Unbiased side-by-side comparison of verified reviews, user ratings, features, and pros/cons to help you decide which software fits your business needs.


In our 2026 comparison of IntelliJ IDEA and NetBeans, IntelliJ IDEA comes out ahead overall (weighted score 92% vs 86% for NetBeans). IntelliJ IDEA is rated 4.7/5 from 102 user reviews; NetBeans is rated 4.3/5 from 102 user reviews. IntelliJ IDEA has a free plan; NetBeans has a free plan.
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| At a glance | IntelliJ IDEA | NetBeans |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Code Editors & IDEs | Code Editors & IDEs |
| User rating | 4.7/5 (102 reviews) | 4.3/5 (102 reviews) |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Listed features | 13 | 14 |
| Integrations | 5 | 3 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Ease of use | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Customer support | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
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13/17 features
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Compare plans, features, and starting points side-by-side
Free and open-source.
Full stack web & enterprise IDE.
For corporate teams.
Free Apache project.
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IntelliJ IDEA wins overall with a weighted score of 92% based on user rating, pricing, features, usability, and support.
Pricing: $14.9/mo (No Free Trial), a less accessible entry point than the leader.
Tied with a solid set of 13 features.
Ranked #1 for usability with a user rating of 4.7/5 stars.
Ranked #1 for support with a user rating of 4.7/5 stars.
Tied on platform availability (3 Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux).
Dimension scorecard
NetBeans is a runner-up with a composite score of 86%.
NetBeans has the most accessible pricing ($0/mo (No Free Trial)).
Tied with a solid set of 14 features.
Satisfactory usability with a user rating of 4.4/5 stars.
Decent support with a user rating of 4.4/5 stars.
Tied on platform availability (3 Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux).

IntelliJ IDEA scores higher across 6 of 11 key dimensions with a 6-point lead in our weighted analysis.
IntelliJ IDEA scores higher across 6 of 11 key dimensions with a 6-point lead in our weighted analysis. The best choice still depends on your team's workflow, budget and required integrations — use the side-by-side sections above to check the details that matter to you.
IntelliJ IDEA is rated 4.7/5 from 102 user reviews. NetBeans is rated 4.3/5 from 102 user reviews. Ratings come from approved user reviews on SoftwareHope.
IntelliJ IDEA has a free plan. NetBeans has a free plan. Always confirm current pricing on the vendor's site, as plans change.
IntelliJ IDEA offers a free plan; NetBeans offers a free plan.
IntelliJ IDEA supports Windows, macOS and Linux; NetBeans supports Windows, macOS and Linux.
IntelliJ IDEA has an ease-of-use rating of 4.7/5, NetBeans has an ease-of-use rating of 4.4/5. IntelliJ IDEA is rated easier to use by reviewers.
Community-voted helpful feedback from verified users
We have been using NetBeans to streamline our daily operations. Responsive customer support and comprehensive documentation make troubleshooting easy. A solid investment that continues to improve our team productivity every month.
After testing several alternatives, NetBeans proved to be the most dependable option. Responsive customer support and comprehensive documentation make troubleshooting easy. Overall, it is a highly capable platform that delivers great value for our organization.
IntelliJ IDEA has become an essential part of our daily technology stack. Responsive customer support and comprehensive documentation make troubleshooting easy. Recommended for any team seeking a dependable, modern software solution.
Our team adopted IntelliJ IDEA to centralize our key project workflows. Seamless integration options allow easy connection with our existing software tools. Delivers exactly what was promised with minimal friction and great overall stability.
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