C (programming language) AlternativesTop Programming Languages and other similar apps like C (programming language)

C (programming language) is described as 'C is a general-purpose programming language. It was created in the 1970s by Dennis Ritchie and remains very widely used and influential. By design, C's features cleanly reflect the capabilities of the targeted CPUs' and is a very popular programming language in the development category. There are more than 50 alternatives to C (programming language) for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, BSD and Web-based apps. The best C (programming language) alternative is Rust, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like C (programming language) are C++, Java, Lua and Go (Programming Language).

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Alternatives list

  1. Rust icon
     148 likes
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    Rust is a multi-paradigm, general-purpose programming language that emphasizes performance, type safety, and concurrency. It enforces memory safety—meaning that all references point to valid memory—without a garbage collector.

    47 Rust alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    30
    Comments about Rust as an Alternative to C (programming language)
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    While still semi-niche, it is being deployed in various production environments and at large corporations (like Discord!). It's a very well-designed language and also very well-programmed. My favorite PRODUCTION feature is explicit error handling, unlike in JavaScript (my comfort zone). My favorite DEVELOPMENT feature is the compiler -- this is amazing and truly goes a long way in easing new members into Rust!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It's more similar to C++ however is very good at handling thread safety for you.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -5

    Rust is a modern low level programming language. C is the same, but old fashioned!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    C (programming language) Icon
    Rust icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Rust is a great C (programming language) alternative.

    • Rust is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to C (programming language).

    • Rust is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to C (programming language).

    • Rust is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
  2. C++ icon
     324 likes
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    C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose, powerful programming language. It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features.

    69 C++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    21
    Comments about C++ as an Alternative to C (programming language)
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It has many of the advantages of C (low enough level to directly handle memory when necessary, highly efficient, etc.).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Harty1978
    Positive
    -5

    Like the name says, C and more. You can stick to the C parts if you like and cherry pick the extra features when needed.

    Guest
    Positive
    -8

    It's literally C but with more added to it. (C Plus More Plus More, C++)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    C (programming language) Icon
    C++ icon
    • Most users think C++ is a great C (programming language) alternative.

    • C++ is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
  3. Java icon
     663 likes
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    Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, and specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

    73 Java alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Java Mobile
    • Symbian S60
    • HP webOS
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Blackberry 10
    • Kindle Fire
     
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    10
    Comments about Java as an Alternative to C (programming language)
    sebastianh
    Negative
    2

    Runs on JVM obviously. No.

    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    -3

    if you want to do multi platform stuff java is right alternative. also have platform independence.

    C (programming language) Icon
    Java icon
    • Some users think Java is a great C (programming language) alternative, some don't.

    • Java is the most popular Web-based, Android & Android Tablet alternative to C (programming language).

    • Java is Free Personal and Open SourceC (programming language) is Free and Open Source
  4. Lua icon
     184 likes
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    Lua is a powerful, fast, lightweight, embeddable scripting language.

    Lua combines simple procedural syntax with powerful data description constructs based on associative arrays and extensible semantics. Lua is dynamically typed, runs by interpreting bytecode for a register-based.

    84 Lua alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • Playstation
    • MorphOS
     
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    1
    Comments about Lua as an Alternative to C (programming language)
    IamPyu
    0

    Not much of an alternative to C, but is great for embedding in C.

    C (programming language) Icon
    Lua icon
    • This alternative is disputed. Lua is a legitimate C (programming language) alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Lua is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to C (programming language).

    • Lua is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
    • Lua is LightweightC (programming language) is not according to our users
  5. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Open-source programming language by Google, offering C-style syntax and automatic memory management. Features built-in concurrency and vast libraries, ideal for cloud services, web, and CLI development, supporting DevOps with fast builds and an expansive ecosystem.

    68 Go (Programming Language) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Go (Programming Language)
     
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    1
    11
    Comments about Go (Programming Language) as an Alternative to C (programming language)
    Colin Hughes
    Positive
    -1

    Low level language with python-esque syntax, which makes it very readable while still having similar functionality.

    C (programming language) Icon
    Go (Programming Language) icon
    • Most users think Go (Programming Language) is a great C (programming language) alternative.

    • Go (Programming Language) is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to C (programming language).

    • Go (Programming Language) is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
    • Go (Programming Language) is LightweightC (programming language) is not according to our users
  6. C# icon
     230 likes
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    C# is a multi-paradigm programming language encompassing strong typing, imperative, declarative, functional, generic, object-oriented (class-based), and component-oriented programming disciplines.

    79 C# alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  7. Zig icon
     17 likes
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    Zig is an open-source programming language designed for robustness, optimality, and clarity.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    2
    7
    Comments about Zig as an Alternative to C (programming language)
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    A large improvement upon C

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Zig is specifically intended to replace C.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    C (programming language) Icon
    Zig icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Zig is a great C (programming language) alternative.

    • Zig is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
    • Zig is LightweightC (programming language) is not according to our users
  8. Perl icon
     140 likes
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    Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language with over 22 years of development.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
     
  9. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    D is a language with C-like syntax and static typing. It pragmatically combines efficiency, control, and modeling power, with safety and programmer productivity.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    2
    13
    Comments about D (Programming Language) as an Alternative to C (programming language)
    VenHayz
    Positive
    1

    Almost identical to C. Can interface to C/C++ directly from within the source code. Extremely modern. Basically: what C++ should be.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    It has the power of C++ without the risky syntax & semantics forced by C++'s requirement to be backwards compatible with C.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    C (programming language) Icon
    D (Programming Language) icon
    • Almost everyone thinks D (Programming Language) is a great C (programming language) alternative.

    • D (Programming Language) is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
  10. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Nim is a statically typed, imperative programming language with a powerful macro system that tries to give the programmer ultimate power without compromises on runtime efficiency.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    8
  11. Haskell icon
     68 likes
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    Haskell is an advanced purely-functional programming language. An open-source product of more than twenty years of cutting-edge research, it allows rapid development of robust, concise, correct software.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    1
    Comments about Haskell as an Alternative to C (programming language)
    RemovedUser
    1

    Both C and Haskell are great languages if you want to learn Computer Science. Although Haskell is very different from C. Languages like Haskell, C, and even Assembly are great if you want to learn Computer Science

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    C (programming language) Icon
    Haskell icon
    • Haskell is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
    • Haskell is LightweightC (programming language) is not according to our users
  12. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Open-source programming language for developing iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS apps, featuring safety, speed, type inference, generics, native-code compilation, protocol-oriented design, memory management, Playgrounds, package manager, and Objective-C interoperability.

    75 Swift (programming language) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Apple Swift
    • Visual Studio Code
    • Xcode
     
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