Free IntelliJ IDEA AlternativesTop IDEs & Code Editors like IntelliJ IDEA

The best free alternative to IntelliJ IDEA is Visual Studio Code, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to IntelliJ IDEA and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to IntelliJ IDEA are VSCodium, Eclipse, Microsoft Visual Studio and Apache NetBeans.

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IntelliJ IDEA alternatives are mainly IDEs but may also be Code Editors or Text Editors.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of IntelliJ IDEA.
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IntelliJ IDEA, a JetBrains IDE, is the leading integrated development environment that makes Java and Kotlin development a more productive and enjoyable experience.

More about IntelliJ IDEA
IntelliJ IDEA alternatives page was last updated Feb 15, 2025
  1. Visual Studio Code icon
     1301 likes

    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.

    204 Visual Studio Code alternatives
    Visual Studio Code screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS

    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 iconIntelliJ IDEA Icon

    Visual Studio Code VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is Visual Studio Code a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
    Comments about Visual Studio Code as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
     
       
    Ranogard

    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 positive commentJul 26, 2020
    0
    mohsenr7596

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

    Top negative commentJan 22, 2017
    26
    hundvd7

    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.

    Negative commentSep 7, 2021
    1
    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 Open Source & free alternative to IntelliJ IDEA.

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

    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.

    198 VSCodium alternatives
    VSCodium screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Electron

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

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

    VSCodium VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is VSCodium a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
  3. Eclipse icon
     1140 likes

    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...

    155 Eclipse alternatives
    eclipse on windows 10

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    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 iconIntelliJ IDEA Icon

    Eclipse VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is Eclipse a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
    Comments about Eclipse as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
     
    Guest

    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.

    Positive commentFeb 29, 2016
    0
    Guest

    Free, open sourced. And more manageable

    Positive commentSep 7, 2019
    0
    Guest

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

    Positive commentMay 25, 2018
    -3
    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
  4. Microsoft Visual Studio icon
     933 likes

    Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft. It is used to develop computer programs for Microsoft Windows, as well as web sites, web applications and web services.

    107 Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives
    Microsoft Visual Studio screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free PersonalProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • .NET Framework

    Top Microsoft Visual Studio Features

    1.  Code Completion
    2.  Embedded debugger
    3.  NET Support
    4.  Nuget
    5.  NET Framework
    6.  C-sharp
    7.  Syntax Highlighting
    8.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Autocompletion
    12.  No registration required
    Microsoft Visual Studio iconIntelliJ IDEA Icon

    Microsoft Visual Studio VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is this a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
    Comments about Microsoft Visual Studio as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
     
    Guest

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

    Negative commentSep 4, 2023
    1
    Guest

    It doesn't support Java at all

    Negative commentMay 9, 2021
    2
    Guest

    Microsoft Visual Studio doesn't support java

    Negative commentAug 21, 2024
    0
    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
  5. Apache NetBeans icon
     737 likes

    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...

    104 Apache NetBeans alternatives
    Editor

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    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 iconIntelliJ IDEA Icon

    Apache NetBeans VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is Apache NetBeans a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
    Comments about Apache NetBeans as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
     
    Guest

    is more robust. 100% write in JAVA.

    Positive commentDec 17, 2015
    -1
    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
  6. Android Studio icon
     258 likes

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

    78 Android Studio alternatives
    Android Studio screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS

    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 iconIntelliJ IDEA Icon

    Android Studio VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is Android Studio a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
    Comments about Android Studio as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
     
    Peter Giters

    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

    Positive commentMay 3, 2023
    0
    Guest

    Android Studio is specifically for Android projects.

    Negative commentJun 13, 2019
    6
    tijmen

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

    Negative commentFeb 21, 2018
    -16
    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
  7. Zed Editor icon
     50 likes

    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
    Zed Editor screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Optimal performance
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Syntax Highlighting
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Built-in terminal emulation
    4.  Autocompletion
    5.  Rust
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Real time collaboration
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Multiple Cursors
    12.  Refactoring
    Zed Editor iconIntelliJ IDEA Icon

    Zed Editor VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is Zed Editor a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
  8. Aide IDE icon
     13 likes

    Open-source code editor, enhancing VS Code with AI tools for chat-edit flow, proactive linter suggestions, AI completions, and AST navigation. Integrates with swebench-lite, empowering intelligent development with an inline AI widget and smart agents.

    56 Aide IDE alternatives
    Aide IDE screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Autocompletion
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Code Completion
    8.  VSCode
    9.  Linting
    10.  AI-Powered
    Aide IDE iconIntelliJ IDEA Icon

    Aide IDE VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is Aide IDE a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
  9. Aptana Studio icon
     333 likes

    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...

    124 Aptana Studio alternatives
    Aptana Studio screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Aptana Studio Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Support for FTP
    Discontinued

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

    Aptana Studio iconIntelliJ IDEA Icon

    Aptana Studio VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is Aptana Studio a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
  10. Lapce icon
     26 likes

    Lightning-fast and Powerful Code Editor written in Rust.

    194 Lapce alternatives
    Lapce screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Rust
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Built-in terminal emulation
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5. Git icon  Git Support
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Full-Text Search
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Modal editor
    Lapce iconIntelliJ IDEA Icon

    Lapce VS IntelliJ IDEA

    Is Lapce a good alternative to IntelliJ IDEA?
     
10 of 52 IntelliJ IDEA alternatives