Best IntelliJ IDEA Alternatives in 2025
Looking for alternatives to IntelliJ IDEA? In this comparison, we take a closer look at IntelliJ IDEA alongside similar software solutions including IntelliJ IDEA, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition, Code::Blocks, Apache NetBeans IDE, NetBeans IDE, Android Studio and Java SE Development Kit.
Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how IntelliJ IDEA, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition, Code::Blocks, Apache NetBeans IDE, NetBeans IDE, Android Studio and Java SE Development Kit stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.
License and Cost
 IntelliJ IDEA
|
Paid Ultimate Edition and free Community Edition available. |
 IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
|
Free, open-source with no official support. |
|
Code::Blocks
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Free, open-source under GNU General Public License. |
 Apache NetBeans IDE
|
Free, open-source under Apache License. |
 NetBeans IDE
|
Free, open-source under Apache License. |
 Android Studio
|
Free, open-source software by Google. |
 Java SE Development Kit
|
Open-source implementation with community support; commercial use allowed. |
Supported Programming Languages
|
IntelliJ IDEA
|
Java, Kotlin, JavaScript, Groovy, Scala, PHP, and others. |
|
IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
|
Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, Groovy, Scala, TypeScript. |
|
Code::Blocks
|
C, C++, Fortran. |
|
Apache NetBeans IDE
|
Java, JavaScript, PHP, CSS, HTML5, and more including non-Java languages. |
|
NetBeans IDE
|
Java, C/C++, JavaScript, PHP, CSS. |
|
Android Studio
|
Java, Kotlin, C++, Groovy; Android app specific development. |
|
Java SE Development Kit
|
Java only (JDK for Java development). |
Operating System Support
|
IntelliJ IDEA
|
Windows, Linux, macOS. |
|
IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
|
Windows, Linux, macOS. |
|
Code::Blocks
|
Any operating system (cross-platform). |
|
Apache NetBeans IDE
|
Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris. |
|
NetBeans IDE
|
Windows, Linux, macOS. |
|
Android Studio
|
Windows, Linux, macOS. |
|
Java SE Development Kit
|
Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris. |
Debugging and Development Tools
|
IntelliJ IDEA
|
Sophisticated debugger with expression evaluation and variable watches. |
|
IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
|
Advanced debugging capabilities but some advanced features missing compared to Ultimate Edition. |
|
Code::Blocks
|
Built-in debugger with multiple debugging tools. |
|
Apache NetBeans IDE
|
Debugger with debugging tools and profiler included. |
|
NetBeans IDE
|
Robust debugging capabilities included with profiling tools and built-in version control integration. |
|
Android Studio
|
Includes built-in tools such as visual layout editor; supports profiling and debugging for Android apps. |
|
Java SE Development Kit
|
Provides debugging tools as part of the Java development environment but not an IDE itself. |
Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.
This quick comparison shows how IntelliJ IDEA stacks up against IntelliJ IDEA, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition, Code::Blocks, Apache NetBeans IDE, NetBeans IDE, Android Studio and Java SE Development Kit in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.
Size
|
IntelliJ IDEA
|
2.6MB |
|
Code::Blocks
|
|
|
Apache NetBeans IDE
|
|
|
NetBeans IDE
|
|
|
Android Studio
|
950.1MB |
|
Java SE Development Kit
|
License
|
IntelliJ IDEA
|
Commercial |
|
Code::Blocks
|
Open Source |
|
Apache NetBeans IDE
|
Open Source |
|
NetBeans IDE
|
Open Source |
|
Android Studio
|
Commercial |
|
Java SE Development Kit
|
Commercial |