Apache NetBeans vs IntelliJ IDEA

Microsoft Visual Studio

Microsoft Azure

Sublime Text

Datadog

Eclipse IDE

Android Studio

Compare Apache NetBeans and IntelliJ IDEA based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Eclipse IDE is an open-source integrated development environment (IDE) that supports the development of Java-based applications. Eclipse IDE supports Java 16 and as well as Mac AArch64 (Arm64).

Sublime Text is an application development software that helps businesses manage code refactoring, debugging, multi-monitor editing, syntax highlighting, and more from within a unified platform. It allows staff members to utilize the auto-completion functionality to generate code suggestions and automatically provide links to definitions.

Microsoft Visual Studio Online is a web based collaboration and project management application designed for software shipping and building. The  Online platform enables you to create software projects as well as track and manage programming processes to help identify bugs, new features and more.

Apache NetBeans is an open-source IDE that provides code editors, wizards, and templates. It can help developers create apps in Java, PHP, and other languages. Apache NetBeans can be installed on Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, and BSD operating systems.

Code Development

Code Editing

Debugging

Deployment Management

For Developers

Graphical User Interface

Integrated Development Environment

Mobile Development

Software Development

Version Control

Web App Development

Web/Mobile App Development

Website Development

Apache NetBeans

Web-based

Project Manager

It is good in intellisense for supported programming languages. Its user interface for database is good.

Owner

This is a great free IDE which has great community support. It works great with WAMP on windows, and the debugger is easy to use.

Software Engineering Trainee

It is the best IDE for beginners. It was really helpful for improving my programming knowledge.

Self-Employed

Great using Netbeans as it is very user-friendly which really helps understanding and the software is very interacting. The inbuilt libraries help very much while coding.

It is a good Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Java, PHP and many other programming languages. Its syntax highlighter is pretty good.

IT Specialist

My experience with Apache netbeans has been amazing and productive.

Team Manager

Some plugins are missing, the autoformat functionnality does not always work  and there is no support for php 7.1+ version or ES6 javascript syntax.

Product Developer and Tester

Later in school we had to program in IDEA from IntelliJ and there I felt lost.

Software Tester

All things considered, it's a useful free product if you don't have high demands and budget it's fine.

front end developer

It is budget friendly and also supports multiple programming language. It also supports drag and drop functionality which saves a lot of time.

Demonstrator 

Its a free software that has been helpful in HTML, JAVA and JavaScript. It helps to find out where you have gone wrong ecactly if your code is not executing.

Tecnico em desenvolvimento 

I used it exclusively for creating swing applications, the other tools I found difficult, besides having no integration with git and slack.

Apache Netbeans is the most suitable application for java developers. It is easy to use for beginners.

Software Architect

Also, as the users community is smaller, you will find less forums to support you in case of problems.

IT Consultant/Lecturer

Netbeans is also the best IDE for creating software with GUIs. Testing, debugging and version control is simple  and I can sync my projects with my Github account.

Associate Robotic Process Automation Engineer

It gets really slow when running with background operations. Specially when you compile and run programs it tends to get stuck.

I  build most of my JavaFx applications using easy to integrate third party software. Wix and Inno Setup compatibility allows me to build my Jar applications into windows applications with installers.

Easy to use, can be used with a lot of languages , has a lot of plugins.

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Small Business

Android Studio is an integrated development environment specifically designed for Android app development, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for developers to create, test, and deploy applications.

Datadog is a monitoring and security platform for Dev, Sec, and Ops teams that unifies metrics, traces, and logs in one place so teams can get full visibility into their IT environment.

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform designed to help organizations run virtual desktops and applications in the cloud. It offers businesses with built-in migration tools, which enables administrators to migrate remote desktop services (RDS) and Windows server desktops to various devices.

IntelliJ IDEA is the JetBrains IDE for pro development in Java and Kotlin. Built for your comfort, it unlocks productivity, ensures quality code, supports cutting-edge tech, and protects your privacy.

Automated Testing 

Change Management

Collaboration Tools

Compatibility Testing

Configurable Workflow

Custom Development

Data Import/Export

Data Modeling

Data Security

Data Visualization

Database Support

Game Development

Offline Access

Performance Management

Pre-built Templates

Reporting/Analytics

Source Control

Task Management

Third-Party Integrations

Workflow Management

IntelliJ IDEA

Linux

Windows

Software developer

I love that you can use a free version that’s extremely capable and buy the paid for version for some extra useful features and integration with other services and software like databases.

Android Developer

It makes the whole process a delight for developers that don't have to care about integrating this tool with some others like builders or version controllers. All is already included here.

Software Developer

Jet Brains makes wonderful IDEs as it is, but IntelliJ IDEA is the best one I've used of theirs and on top of that, its the best IDE for Java that I've used.

Student

IntelliJ IDEA is the single best Java IDE on the market. I love the tab auto-completes and suggestions that can totally speed up and ease development.

Scientist II

Its one of the best IDE in the market which supports different kind of Programming languages and its very useful with different plugins available.

Electronic engineer

It is very intelligent and has the ability to provide accurate suggestions and a number of other features will allow you to be very efficient in coding.

Supports everything that is required for building a Java project. Autocomplete and finding source and other features are awesome.

Developer

Great integration with other tools, like Maven. Also great level os customization.

Engineering Manager

Great IDE, easy to use, easy to debug. Great plugin for python, Django (and many other frameworks).

Engineering Leader 

Have been using the intelli J community edition for my development IDE. Has a great integration with the terminal, ability to setup projects and work with Code control tools.

QA Software

I commonly have problems with lag if the program has different aspects that make it heavy. Other than that, there’s not much I don’t like.

Lead Developer

Sometimes when it lost connection (access token) to github it randomly asks for the password again, without giving proper context.

Main benefits are the quick way to find classes and the integration with Tomcat. It has a big community behind that is growing and a lot of plugins are created to work with it.

Easy to use and latest language plugin also integrated in this which work very smooth and create very good environment for developers.

At this point I don't think there are any features that I think are missing.

Freelance Web Developer

Because of the way in which IDEA is licensed, you need to license it separately for each language - WebStorm, RubyMine etc - unless you purchase the all products pack. This is slightly frustrating.

Software Development Engineer

I would highly recommend IntelliJ IDEA for work, its worth the money.

Java Developer

I am a big advocate of all Intellij products, yet I am not on their payroll. As a developer, using Intellij IDEA is the best investment you can do to improve your development experience.

Apache NetBeans vs IntelliJ IDEA Comparison (2026)

Apache NetBeans

IntelliJ IDEA

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives