RStudio

RStudio Desktop is Posit's integrated development environment for R and Python workflows. It combines a source editor, console, environment/data inspection, plotting, debugging and project tools. It is useful for statisticians, data scientists, researchers and students; RStudio is an IDE, not the R language runtime, a complete package collection or a hosted compute service.

Features

• Edit scripts with syntax highlighting, completion and direct execution.
• Organize working directories and files using projects.
• Inspect variables, data, plots and help within coordinated panes.
• Debug code and develop R packages.
• Author R Markdown and Quarto documents with source and visual editing tools.
• Use supported Git, terminal, Python and publishing integrations.

Install and dependencies

Install a compatible R runtime first, then install the IDE using brew install --cask rstudio or the official Mac DMG, dragging RStudio.app to Applications. The cask caveat explicitly says it depends on R and points to the R Project's official binaries; RStudio documentation requires R 3.6.0 or higher. The separate r-app cask includes the R Project's Mac application, whereas a Homebrew-built R formula is a different distribution. Choose a supported R installation and architecture for your work rather than assuming the IDE installs R automatically.

Python execution requires an appropriate Python environment and relevant integration packages. Git operations need Git; package compilation can require command-line compilers and package-specific libraries. PDF document rendering can require a TeX installation. These are workflow dependencies, not a claim that every user needs all of them to edit and run a basic R script. R packages and external services have their own licenses and setup requirements.

Mac and platform support

Current 2026.09.0 open-source documentation specifies macOS 14 Sonoma or later, and links the same 2026.09.0-174 DMG as the current catalog. The old cask requirement still says macOS 12; use the publisher's current supported baseline rather than assuming Monterey compatibility. The official installation guide supports Intel and Apple Silicon Mac use and instructs Apple Silicon users to install Rosetta 2 if absent. Do not infer a fully native ARM distribution from a single Mac download URL; R sessions and the IDE can have different architecture requirements.

Desktop builds are also offered for Windows and supported Linux distributions, with their own requirements. RStudio Server and Posit Workbench provide browser-based sessions backed by a server; they are different deployment products, not functionality automatically supplied by this Mac application. The cask explicitly conflicts with rstudio@daily, so do not install both casks as interchangeable copies.

Working safely with projects and data

Create or open a project, choose the intended R installation and package environment, then edit and execute code. Package versions, library paths and working directories affect reproducibility; use supported project dependency-management tools where appropriate. An IDE upgrade does not freeze your R/Python dependencies or make an older project's packages compatible automatically.

Scripts, package installations, addins and terminal commands execute code with your user account's access. Review unfamiliar repositories, startup files and package sources before running them. Save scripts and keep independent backups of data; executing code can overwrite files or modify databases. Workspace/session saves are not a substitute for version control or a deliberate data backup strategy.

Local analysis does not require uploading data to Posit or creating a Posit account. Package downloads, update checks, database connections, publishing destinations and optional AI integrations can use the network. Review credentials and provider data-processing policies before using sensitive code or datasets with those integrations. Local use is distinct from a promise that every enabled feature is offline.

The IDE needs access to your project and selected files. Normal local R work is not documented as requiring blanket Accessibility, Screen Recording or Full Disk Access. macOS file access and optional automation permissions should be limited to the workflow you use. RStudio uses a localhost connection between the IDE and its R session even without internet access; security software that blocks it can prevent startup.

Accounts, price and licenses

The open-source RStudio Desktop edition is free under AGPL v3, with bundled components carrying their own notices. It needs no paid activation or cloud account for ordinary local analysis. RStudio Desktop Pro and Posit Workbench are commercial offerings with separate licenses, support and features; installing this cask does not grant those entitlements. Posit-hosted services, publishing, AI providers or database services can require accounts and paid plans separately.

Current 2026.09.0 notes mark RPubs and ShinyApps.io publishing destinations as deprecated ahead of their sunset. Check the current migration guidance rather than assuming historical publishing integrations are permanent. Posit Assistant or Copilot availability and costs are distinct from the free IDE's license.

The official 2026.09.0-174 DMG is 1,083,265,324 bytes according to HTTP HEAD metadata. Installed storage, R installations, package libraries, caches and datasets require additional space.

Sources: Official open-source product, 2026.09.0 open-source guide and downloads, Mac installation and Rosetta, R version requirements, License editions, Official release notes.