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Eclipse IDE

eclipse.org

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Spec score 7.9 #7 of 29 in Embedded Development IDEs

What it is

Eclipse IDE is a free development platform for building integrated tools and rich client applications, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its Java Developers package combines a Java IDE with a Git client, XML editor, and Maven and Gradle integration. The 2026-09 release supports Java 26 and includes a compact source file wizard for Java 25 and later projects, plus a quick assist for converting enhanced for loops to forEach statements. Other platform features include regular expression content assistance in find and replace, console zoom controls, and search filters in Problems, Tasks, and Bookmarks views. Packages cover Java, Enterprise Java and web, C/C++, embedded C/C++, PHP, DSLs, and other development areas. Eclipse Marketplace plugins can extend the platform. The Eclipse Foundation provides project security support, and users can seek community help through its chat space or report issues through its problem reporting process. The Foundation’s default project license is the Eclipse Public License unless project documentation says otherwise. The Eclipse Foundation is an international non-profit association based in Brussels.

Spec sheet

Purpose
The Eclipse Top-Level Project provides a platform for developing integrated tools and rich client applications.Read 29 Sep 2026 · projects.eclipse.org
Integrations
The Java Developers package includes a Java IDE, Git client, XML editor, and Maven and Gradle integration.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipse.org
Security
The Eclipse Foundation provides project security support including vulnerability management and reporting, repository management guidance, and developer training.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipse.org
License
The Eclipse Foundation states that the Eclipse Public License is the default license for its projects unless project documentation says otherwise.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipse.org
Headquarters
Brussels, BelgiumRead 23 Sep 2026 · eclipse.org
Founded
2001Read 23 Sep 2026 · eclipse.org
Maker
The Eclipse Foundation is an international non-profit association based in Brussels.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipse.org
Community support
Eclipse IDE users can seek community support through the Eclipse chat space and report issues through the linked problem reporting process.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipseide.org
Desktop platforms
The Eclipse Installer and packages are offered for macOS, Windows, and Linux.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipse.org
Extensibility
Eclipse supports platform plugins that add functionality, available through Eclipse Marketplace.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipseide.org
History
The Eclipse Foundation was created in January 2004 as an independent not-for-profit corporation to steward the Eclipse community.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipse.org
Java support
The 2026-09 release supports Java 26 and provides tooling for development.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipseide.org
Java tooling
Java tooling includes a wizard for compact source files in Java 25 and later projects and a quick assist to convert enhanced for loops to forEach statements.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipseide.org
Languages and packages
Available packages include tools for Java, Enterprise Java and web, C/C++, Java and DSL, embedded C/C++, PHP, and other development areas.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipse.org
Platform features
The platform includes regular expression content assist in find and replace, console zoom controls, and search filters in Problems, Tasks, and Bookmarks views.Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipseide.org

Plans and prices

Eclipse IDE Free Free and open source · Eclipse Public License 2.0 Read 29 Sep 2026 · eclipseide.org

Every Eclipse IDE plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Java package includes Git, XML, Maven, and Gradle tools.
  • 2026-09 release supports Java 26.
  • Packages cover several programming areas.
  • Marketplace plugins can add functionality.

Limits

  • No free trial is listed.
  • Default project license may differ where documentation specifies otherwise.

Who it suits

It suits developers seeking a free desktop development platform, especially those working with Java or other areas covered by Eclipse packages. Its plugin marketplace and package choices also suit users who want to extend or select tools for their development work.

Verdict

Eclipse IDE offers a free, extensible development platform with a Java package and packages for other development areas. Check the relevant project documentation for its applicable license terms.

Where Specifiction places it

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