Apache NetBeans vs Wing Python IDE
Apache NetBeans
netbeans.apache.orgWing Python IDE
wingware.comSide by side
| Figure | Apache NetBeans | Wing Python IDE |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.25/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 14 |
| Spec score · Integrated Development Environments | 8.3 (#12) | 8.5 (#8) |
| Spec score · IDE Software | 8.3 (#13) | 8.5 (#11) |
| Spec score · Integrated Development Environment Ide Software | 8.3 (#11) | 8.5 (#9) |
| 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 provides SHA256 checksums for its listed installers and identifies Wing Pro 12.0.3 as released on September 14, 2026. |
| Integrations | The website links to NetBeans plugins and describes support for languages and frameworks including Java, PHP, JavaFX, and JavaScript. | The product page lists Python environment tools including virtualenv, Poetry, uv, pipenv, conda, and Docker, and version control with Git, Mercurial, and Perforce. |
| Product | Apache NetBeans is a development environment, tooling platform, and application framework. | Wing is a Python IDE with a traditional editing and debugging toolset, and Wing Pro adds AI agent development tools. |
Plans
Wing Python IDE
- Free TrialFree
- Wing Pro free trialFree
- Wing Classic annual license$27 a year
- Wing Classic perpetual license$38, paid once
- Wing Classic Annual License$69 a year
- Wing Pro annual license$71 a year
- Wing Classic Perpetual License$95, paid once
- Wing Pro perpetual license$98, paid once
- Wing Pro Annual License$179 a year
- Wing Pro Perpetual License$245, paid once
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.
Wing Python IDE
Wing Python IDE is a Python development environment for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its editing and navigation tools include auto-completion, code analysis, refactoring, inline error detection, multiple keybinding styles, and project-wide navigation. Debugging features include conditional breakpoints, multi-process debugging, an interactive Debug Console, and array and dataframe viewers. Wing supports unittest, pytest, doctest, nose, and Django, and can rerun tests affected by edits using coverage information. It also supports remote work on hosts, virtual machines, containers, Raspberry Pi, AWS, and LXC/LXD clusters. Wing Pro adds AI agent development tools, integrating Claude Code through a Tasks tool and MCP servers for analysis, testing, debugging, and review. AI-assisted development may send code and prompts to the selected provider; AI configuration can be left disabled to avoid this. The free trial offers the full Pro experience for 30 days. Listed paid licenses include Wing Classic Annual at $69 a year and Wing Pro Annual at $179 a year; Pro requires a Claude Code subscription.