Visual Studio vs Apache NetBeans

Visual Studio9.4Visit Apache NetBeans8.7Visit

Higher score Visual Studio #1 in IDE Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Visual Studio

vs

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

• Visual Studio fits best

  Teams building .NET, C++, and Windows applications

• Apache NetBeans fits best

  Java and web developers wanting open-source tools

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Side by side

Feature	Visual Studio 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Apache NetBeans 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.7
Ranking	#1 in IDE Software	#7 in IDE Software
Best for	Teams building .NET, C++, and Windows applications	Java and web developers wanting open-source tools
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$499.92/user/yr	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs, Community	Community, Docs
Integrations	8 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Visual Studio 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 IntelliSense editing, debugging, testing, and build workflows. Supports .NET, C++, Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript development. Includes Git, CI/CD, Docker, and Podman workflows.	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	The IDE runs on Windows, not macOS or Linux. Professional monthly starts at $45 per user; Enterprise monthly is $250. Community is for students, open-source, and individual developers.	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	Visual Studio is Microsoft's desktop integrated development environment for developers and teams building software across .NET, C++, Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript. Its Windows IDE brings editing, debugging, testing, project builds,… 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

• Visual Studio — where it wins

  • Combines IntelliSense editing, debugging, testing, and build workflows.
  • Supports .NET, C++, Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript development.
  • Includes Git, CI/CD, Docker, and Podman workflows.

  Where it doesn't

  • The IDE runs on Windows, not macOS or Linux.
  • Professional monthly starts at $45 per user; Enterprise monthly is $250.
  • Community is for students, open-source, and individual developers.

• 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.

• Visual Studio9.4/10 · Free plan

  Broad development tools for Windows teams, with a free Community edition and paid tiers.

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

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

  Try Apache NetBeansFull verdict →