IntelliJ IDEA is JetBrains' flagship IDE for JVM languages. Deep code understanding powers smart completions and refactorings. Supports Java, Kotlin, Scala, and more out of the box. Ultimate edition adds web and enterprise frameworks. Built-in tools for databases, HTTP, and Docker. The IDE that makes Java development a pleasure.

Louis Corneloup Updated Jul 20, 2026 · how we evaluate Source jetbrains.com ↗

Ratings Across the Web

4.1 (3,752 reviews)

IntelliJ IDEA holds an aggregate rating of 4.1 out of 5 from 3,752 reviews across G2, Capterra and Trustpilot, last checked September 17, 2026.

G2 2,393 reviews

4.6/5

Capterra 1,260 reviews

4.7/5

Trustpilot 99 reviews

2.5/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Smart code completion
Advanced refactoring
Built-in developer tools
Framework support
Database tools
Version control integration

Pricing Plans

30-day Free Trial

Pricing checked Sep 30, 2026

IntelliJ IDEA plans and prices, checked September 2026
Plan	Price	Details
Community	$0	Free Java/Kotlin Maven/Gradle Version control +1 more Show less Basic debugging
Ultimate Popular	$599/year	First year All frameworks Database tools Profiler +1 more Show less All JetBrains tools

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Is IntelliJ IDEA worth the price?

Good value

IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition is the best free Java IDE available, it covers core Java, Kotlin, Gradle, and Maven with full refactoring support.

The answer depends on your stack: if you use Spring, Jakarta EE, database tools, or HTTP clients daily, Ultimate pays for itself in saved configuration time. That makes it one of the cheapest per-year costs for a professional-grade IDE after the initial commitment.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Plugin ecosystem is free, but some premium plugins (Database Tools, AI Assistant Pro) are bundled only with Ultimate

No free tier for commercial use at companies, Community Edition license restricts certain commercial usage patterns

Full IntelliJ IDEA pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

Reviews

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4.1/5

Across 3,752 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra, Trustpilot

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Best IntelliJ IDEA Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

Visual Studio Code Free

Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages

4.6

Eclipse Free

Open-source IDE for Java and other languages

4.3

Android Studio Free

Official IDE for Android app development

4.5

BlueJ Freemium

A simple, interactive Java development environment designed for beginners.

4.0

See all IDE & code editors tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

IntelliJ IDEA vs Visual Studio Code Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins IntelliJ IDEA vs Eclipse Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins IntelliJ IDEA vs Android Studio Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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IntelliJ IDEA FAQ

How does IntelliJ IDEA enhance Java development workflows?

IntelliJ IDEA provides deep code understanding, which powers smart completions and refactoring tools, making Java development more efficient and enjoyable. It supports Java, Kotlin, and Scala out of the box, catering to a wide range of JVM language projects.

Which teams benefit most from using IntelliJ IDEA?

Teams working with JVM languages, especially Java, Kotlin, or Scala, will find IntelliJ IDEA particularly beneficial due to its specialized features. Its comprehensive toolset also supports developers engaged in web and enterprise framework development, database management, and Docker integration.

How is IntelliJ IDEA priced?

IntelliJ IDEA is available on a free tier, offering core functionalities for developers. For more extensive usage and advanced features, paid plans are available, which unlock additional capabilities and tools.

What kind of limitations should users consider when adopting IntelliJ IDEA?

Users should be aware that IntelliJ IDEA can be resource-intensive, which might affect performance on less powerful machines. Additionally, while a free tier exists, the Ultimate edition, which includes web and enterprise framework support, is a paid offering.

Can IntelliJ IDEA be used for web development in addition to JVM languages?

Yes, the Ultimate edition of IntelliJ IDEA extends its capabilities to include support for web and enterprise frameworks. This allows developers to use a single IDE for both their backend JVM language development and frontend web projects.

How does IntelliJ IDEA compare to Visual Studio Code for Java development?

IntelliJ IDEA is recognized as the best Java IDE, offering deep code understanding, smart completions, and powerful refactoring tools specifically tailored for JVM languages. Visual Studio Code, while a versatile editor, requires additional extensions to achieve a comparable level of specialized Java development support.

Source: jetbrains.com

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