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Head-to-head · Integrated Development Environments

PyCharm vs Eclipse IDE

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score PyCharm #3 in Integrated Development Environments 9.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit PyCharm
Eclipse IDE #6 in Integrated Development Environments 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Eclipse IDE

PyCharm leads on 0 checks, Eclipse IDE 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 scorePyCharm · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly PyCharm
  • Most featuresPyCharm · 4 of 5

PyCharm scores higher on our rubric for integrated development environments: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

PyCharm is the better fit for python developers needing a full IDE. Eclipse IDE is the better fit for free Java and C/C++ development.

  • PyCharm fits best

    Python developers needing a full IDE

  • Eclipse IDE fits best

    Free Java and C/C++ development

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature PyCharm 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Eclipse IDE 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #3 in Integrated Development Environments #6 in Integrated Development Environments
Best for Python developers needing a full IDE Free Java and C/C++ development
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs, Tickets Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations 16 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features PyCharm 4/5 · Eclipse IDE 3/5
Integrated debugger ✓ ✓
Integrated testing tools ✓ ✓
Build tools ✓ ✓
Project management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Dev container support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported operating systems Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Deep Python completion, navigation, inspections, and refactoring
  • Integrated testing, debugging, Jupyter, databases, and SQL tools
  • Docker, Dev Containers, remote development, and broad integrations
  • Free and open source on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Integrated debugging, JUnit testing, Git, Maven, and build tools
  • Extensible plug-in architecture for varied development workflows
Cons
  • Advanced capabilities require a Pro subscription after the trial
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of lightweight coding workflows
  • Core free functionality does not include the full IDE feature set
  • Its verified feature breadth is below top commercial IDEs
  • Core project management capabilities are not established here
  • Dev container support is not established as a core capability
Our verdict

PyCharm is a cross-platform integrated development environment from JetBrains for Python developers building web applications, data projects, and AI/ML workloads. It combines code completion, navigation, inspections, refactoring,…

Read the review →

Eclipse IDE is a free, open-source desktop development environment maintained by the Eclipse Foundation. It is aimed at developers working with Java, C, and C++, as well as teams that need an extensible environment for plug-in development.…

Read the review →
  1. PyCharmIntegrated Development Environments 9.2Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. Eclipse IDEIntegrated Development Environments 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • PyCharm — where it wins

    • Deep Python completion, navigation, inspections, and refactoring
    • Integrated testing, debugging, Jupyter, databases, and SQL tools
    • Docker, Dev Containers, remote development, and broad integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced capabilities require a Pro subscription after the trial
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of lightweight coding workflows
    • Core free functionality does not include the full IDE feature set
  • Eclipse IDE — where it wins

    • Free and open source on Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Integrated debugging, JUnit testing, Git, Maven, and build tools
    • Extensible plug-in architecture for varied development workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Its verified feature breadth is below top commercial IDEs
    • Core project management capabilities are not established here
    • Dev container support is not established as a core capability

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update