What Is Embarcadero and Which Development Tools Does It Offer?

Updated

Embarcadero is a software tools vendor focused on rapid, visual development of high-performance native applications from a single codebase, targeting Windows, Linux, iOS, macOS, and Android. Its product line spans an integrated IDE (RAD Studio), two language-specific IDEs (Delphi and C++Builder), a relational database (InterBase), a REST API platform (RAD Server), and an AI add-on (Kai). If you are choosing a toolchain for cross-platform native apps, the decision usually comes down to which language you want to write in and whether you need the bundled database and backend pieces.

The product family at a glance

Product What it is Primary use
RAD Studio Integrated IDE bundling Delphi, C++Builder, InterBase, RAD Server, and Python integration libraries Teams that want one environment covering desktop, mobile, and backend work
Delphi IDE for native apps using the Delphi language with visual design tools Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android apps
C++Builder High-productivity IDE for modern C++ with fast compilers and advanced libraries Windows applications in particular, built with C++
InterBase Embeddable relational SQL database Data storage inside mobile and desktop applications
RAD Server Enterprise-grade REST API application platform, on-premise or cloud-deployable Generating database APIs from Delphi or C++Builder
Kai Premium agentic AI add-on for RAD Studio, Delphi, and C++Builder Code and UI generation, project compilation, error resolution, task execution

RAD Studio: the umbrella IDE

RAD Studio is positioned as the single environment for visually building platform-native apps across the five target platforms. The current release referenced on the site is RAD Studio 13.2 Florence. Because it includes Delphi, C++Builder, InterBase, RAD Server, and Python integration libraries, it suits a team that wants one purchase and one workflow rather than assembling separate tools.

A practical example: a small team building a Windows desktop tool plus an Android companion app can share business logic in one codebase and use InterBase for local data, without switching IDEs between the desktop and mobile builds.

Delphi vs C++Builder: which language fits

The split is straightforward — it is about the language, not the platform list.

  • Choose Delphi if you want the Delphi language with visual design tools and need to deploy to Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It is described as an advanced IDE for high-performance native applications.
  • Choose C++Builder if your team writes modern C++ and wants fast compilers and advanced libraries. The site emphasizes building high-performance Windows applications in record time, so it is the more natural fit when Windows is the main target and existing C++ code or skills must be reused.

If you already have a C++ codebase or C++-skilled developers, C++Builder avoids a language migration. If you are starting fresh and want the broadest stated platform coverage with visual tooling, Delphi is the more direct match.

InterBase and RAD Server: the data and backend layer

These two products answer different questions:

  • InterBase is for storing data inside the app. It is an embeddable relational SQL database with encryption and data security, disaster recovery, change synchronization, and the ability to embed anywhere and run on any device and platform. Use it when a mobile or desktop app needs a local, secure relational store rather than a remote-only database.
  • RAD Server is for exposing data as services. It generates database APIs instantly in Delphi or C++Builder and is available as on-premise or deployable to the cloud. Use it when multiple clients — or third parties — need REST access to your data.

A common combination is InterBase for on-device storage and RAD Server for the shared API layer, both reachable from the same Delphi or C++Builder project.

Web development and AI add-ons

Two further pieces matter if your scope extends beyond native apps:

  • WebStencils lets you build web UIs from standard HTML files and merge them with server-side business logic, so you can ship web features without locking into a framework. It is aimed at Delphi and C++ developers who want web output from the same skillset.
  • Kai integrates automation into the development workflow: it generates code and UIs, compiles projects, resolves errors, and executes tasks via MCP-powered workflows. It uses a flexible BYOK (bring your own key) model supporting major LLMs, giving developers control over performance, cost, and data privacy. Treat it as an optional premium layer, not a requirement for the core toolchain.

How to decide

Work through these conditions in order:

  1. Language first. Committed to modern C++? Start with C++Builder. Open to Delphi or starting fresh? Delphi gives the stated five-platform reach with visual design.
  2. One environment or separate tools? If you want the IDE, database, and API platform together, RAD Studio bundles them. If you only need the compiler and IDE, the individual products are listed separately.
  3. Local data needed? Add InterBase for embedded storage with encryption and recovery features.
  4. Shared API needed? Add RAD Server for instant database APIs, on-premise or cloud.
  5. Web UI from the same code? Evaluate WebStencils.
  6. AI-assisted workflow wanted? Consider Kai as a premium add-on with your own LLM keys.

The site offers "Try Now" entry points for RAD Studio, Delphi, C++Builder, InterBase, and RAD Server, and "Learn more" pages for each product, so you can evaluate before committing. Pricing is signalled only through "buy now" and "upgrade" language; specific prices and licensing terms are not stated on the page, so confirm them directly with Embarcadero before budgeting.