Apache NetBeans vs Notepad++

Microsoft Visual Studio

Visual Studio Code

Sublime Text

IntelliJ IDEA

Eclipse IDE

UltraEdit

Compare Apache NetBeans and Notepad++ 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.

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.

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

Visual Studio Code is a source code editor, which helps businesses build and debug web applications running on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Features include syntax highlighting, code refactoring and navigation, snippets, Emmet abbreviations, command-line interface (CLI), and text wrap.

UltraEdit is a text editor designed for programmers that provides an intuitive interface and a wide range of features, including syntax highlighting, macros, automatic indentation, code completion, and more.

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.

Notepad++ is a Windows-based software that helps businesses create and edit source codes using multiple programming languages, such as C++, Java, R, SQL, XML, and more. Staff members can find and replace text in files using dialog-based, incremental, and dialog-free search methodologies.

Backup and Recovery

Code Review

Custom Development

Search/Filter

Notepad++

Linux

Windows

Consultant 

It’s been a lifesaver on more than one occasion for my work. Great features, just works consistently all the time, and you can’t argue with the free price tag.

Web & Graphic Designer

Great software for speed, it's great for taking notes. I would not recommend it for programming.

Technician Services 

Have been using it for more than 15 years with great success. The application is well supported on all operating systems which offers portability in its use across all platforms.

Sales Manager

It is only compatible for Windows-based computers. Personally, I have no objections, but there are those who are anxious for it to be usable on other operating systems.

QA engineer 

Overall it has been great, an awesome tool for quick checks a small scripting tasks as well as log files browsing. Keep in mind that there are other tools which may be a better fit for your needs.

Love all the plugins they got, the multi file search and replace feature is amazing and so useful and time saving.

GIS Business Consultant

Another great feature is that you can switch between several encoding charsets really easy. For people that work with programming languages, It supports good markup styling.

Lead Quality Analyst

It has quite a lot of very useful and important features which overall reduces cost and effort in any industry. The fact it supports a lot of languages makes it even more useful.

Software Quality Engineer

It is really helpful application and very useful for beginners in coding. It gives an easy to use UI which makes things easy and help you understand codes.

software developer

It is only limited to windows and have limited features and functionality. And also have problem with opening large files.

Junior dev

The best thing about notepad++ is that it autosaves the file, provides custom regex operations for modifications in the file and it makes the file easy to read by its good UI.

Data Scientist

It does not work as an IDE. It also sucks that there is no error detection.

Jr. Software Engineer

Notepad++ is an extremely solid, reliable product that shines as a stable of the development community, among others.

Notepad++ is a powerful and easy to use text/code editor. It is also free to use and has simple functionality which helps developers to code.

Web developer 

Easy installation and setup; extensible ; integrates with windows explorer shell ; updates frequently; supports multiple programming languages ; good search and replace features.

I hate the function save all as if you click on it and now it’s a mess you have to click close close till all your open file ends.

Information Engineer

Free software with the ability to open almost any file and format it in a readable way. Has integration with many vendors, like cisco firewall configs.

Apache NetBeans vs Notepad++ Comparison (2026)

Apache NetBeans

Notepad++

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives