Apache NetBeans vs KDevelop
Apache NetBeans
netbeans.apache.org
KDevelop
kdevelop.orgSide by side
| Figure | Apache NetBeans | KDevelop |
|---|---|---|
| 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 · Integrated Development Environments | 8.3 (#12) | 8.3 (#17) |
| Spec score · IDE Software | 8.3 (#13) | 8.2 (#18) |
| Spec score · Integrated Development Environment Ide Software | 8.3 (#11) | 8.2 (#17) |
| Downloads | The release page offers platform-independent binary and source ZIP files, and links to third-party Windows, macOS, and Linux packages. | The download page lists distribution packages and Snap for Linux, a nightly 64-bit build and Chocolatey package for Windows, and a release installer for macOS. |
| Languages | It provides editors, wizards, and templates for Java, PHP, and other languages. | C/C++, Objective-C, Qt QML, and JavaScript are fully supported; Python and PHP support is provided through optional plugins. |
| Product | Apache NetBeans is a development environment, tooling platform, and application framework. | KDevelop is a cross-platform IDE for C, C++, Python, QML/JavaScript, and PHP. |
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.
KDevelop
KDevelop is a free, open-source integrated development environment for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its built-in parser backends support C, C++, and JavaScript/QML; Python and PHP support comes through optional plugins. For fully supported languages, it offers semantic syntax highlighting, code completion, and navigation such as finding symbol uses or jumping to declarations and definitions. Build support covers CMake and QMake, partial support for custom Makefiles, and invoking tools such as make and ninja. Graphical debugging is available for C/C++ and Python, with PHP debugging through an extra plugin. KDevelop also integrates unit tests, code formatting, and documentation from QtHelp, Man pages, and CMake help. Version-control interfaces include Git, Bazaar, Subversion, CVS, and Perforce; Mercurial is available as an optional plugin. Views, color schemes, and shortcuts can be customized. The free plan is listed at free. Windows nightly builds may be unstable or incomplete, and independently developed Chocolatey packages may not be up to date.