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Head-to-head · Java IDEs

Apache NetBeans vs Spring Tools for Eclipse

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Apache NetBeans #3 in Java IDEs 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Try Apache NetBeans
Spring Tools for Eclipse #6 in Java IDEs 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Spring Tools

Apache NetBeans leads on 0 checks, Spring Tools for Eclipse on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApache NetBeans · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSpring Tools for Eclipse · 2 of 5

Apache NetBeans scores higher on our rubric for java ides: 9.0 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Apache NetBeans is the better fit for free open-source Java development. Spring Tools for Eclipse is the better fit for spring Boot development with Eclipse.

  • Apache NetBeans fits best

    Free open-source Java development

  • Spring Tools for Eclipse fits best

    Spring Boot development with Eclipse

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Side by side

Feature Apache NetBeans 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Spring Tools for Eclipse 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.1
Ranking #3 in Java IDEs #6 in Java IDEs
Best for Free open-source Java development Spring Boot development with Eclipse
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache NetBeans 0/5 · Spring Tools for Eclipse 2/5
Spring support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Jakarta EE support Not checked yet Not checked yet
JavaFX support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Remote development Not checked yet Not checked yet
Database tools Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported operating systems windows, macos, linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open source under the Apache License
  • Built-in refactoring, debugging, JUnit testing, and profiling
  • Supports Maven, Ant, Gradle, and plugin extensions
  • Spring-aware navigation, completion, validation, and quick fixes
  • Boot Dashboard and live Spring Boot Actuator information
  • Free, open-source distribution for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Cons
  • Desktop IDE rather than a browser-based development environment
  • Broad language support may exceed focused Java-only needs
  • Windows, macOS, and Linux installers come from community distributors
  • Specialized for Spring rather than broad standalone Java development
  • Requires an Eclipse-based workflow
  • AI feature details are not part of the product description
Our verdict

Apache NetBeans is a desktop integrated development environment, tooling platform, and application framework maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. It is aimed at developers who want free, open-source tooling for Java projects,…

Read the review →

Spring Tools for Eclipse is a free, open-source Eclipse distribution and extension set for developing Spring Framework and Spring Boot applications. It is aimed at developers who want Spring-specific assistance within Eclipse, including…

Read the review →
  1. Apache NetBeansJava IDEs 9.0Free plan
  2. Spring Tools for EclipseJava IDEs 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache NetBeans — where it wins

    • Free and open source under the Apache License
    • Built-in refactoring, debugging, JUnit testing, and profiling
    • Supports Maven, Ant, Gradle, and plugin extensions

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop IDE rather than a browser-based development environment
    • Broad language support may exceed focused Java-only needs
    • Windows, macOS, and Linux installers come from community distributors

  • Spring Tools for Eclipse — where it wins

    • Spring-aware navigation, completion, validation, and quick fixes
    • Boot Dashboard and live Spring Boot Actuator information
    • Free, open-source distribution for Windows, macOS, and Linux

    Where it doesn't

    • Specialized for Spring rather than broad standalone Java development
    • Requires an Eclipse-based workflow
    • AI feature details are not part of the product description

More comparisons

All java IDEs comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update