Apache NetBeans vs Eclipse IDE
Apache NetBeans
netbeans.apache.org
Eclipse IDE
eclipse.orgSide by side
| Figure | Apache NetBeans | Eclipse IDE |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Java IDEs | 8.3 (#4) | 8.0 (#7) |
| Spec score · Integrated Development Environment Ide Software | 8.3 (#11) | 8.0 (#18) |
| Spec score · Debugging Software | 8.3 (#11) | 8.1 (#14) |
| Spec score · Developer Tools | 8.3 (#14) | 8.0 (#22) |
| Community support | The NetBeans community uses mailing lists as its primary communication channel and welcomes contributions. | Eclipse IDE users can seek community support through the Eclipse chat space and report issues through the linked problem reporting process. |
| Founded | 1996 | 2001 |
| Integrations | The website links to NetBeans plugins and describes support for languages and frameworks including Java, PHP, JavaFX, and JavaScript. | The Java Developers package includes a Java IDE, Git client, XML editor, and Maven and Gradle integration. |
| License | The IDE and Platform are free for commercial and non-commercial use under the Apache License. | The Eclipse Foundation states that the Eclipse Public License is the default license for its projects unless project documentation says otherwise. |
Plans
In their own words
Apache NetBeans
Apache NetBeans is a development environment, tooling platform, and application framework for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its editor highlights code by syntax and meaning and supports refactoring. Editors, wizards, and templates cover Java, PHP, and other languages, with plugins and linked support for JavaFX and JavaScript. The NetBeans Platform is a modular framework for Swing applications, with state saving, menus, toolbars, keyboard shortcuts, and window management. The IDE and Platform are free for commercial and non-commercial use under the Apache License; the listed plan is free. Apache NetBeans 31, dated August 10, 2026, supports running on JDK 26, 25, or 21, with initial support for JDK 27. Downloads include platform-independent binary and source ZIPs, plus linked installers for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Those installers are provided by committers for convenience, not as Apache Software Foundation releases. The release page provides SHA-512 hashes and PGP signatures. Windows/ARM is not fully supported, and older releases are no longer supported.
Eclipse IDE
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.