Ever since its launch in 2007, Google’s Go Programming Language has been experiencing unprecedented popularity among general developers. It’s a new language with an eye on contemporary architecture and designed to be competitive, productive and easy.
The increasing popularity of the Golang language makes it hard to ignore having tools and IDEs that assist in raising web development productivity and simplifying the coding process. If you are planning to integrate Go-based applications with content platforms, choosing the right WordPress hosting ensures compatibility, speed and stability throughout development and deployment.
Typically designed for developing low-level Google monoliths, Golang has indeed turned out to be a good platform for customer-centric architectures as it is easy to deploy, and it is productive and scalable as well. It’s a minimalist language, having just 25 keywords. Any new function integrated is part of the standard library, as new functionality and not appended to the language itself.
Being an open-source, compiled programming language, Golang provides ease to programmers to develop reliable, easy, and competent software. Golang lessens the burden of typing and writing special APIs without sacrificing its performance. Designed for scalability and concurrency, Go facilitates optimisations. This blog brings you the handpicked selection of the best IDE for Golang, making it easier to find the perfect environment for your next Go project.
Table Of Content
Why Does Your Go Project Need the Right IDE?
Choosing the best IDE Golang can significantly enhance your productivity and coding experience through solutions like code completion, debugging tools, syntax highlighting, and version control. With the growing popularity of Golang, most IDEs have Golang support, yet each one has its strengths and limitations. Choosing the right IDE for your use case guarantees smoother project execution and an enhanced coding experience.
Things to Consider When Selecting an IDE
Choosing a good IDE for Golang makes your work easier and more efficient. Here’s how to pick the right one
– Selecting IDE Type
Programmers should determine whether they need an all-purpose IDE (for instance, Visual Studio Code) or one designed just for Go (like GoLand). If they deal with multiple languages, a multilingual IDE may be preferable.
– Checking OS Compatibility
It is necessary to check if the selected IDE is compatible with the operating system on which programmers work.
– Analysing System Requirements
Certain IDEs consume a lot of system resources. If programmers work on limited resources, they might prefer light code editors with essential extensions.
– Contemplating Functionality
Free IDEs provide ample resources for personal projects, whereas paid ones provide more functionality like syntax highlighting, code refactoring and much more. Therefore, for professional purposes, paid IDEs may turn out to be more ideal.
– Discovering Tool Options
Developers should explore the unique features provided by various IDEs. Their choices should be based on their precise needs, such as integrated Go tools like go vet, gofmt, and golint. GitHub integration is also essential.
– Testing on a Trial Project
Developers should test how efficiently the IDE tools handle GO-specific tasks–like code navigation, syntax highlighting, debugging and module management—while also assessing the interface usability and overall tool responsiveness.
Top 6 IDE for GoLang
If you are working on a big-scale project with a vast codebase, IDEs are capable of simplifying your code and navigating it effortlessly. Additionally, Golang IDEs enable inspection of the code and editing it according to your choices.
The following is the list of top-rated Golang IDEs to be utilised in Golang web development:
1. Visual Studio Code
Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code is an open-source, full-fledged code editor and IDE that is widely used for Windows, macOS, and Linux, that accommodates various forms of programming languages. As a renowned IDE, it has a community of Go developers that actively supports and contributes. Visual Studio Code facilitates adding functionalities through various plugins. VS Code promises a feature-rich GO development experience with features like smart code completion, built-in debugging, and seamless Go development support.
VS Code also includes a huge collection of Go-specific extensions. Yet another wonderful aspect of VS Code is the fact that it supports integration with version control systems like Git, so code developers can keep their codebase in check. Additionally, VS Code executes perfectly well on most of the systems, making it a top IDE for Golang developers looking for a cross-platform IDE.
Key Features:
- Cross-Platform Support
- Syntax Highlighting
- Diverse Extension Library
- Smart Code Completion
2. GoLand
If you’re on a Mac, GoLand is a favourite for many developers—it runs well and handles Go projects with ease. It packs some of the most advanced tools tailored specifically for Go development. GoLand has numerous features, including code analysis, smart code completion, debugging, and profiling tools, which greatly simplify your workflow.
GoLand comes with comprehensive support for version control systems and offers a clean interface for users. GoLand also includes extensive support for a broad range of programming languages, making it a preferred choice of developers working on multiple platforms. As a commercial IDE, Goland offers programmers a convenient and distinctive setting. It has a rich ecosystem as a well-known company developed it.
Key Features:
- Refactoring Tools
- Pre-integrated Debugging
- Git, SVN Version Support
- Seamless Integration with Deployment Tools
3. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is considered by many as a good IDE for Golang, especially for programmers willing to write and edit code in various programming languages like Java, Python, C++, and Go etc. A broad range of plugins has already been developed for this Golang IDE. Plugins such as GoSublime add functionality, making the process easier.
This IDE is well-known for its speedy performance even with heavy files. It has several Golang plugins and packages, such as GoSublime, which enable developers to integrate coding features such as build system support, tags, renaming, and code completion.
Key Features:
- Apple Silicon and Linux ARM64 Support
- Advanced Syntax Definitions
- Latest Python API
- Typescript, JSX, and TSX Support
4. AWS Cloud9
AWS Cloud9 is the ideal browser-enabled cloud IDE for Golang, built into Amazon Web Services. With AWS Cloud9, you can create, and execute your Golang applications instantly within a cloud framework without any need for local configuration. The IDE has Golang pre-integrated along with many powerful tools and repositories used in Golang development.
AWS Cloud9 offers everything you’d expect from a modern IDE—like syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, and built-in debugging. Its smooth integration with other AWS services makes it a top pick for developers building within the AWS ecosystem.
The primary benefit of AWS Cloud9 for companies is that developers can access their projects on any device, making it an excellent free IDE for Golang development in cloud-based workflows and for remote teams. Moreover, synchronisation with other AWS services makes it possible to automate the development and delivery process, simplifying the process.
Key Features:
- Debugger and Profiler Integration
- Browser-based IDE
- Terminal Access with Collaboration Features
- Debugger and Profiler Integration
5. Vim
Vim is a versatile and intuitive open-source Golang IDE for developers. It is configured and customised with various plugins. To ensure a smooth setup for Go developers, it takes care of deploying all the necessary binaries automatically. Its features include source code evaluation, instant file deployment, various third-party support, and integrating and removing import paths.
If you prefer a classic coding style and are looking for a simple editor, Vim remains the best free IDE for Golang among the most trusted and well-regarded options. As a command-line editor, it offers a distraction-free environment, and with a slight learning curve, it becomes a powerful tool in any developer’s toolkit. It offers numerous plugins and extensions that can be incorporated to enhance its features for Golang programming.
Key Features:
- Multi-language and Plugin Support
- Multi-Level Undo Tree
- Powerful Search and Replace
- Smooth Scrolling and Virtual Text Support
6. IntelliJ IDEA
Nowadays, the majority of developers use this popular and powerful integrated development environment. IntelliJ IDEA uses a quick indexing mechanism that intuitively suggests relevant imports and intelligently completes object members based on real-time context.
Its core features include refactoring and error detection. Being a versatile IDE for the JVM, every feature of this IDE is designed to enhance developers’ productivity.
Alongside standard IDE features like code completion, generation of code, syntax highlighting, inspections, and refactoring of code, IntelliJ IDEA stands apart for its advanced indexing system.
IntelliJ IDEA is the best tool for Java and Kotlin developers, providing a complete set of tools to make development more productive. Its editor helps code in building high-quality code by highlighting upcoming issues and providing real-time recommendations.
Key Features:
- User-friendly Editor
- Remote Development Features
- AI Assistant
- Framework Support
Since its inception, Golang has carved out a significant reputation for itself. It promises a reliable platform that consists of a broad range of features for the development environment. Keep in mind, choosing the right IDE can make the development even more seamless.
No matter which Golang best IDE you choose, there’s a tool that suits your Go development needs, supports the features you require, and fits perfectly with your preferences, so take time to understand your workflow, demands, and essential features you need before making an informed decision. Happy coding!
FAQs
How does an IDE differ from a simple text editor when coding in Go?
A text editor simply lets you write code. However, a reliable IDE provides an isolated development environment, which assists with code completion, error checking, code execution, and debugging. Everything you need, all in one place. For Go projects, this can be very time-saving and allow you to discover errors early.
Are there any free and open-source GoLang IDEs that are highly recommended?
Yes! Visual Studio Code is a top pick—free, open-source, and full of Go extensions for intelligent coding, linting, and debugging. LiteIDE is another popular IDE for Golang, it offers advanced features like code optimisation and project management.
Which GoLang IDE is most suitable for experienced or enterprise-level Go developers?
For veteran developers, GoLand can be a handy alternative. It offers powerful features, such as pre-integrated test runners, and offers ease of integration with tools such as Docker and Git.
How crucial is integrated debugging and profiling in a GoLang IDE?
Integrated debugging and profiling are crucial when your Go projects expands. Debugging allows you to test your code, variables, and resolve issues. Profiling shows where your code is using too many resources.
