IntelliJ IDEA AlternativesTop IDEs & Code Editors like IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA is described as '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' and is a very popular Code Editor in the development category. There are more than 50 alternatives to IntelliJ IDEA for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and Chrome OS apps. The best IntelliJ IDEA alternative is Visual Studio Code, which is free. Other great apps like IntelliJ IDEA are VSCodium, Eclipse, Microsoft Visual Studio and Zed Editor.

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Alternatives list

  1. Visual Studio Code icon

    Visual Studio Code

     1376 likes

    Free and extensible code editor with built-in Git support, smart IntelliSense, integrated debugger, 30,000+ extensions, works offline, supports markdown and syntax highlighting for numerous languages.

    202 Visual Studio Code alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Snapcraft
    Visual Studio Code screenshot 1
     
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    8
    26
    Comments about Visual Studio Code as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Top Positive Comment
    Ranogard
    2

    Claiming that vscode is "just a text editor" is outrageous. For example "mousepad" does not feature debuggers, pylint support or git support. If this is a text editor, then the line between text editor and IDE is a very thin one.

    Top Negative Comment
    mohsenr7596
    23

    Visual Studio Code is a text editor and is not an IDE

    hundvd7
    Negative
    1

    Merely a (very smart) text editor. If you have less than 10 files in a project, it's perfect. Otherwise, an IDE will be the clearly superior choice.

    3 of 8 comments
    Visual Studio Code icon
    Visual Studio Code icon

    • Some users think Visual Studio Code is a great IntelliJ IDEA alternative, some don't.

    • Visual Studio Code is Free and ProprietaryIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
    • Visual Studio Code is CustomizableIntelliJ IDEA is not according to our users
  2. VSCodium icon

    VSCodium

     402 likes

    This repository contains a build file to generate FLOSS release binaries of Microsoft's Visual Studio Code - Open Source ("Code - OSS") project, the open source core of the proprietary Visual Studio Code.

    196 VSCodium alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    • Snapcraft
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    VSCodium screenshot 1
     
  4. Eclipse icon

    Eclipse

     1147 likes

    Eclipse is an extensible development platform with runtimes and application frameworks for building, deploying and managing software across the entire software lifecycle. Many people know Eclipse as a Java IDE, but it is much more than that- Eclipse actually consists of over 60...

    147 Eclipse alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    eclipse on windows 10
     
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    4
    39
    Comments about Eclipse as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is much faster and less heavy resource IDE than IntelliJ IDEA for Java programming.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    If you use free version of Idea - you cannot use normal editor for JS, HTML, CSS, JSP\SSP. For those scenarios - Eclipse is the best solution.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Free, open sourced. And more manageable

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    Eclipse icon
    Eclipse icon

    • Most users think Eclipse is a great IntelliJ IDEA alternative.

    • Eclipse is Free and Open SourceIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
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  6. Microsoft Visual Studio icon

    Microsoft Visual Studio

     949 likes

    Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) for building diverse digital solutions. It supports over 36 programming languages, includes a code editor with IntelliSense, a debugger, and designers for GUI, web, and databases. The Community edition is free and integrates with GitHub Copilot.

    109 Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • .NET Framework
    Microsoft Visual Studio screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Comments about Microsoft Visual Studio as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Intellij Idea is for java, visual studio is for microsoft stuff

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    It doesn't support Java at all

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Microsoft Visual Studio doesn't support java

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Visual Studio icon
    Microsoft Visual Studio icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Microsoft Visual Studio is a legitimate IntelliJ IDEA alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Microsoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and ProprietaryIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
  7. Zed Editor icon

    Zed Editor

     107 likes

    Blazing fast code editor offering real-time multi-user collaboration, language-aware syntax highlighting, integrated terminal, multi-buffers for tab-free editing, built-in Vim mode, searchable outline, AI coding assistance, advanced keyboard commands, and cross-platform support.

    87 Zed Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zed Editor screenshot 1
     
  8. Apache NetBeans icon

    Apache NetBeans

     742 likes

    A free, open-source Integrated Development Environment for software developers. You get all the tools you need to create professional desktop, enterprise, web, and mobile applications with the Java language, C/C++, and even dynamic languages such as PHP, JavaScript, Groovy, and...

    97 Apache NetBeans alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Editor
     
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    1
    20
    Comments about Apache NetBeans as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    is more robust. 100% write in JAVA.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Apache NetBeans icon
    Apache NetBeans icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Apache NetBeans is a great IntelliJ IDEA alternative.

    • Apache NetBeans is Free and Open SourceIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
  10. Android Studio icon

    Android Studio

     270 likes

    Android Studio is a new Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA. Similar to Eclipse with Android Development Tools for Eclipse, Android Studio provides...

    75 Android Studio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    Android Studio screenshot 1
     
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    3
    10
    Comments about Android Studio as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Guest
    Negative
    7

    Android Studio is specifically for Android projects.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Peter Giters
    Positive
    0

    Good IDE for Android Dev, but over time as in Intellij, its process grows in RAM. After day of using, it may eat up to 8gb, so you need to reopen it every day

    tijmen
    Negative
    -16

    Android Studio and IntelliJ are essentially the same, the only difference is the logo.

    Android Studio icon
    Android Studio icon

    • Some users think Android Studio is a great IntelliJ IDEA alternative, some don't.

    • Android Studio is Free and Open SourceIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
  11. Windsurf Editor icon

    Windsurf Editor

     33 likes

    Windsurf Editor is an IDE merging AI and developers for lockstep collaboration with Cascade capabilities, boosting speed and contextual coding through copilot and agent-like systems across Mac, Windows, and Linux.

    63 Windsurf Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Windsurf Editor screenshot 1
     
  12. Trae icon

    Trae

     14 likes

    Trae is an adaptive AI IDE that transforms how you work, collaborating with you to run faster.

    36 Trae alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Trae screenshot 1
     
  13. Athas icon

    Athas

     10 likes

    Lightweight, open-source code editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux featuring Vim keybindings, built-in Git support, agentic AI editing with multiple models, syntax highlighting, LSP for intelligent completion, fast performance, and efficient workflows.

    56 Athas alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Athas screenshot 1
     
  14. Aptana Studio icon

    Aptana Studio

     332 likes

    Aptana Studio is a complete web development environment that combines powerful authoring tools with a collection of online hosting and collaboration services that help you and your team do more. Includes support for PHP, CSS, FTP, and more...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Aptana Studio screenshot 1
     
  15. Qt Creator icon

    Qt Creator

     112 likes

    Qt Creator is a cross-platform integrated development environment (IDE) built for the maximum developer experience. Qt Creator runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS desktop operating systems and allows developers to create software across desktop, mobile, and embedded platforms.

    129 Qt Creator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Qt Creator screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about Qt Creator as an Alternative to IntelliJ IDEA
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    It is not for Java development.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Qt creator is specifically made to create Qt SDK based projects only.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Qt Creator icon
    Qt Creator icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Qt Creator is a legitimate IntelliJ IDEA alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Qt Creator is Paid and Open SourceIntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open Source
12 of 60 IntelliJ IDEA alternatives