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Positron

Posit's free data science IDE for Python and R, built on Code OSS.

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About Positron

Positron is a data science IDE from Posit, the company behind RStudio, the tidyverse and Shiny. It is built on Code OSS, the open-source base of VS Code, so it supports Open VSX extensions, but it is shaped around analysis work: you get persistent Python and R consoles side by side with scripts and notebooks, a variables pane, a data explorer for browsing and filtering large local or remote datasets, a plots pane, and tools to preview and publish apps, APIs and reports. Posit Assistant, an AI helper, connects to your live sessions so it can see your data while it helps explore, visualise and debug. Positron is free for personal, academic and commercial use and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its code is public under the Elastic License 2.0, a source-available licence rather than an OSI open-source one. It suits analysts who use both Python and R or who want RStudio's workflow with VS Code's extension ecosystem; R-only users may still prefer RStudio's maturity.

Best for: Data scientists working in Python and R who want an analysis-first IDE.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Free, including for commercial use
  • Data explorer, consoles and plots built for analysis
  • Supports both Python and R equally

Why people leave

  • Source-available licence, not OSI open source
  • Some VS Code Marketplace extensions are not available
  • Younger and less proven than RStudio

Top Positron alternatives

See all 4
  1. 1RStudio logo
    RStudio

    Posit's long-established R IDE, more mature for R-only work.

    66.5
  2. 2Spyder logo
    Spyder

    Free, open-source scientific Python IDE with a familiar variable explorer.

    62.6
  3. 3Visual Studio Code logo
    Visual Studio Code

    General-purpose editor with Python, R and Jupyter extensions.

    61.8
  4. 4PyCharm logo
    PyCharm

    Python IDE whose Pro tier adds Jupyter and database tools.

    57.2

Why people left Positron

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Positron: common questions

Is Positron free?

Yes, Positron is free to use.

Is Positron open source?

No, Positron is not open source. Open-source alternatives include RStudio, Spyder and Visual Studio Code.

What platforms does Positron run on?

Positron is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to Positron?

The highest-ranked Positron alternatives right now are RStudio, Spyder and Visual Studio Code. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 4 Positron alternatives