Download CLion for Windows PC v2026.2.4 for Windows PC

CLion 2026.2.4 is JetBrains' paid IDE for C and C++ on Windows: a smart semantic editor, safe refactorings, first-class CMake and embedded support...

Features

• The semantic C and C++ engine powers accurate completion, navigation and inspections, plus refactorings that update every real reference safely across headers, templates and macros.
• CMake is handled as the native project model with automatic targets and run configurations, and Makefile and compilation-database projects are supported for existing codebases.
• A graphical debugger front-end over GDB and LLDB, plus WSL, Docker and remote toolchains, covers desktop, server and cross-compiled debugging in one interface.
• Embedded development is built in rather than bolted on, with STM32 and microcontroller targets, debug-probe support and serial tooling alongside the normal editor and debugger.
• Unit testing for Google Test, Catch2 and doctest, profiling, version control and the shared JetBrains platform make it a complete professional workstation with predictable updates.

Considerations

• Commercial use requires a paid JetBrains subscription once the 30-day trial ends, and the free licences cover only non-commercial projects and educational use.
• CLion is heavy software: the installer is about 1.75 GB, 8 GB of RAM is a realistic minimum, and indexing a large project on first open takes noticeable time.
• No C or C++ compiler is included, so you must install and configure an MSVC, MinGW or WSL toolchain yourself before any project will build or debug.

CLion, from JetBrains, is dedicated to C and C++, and its editor understands your code semantically rather than as coloured text. That matters more in C++ than anywhere: headers, the preprocessor, templates and overloads defeat naive tooling, yet CLion's engine keeps completion, navigation, inspections and quick-fixes accurate across large codebases, flags likely bugs as you type, and navigates from a call site to the correct overload without guessing. Refactorings such as rename, extract function and change signature update every genuine reference safely — no small thing in this language. CLion is the strongest argument that C++ deserves the same tooling luxury Java and C# developers take for granted. Version 2026.2.4 is the current release in the 2026.2 stable line.

CMake is the native project model: projects open as CMake projects, and targets and run configurations appear automatically; Makefile and compilation-database projects are also supported for existing codebases. A graphical debugger front-end over GDB and LLDB, plus WSL, Docker and remote toolchains, covers desktop, server and cross-compiled debugging in one interface — switching toolchains is a settings change rather than a rewrite. Embedded developers are first-class users: STM32 and microcontroller targets, debug probes and serial tooling are built around the editor. Unit testing with Google Test, Catch2 and doctest, profiling, version control and an optional JetBrains AI add-on complete the workstation — one coherent workstation instead of an editor plus extensions.

The terms are the filter. CLion is a paid subscription product with a 30-day free trial; JetBrains offers free licences for non-commercial use and for education, but commercial C or C++ work requires the subscription once the trial ends — and JetBrains AI features are an optional extra on top of the subscription. It is heavy software: the installer is about 1.75 GB, 8 GB of RAM is a realistic minimum (16 GB recommended, SSD preferred), and first-open indexing takes noticeable time. And a point new users miss: no C or C++ compiler is included — you must install and configure an MSVC, MinGW or WSL toolchain yourself before any project will build or debug. It is also deliberately narrow: Python, for example, is supported only at a basic editing level or via plugins. For professional C and C++ work, that depth is what the subscription buys.

Download CLion-2026.2.4.exe (about 1.75 GB) from JetBrains (jetbrains.com/clion) using the button above and save it to your Downloads folder.

Double-click the downloaded EXE, approve the Windows prompt and follow the wizard, choosing the install folder and any desktop shortcut and file-association options you want.

Launch CLion and sign in with a JetBrains account to start the 30-day free trial — or activate a non-commercial or educational licence if you qualify. Then, under Settings > Build, Execution, Deployment > Toolchains, point CLion at your MSVC, MinGW or WSL compiler, since no compiler is bundled.

Is CLion free or paid?

CLion is a paid subscription product from JetBrains, with a 30-day free trial. JetBrains does offer a free licence for non-commercial use and free educational licences for students and teachers, but a company or freelancer building commercial C or C++ software needs a paid subscription — it should never be described as a free IDE.

Is CLion for C or C++?

Both — CLion is an IDE dedicated to C and C++, including modern C++ standards, with CMake as its native project model and support for Makefile and compilation-database projects. Embedded developers are first-class users too, with STM32 and microcontroller targets, debug probes and serial tooling built around the editor and the graphical GDB and LLDB debugger.

Is CLion better than VS code?

They start from different places: VS Code is a lightweight editor that becomes a C++ environment only after you assemble the compiler, debugger and IntelliSense extensions yourself. CLion is a single paid, cross-platform IDE whose semantic engine, refactorings, CMake handling and debugger are designed together specifically for C and C++ — though note that CLion bundles CMake and Ninja, not a compiler, so an MSVC, MinGW or WSL toolchain is still yours to provide.

Can I code Python in CLion?

Only at a basic editing level, or via plugins — CLion is focused on C and C++, and other languages are not its job. Python or web development belongs in JetBrains' other IDEs, while CLion's depth goes into C and C++ completion, navigation, inspections, refactorings and testing with Google Test, Catch2 and doctest.

What's the best IDE for C++?

CLion 2026.2.4 makes the strongest integrated case: its semantic engine keeps completion, navigation and inspections accurate across large codebases, and refactorings such as rename, extract function and change signature update every genuine reference safely — no small thing in a language with headers, templates and macros. The honest costs are the paid subscription for commercial work, a roughly 1.75 GB download that wants 8 GB of RAM and SSD storage, and first-open indexing.