Open-source IDE for Java and other languages
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201 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Free IDE
Biggest con
UI dated
TL;DR - Eclipse
- Eclipse is an open-source IDE primarily used for Java development
- It supports multiple languages through plugins with debugging, Git, and project management
- Completely free and open-source
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
4.3/5 across review platforms
What is Eclipse?
Eclipse is the IDE that shaped how Java development works. Decades of plugin development, enterprise features, and community investment make it the foundation for many development environments.
The extensibility is legendary. Enterprise tooling often builds on Eclipse. The project is community-governed.
Java developers, especially in enterprises, use Eclipse for mature IDE features and extensive plugin ecosystem.
Available on: Web
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free IDE
- Java standard
- Many plugins
- Enterprise proven
- Cross-platform
Cons
- UI dated
- Heavy and slow
- Configuration complex
- Declining popularity
- IntelliJ better
Ratings Across the Web
4.3(201 reviews)
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
IDEJavaPluginsCross-platformEnterpriseOpen source
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked May 27, 2026
Most Popular
Free
Free
Open source
- Java/C++/PHP
- Extensible
- Debugging
- Git
Reviews
4.3/5
Across 201 verified user reviews on Capterra
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Eclipse FAQ
Is Eclipse free?
Yes, Eclipse IDE is completely free and open source. No cost for any edition or features.
What is Eclipse?
Eclipse is an open-source IDE primarily for Java development. Also supports C++, PHP, Python via plugins.
Eclipse vs IntelliJ IDEA?
IntelliJ has better Java tooling and UX but paid version needed for full features. Eclipse is free with all features but steeper learning curve.
Is Eclipse good for beginners?
Eclipse can be overwhelming for beginners. VS Code or IntelliJ Community might be easier starts. Eclipse is powerful once learned.
Source: eclipse.org