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PyCharm vs Ubuntu

PyCharm logo

PyCharm

Software

The IDE for Professional Python Development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ubuntu logo

Ubuntu

Software

Enterprise Linux distribution with 15-year support options.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PyCharm pyCharm Pro commercial licence is USD 299/year (USD 29.90/month); personal licence is USD 109/year dropping to USD 68.25 by year three with loyalty discounts, per jetbrains.com/store inline pricing JSON checked 19 Aug 2026; Ubuntu free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PyCharm and Ubuntu actually diverge.

Attributes where PyCharm and Ubuntu differ
AttributePyCharmUbuntu
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, LinuxDesktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in PyCharm

  • Intelligent code editor
  • Smart code navigation
  • Fast and safe refactorings
  • Debugging and testing
  • VCS integration
  • Scientific development tools
  • Web development support
  • Database tools

Only in Ubuntu

Nothing recorded that PyCharm does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

PyCharm

  • Python developmentnot Ubuntu
  • Data science projectsnot Ubuntu
  • Web developmentnot Ubuntu
  • Machine learningnot Ubuntu
  • Scientific computingnot Ubuntu

Ubuntu

  • Individual developers and small teams using free Ubuntu for laptops and serversnot PyCharm
  • Cloud and data centre deployments requiring certified, supported Linux operating systemnot PyCharm
  • Organisations needing FIPS-certified or DISA-STIG-hardened Linux for government and regulated environmentsnot PyCharm
  • AI and machine learning teams using Ubuntu Desktop with pre-optimised toolchainsnot PyCharm
  • IoT and edge computing deployments using Ubuntu Corenot PyCharm

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

PyCharm

  • PyCharm Pro commercial licence is USD 299/year (USD 29.90/month); personal licence is USD 109/year dropping to USD 68.25 by year three with loyalty discounts, per jetbrains.com/store inline pricing JSON checked 19 Aug 2026

Ubuntu

  • Free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription
  • Ubuntu Pro required for enterprise compliance certifications (FIPS, DISA-STIG); free version does not include these
  • Ubuntu Pro pricing is proprietary and varies based on cloud deployment (AWS, Azure, GCP); no published per-machine or per-user pricing
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support adds 24/7 support costs on top of base subscription; total cost for enterprise-grade support not transparent
  • Personal/free tier limited to 5 machines; any larger deployment requires paid enterprise subscription

Pricing, plan by plan

PyCharm

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Intelligent Python editor
    • Graphical debugger and test runner
    • Navigation and refactoring
  • Professional$24.9/month
    • Everything in Community
    • Web development frameworks
    • Database tools

Ubuntu

Free
  • Ubuntu (Free)Free
    • Desktop, Server, Core and Cloud editions
    • Community support
    • Standard security updates (5 years LTS)
  • Ubuntu Pro (Personal)Free
    • Extended Security Maintenance (10 years)
    • Kernel Livepatch
    • Landscape management
  • Ubuntu Pro (Enterprise)$null/variable
    • 10 years Extended Security Maintenance
    • FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS compliance
    • Kernel Livepatch
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support$null/variable
    • All Ubuntu Pro features
    • 24/7 break-fix and bug-fix support
    • Expert assistance for infrastructure and applications

Which should you pick?

Choose PyCharm if

  • You need intelligent code editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want smart code navigation.
PyCharm review

Choose Ubuntu if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
Ubuntu review

Questions people ask

Is PyCharm or Ubuntu better?
Neither clearly leads. PyCharm starts at Free and Ubuntu at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PyCharm or Ubuntu?
PyCharm starts at Free and Ubuntu at Free.
Does PyCharm or Ubuntu run on more platforms?
PyCharm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. Ubuntu runs on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
Can I use PyCharm for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is PyCharm best used for?
PyCharm is most often used for python development, data science projects, web development, machine learning. Of those, python development and data science projects are not what Ubuntu is typically brought in for.
What can PyCharm do that Ubuntu cannot?
PyCharm covers Intelligent code editor, Smart code navigation, Fast and safe refactorings, Debugging and testing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ubuntu: Is Ubuntu free?

Yes. Ubuntu is free to download and use in all editions. Community support is also available at no cost. Ubuntu Pro subscriptions are optional and provide extended support and compliance tools.

Source
Ubuntu: How long is Ubuntu LTS support?

Standard Ubuntu LTS releases receive 5 years of security maintenance. Ubuntu Pro extends this to 10 years, expandable to 15 years with the Legacy add-on.

Source
Ubuntu: What compliance certifications does Ubuntu Pro provide?

Ubuntu Pro provides compliance tools for FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS, FedRAMP and PCI-DSS standards.

Source
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