Apache NetBeans vs Qt Creator

Apache NetBeans8.7Visit Qt Creator8.6Visit

Higher score Apache NetBeans #7 in IDE Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Try Apache NetBeans

vs

Qt Creator #8 in IDE Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Qt Creator

• Apache NetBeans fits best

  Java and web developers wanting open-source tools

• Qt Creator fits best

  C++ and QML teams building Qt applications

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Side by side

Feature	Apache NetBeans 8.7/10 Visit ↗	Qt Creator 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.6
Ranking	#7 in IDE Software	#8 in IDE Software
Best for	Java and web developers wanting open-source tools	C++ and QML teams building Qt applications
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	€546/user/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Docs
Integrations	4 integrations	15 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache NetBeans 2/4 · Qt Creator 2/4
Mobile development	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Built-in debugger	✓	✓
Testing tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Build tools	✓	✓
Specs
Supported languages	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Deployment	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Editors cover Java, PHP, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS. Includes debugging, JUnit testing, and CPU, memory, and thread profiling. Supports Maven, Ant, Gradle, and plugins via the NetBeans Plugin Portal.	Supports CMake, qmake, Qbs, Meson, and Autotools build workflows. Combines C++ and QML debugging with testing, profiling, and code analysis. Supports desktop, mobile, embedded, and remote-device deployment.
Cons	Desktop-only deployment limits browser-based workflows. Community and documentation are the listed support channels. Its broad language coverage may be more than a single-language workflow needs.	The listed commercial plans are billed annually per user. The listed paid licenses start at €546 per user per year. The listed support channel is documentation.
Our verdict	Apache NetBeans is a free, open-source desktop IDE and development platform for Java and web development, with editors for Java, PHP, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS. It suits developers who want coding, project setup, debugging, testing,… Read the review →	Qt Creator is a cross-platform IDE for creating desktop, embedded, and mobile applications with Qt. It is aimed especially at C++ and QML developers who want project management, build configuration, debugging, testing, profiling, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Apache NetBeans — where it wins

  • Editors cover Java, PHP, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS.
  • Includes debugging, JUnit testing, and CPU, memory, and thread profiling.
  • Supports Maven, Ant, Gradle, and plugins via the NetBeans Plugin Portal.

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop-only deployment limits browser-based workflows.
  • Community and documentation are the listed support channels.
  • Its broad language coverage may be more than a single-language workflow needs.

• Qt Creator — where it wins

  • Supports CMake, qmake, Qbs, Meson, and Autotools build workflows.
  • Combines C++ and QML debugging with testing, profiling, and code analysis.
  • Supports desktop, mobile, embedded, and remote-device deployment.

  Where it doesn't

  • The listed commercial plans are billed annually per user.
  • The listed paid licenses start at €546 per user per year.
  • The listed support channel is documentation.

• Apache NetBeans8.7/10 · Free plan

  A cross-platform IDE with integrated editing, debugging, testing, profiling, and build tools.

  Try Apache NetBeansFull verdict →
• Qt Creator8.6/10 · Free plan

  A focused C++ and QML IDE with build, debug, test, profiling, and deployment tools.

  Visit Qt CreatorFull verdict →