mm MicroCode Studio is not as this expensive, ~30 pounds
http://www.mecanique.co.uk/code-studio/index.html

There's a free version available too. Basically MicroCode Studio Plus just add the Bootloader firmwares and ICD capability that The free version don't have. So you can buy it later without any problem

PBP demo is available bellow
http://www.melabs.com/pbpdemo.htm

Hey.. this install MicroCode studio as well... woohoo. Ok a bit limited in the PIC model and code size, but it's free and this be more than enough to start to play with.

Full version is listed @ 249.95 USD on Melabs Website, you might look at their distributor list
http://www.melabs.com/purchase.htm#Distributors

MPLAB or MicroCodeStudio? well, for me MicroCode Studio do all i need for now, but in some occasion i may use some MPLAB features. I find easier to surf in my code using MicroCode than with MPLAB, but it's me...

Short history PBP is the compiler, while MicroCode and MPLAB are the code editor + some freebies here and there.

Happy coding.