Choose from the best Ruby on Rails IDEs and code editors to use in 2023 and increase your RoR productivity.
When it comes to server-side or backend web development, the Ruby on Rails framework is among the first. The speed and ease of use it offers web developers are key to its runaway popularity. Top technology companies around the world leverage this programming language to create intuitive, traffic-driven, and high-performance websites and web applications. However, organizing and managing the quality of your coding requires the best Ruby on Rails IDEs .
In this tutorial article, we exhaustively analyze 11 of the best IDEs. We will present all the key features and decision factors tailored to your unique development needs.
Why Choosing the Right Integrated Development Environment Matters
RoR IDEs are software applications that contain three main components required for development:
- The editor is where you type the code.
- The compiler takes care of the automation of building your program.
- And the debugger checks the code for errors.
Each IDE comes with sets of features focused on improving the efficiency and convenience of different coding elements. As a developer/organization, selecting the right one helps immensely in standardizing and accelerating your code along with quality improvements.
You spend a lot of time in the RoR IDE throughout the software development lifecycle. That's why we strongly recommend that you read to the end of this article. By doing this, you can select the best IDE to complete the Ruby on Rails project effectively.
Let's start!
Text editor vs IDE: what's the difference
Are text editors and IDEs the same? You use both to code, right? But there is much more than that.
A text or code editor is a writing tool with limited capabilities beyond this fundamental purpose. On the other hand, an IDE offers much more. An IDE acts as a single platform that combines different facets of coding for languages like Ruby on Rails.
In addition to editing, there is automatic code completion, syntax highlighting, debugging, and versioning, among many other features. We bring a rich vein of software service experience working with top Ruby on Rails developers at leading companies to this selection process.
How to choose the right IDE or text editor for Ruby On Rails
Ruby IDEs come with different features and customizations. Its basic intentions, however, remain the same: to speed up coding, editing, execution, and debugging. As a Ruby on Rails developer or development company, your team spends a lot of time and effort on the IDE.
Some of these tools are lightweight and consume less memory. At the same time, others have a rich and intuitive user interface that is ideal for beginners. Furthermore, we can never ignore the cost factor of these tools. While many have a free basic version, useful features can be included in paid extensions.
To ensure the tool's key features are accurately aligned with your business needs, let's understand five key factors that will help in your Ruby on Rails IDE selection process.
- Platform support: Does your IDE work on multiple operating systems like Windows, Mac or Linux? We recommend selecting an IDE with cross-platform compatibility so your developer team has this flexibility. Sublime Text, for example, is versatile in this regard.
- Learning curve: Are you using this IDE to teach a group of students Ruby on Rails? Or do you want to start a development project with a team of experts that requires comprehensive coding capabilities? Visual Studio Code has a highly intuitive user interface with a gentle learning curve for beginners.
- Integration-ability: When building Ruby applications, your IDE must generally be integrated with other tools to extend functionality. For example, if your IDE doesn't have version control, you need the option to integrate it with a third-party tool for this purpose.
- Cost: In general, Ruby IDEs come in three pricing categories – free, paid, or freemium. We strongly suggest you do a comparative cost and feature analysis of the IDEs on your radar. You can later make a data-driven decision to focus on your IDE for Ruby on Rails. RubyMine is a highly sought-after IDE that comes with a 30-day trial period, after which it is paid.
- Community Support: A mature IDE always comes with comprehensive documentation and a large online community or discussion forums. This is useful when you feel stuck in the coding process and need help. Community forums provide a healthy platform to ask questions and get effective solutions.
Considering these parameters, you will not go wrong when opting for your Ruby IDE. To make things even more detailed, let's look at the key features, pros, and cons of some leading IDEs.
Top 11 IDEs and Text Editors for Ruby Developers
Among the thousands of Ruby on Rails IDEs available on the market, we will see 11 that deserve highlighting and study. All of them are easily accessible to developers and allow you to create powerful Ruby applications.
Without further ado, let's dive right into the IDE analysis!
RubyMine (the commercial version is the best in its category)
Known as “ The Smartest Ruby on Rails IDE ”, this IDE from JetBrains offers advanced editing features. From highlighting syntax errors to smart code completion and refactoring, it will simplify your work immensely.
The latest versions of the tool take debugging capabilities to the next level, with improved code insights and platform-level improvements. The intuitive interface makes unit testing a breeze. RubyMine allows you to set breakpoints and run tools like Shoulda and MiniTest with maximum convenience.
It is compatible with the main Ruby platforms, including AngularJS RubyMotion, Rails 2.4 and Rails 5, React and Puppet, among others. The integration aspect of the tool is also taken care of. Seamlessly integrate with version controllers like Mercurial, SVN, Git, Rail Generator and more. You can run the entire set of commands using the built-in terminal available in RubyMine.
Coming to the pricing aspect, this Ruby IDE offers a 30-day trial period to test important features. After that, paid options start at $229 on a per-user annual subscription basis.
Main features
- Advanced code editor with documentation capabilities
- Extensive version control integration
- Supports development best practices through in-depth code inspection
- Docker support and RuboCop support for the latest versions
- Multiple color schemes and customization options
| Pros | Cons |
| Built-in holder for common jewelry. | Closed source IDE. |
| Smart autocomplete for fast coding. | The learning curve is steep for beginners. |
| Advanced code analysis for debugging. | Too many features lead to occasional performance drops. |
Aptana Studio (Integrated Deployment Wizard)
This Ruby IDE from Appcelerator is one of the best free and open source options out there. In addition to supporting Ruby on Rails, Aptana can be used for Python, PHP, JavaScript or Perl. Aptana is the result of merging RadRails with the tool. Using Aptana, you can code Ruby on Windows, Linux or Mac.
Talking about the prominent features – advanced debugging, syntax highlighting, and code completion are provided. After coding, you can take advantage of the deployment wizard, which uses protocols such as FTP, SFTP, or Capistrano to deploy your application.
Coming to the learning curve aspect: Aptana Studio UI is quite simple yet visually appealing. Additionally, developers can opt for an overview to access classes based on operation.
The environment is highly customizable and supported by a large online community that consistently works on updates or extensions.
Main features
- Deployment Wizard supports automatic publishing of RoR applications
- Integrated terminal to run code
- Comprehensive Customizations
- Bug prediction
- Advanced code inspection for variables, breakpoints, and control execution
| Pros | Cons |
| The code assistance feature allows for a quick and smooth coding experience. | Aptana may not be compatible with newer versions of Ruby due to lack of maintenance. |
| Git integration enabled. | It does not have an HTML design window. |
| If you like playing with themes and color schemes, Aptana has a lot to offer. | Functionality is limited to creating web applications. |
Sublime Text (Ruby Editor)
Although lightweight, its impeccable interface and superior performance make Sublime Text stand out from the crowd. This leading RoR IDE has many features to offer. You can transform the default functions using a variety of available plugins and extensions.
This cross-platform IDE is a delight for multitasking programmers. Why?
- Multi-file panel to reference different files as you code.
- Simultaneous editing feature to make the same edit on separate files.
- Extensive command palette with shortcuts for opening files and switching syntax.
Sublime Text is suitable for developers of different levels of expertise. You can start with the basic light version and add extensions or plugins as per your progress or coding needs. Undeniably, this is one of the most versatile Ruby IDEs on the market!
And if you are wondering about the cost, you have the luxury of using this tool for free for an unlimited time! However, the frequent pop-up reminding you to purchase can be a hassle. You can buy the paid version starting at $80.
Main features
- Convenient multi-pane view for simultaneous file editing and viewing
- Integrated command palette
- Easy search and navigation through the Goto Anything feature
- Balance of features and robust performance
| Pros | Cons |
| A comprehensive set of extension packs that deliver stable performance. | The online community is on the thinner side. |
| Unlimited trial period. | Frequent license pop-ups can affect the user experience. |
| Best Ruby IDE for Multitasking. | The default design is simple. |
Atom (free Ruby IDE)
Top tech companies including Facebook use this open source IDE from GitHub. The fan base and user community of this Ruby IDE has grown exponentially over the past few years. RoR developers can use this tool for personal and commercial development on Windows, Ubuntu, Mac, and Fedora 22+, among others.
From a Ruby on Rails development perspective, you have many plugin options to convert the Atom editor into a Ruby-compatible editor. Some of the main ones include linter-ruby, ruby-test, linter-rubocop, and scss-lint.
Thanks to GitHub support, the coding environment is easy to use and requires minimal movement of configuration files. Because of this, users can achieve productivity gains by using code snippets. In short, you can use this free and full-featured IDE for seamless Ruby on Rails development projects.
Main features
- Github integration for version control
- Supports collaborative coding using the Teletype feature
- Extensive plugins and customizations for RoR developers
- Advanced search and replace capabilities through multi-pane support
- Git code snippet usability
| Pros | Cons |
| Free to use available under the MIT license. | Performance drops when dealing with large files. |
| Fast Ruby coding due to auto-completion and code snippet. | Occasional tool failures. |
| Lots of customization options for Ruby developers. | Requires assistance from GitHub for a seamless experience. |
Cloud9 (Best Ruby IDE in the Cloud)
Amazon's Cloud9 is the best-in-class Ruby IDE in the browser category. The best part? You get all the essential Ruby tools built-in, eliminating the need to install additional plugins like other IDEs. Additionally, you get performance, collaboration, and accessibility of cloud resources with this tool.
The main differences don’t stop there! You have the option to build serverless applications along with AWS Lambda and testing infrastructure. These benefits contribute to expanding your user base among medium and large enterprises, including Mozilla, Heroku, and Mailchimp.
The cloud editor is excellent, along with a file manager, Unix shell, and an intuitive chat engine for team collaborations. The integrated debugger panel with the option to set breakpoints and check the status of variables makes troubleshooting incredibly easy.
Main features
- Serverless Application Model (SAM) Availability
- Git integration that simplifies code updates
- Customizable themes for Ruby editor
- Integrated Dashboard Debugger
- Ruby tools available by default
| Pros | Cons |
| SAM enables optimal utilization of cloud resources. | Internet access is essential. |
| Best IDE for collaborative coding. | Choosing the right instance for a project can sometimes be tricky. |
| Simple learning curve. | Lack of enough hotkeys. |
VIM Editor (Best Ruby Editor on Linux)
This terminal-based Ruby IDE is one of the classics; It has been on the market for centuries! Even Facebook engineers used this IDE during the company's early days. The prolonged popularity mainly stems from the inherent features of this free and open source (under GPL license) IDE. The section of developers who prefer traditional fast keyboard-only coding still prefer VIM.
You can turn VIM into a well-prepared environment for RoR development using the right plugins – vim-ruby and vim-rails are some key examples. If your operating system preference is Linux, VIM is considered the best choice for Ruby IDE. In addition to the installation and configuration challenges, this old man presents performance levels similar to ultra-modern IDEs available on the market.
Main features
- Fast movement between files due to keyboard-only approach
- An abundance of RoR plugins to convert the editor into an IDE
| Pros | Cons |
| Using just the terminal, you can complete all development-related tasks. | The initial setup time is longer compared to other Ruby IDEs. |
| Best editor on Linux with unique features like regex replacement, internal quote deletion, etc. | The steep learning curve makes it a not suitable choice for beginners. |
Emacs (RoR Editor with IDE)
This is one of the most aesthetically pleasing Ruby on Rails text editors you will find. Thanks to the immense customization possibilities, this free tool will delight Ruby developers. The broad language support for Unicode is one of the standout features.
For Ruby development, you need to install the Enhanced Ruby mode plugin to start your RoR project. It doesn't end with that. Enhance your feature set with other popular Ruby plugins like rvm, ruby-tools, rake, rbenv, bundler, and many more! Now you know why Emacs ends up being the best free Ruby IDE.
From a platform compatibility perspective, Emacs is compatible with Windows, Mac, and BSD in addition to Linux. Emacs' project management and debugger are also excellent.
Main features
- Full support for Unicode between any human scripts
- Improved Ruby Mode for RoR Developers
- Abundant documentation to facilitate project management
- UI customizations are possible using Emacs Lisp or GUI
- Light by default
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast performance. | The steep learning curve can be challenging for beginners. |
| Best choice of Ruby IDE on Ubuntu. | Some of the documentation is out of date. |
| Extensive plugins and editor customizations available. | Not the best IDE for collaborative coding. |
Komodo (Code Intelligence and Platform Compatibility)
This versatile IDE from ActiveState is compatible with almost all web programming languages, including Python, Ruby, PHP, Perl, JavaScript, and Node.js, among others. It has a decent learning curve with enough syntax highlighting for beginners and intermediates.
Code profiling and integration with version controllers are some of the main benefits of using Komodo. Furthermore, the accessibility of documents is extremely convenient. You just need to highlight a specific keyword and Komodo will trigger the associated document.
The Live Preview feature lets you get real-time feedback instead of continually switching between the editor and browser. A wide number of shortcuts increase user convenience and coding speed.
From a cost perspective, Komodo offers a 21-day trial period for you to evaluate whether this Ruby IDE is suitable for your development needs. After the trial period, you can choose between different licenses, including Komodo Personal and Komodo for Teams.
Main features
- Advanced Code Completion and Featured Features
- Cross-platform support is impressive
- Real-time visual debugging
- Extensive customizations
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple UI with easy navigation. | Occasional performance lags, especially on low-spec desktops. |
| Lots of shortcuts that allow for fast coding. | The learning curve is quite steep for beginners. |
| The free edition version of Komodo is sufficient for personal or educational needs. | Startup time is on the higher side. |
MVSC (Microsoft Visual Studio Code for RoR)
Visual Studio Code is known to be a robust and user-friendly IDE for coding across various programming constructs like Python, JavaScript, C++, Dockerfile, and Ruby. You can get full Ruby editing and debugging support from MVSC by installing the vscode-ruby extension.
The feature spectrum has all the basics of the Ruby IDE, from syntax highlighting, code completion through snippets, debugging, and so on. The Intellisense feature elevates this tool above the rest. In addition to simple autocomplete, it also provides developers with additional insights into parameters and member lists. It achieves version control through Git integration.
Ruby developers use this excellent IDE for cloud and web development. For Azure Cloud developers in particular, MVSC has some special features to offer. After installing the Azure CLI and app service packages, you can directly deploy your Ruby application to Azure.
Although there are many plugins available, MVSC ensures that there are no lags in performance. Extensions run in separate processes without affecting core processes. Some of the popular Ruby plugins are:
- RuboCop – for text formatting
- Rspec and Cucumber – for unit testing
- Rcodetools – for autocomplete
The best part is that you can enjoy all these Ruby features in a free version!
Main features
- Intellisense feature for fast coding
- Integrated performance optimization measures
- An extensive list of Ruby jewelry
- Superior performance on MS Azure Cloud
| Pros | Cons |
| Eliminates the need for copybook processing and dependency resolutions. | Compilers face performance issues when dealing with multilingual code. |
| Easy to make the project portable with other machines. | Ruby plugins receive fewer updates. |
| Helps leverage code snippets through Git integration. | Longer launch time. |
NetBeans (write-once, run-anywhere IDE)
This free IDE from ApacheStudio is built on the Java framework, supporting cross-platform code reuse. You can install it on all major operating systems, and it offers robust performance for Ruby development on desktop, mobile, or web.
The coding environment is visually pleasing, with a gentle learning curve for beginners. You can manage code efficiently using features like collapse and expand, which are useful when writing large blocks of code. Code completion is extremely convenient in NetBeans thanks to the prioritized suggestions provided to the user. Troubleshooting is easy even for a beginner as NetBeans provides smart tips when you are about to make a mistake in the code. There are extensive shortcuts and key customizations for coding convenience. Searching and replacing is also easy due to color-coding options for different code segments.
In short, NetBeans is a simple yet efficient Ruby IDE that has ease of use and fast coding as its main focus. This aspect has led to a large number of fans for this IDE.
Main features
- Compact coding experience with collapse and expanded capabilities to hide large blocks of code
- Advanced code analysis capability from smart summaries
- Superior autocomplete feature with code suggestions
- Strong support for popular tools like Maven
- Fast and efficient troubleshooting
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight and easy to install. | Struggles when it comes to legacy application development. |
| One of the best IDEs for Ruby students. | No Git integration. |
| Provides tips for quickly detecting errors. | The presence of bugs causes performance delays. |
Geany (fast and lightweight Ruby IDE)
Geany is designed to provide developers with a small and fast IDE with minimal dependencies on external packages. It works using a GTK+ toolkit and you only need the GTK associated libraries to run this IDE.
Makes debugging easier with plenty of syntax highlighting. With built-in support for over 50 programming languages, including RoR, and compatibility with almost every major operating system, Geany is impeccably versatile.
You can create organized Ruby code using Geany, taking advantage of editor features like code folding, auto-closing, and auto-completion of popular constructs.
Main features
- Calling Tips
- Autocomplete using code snippets
- Embedded terminal emulation
- Features can be added using plugins
| Pros | Cons |
| One of the most compact and lightweight IDEs for Ruby with minimal dependencies. | The price is on the higher side. |
| Superior autocomplete capabilities. | The features are not as advanced as the other IDEs on this list. |
| Open code. | Minimum number of plugins available. |
Conclusion
Ruby on Rails is gaining traction among top technology companies around the world, helping them create fast, scalable, and versatile web applications. However, remember the huge time investment you or your team makes in the IDE. This is exactly why you need to use the right Ruby on Rails IDE and text editor for your workflow and process simplification.
The FDI market presents a plethora of options that come with their associated strengths and weaknesses. For example, RubyMine is the best trading option. Ruby newbies opt for UI-friendly options like MVSC. Cloud9 is the ultra-modern version of choice for serverless coding, leveraging the raw power of cloud servers. Ultimately, the best IDE is subjective and you will need to cross-validate the tool with your business needs.
Whichever Ruby IDE you select, make a consistent attempt to improve yourself in this sought-after technology. Learn your IDE's unique shortcuts and features. Leverage online communities and documentation to improve your RoR knowledge. These measures will increase your market value as a Ruby on Rails developer and provide opportunities to work on leading projects for cutting-edge technology companies.
