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Apache NetBeans alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Apache NetBeans: smaller plugin ecosystem than IntelliJ IDEA or VS Code, and limited built-in AI features. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Apache NetBeans, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. IntelliJ IDEA currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1IntelliJ IDEA logoIntelliJ IDEAFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 481.5
2Visual Studio Code logoVisual Studio CodeFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +13 of 376.8
3Eclipse IDE logoEclipse IDEOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 362.6
4PhpStorm logoPhpStormPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 457.2
  1. IntelliJ IDEA logo

    1. IntelliJ IDEATop pick

    Best for: Java and Kotlin developers working on large or framework-heavy codebases

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    81.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apache NetBeans

    Deeper Java analysis and a free core, from the most popular Java IDE.

    Pros

    • Best-in-class Java and Kotlin refactoring and inspections
    • Spring, build tools, debugger and profiler built in
    • Free core with a 30-day trial of Ultimate

    Cons

    • Heavy on memory and slow to index big projects
    • Advanced framework and database features need a subscription
    • Busy interface with a steep learning curve
    Visit IntelliJ IDEA Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is IntelliJ IDEA a good Apache NetBeans alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free tier
    Yes, with 30 days of Ultimate
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Main languages
    Java and Kotlin
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Built-in tools
    Databases, API testing, profiler
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Spring support
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Visual Studio Code logo

    2. Visual Studio Code

    Best for: Developers who want a free, extensible editor for any language

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Web

    76.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apache NetBeans

    Lighter and free, with Java extensions for Maven and Gradle projects.

    Pros

    • Free with a huge extension marketplace
    • Excellent remote development
    • Fast and lightweight for an IDE

    Cons

    • Microsoft builds include telemetry
    • Heavy extension use can slow it down
    Visit Visual Studio Code Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Visual Studio Code a good Apache NetBeans alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 24, 2026code.visualstudio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source core
    Yes (Code - OSS, MIT)
    Checked Oct 24, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, web
    Checked Oct 24, 2026code.visualstudio.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Eclipse IDE logo

    3. Eclipse IDE

    Best for: Java and embedded teams whose toolchains or plugins are built on Eclipse

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apache NetBeans

    The other big open-source Java IDE, with a larger plugin ecosystem.

    Pros

    • Free and open source under EPL 2.0
    • Mature Java tooling that tracks new Java releases
    • Huge plugin ecosystem and many vendor IDEs built on it

    Cons

    • Interface feels dated
    • Setting up plugins and workspaces takes effort
    • Can feel slow with many plugins installed
    Visit Eclipse IDE Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Eclipse IDE a good Apache NetBeans alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    Eclipse Public License 2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026eclipseide.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Java support
    Java 26
    Checked Oct 25, 2026eclipseide.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Extensibility
    Plugin Marketplace
    Checked Oct 25, 2026eclipseide.org(opens source in a new tab)
  4. PhpStorm logo

    4. PhpStorm

    Best for: Professional PHP developers working with Laravel, Symfony or WordPress

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apache NetBeans

    A paid IDE with stronger PHP framework support for professional PHP work.

    Pros

    • Laravel, Symfony, Xdebug and PHPUnit work out of the box
    • Includes WebStorm's front-end tooling
    • Perpetual fallback licence after a year

    Cons

    • No free tier for most users after the trial
    • Heavy for small scripts
    • Subscription per developer
    Visit PhpStorm Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is PhpStorm a good Apache NetBeans alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Licensing
    Subscription
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Fallback licence
    Yes, after 12 months
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Frameworks
    Laravel, Symfony, WordPress
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Apache NetBeans alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

IntelliJ IDEA logo

Best Apache NetBeans alternative for most people

IntelliJ IDEA

Deeper Java analysis and a free core, from the most popular Java IDE.

Visual Studio Code logo

Best Apache NetBeans alternative for a free option

Visual Studio Code

Lighter and free, with Java extensions for Maven and Gradle projects.

IntelliJ IDEA logo

Best Apache NetBeans alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

IntelliJ IDEA

Deeper Java analysis and a free core, from the most popular Java IDE.

Eclipse IDE logo

Best Apache NetBeans alternative for open source

Eclipse IDE

The other big open-source Java IDE, with a larger plugin ecosystem.

PhpStorm logo

Best Apache NetBeans alternative for Mac

PhpStorm

A paid IDE with stronger PHP framework support for professional PHP work.

IntelliJ IDEA logo

Best Apache NetBeans alternative for Windows

IntelliJ IDEA

Deeper Java analysis and a free core, from the most popular Java IDE.

IntelliJ IDEA logo

Best Apache NetBeans alternative for Linux

IntelliJ IDEA

Deeper Java analysis and a free core, from the most popular Java IDE.

Visual Studio Code logo

Best Apache NetBeans alternative for working in the browser

Visual Studio Code

Lighter and free, with Java extensions for Maven and Gradle projects.

Apache NetBeans alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Apache NetBeans?

IntelliJ IDEA ranks first right now. Deeper Java analysis and a free core, from the most popular Java IDE. Visual Studio Code and Eclipse IDE follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Apache NetBeans?

Yes. IntelliJ IDEA (free plan + paid), Visual Studio Code (free) and Eclipse IDE (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Apache NetBeans?

Yes: Visual Studio Code and Eclipse IDE.

Which Apache NetBeans alternatives work on Linux?

IntelliJ IDEA, Visual Studio Code, Eclipse IDE and PhpStorm run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Apache NetBeans?

The complaints we hear most: smaller plugin ecosystem than IntelliJ IDEA or VS Code; limited built-in AI features; traditional, busy interface.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Apache NetBeans, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.