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Most buyers should pick IntelliJ IDEA.
Choose IntelliJ IDEA when you want an IDE explicitly aimed at Java and Kotlin, with built-in tools to run, debug, and test code. Choose Eclipse IDE when free use and the EPL 2.0 matter more. One caveat: the Eclipse homepage in this comparison describes the Eclipse Foundation, not the IDE, so its project, event, and resource features should not be mistaken for IDE capabilities. Confirm language and workflow fit before adopting Eclipse.
01Side by side
| Eclipse IDE | IntelliJ IDEA | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free; no recurring IDE charge listed | $19.90/month individual; $71.90/user/month organizations |
| Free tier | Free to download and use | Free commercial and non-commercial tier; AI Free has 3 credits per 30 days |
| Open source and licence | Eclipse Public License 2.0 | Open-source status not published |
| Integrations | Marketplace plug-ins; third-party terms apply | Kotlin ecosystem tools and integrations; IDEA-specific integrations unnamed |
| Platforms | Web listed | Web listed |
| Limits and scaling | No user or seat limits published | Commercial licenses are per named user |
| CLI and docs | Foundation lists documentation, downloads, and learning materials | CLI and docs not described on homepage |
| Deployment model | Free to download and use | IDE; deployment method not specified |
Eclipse IDE Choose Eclipse IDE if
- Choose Eclipse IDE if free use without a recurring IDE fee is your priority.
- Choose Eclipse IDE if the Eclipse Public License 2.0 fits your requirements.
- Choose Eclipse IDE if you want to explore its Marketplace plug-ins.
IntelliJ IDEA Choose IntelliJ IDEA if
- Choose IntelliJ IDEA if you need an IDE explicitly aimed at Java and Kotlin.
- Choose IntelliJ IDEA if built-in run, debug, and test tools fit your workflow.
- Choose IntelliJ IDEA if your team can budget per-user commercial licenses.
02Pricing at real usage
Eclipse IDE is listed as free to download and use under the Eclipse Public License 2.0, with no recurring IDE charge. Its pricing listing says no user or seat limits are published; Marketplace extensions may have separate third-party terms.
IntelliJ IDEA has a free tier for commercial and non-commercial use, including 3 AI Free credits per 30 days. For individual Ultimate use, the pricing lists $19.90 monthly or $199 for the first year when billed annually, equivalent to $16.58 per month. Organizational Ultimate costs $71.90 per user monthly or $59.92 per user per month when billed annually. Each commercial license covers one named user. Individual Ultimate users can add AI Pro for $10 monthly or $100 annually. Costs grow by paid seats, not by a published compute meter.
03API, SDKs and integration
Neither homepage describes an IDE API, SDK, or command-line interface, so these pages do not establish a basis for comparing IDE automation. The Eclipse homepage is for the Eclipse Foundation: it describes project resources, documentation, downloads, and marketplaces, rather than IDE-specific development workflows. The pricing listing identifies Eclipse Marketplace plug-ins and says third-party provider terms apply.
JetBrains describes IntelliJ IDEA as an IDE for Java and Kotlin. Its homepage says the IDE offers code-aware navigation and suggestions, plus built-in tools to run, debug, and test applications. JetBrains also describes support for a wide range of languages and frameworks, and a Kotlin ecosystem of tools, libraries, and integrations. That ecosystem statement is not a list of IntelliJ IDEA-specific integrations. The homepage emphasizes customization and ready-to-use language and framework support, but does not name a CLI, SDK, or particular API. Check each product’s current documentation and plugin requirements before planning an automated workflow.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Eclipse IDE is listed under the Eclipse Public License 2.0. IntelliJ IDEA’s open-source status is not published on the vendor's site; its pricing lists a free tier for commercial and non-commercial use, which is a separate question from source licensing. Check the applicable license terms before redistributing or modifying either product.
Neither product’s facts describe a self-hosted deployment option or a data-export path. For a team evaluating lock-in, ask the vendors how IDE settings, project configuration, plugins, and any AI-related data can be exported or retained, and what migration path they support. The Eclipse Foundation site offers project resources and downloads, but that does not establish IDE-specific export or migration behavior. IntelliJ IDEA’s customization options are documented at a high level, not as a portability guarantee. Treat project files and workflows as things to verify in a proof of concept.
Questions people ask
Is Eclipse IDE better than IntelliJ IDEA for Java?
The IntelliJ IDEA homepage explicitly identifies Java and Kotlin as its focus and describes code-aware navigation plus built-in run, debug, and test tools. The Eclipse homepage here describes the Eclipse Foundation, not Eclipse IDE’s Java features. Compare current language support and your build workflow before choosing Eclipse for a Java project.
Does anyone still use Eclipse IDE?
The Eclipse Foundation describes a community with projects, contributors, members, and industry collaborations, but those figures refer to the foundation ecosystem, not Eclipse IDE usage. The product facts identify Eclipse IDE as a free desktop IDE. Confirm that its current language support and plugins fit your codebase before adopting it.
Is IntelliJ IDEA better than Android Studio?
The product facts here do not compare IntelliJ IDEA with Android Studio or describe Android Studio’s features. IntelliJ IDEA is identified as an IDE for Java and Kotlin, with built-in tools to run, debug, and test applications. Check the current Android development requirements and supported workflows before making that choice.
Which IDE is best for Java?
These facts identify IntelliJ IDEA as an IDE for Java and Kotlin, while the Eclipse homepage describes the Eclipse Foundation rather than Eclipse IDE’s language features. IntelliJ is the clearer fit based on the stated details. Check the IDE versions, build tools, plugins, and team workflow you need before committing.