IntelliJ IDEA vs Apache NetBeans

IntelliJ IDEA9.3Visit Apache NetBeans8.7Visit

Higher score IntelliJ IDEA #2 in IDE Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 4 features Visit JetBrains

vs

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

• IntelliJ IDEA fits best

  Java and Kotlin developers

• Apache NetBeans fits best

  Java and web developers wanting open-source tools

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Side by side

Feature	IntelliJ IDEA 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Apache NetBeans 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.7
Ranking	#2 in IDE Software	#7 in IDE Software
Best for	Java and Kotlin developers	Java and web developers wanting open-source tools
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Free plan · 30-day trial	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	11 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features IntelliJ IDEA 2/4 · Apache NetBeans 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	Combines code navigation, refactoring, inspections, and an integrated JVM debugger. Supports JUnit, Spock, TestNG, code coverage, and several JVM build tools. Includes Docker, Kubernetes, Dev Container, remote development, and database tooling.	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.
Cons	Deployment is limited to desktop platforms. Advanced Spring, web, database, and profiling tools require an Ultimate subscription. Published support channels are documentation.	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.
Our verdict	For Java and Kotlin developers, IntelliJ IDEA brings core coding, debugging, testing, and build workflows into a desktop IDE. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with code completion, navigation, inspections, and refactoring alongside an… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• IntelliJ IDEA — where it wins

  • Combines code navigation, refactoring, inspections, and an integrated JVM debugger.
  • Supports JUnit, Spock, TestNG, code coverage, and several JVM build tools.
  • Includes Docker, Kubernetes, Dev Container, remote development, and database tooling.

  Where it doesn't

  • Deployment is limited to desktop platforms.
  • Advanced Spring, web, database, and profiling tools require an Ultimate subscription.
  • Published support channels are documentation.

• 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.

• IntelliJ IDEA9.3/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A desktop IDE with a free core, JVM tooling, and workflows for remote and container development.

  Visit JetBrainsFull verdict →
• Apache NetBeans8.7/10 · Free plan

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

  Try Apache NetBeansFull verdict →