who are already familiar with Vim.
- GoClipse is a good option for developers who are already familiar with Eclipse.
- AWS Cloud9 is a good option for developers who need a cloud-based IDE or who want to collaborate with other developers.
- Replit is a good option for developers who want to try out a new IDE without having to install anything.
- Code::Blocks is a good option for developers who want a free and open-source IDE with support for many programming languages.
- Atom is a good option for developers who want a lightweight and customizable text editor.
Tips for Choosing the Best IDE for GoLang
When choosing an IDE for Go development, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Features: Consider which features are important to you. Do you need an IDE with code completion, error detection, and refactoring? Or are you looking for a more lightweight IDE with fewer features?
- Cost: IDEs can range in price from free to several hundred dollars. Consider your budget when choosing an IDE.
- Platform: Make sure the IDE you choose is compatible with your operating system.
- Learning curve: Some IDEs are easier to learn than others. Consider your experience level when choosing an IDE.
Don’t Miss: Checkout 10 Best IDEs for R Programming
Conclusion – Best IDEs for GoLang
There are many great IDEs available for Go development, and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a powerful and feature-rich IDE, Goland or IntelliJ IDEA are good options. On the other hand, if you are looking for a free and open-source IDE, LiteIDE is a good option. If you are looking for a lightweight and fast text editor, Sublime Text is a good option.
