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 Java, C++, Lua and Go (Programming Language).

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Alternatives list

  1. Rust icon

    Rust

     150 likes

    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.

    51 Rust alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Rust screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Rust vs C (programming language) Comments
    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
    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
    -5

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Rust is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
  2. Java icon

    Java

     664 likes

    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.

    75 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
    Java screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Java vs C (programming language) Comments
    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.

    • Java is Free Personal and Open SourceC (programming language) is Free and Open Source
  4. C++ icon

    C++

     325 likes

    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.

    73 C++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    C++ screenshot 1
     
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    3
    C++ vs C (programming language) Comments
    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++ is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
  5. Lua icon

    Lua

     185 likes

    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.

    85 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
    Lua screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Lua vs C (programming language) Comments
    IamPyu
    0

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

    • 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
  6. Go (Programming Language) icon

    Go (Programming Language)

     152 likes

    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.

    72 Go (Programming Language) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Go (Programming Language)
    Go (Programming Language) screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Go (Programming Language) vs C (programming language) Comments
    Colin Hughes
    Positive
    -1

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

    • 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
  7. C# icon

    C#

     230 likes

    C# is a multi-paradigm programming language encompassing strong typing, imperative, declarative, functional, generic, object-oriented (class-based), and component-oriented programming disciplines.

    83 C# alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    C# screenshot 1
     
  9. Zig icon

    Zig

     17 likes

    Open-source language prioritizing robustness, optimality, and clarity with built-in build system, direct C library compatibility, modern error handling, compile-time execution, generics, debug and release optimizations, cross-compiling, and strong package maintainer support.

    19 Zig alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Zig screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Zig vs C (programming language) Comments
    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.
    • 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
  10. D (Programming Language) icon

    D (Programming Language)

     59 likes

    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
    D (Programming Language) screenshot 1
     
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    2
    D (Programming Language) vs C (programming language) Comments
    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.
    • D (Programming Language) is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
  11. Perl icon

    Perl

     140 likes

    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
     
  12. Nim (programming language) icon

    Nim (programming language)

     41 likes

    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

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Nim (programming language) screenshot 1
     
  13. V (programming language) icon

    V (programming language)

     11 likes

    V is a statically typed compiled programming language designed for building maintainable software.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    V (programming language) screenshot 1
     
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    1
    V (programming language) vs C (programming language) Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    V intends to be a very lightweight and fast alternative to C. It's still very young, currently on version 0.2.2, and the documentation is very sparse. Good for small projects, but not ready for important things yet

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • V (programming language) is Free and Open SourceC (programming language) is also Free and Open Source
    • V (programming language) is LightweightC (programming language) is not according to our users
  14. Haskell icon

    Haskell

     69 likes

    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.

    74 Haskell alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Haskell screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Haskell vs C (programming language) Comments
    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.
    • 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
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