The right IDE can make Java development faster and less frustrating. The wrong one adds friction to every task. Three options dominate the Java landscape: IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and Visual Studio Code. Each has strengths that appeal to different developers.
This guide compares all three so you can pick the one that fits your needs.
IntelliJ IDEA
JetBrains released IntelliJ IDEA in 2001. It’s now the most popular Java IDE, used by roughly 70% of Java developers according to JetBrains’ 2023 developer survey. The IDE comes in two versions: Community (free, open source) and Ultimate (paid, with additional features).
What Makes It Stand Out
IntelliJ’s code analysis runs constantly in the background. It catches errors before you compile, suggests fixes, and understands your code deeply enough to offer intelligent completions. Type a method name and it predicts not just valid options but the most likely one based on context.
Refactoring tools are exceptional. Rename a variable and IntelliJ updates every reference across your entire project. Extract a method, inline a variable, change a method signature – the IDE handles the tedious parts while you focus on design decisions.
The debugger integrates seamlessly. Set breakpoints, inspect variables, evaluate expressions, and step through code without leaving the editor. Smart step-into lets you choose which method to enter when a line contains multiple calls.
Community vs Ultimate
The free Community Edition handles pure Java development well. You get code completion, refactoring, debugging, Git integration, and Maven/Gradle support. For learning Java or working on standalone applications, it’s sufficient.
Ultimate adds frameworks and tools that professional developers need: Spring and Spring Boot support, database tools, JavaScript/TypeScript, Docker integration, and profiling. If you’re building enterprise applications, the $149/year (or less with discounts) often pays for itself in productivity.
Downsides
IntelliJ is a resource hog. It wants at least 8GB of RAM and benefits from an SSD. On older machines, the IDE can feel sluggish, especially when indexing large projects.
The learning curve is real. So many features exist that new users feel overwhelmed. You’ll spend weeks discovering capabilities you didn’t know existed.
Eclipse
Eclipse launched in 2001 as IBM’s contribution to open source development tools. For over a decade, it was the default choice for Java development. Universities taught with it. Enterprises standardized on it. The ecosystem grew enormous.
What Makes It Stand Out
Eclipse is completely free and open source. No feature limitations, no paid tiers, no subscriptions. Everything is available to everyone.
The plugin ecosystem is massive. The Eclipse Marketplace offers thousands of extensions: additional language support, framework integrations, visualization tools, and specialized editors. If you need something obscure, someone probably built an Eclipse plugin for it.
Workspace management lets you organize multiple projects and switch between different configurations. Developers working on several unrelated codebases appreciate this flexibility.
Memory usage is lower than IntelliJ. Eclipse runs adequately on machines that struggle with JetBrains products.
Downsides
The interface feels dated. Eclipse’s design reflects decisions made twenty years ago. Compared to modern IDEs, it looks cluttered and inconsistent.
Code intelligence isn’t as sharp. Completions are less context-aware. Refactoring tools work but feel less polished. The gap between Eclipse and IntelliJ has widened over the years.
Configuration complexity frustrates new users. Setting up a project with the right JDK, build path, and dependencies involves more manual steps than competitors. Errors often produce cryptic messages.
Plugin quality varies wildly. Some extensions are excellent. Others are abandoned, buggy, or conflict with each other. Finding the right combination takes trial and error.
Visual Studio Code
Microsoft released VS Code in 2015. It’s technically a code editor, not a full IDE, but Java extensions transform it into a capable development environment. Its popularity exploded because it’s fast, free, and handles dozens of languages.
What Makes It Stand Out
Speed. VS Code launches in seconds. Switching between files is instant. The editor never makes you wait.
The interface is clean and modern. Microsoft designed it for today’s developers, and it shows. Everything feels intuitive.
Extension management is simple. Search, install, done. The Java Extension Pack from Microsoft bundles everything you need: language support, debugging, testing, Maven/Gradle integration, and project management.
If you work in multiple languages, VS Code shines. JavaScript, Python, Go, Rust, C++ – install an extension and you’re ready. Developers who switch between languages daily appreciate using one tool for everything.
Setting Up Java in VS Code
Install the Extension Pack for Java from Microsoft. It includes:
- Language Support for Java by Red Hat
- Debugger for Java
- Test Runner for Java
- Maven for Java
- Project Manager for Java
- IntelliCode (AI-assisted completions)
With these extensions, VS Code handles Java projects competently. Code completion works. Debugging works. Building and running projects works.
Downsides
Java support is bolted on, not built in. Extensions do heavy lifting that IntelliJ and Eclipse handle natively. Complex refactoring operations sometimes fail or produce unexpected results.
Enterprise framework support lags behind. Spring Boot development is possible but less polished than IntelliJ Ultimate. Large projects with complex build configurations may hit limitations.
Code intelligence, while good, doesn’t match IntelliJ’s depth. The suggestions are helpful but less contextually aware.
Feature Comparison
Code Completion
IntelliJ leads here. Its completion engine understands code context deeply and predicts what you probably want, not just what’s syntactically valid. Eclipse provides solid completions but with less intelligence. VS Code’s completions are good enough for most tasks but occasionally miss suggestions that IntelliJ would catch.
Refactoring
IntelliJ’s refactoring tools are the gold standard. Rename, extract method, inline variable, change signature, move class – all work reliably across large codebases. Eclipse offers similar refactorings but with more edge cases and occasional failures. VS Code handles basic refactorings but struggles with complex operations.
Debugging
All three provide capable debuggers. Set breakpoints, step through code, inspect variables. IntelliJ’s debugger offers the most features: conditional breakpoints, stream debugging, memory analysis, and smart step-into. Eclipse’s debugger is mature and reliable. VS Code’s debugger handles standard debugging tasks well.
Build Tools
Maven and Gradle work in all three IDEs. IntelliJ’s integration feels most seamless – it reads your build files and configures the project automatically. Eclipse requires more manual setup. VS Code handles straightforward builds but may need configuration for complex multi-module projects.
Git Integration
All three integrate with Git. VS Code’s Git support is particularly clean and intuitive. IntelliJ offers more advanced features like interactive rebasing and detailed diff views. Eclipse’s Git integration (via EGit) works but feels clunkier than the competition.
Performance
VS Code wins on speed. It starts fast and stays responsive. Eclipse is moderate – acceptable on most machines. IntelliJ is the heaviest, requiring more RAM and CPU to run smoothly. On a modern machine with 16GB+ RAM and an SSD, the difference barely matters. On constrained hardware, it matters a lot.
Recommendations by Situation
You’re Learning Java
Start with IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition. Its intelligent suggestions help you learn the language. Error detection catches mistakes before they become confusion. The free version has everything a learner needs.
VS Code is a reasonable alternative if you’re already comfortable with it from other languages. Install the Java Extension Pack and you’re ready.
You’re a Student
Check if your university provides JetBrains licenses. Many do through the GitHub Student Developer Pack or direct academic programs. If so, use IntelliJ Ultimate – it’s free to you and gives you professional-grade tools.
If licenses aren’t available, IntelliJ Community or Eclipse both work. Eclipse remains common in academic settings, so your professors may expect it.
You’re Building Enterprise Applications
IntelliJ Ultimate is worth the cost. Spring Boot support alone justifies it for many teams. Database tools, profiling, and framework integrations save hours per week.
Eclipse with Spring Tools (formerly Spring Tool Suite) is a free alternative if budget is constrained. It handles Spring development competently.
You Work in Multiple Languages
VS Code excels here. One editor for Java, JavaScript, Python, and whatever else you need. The context-switching cost of changing tools disappears.
You Have an Older Computer
VS Code or Eclipse will run better than IntelliJ. If you’re on 4GB RAM or an old spinning hard drive, IntelliJ will frustrate you.
You’re Joining a Team
Use what your team uses. Shared configurations, consistent formatting, and the ability to help each other troubleshoot outweigh personal preferences. Ask before your first day and install accordingly.
Making the Switch
If you’re switching between IDEs, expect an adjustment period. Keyboard shortcuts differ. Features live in different menus. Workflows that were automatic become manual until you learn the new tool.
All three IDEs can import projects from each other. IntelliJ imports Eclipse projects. Eclipse imports IntelliJ projects. VS Code reads standard Maven and Gradle projects regardless of which IDE created them.
Give any new IDE at least two weeks before judging it. Initial frustration usually fades as muscle memory develops.
The Bottom Line
IntelliJ IDEA offers the best Java development experience. The Community Edition is free and sufficient for most use cases. Ultimate is worth paying for if you’re a professional working with enterprise frameworks.
Eclipse remains viable, especially if you need something free with full features or you’re in an environment that standardizes on it. The massive plugin ecosystem means it can do almost anything.
VS Code works well for polyglot developers and those who prioritize speed and simplicity. Java support has improved dramatically and handles most tasks competently.
Download all three. Spend a week with each on a real project. Your preference will become clear, and it might surprise you.
Related: How to Install Java | Your First Java Program
Sources
- JetBrains. “The State of Developer Ecosystem 2023.” jetbrains.com
- Eclipse Foundation. “Eclipse IDE.” eclipse.org
- Microsoft. “Java in Visual Studio Code.” code.visualstudio.com
