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Head-to-head · Java IDEs

Eclipse IDE vs Spring Tools for Eclipse

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Eclipse IDE #2 in Java IDEs 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Eclipse IDE
Spring Tools for Eclipse #6 in Java IDEs 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Spring Tools

Eclipse IDE leads on 0 checks, Spring Tools for Eclipse on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEclipse IDE · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresEclipse IDE · 4 of 5

Eclipse IDE scores higher on our rubric for java ides: 9.2 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Eclipse IDE is the better fit for free, general-purpose Java development. Spring Tools for Eclipse is the better fit for spring Boot development with Eclipse.

  • Eclipse IDE fits best

    Free, general-purpose Java development

  • Spring Tools for Eclipse fits best

    Spring Boot development with Eclipse

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Side by side

Feature Eclipse IDE 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Spring Tools for Eclipse 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.1
Ranking #2 in Java IDEs #6 in Java IDEs
Best for Free, general-purpose 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
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Eclipse IDE 4/5 · Spring Tools for Eclipse 2/5
Spring support ✓ ✓
Jakarta EE support Not checked yet Not checked yet
JavaFX support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Remote development ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Database tools ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported operating systems Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Includes Git, Maven, Gradle, Spring Boot, and JavaFX tooling
  • Covers database work, web tooling, and SSH or Telnet connections
  • 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
  • Some Spring and JavaFX capabilities require additional projects or plug-ins
  • The broad package and plug-in model can add setup decisions
  • Desktop-focused tooling may not suit teams seeking a narrower IDE
  • 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

Eclipse IDE is a free, open-source desktop development environment for Java developers working across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its Java package includes Java Development Tools, Git integration, Maven integration, and Gradle project…

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. Eclipse IDEJava IDEs 9.2Free plan
  2. Spring Tools for EclipseJava IDEs 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Eclipse IDE — where it wins

    • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Includes Git, Maven, Gradle, Spring Boot, and JavaFX tooling
    • Covers database work, web tooling, and SSH or Telnet connections

    Where it doesn't

    • Some Spring and JavaFX capabilities require additional projects or plug-ins
    • The broad package and plug-in model can add setup decisions
    • Desktop-focused tooling may not suit teams seeking a narrower IDE

  • 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