IntelliJ IDEA AlternativesTop IDEs & Code Editors like IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA is described as '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' and is a very popular IDE in the development category. There are more than 50 alternatives to IntelliJ IDEA for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and Chrome OS apps. The best IntelliJ IDEA alternative is Visual Studio Code, which is free. Other great apps like IntelliJ IDEA are VSCodium, Eclipse, Microsoft Visual Studio and Zed Editor.

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IntelliJ IDEA alternatives are mainly IDEs, but if you're looking for Code Editors or Text Editors you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to IntelliJ IDEA.
IntelliJ IDEA iconIntelliJ IDEA
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  • Freemium • Open Source
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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.

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IntelliJ IDEA alternatives page was last updated Mar 3, 2025
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  1. Visual Studio Code icon

    Visual Studio Code

     1325 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 IntelliJ IDEA

     
    Comments about Visual Studio Code as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Top Positive Comment
    Ranogard
    Jul 26, 2020
    1

    Claiming that vscode is "just a text editor" is outrageous. For example "mousepad" does not feature debuggers, pylint support or git support. If this is a text editor, then the line between text editor and IDE is a very thin one.

    Top Negative Comment
    mohsenr7596
    Jan 22, 2017
    26

    Visual Studio Code is a text editor and is not an IDE

    Most Recent Comment
    hundvd7
    Negative Sep 7, 2021
    1

    Merely a (very smart) text editor. If you have less than 10 files in a project, it's perfect. Otherwise, an IDE will be the clearly superior choice.

    Show more comments
    3 of 8 comments
    IntelliJ IDEA Icon
    Visual Studio Code icon

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

    • Visual Studio Code is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to IntelliJ IDEA.

    • Visual Studio Code is the most popular free alternative to IntelliJ IDEA.

    • Visual Studio Code is Free and ProprietaryIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
    • Visual Studio Code is CustomizableIntelliJ IDEA is not according to our users
  2. VSCodium icon

    VSCodium

     353 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 IntelliJ IDEA

     

    • Most users think VSCodium is a great IntelliJ IDEA alternative.

    • VSCodium is the most popular Open Source alternative to IntelliJ IDEA.

    • VSCodium is Free and Open SourceIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
    • VSCodium is Customizable and Privacy focusedIntelliJ IDEA is not according to our users
  4. Eclipse icon

    Eclipse

     1143 likes
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    Eclipse is an 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...

    147 Eclipse alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    eclipse on windows 10

    Top Eclipse Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Java IDE
    3.  C++
    4.  Refactoring
    5.  Autocompletion
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Portable
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Code Formatting
    10.  Batch Editing
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Spell Checking

    Eclipse VS IntelliJ IDEA

     
    Comments about Eclipse as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Feb 29, 2016
    0

    If you use free version of Idea - you cannot use normal editor for JS, HTML, CSS, JSP\SSP. For those scenarios - Eclipse is the best solution.

    Guest
    Positive Sep 7, 2019
    0

    Free, open sourced. And more manageable

    Guest
    Positive May 25, 2018
    -3

    Free, more flexible, more intuitive, better project management system.

    IntelliJ IDEA Icon
    Eclipse icon

    • Most users think Eclipse is a great IntelliJ IDEA alternative.

    • Eclipse is Free and Open SourceIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
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    Screenshot
    Adobe Coldfusion Builder icon
    Adobe Coldfusion Builder

    Adobe ColdFusion Builder is an official https://alternativeto.net/software/coldfusion/ IDE based on the https://alternativeto.net/software/eclipse/ platform which allows you to build and deploy web and mobile applications.

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  6. 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 IntelliJ IDEA

     
    Comments about Microsoft Visual Studio as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative Sep 4, 2023
    1

    Intellij Idea is for java, visual studio is for microsoft stuff

    Guest
    Negative May 9, 2021
    2

    It doesn't support Java at all

    Guest
    Negative Aug 21, 2024
    0

    Microsoft Visual Studio doesn't support java

    IntelliJ IDEA Icon
    Microsoft Visual Studio icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Microsoft Visual Studio is a legitimate IntelliJ IDEA alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Microsoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and ProprietaryIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
  7. Zed Editor icon

    Zed Editor

     70 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 IntelliJ IDEA

     
  8. 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 IntelliJ IDEA

     
    Comments about Apache NetBeans as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Guest
    Positive Dec 17, 2015
    -1

    is more robust. 100% write in JAVA.

    IntelliJ IDEA Icon
    Apache NetBeans icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Apache NetBeans is a great IntelliJ IDEA alternative.

    • Apache NetBeans is Free and Open SourceIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
  10. Android Studio icon

    Android Studio

     261 likes
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    Android Studio is a new Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA. Similar to Eclipse with Android Development Tools for Eclipse, Android Studio provides...

    76 Android Studio alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    Android Studio screenshot 1

    Android Studio Features

    1.  Android Development
    2.  Visual Programming
    3.  Java IDE
    4.  Integrated Android Emulator
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Code Completion
    8.  Java based
    9.  Xterm emulation

    Android Studio VS IntelliJ IDEA

     
    Comments about Android Studio as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Most Recent Comment
    Peter Giters
    Positive May 3, 2023
    0

    Good IDE for Android Dev, but over time as in Intellij, its process grows in RAM. After day of using, it may eat up to 8gb, so you need to reopen it every day

    Guest
    Negative Jun 13, 2019
    7

    Android Studio is specifically for Android projects.

    tijmen
    Negative Feb 21, 2018
    -16

    Android Studio and IntelliJ are essentially the same, the only difference is the logo.

    IntelliJ IDEA Icon
    Android Studio icon

    • Some users think Android Studio is a great IntelliJ IDEA alternative, some don't.

    • Android Studio is Free and Open SourceIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
  11. Windsurf Editor icon

    Windsurf Editor

     31 likes
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    Windsurf Editor is an IDE merging AI and developers for lockstep collaboration with Cascade capabilities, boosting speed and contextual coding through copilot and agent-like systems across Mac, Windows, and Linux.

    42 Windsurf Editor alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Windsurf Editor screenshot 1

    Windsurf Editor Features

    1.  AI-Powered
    2.  Built-in AI Assistant
    3.  Context-aware help
    4.  Built-in Browser

    Windsurf Editor VS IntelliJ IDEA

     
  12. Aptana Studio icon

    Aptana Studio

     333 likes
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    Aptana Studio is a complete web development environment that combines powerful authoring tools with a collection of online hosting and collaboration services that help you and your team do more. Includes support for PHP, CSS, FTP, and more...

    120 Aptana Studio alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Aptana Studio screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The last update is from Feb 2021 and the last release is from Jul 2018.

    Aptana Studio Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Support for FTP

    Aptana Studio VS IntelliJ IDEA

     
  13. Trae icon

    Trae

     11 likes
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    Trae is an adaptive AI IDE that transforms how you work, collaborating with you to run faster.

    25 Trae alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Trae screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2. Git icon  Git Support
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Real time collaboration
    5.  Syntax Highlighting
    6.  Code Formatting
    7.  Autocompletion
    8.  Full-Text Search
    9.  AI-Powered

    Trae VS IntelliJ IDEA

     
10 of 55 IntelliJ IDEA alternatives