Embarcadero Launches New Free Editions of Delphi and C++Builder 13 for Developers

Embarcadero Unveils Free Community Editions of Delphi and C++Builder 13

Embarcadero Technologies has announced the availability of the Delphi 13 Community Edition and C++Builder 13 Community Edition, launching on August 11, 2026. These latest versions are designed specifically for students, hobby developers, individuals, and startups with an annual revenue of less than $5,000 and fewer than five developers. This initiative marks a significant opportunity for emerging developers to access powerful programming tools at no cost.

Key Features of Delphi 13 Community Edition

Delphi 13 Community Edition introduces several enhancements to the Object Pascal language, including:

- Ternary Operator: A new conditional feature using the `if` keyword that simplifies expressions.
- NameOf Function: An integrated function that returns the identifier name as a string.
- New Operators: `is not` and `not in` enhance logical expressions, making code more concise.

The integrated development environment (IDE) has been upgraded to a 64-bit version, significantly improving stability for large projects and speeding up code completion. Enhancements such as split view, focus mode, and search filters for different views enable a more streamlined workflow.

Incorporating the Skia4Delphi into FireMonkey allows developers to reduce rendering load with GPU-accelerated bitmap copying. Other updates include a modernized VCL with custom title bars that align with Windows 11 aesthetics and added support for mobile platforms like Android 15 and iOS 18.

C++Builder 13 Community Edition Enhancements

C++Builder 13 Community Edition boasts significant updates:

- The Win64 Modern Compiler (bcc64x) has transitioned from Clang 15 to Clang 20, offering better performance and compliance with the C++23 standard for new projects.
- The debugger now uses LLDB 20, enhancing breakpoint precision for developers.
- A compatible CMake toolchain file is now available, enabling compilation of key third-party libraries such as OpenCV, Google Test, and VTK without the need for source code modifications.

Enhancements to FireMonkey and VCL remain consistent with those in Delphi 13 Community Edition, providing a robust development suite.

Eligibility for Community Editions

The Community Editions are available free of charge to users who meet stipulated criteria:

- Students and Hobby Developers: Can use the tools for learning, personal projects, and freeware development.
- Freelancers: Eligible if the annual revenue from created applications is under $5,000.
- Startups: Must maintain an annual revenue below $5,000 and employ five or fewer developers.

Those working for companies may still use the Community Editions for personal learning as long as company resources are not utilized. Registration should always be done under a personal account to confirm eligibility.

Should a user’s circumstances change, surpassing the revenue threshold or developer count, they are required to transition to a paid edition like Professional, Enterprise, or Architect.

How to Access Community Editions

Interested developers can download the Community Editions by registering an account on the following official Embarcadero pages:

About RAD Studio

RAD Studio serves as an integrated development environment for building cross-platform native applications with connectivity to cloud services and major databases. It supports applications compatible with Windows 10 via VCL controls and allows cross-development for Windows, Mac, and mobile platforms through the FireMonkey framework. Recent releases have also integrated AI capabilities, improving developer productivity significantly.

Embarcadero Technologies Overview

Founded in 1993 and merging with Borland's development tools division in 2008, Embarcadero has grown to be one of the largest independent vendors providing application developers with tools for designing, constructing, and executing software applications across diverse environments. Over 90 companies in the Fortune 100 and 3 million users worldwide utilize Embarcadero's RAD Studio, Delphi, C++Builder, and Sencha development tools for improved productivity and innovative software development.