The Best Python AlternativesTop Programming Languages and other similar apps like Python

Python is described as 'Interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, extensible programming language. It provides an extraordinary combination of clarity and versatility, and is free and comprehensively ported' and is a leading programming language in the development category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Python for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, BSD and Self-Hosted apps. The best Python alternative is Ruby, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Python are C#, Java, PHP and R (programming language).

filter to find the best alternatives

Python alternatives are mainly Programming Languages, but if you're looking for Compilers or Data Mining Software you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Python.
Python iconPython
  1375
  • ...

Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, extensible programming language. It provides an extraordinary combination of clarity and versatility, and is free and comprehensively ported.

More about Python
More about Python
Python alternatives page was last updated Jun 9, 2025
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
  1. Ruby icon

    Ruby

     266 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Ruby is a dynamic, reflective, general purpose object-oriented programming language that combines syntax inspired by Perl with Smalltalk-like features. Ruby originated in Japan during the mid-1990s and was initially developed and designed by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    Ruby screenshot 1

    Ruby Features

    1.  Dynamic typing
    2.  Blocks
    3.  Object-oriented Language
    4.  Text processing
    5.  Interpreter
    6.  Native extension libraries

    Ruby VS Python

     
    Comments about Ruby as an Alternative to Python
    Most Recent Comment
    Buster_Blue
    Positive Oct 3, 2017
    5

    Both are high level, general purpose programming languages, and they have a similar syntax.

    Guest
    Positive Aug 6, 2021
    0

    The syntax is more forgiving and easier to read and write.

    Rishabh Istwal
    Positive Nov 24, 2018
    0

    Ruby can be used for web development Twitch like many big websites made on it .And rails framework gives much flexibility to made mobile apps and games can also be made.Simple and Powerful.

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Python Icon
    Ruby icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Ruby is a great Python alternative.

    • Ruby is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Python.

    • Ruby is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Python.

    • Ruby is Free and Open SourcePython is also Free and Open Source
  2. C# icon

    C#

     229 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    C# screenshot 1

    C# Features

    1.  Compiled Language
    2.  Object-oriented Language

    C# VS Python

     
    Comments about C# as an Alternative to Python
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Mar 3, 2020
    1

    C# can do almost (if not) everything python is able to do. However, it does take more effort to do so, but you will be rewarded with more speed in the end.

    Guest
    Positive Feb 15, 2020
    0

    because c sharp is very easy to learn and can cover most of the types of development that is possible with python and has a strong community .

    Guest
    Negative Oct 20, 2017
    -22

    C# is different. People make OS' in C# in python not. C# is compiled, python not.

    Python Icon
    C# icon

    • Most users think C# is a great Python alternative.

    • C# is Free and Open SourcePython is also Free and Open Source
  4. Java icon

    Java

     656 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    72 Java alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Java Mobile
    • Symbian S60
    • HP webOS
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Blackberry 10
    • Kindle Fire
    Java screenshot 1

    Java Features

    1.  Garbage Collection
    2.  Statically Typed Language
    3.  Object-oriented Language
    4.  Coding
    5.  X86/x64 Compatibility
    6.  Stringent Programming Language

    Java VS Python

     
    Comments about Java as an Alternative to Python
    Top Positive Comment
    Arunmani
    May 12, 2018
    1

    Java is tough, close-sourced, complicated license, and must be typed a lot. In simple words, troublesome for beginners. Python breaks 'em all.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Oct 9, 2017
    12

    Java is not a scripting language

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Jan 12, 2021
    0

    Java is a cross-platform complex language and it's good for backend, just like Python. Its syntax involves printing using parenthesis, just like Py and also, it's very restrictive. HOWEVER, Java is not the very best alternative since:

    • its syntax is more complex and complicated, unlike py, which focuses on "user-friendliness"
    Show more comments
    3 of 9 comments
    Python Icon
    Java icon

    • Some users think Java is a great Python alternative, some don't.

    • Java is the most popular Web-based, Android & Android Tablet alternative to Python.

    • Java is Free Personal and Open SourcePython is Free and Open Source
  5. PHP icon

    PHP

     469 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Open-source scripting language executed on the server, PHP embeds into HTML, fostering dynamic web development. Influenced by C, Java, and Perl, it supports database integration, offers extensive libraries, and remains easy for beginners while robust for seasoned developers.

    41 PHP alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PHP
    PHP screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Object-oriented Language

    PHP VS Python

     
    Comments about PHP as an Alternative to Python
    Most Recent Comment
    Ash Skabo
    Positive Jun 8, 2022
    1

    While PHP is made for the web, I don't think it should be regarded as a web only language, as it does have a non-web interpreter

    Mason Parker
    Positive Jun 5, 2023
    0

    Python is easy to learn and you can easily create AI model using python with different framework.

    Guest
    Negative Aug 15, 2019
    2

    Python can do way more, PHP is a web-only language.

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Python Icon
    PHP icon

    • Most users think PHP is a great Python alternative.

    • PHP is Free and Open SourcePython is also Free and Open Source
    • PHP is LightweightPython is not according to our users
  6. R (programming language) icon

    R (programming language)

     216 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    R is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics. It is a GNU project which is similar to the S language and environment which was developed at Bell Laboratories (formerly AT&T, now Lucent Technologies) by John Chambers and colleagues. R can be consider.

    97 R (programming language) alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NZ flagNew Zealand

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    R (programming language) screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Data Mining
    2.  Communities
    3.  Quantitative data analysis
    4.  Data science
    5.  Automatic data loading
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Support for scripting
    8.  Portable

    R (programming language) VS Python

     
    Comments about R (programming language) as an Alternative to Python
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Feb 18, 2016
    6

    R can replace (or complement) Python in virtually any data-driven task.

    Top Negative Comment
    CeesT
    Nov 24, 2020
    0

    R is not a general purpose programming language like Python.

    Most Recent Comment
    C03Packet
    Negative Aug 20, 2024
    0

    they are very different.R is not a general purpose programming language like Python.

    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Python Icon
    R (programming language) icon

    • Most users think R (programming language) is a great Python alternative.

    • R (programming language) is Free and Open SourcePython is also Free and Open Source
    • R (programming language) is Customizable and LightweightPython is not according to our users
  7. Rust icon

    Rust

     142 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    46 Rust alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Rust screenshot 1

    Rust Features

    1.  Typesafe
    2.  Compiler Explanations
    3.  Static typing
    4.  Pattern matching
    5.  Package Manager
    6.  Compiled Language
    7.  Portable
    8.  Test case management
    9.  Abstract Data Types

    Rust VS Python

     
  9. Lua icon

    Lua

     176 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    82 Lua alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • BR flagBrazil

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • Playstation
    • MorphOS
    Lua screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Embeddable
    2.  Support for scripting
    3.  Configuration
    4.  Command line interface

    Lua VS Python

     
    Comments about Lua as an Alternative to Python
    Most Recent Comment
    Tubby 9417
    Positive Sep 20, 2023
    0

    I found lua to be easier to use and learn than python. It also works great as a scripting language for some games like Roblox, MegaGlest, Spring.

    Guest
    Positive Apr 12, 2021
    1

    Easy to learn and similar to python

    gnramires
    Positive Mar 23, 2021
    0

    Very fast and lightweight. Easy to learn.

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Python Icon
    Lua icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Lua is a great Python alternative.

    • Lua is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Python.

    • Lua is Free and Open SourcePython is also Free and Open Source
    • Lua is LightweightPython is not according to our users
  10. Go (Programming Language) icon

    Go (Programming Language)

     149 likes
    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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Go (Programming Language)
    Go (Programming Language) screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Compiled Language
    2.  Object-oriented Language
    3.  Test case management
    4.  Readability
    5.  Performance Monitoring
    6.  Static typing
    7.  Support for scripting
    8.  Command line interface
    9.  Class inheritance
    10.  Typesafe
    11.  Garbage Collection
    12.  Statically Typed Language

    Go (Programming Language) VS Python

     
    Comments about Go (Programming Language) as an Alternative to Python
    Guest
    Negative Mar 3, 2020
    -2

    They are made for very different purposes.

    Python Icon
    Go (Programming Language) icon

    • Most users think Go (Programming Language) is a great Python alternative.

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

    • Go (Programming Language) is Free and Open SourcePython is also Free and Open Source
    • Go (Programming Language) is LightweightPython is not according to our users
8 of 92 Python alternatives