The Best Eclipse AlternativesTop IDEs & Code Editors like Eclipse

Eclipse is described as 'Extensible development platform with runtimes and application frameworks for building, deploying and managing software across the entire software lifecycle. Many people know Eclipse as a Java IDE, but it is much more than that- Eclipse actually consists of over 60' and is a leading IDE in the development category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Eclipse for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD and Flathub apps. The best Eclipse alternative is IntelliJ IDEA, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Eclipse are Visual Studio Code, VSCodium, Apache NetBeans and Microsoft Visual Studio.

Eclipse iconEclipse
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  • IDE
  • Free • Open Source
  • ...

Eclipse is an extensible development platform with runtimes and application frameworks for building, deploying and managing...

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Eclipse alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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  1. IntelliJ IDEA icon

    IntelliJ IDEA

     430 likes
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    IntelliJ IDEA is the JetBrains IDE for pro development in Java and Kotlin. Built for your comfort, it unlocks productivity, ensures quality code, supports cutting-edge tech, and protects your privacy.

    55 IntelliJ IDEA alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    IntelliJ IDEA interface overview: the Project tool window (left) outlines the code structure and the Editor (right) is used to read, write, and explore the source code.

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Code Completion
    2.  Java IDE
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5.  Real time collaboration
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Autocompletion
    9.  Spell Checking
    10.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    11.  No registration required
    12.  WYSIWYG Support

    IntelliJ IDEA VS Eclipse

     
    Comments about IntelliJ IDEA as an Alternative to Eclipse
    Top Positive Comment
    Marcin
    Mar 3, 2018
    4

    More polished and user friendly compared to Eclipse

    Most Recent Comment
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive Apr 9, 2019
    0

    open source but not complately free, this app freemium :(

    Zorkzero1
    Positive Aug 16, 2017
    0

    It's a full-featured Java IDE.

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    3 of 5 comments
    Eclipse Icon
    IntelliJ IDEA icon

    • Almost everyone thinks IntelliJ IDEA is a great Eclipse alternative.

    • IntelliJ IDEA is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Eclipse.

    • IntelliJ IDEA is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Eclipse.

    • IntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open SourceEclipse is Free and Open Source
  2. Visual Studio Code icon

    Visual Studio Code

     1326 likes
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    Free and extensible code editor with built-in Git support, smart IntelliSense, integrated debugger, 30,000+ extensions, works offline, supports markdown and syntax highlighting for numerous languages.

    199 Visual Studio Code alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Snapcraft
    Visual Studio Code screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Autocompletion
    3.  Built-in terminal emulation
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5.  Code Completion
    6.  Multiple languages
    7. Git icon  Git Support
    8. GitHub icon  GitHub Integration
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Supports Python
    11.  Multiple Cursors
    12.  C++

    Visual Studio Code VS Eclipse

     
    Comments about Visual Studio Code as an Alternative to Eclipse
    Top Positive Comment
    Ola Johansson
    Apr 20, 2018
    5

    Visual Studio code has rapidly became one of the best cross platform editors on the market, i would say it sits in between a full fledged IDE and a more simple editor. I love it!

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Oct 16, 2019
    11

    VSC is a code editor, Eclipse is an IDE

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Feb 1, 2021
    0

    Modern and customizable code editor, which adapts perfectly to the needs of each programmer and each project.

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    3 of 7 comments
    Eclipse Icon
    Visual Studio Code icon

    • Some users think Visual Studio Code is a great Eclipse alternative, some don't.

    • Visual Studio Code is the most popular Web-based alternative to Eclipse.

    • Visual Studio Code is Free and ProprietaryEclipse is Free and Open Source
    • Visual Studio Code is CustomizableEclipse is not according to our users
  4. VSCodium icon

    VSCodium

     355 likes
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    This repository contains a build file to generate FLOSS release binaries of Microsoft's Visual Studio Code - Open Source ("Code - OSS") project, the open source core of the proprietary Visual Studio Code.

    192 VSCodium alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    VSCodium screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Lightweight
    5.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Prevent telemetry
    3.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Autocompletion
    7.  Dark Mode
    8. Git icon  Git integration
    9.  Syntax Highlighting
    10.  MIT License
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Minimap

    VSCodium VS Eclipse

     
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  6. Apache NetBeans icon

    Apache NetBeans

     739 likes
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    A free, open-source Integrated Development Environment for software developers. You get all the tools you need to create professional desktop, enterprise, web, and mobile applications with the Java language, C/C++, and even dynamic languages such as PHP, JavaScript, Groovy, and...

    99 Apache NetBeans alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Editor

    Top Apache NetBeans Features

    1.  Java IDE
    2.  Refactoring
    3.  Code Formatting
    4. Git icon  Git Support
    5.  Embedded debugger
    6.  Built-in terminal emulation
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Syntax Highlighting
    9.  Simple installation
    10.  Code Completion
    11.  PHP IDE
    12.  Multiple languages

    Apache NetBeans VS Eclipse

     
    Comments about Apache NetBeans as an Alternative to Eclipse
    Most Recent Comment
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive Jul 31, 2018
    0

    Nice ide support gui devolopment.

    Guest
    Positive Mar 3, 2016
    1

    Netbeans is in my opinion quite similar to eclipse but easier to learn and use. Refactoring code (by changing the name of a variable) is a breeze. Just do Ctrl+R and the rest will follow. I have some experience using Netbeans to code Java. Right now I am eager to try it out for coding C as well.

    Guest
    Positive Oct 30, 2018
    -1

    They are almost identical, from how they manage, organize, programming languages available, tools. Differences only apear when digging through both.

    Eclipse Icon
    Apache NetBeans icon

    • Most users think Apache NetBeans is a great Eclipse alternative.

    • Apache NetBeans is Free and Open SourceEclipse is also Free and Open Source
  7. Microsoft Visual Studio icon

    Microsoft Visual Studio

     938 likes
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    Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) for building diverse digital solutions. It supports over 36 programming languages, includes a code editor with IntelliSense, a debugger, and designers for GUI, web, and databases. The Community edition is free and integrates with GitHub Copilot.

    105 Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • .NET Framework
    Microsoft Visual Studio screenshot 1

    Top Microsoft Visual Studio Features

    1.  Code Completion
    2.  Embedded debugger
    3.  NET Support
    4.  Nuget
    5.  VB.NET support
    6.  NET Framework
    7.  Syntax Highlighting
    8.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Autocompletion
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  No registration required

    Microsoft Visual Studio VS Eclipse

     
    Comments about Microsoft Visual Studio as an Alternative to Eclipse
    externitoritus
    Positive Oct 5, 2016
    3

    still the gold standard for C++

    Nuncio Bitis
    Negative May 31, 2021
    -1

    VS is only for Windows development. It's not meant for Mac or Linux.

    Eclipse Icon
    Microsoft Visual Studio icon

    • Most users think Microsoft Visual Studio is a great Eclipse alternative.

    • Microsoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and ProprietaryEclipse is Free and Open Source
  8. Geany icon

    Geany

     570 likes
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    Geany is a powerful, stable and lightweight programmer's text editor that provides tons of useful features without bogging down your workflow.

    145 Geany alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    Geany screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Minimalistic
    4.  Customizable
    5.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Multiplatform
    2.  Syntax Highlighting
    3.  Code navigation
    4.  Automatic Indentation
    5.  Shell integration
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Ad-free
    8. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    9.  Hierarchical Structure
    10.  Live Preview
    11.  Debian package compatible
    12.  Shortcut keys

    Geany VS Eclipse

     
    Comments about Geany as an Alternative to Eclipse
    Guest
    Positive Oct 29, 2016
    0

    lite weight, close to code

    Eclipse Icon
    Geany icon

    • Most users think Geany is a great Eclipse alternative.

    • Geany is Free and Open SourceEclipse is also Free and Open Source
    • Geany is Lightweight, Minimalistic and Privacy focusedEclipse is not according to our users
  10. Zed Editor icon

    Zed Editor

     72 likes
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    Zed is a blazing fast, multi-user, productivity-focused text editor. From the creators of Atom, Electron and Tree-sitter, the editor features built-in Vim mode with tooltips for key-bindings, language-aware...

    75 Zed Editor alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zed Editor screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Optimal performance
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Syntax Highlighting
    2.  Autocompletion
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Built-in terminal emulation
    5.  Team Collaboration
    6.  Rust
    7.  Real time collaboration
    8.  No registration required
    9. Git icon  Git Support
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Multiple Cursors

    Zed Editor VS Eclipse

     
7 of 147 Eclipse alternatives