EthereumStudio is a free, open-source desktop IDE for developers who write smart contracts for the Ethereum network. It suits Web3 developers and students who want a dedicated editor installed on their own computer instead of a browser tab. The project is built with JavaScript, TypeScript and Electron, and it is offered for Windows, macOS, Linux and Docker.
The most important thing to know before installing it is the project's age. The last code update arrived on August 26, 2022, more than two years before this page was written, so the software may not keep pace with newer Ethereum tooling. Read the safety and alternatives sections below before you commit a workflow to it.
What Is EthereumStudio and How Does It Work?
EthereumStudio is an integrated development environment, or IDE, which means it places a code editor, project files and related tools in one window. Developers use such environments to write smart contracts, which are small programs stored on the Ethereum blockchain that execute exactly as their code describes.
Because EthereumStudio is a desktop application built on Electron, it behaves much like other software you install. You launch it from the Start menu or a desktop shortcut, open a folder that holds your project, and edit files locally. Everything stays on your machine until you decide to share or publish your code.
The browser-based Black IDE Web offers a similar workflow without installation. It can be handy for a quick look at a contract or a small change, while the desktop build is more practical for longer sessions with multiple files.
Who Is EthereumStudio For?
EthereumStudio fits best with developers whose work centers on Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens. A typical user might be a developer building a token prototype on a Windows laptop who wants all contract files open in a single local window rather than spread across browser tabs.
Students learning smart contract basics can also benefit from a free, open-source editor. Reading the source code of a real project is another way to understand how a desktop IDE handles project structure, and the public repository makes that possible.
The program is less suited to people who need one tool for many blockchains. If your project targets Solana or several networks at once, you will likely combine EthereumStudio with other frameworks. Teams that rely on long-term vendor support should also weigh the project's update history carefully before adopting it.
Key Terms Behind Ethereum Development
A smart contract is a program deployed to the Ethereum network. Once it is live, its code runs as written, and the network records each call. Writing and testing these programs requires an editor that can organize several files and show errors before deployment.
ERC-20 is a widely used token standard. It defines a common set of functions, such as checking a balance and transferring tokens, so wallets and exchanges can handle many different tokens in the same way. Developers who build ERC-20 tokens follow this interface closely.
Gas is the fee paid to the Ethereum network for computation and storage. Efficient code uses less gas, which is why many developers review their contracts carefully during development. Understanding these terms makes it easier to judge whether an IDE fits your workflow.
Key features
Runs as a standalone desktop app
Packages for several operating systems
Built with Electron
Free and open source
Supported coins
EthereumStudio is focused on Ethereum (ETH) and ERC-20 tokens, the standard token format on the Ethereum network. If your project relies on other blockchains, confirm that they fit your plans before building your workflow around this IDE.
How to install EthereumStudio on Windows
- 1
Download the Windows installer
Open the project's GitHub Releases page and download the Windows installer. It is named Black-IDE followed by the version number and ends in .exe. The latest release listed is v0.31.0. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and avoid mirror sites offering the same file.
- 2
Run the setup file
Double-click the Black-IDE-x.x.x.exe file to start the setup wizard. If Windows shows a security prompt for a program downloaded from the internet, continue only if the file came from the official release page you checked in the previous step.
-
Launch and open a project
Follow the wizard to finish installation, then start EthereumStudio from the Start menu or desktop shortcut. Open a project folder and confirm that the editor loads your files before you begin working on real contract code.
How to use EthereumStudio
Once the program is installed, the workflow is straightforward. Keep your contract files in a dedicated project folder so the editor can work with everything in one place. Here is a typical session on a Windows PC:
- Open EthereumStudio from the Start menu and wait for the main window to load.
- Open the folder that holds your project, or create an empty folder for a new prototype.
- Open a contract file from the project, edit the code, and save your changes.
- Read the editor's messages for syntax problems before you move on to testing.
- Keep your project under version control, such as Git, so you can roll back changes that break something.
- When you need a quick check away from your desk, open Black IDE Web in a browser to review your code.
Pros & cons
- Free to use with no license fee
- Open source, so the code can be reviewed on GitHub
- Windows installer available from the official release page
- Browser-based version offers a lighter alternative
- Platform list covers Windows, macOS, Linux and Docker
- Last code update was August 26, 2022, so it may lag behind current Ethereum tooling
- Focused on Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens rather than many blockchains
- Electron-based desktop apps tend to use more memory than lightweight editors
- Smaller ecosystem of tutorials and community support than some established tools
Is EthereumStudio safe?
EthereumStudio is open source and free, but its last code update came in August 2022, so treat it as an older tool and test it on non-critical projects first. Get the installer only from the official GitHub Releases page, and compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published there. If the release does not publish a checksum, check the digital signature before running the file. Never enter a seed phrase or private key into a website or program that claims to be an official EthereumStudio tool. Keep keys and secrets out of your project folders, and check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/ObsidianLabs/EthereumStudio. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
EthereumStudio sits in a crowded group of Ethereum development tools. Remix Desktop is also an IDE for Solidity, making it the closest match for anyone comparing desktop editors. Foundry takes a different approach: it is a set of command-line tools called forge, cast and anvil, aimed at developers who prefer terminal workflows. The Solidity compiler, solc, handles compilation only, so you would pair it with an editor. EthereumStudio's advantage is that it bundles the editing environment into one desktop application, while its main drawback is the older codebase.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.31.0
- Last update
- 26 Aug 2022
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/ObsidianLabs/EthereumStudio
Frequently asked questions
Yes, EthereumStudio is free and open source. You can download the Windows installer, run it, and use the desktop application without paying a license fee. The source code is also available on GitHub for anyone who wants to inspect it or build it from source.
Yes. The project provides a Windows installer named Black-IDE followed by the version number, which installs as a standard desktop application. Download it from the GitHub Releases page and double-click the .exe file to run the setup wizard.
It can be, provided you get the file from the official GitHub Releases page and verify it. The project is open source, so anyone can review the code, but its last update dates to August 2022. Check the file's SHA-256 checksum or signature before running it, and keep private keys out of your project folders.
EthereumStudio is used to write and edit Ethereum smart contracts in a desktop editor. It is aimed at developers who work with Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens and want a standalone environment instead of a browser tab. It is also listed for macOS, Linux and Docker.
Yes, a browser-based version called Black IDE Web is available at eth.ide.black. It can be useful for quick edits or a short review when you do not want to install software. The desktop app is generally better suited to larger projects that live on your local drive.
Remix Desktop is a common alternative for Solidity work, and Foundry offers command-line tools for building and testing contracts. The Solidity compiler, solc, handles compilation on its own. Your choice depends on whether you prefer a graphical editor or a terminal-based workflow.
The program focuses on Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens, so it is not designed as a general multi-chain tool. Developers building for Solana should look at tools made for that ecosystem, such as the Anchor framework for Solana programs.
Verdict
EthereumStudio is a reasonable pick for developers who want a free, open-source desktop editor focused on Ethereum and ERC-20 work, and who are comfortable with an older project. It installs on Windows through a simple installer and also offers a browser version. Its last code update in August 2022 is the main reason for caution, so test it on non-critical projects first and compare it with newer options such as Remix Desktop or Foundry before committing your workflow.