Top Java IDE that makes Java Development Efficient in 2024

Java is a widely-used programming language for creating secure desktop and web applications. Developers prefer IDE to develop Java programs. An IDE will include a source code editor, automatic tools, and debugger to make Java programming easy. You may save time and effort while also creating a standard development process by employing IDEs. Various Java IDEs provide smart code completion and real-time error validation. Choosing the finest IDE from a variety of possibilities might be difficult. Following are some of the best-handpicked lists to Top Java IDEs with their popular features. The list contains both open-source and paid.

Best Java IDEs

Here are our vetted Java IDEs to work with. These are some of the best-integrated development environments for working with Java, whether you’re seeking to try out new IDEs or are just getting started.

Eclipse

Supported Platform :  Linux/macOS/ Solaris/ Windows

First released: November 2001

Eclipse is a free and open-source Java IDE. It is one of the most popular Java IDEs available in the market. One thing that makes Eclipse more desirable is the cloud edition. There are two editions of the Eclipse. The first one is Desktop Edition, and the other one is Cloud edition.

As the name suggests, cloud edition lets developers code on the browser and save it on the cloud. This way, you can work from anywhere and resume your code. Apart from cloud support, it also allows Plugin Development Environment to build its features, making Eclipse different from all the IDEs available. It has an extensive array of plugins available, allowing developers to customize functionalities for application development. Eclipse supports 100+ languages. So developers with multiple hats of programming language can make Eclipse there go to IDE.

Features of Eclipse

• Readymade Code Template
• Validates Syntax
• Supports Code Refactoring
• Interface For Embedding Into Host Environments
• Supports Plugins

Pros and Cons of Eclipse

Companies using Eclipse

According to stackshare.io, 365 companies are using Eclipse in their tech stacks. Including

• Accenture
• Zalando
• ViaVarejo
• Dynatrace
• Hike

Price

Free

Netbeans

Supported Platform : Linux/macOS/Solaris/Windows

First Released:  1997

Apache Netbeans are another of the three most popular Java IDEs available in the market. The official IDE for Java 8, Apache NetBeans, is a leading Java IDE for developing desktop, mobile, and online applications. NetBeans is an open-source development environment for desktop, online, and mobile apps and HTML5 and C++. Because NetBeans displays Java code syntactically and semantically, it’s simple to customize software programs. NetBeans helps boost accuracy and efficiency by providing robust refactoring and debugging capabilities. NetBeans is mostly used by Java developers, although it includes extensions that allow you to work with other programming languages like C, C++, and JavaScript.

Features of NetBeans

• Cross-platform support
• Visual debugger
• NetBeans Profiler
• Code editor
• Static analysis tools
• Provides parameter hints

Pros & Cons of NetBeans

Companies using Net Beans

According to stackshare.io, 85 companies use Net beans in their tech stacks. Including

• Accenture
• double slash
• Deutsche Kreditbank AG
• Adsia
• Huia

Price

Free

IntelliJ IDEA

Suitable Platform – Linux/macOS/Windows

First Released – January 2001

One of the greatest IDEs for Java development is IntelliJ. It’s a competent and ergonomic IDE with productivity-boosting capabilities that don’t clog up the user interface. Smart completion, cross-language refactoring, data flow analysis, and language injection are among the techniques that make programming easier.

IntelliJ is offered in two editions: a community edition licensed under the Apache 2 license and a proprietary ultimate edition. The community edition is free and open-source, focusing on Android and Java Virtual Machine (JVM) development. The paid premium edition focuses on web and corporate development.

Features of IntelliJIDE

• Smart Completion
• Chain Completion
• DataFlow analysis
• Cross-language refactoring
• Detecting duplicates
• Inspections & Quick fixes

Pros & Cons of IntelliJ IDE

Companies using IntelliJ IDEA

According to stackshare.io, 1672 companies use IntelliJ IDEA  in their tech stacks. Including

• Udemy
• Indeed
• CRED
• Asana
• Hubspot

Price

Community edition – Free, Ultimate edition – $49.90 per month ($499.00 per year)

BlueJ

Supported Platform – Linux/macOS/Windows

First Released – March 1999

Another popular beginner’s IDE is BlueJ. BlueJ was originally designed for educational content, but it is now being utilized for software development on a smaller scale. While BlueJ is an excellent Java IDE for beginners, many Java veterans prefer it due to its interactive and clutter-free user interface.

BlueJ provides basic object interaction and features a powerful editor that allows developers to scan their code and construct dynamic objects visually. BlueJ is a cutting-edge Java IDE with features like scope coloring, code pads, and object benches that few others have. BlueJ is a portable application that runs on a variety of operating systems.

Features of BlueJ

• Simple & portable IDE
• Runs on multiple platforms
• Scope Colouring
• Code Pad
• Object bench
• Interaction among objects

Pros & Cons of BlueJ

Companies using BlueJ

According to enlyft.com, 174 companies are using BlueJ in their tech stacks. Including

• Kalamazoo College
• CWI Software
• Royal Mail PLC
• Tata Communications LTD
• Infogain Corporation

Price

Free

(Oracle) JDeveloper

Supported Platform – Linux/macOS/Windows

First Released – 2005

Oracle provides JDeveloper as a freeware IDE. It has Java, PHP, SQL, XML, HTML, and JavaScript application development. JDeveloper takes care of all aspects of the development process, including coding, designing, debugging, optimizing, profiling, and deployment.

It interfaces with the Oracle Application Development Framework (Oracle ADF) to make development easier. Developers may change their apps straight from the coding environment with JDeveloper’s visual and declarative editors. The drag-and-drop capability in JDeveloper makes application development easier. Java EE and Java SE are also supported.

Features of JDeveloper

• Full Development Lifecycle Management
• Visual & Declarative Editor
• Java SE & Java EE Enviorment
• Full Database Development Environment
• Drag-&-Drop Function
• Oracle Fusion Middleware

Pros & Cons of JDeveloper

Companies using JDeveloper

According to enlyft, 6340 companies are using JDeveloper in their tech stack. Including

• Protege Partners LLC
• Federal emergency management agency
• Lorven technologies
• VMWare Inc
• Confidential Records Inc

Price

Free

jGRASP

Supported Platform – Linux/macOS/Windows

First Released – N/A

jGRASP is a lightweight Java IDE that generates software visualizations automatically. Because it was written in Java, it is platform agnostic and operates on any platform that supports the JVM. A workbench, an integrated debugger, and UML class diagrams are all included in jGRASP.

At runtime, jGRASP may generate static software visualizations of source code and visualizations of data structures. Other programming languages, such as Python, C++, Objective-C, and Ada, can also generate Control Structure Diagrams. This lightweight IDE can configure most free and commercial compilers for many programming languages.

Features of jGrasp

• Easily Generated Complex Graphs & UML Classes
• Lightweight
• Supports Control Structure Diagram) CSDs
• Cross-platform support

Pros and Cons of jGrasp

Price

Free

JCreator

Supported Platform – Linux (via Wine)/Windows

First Released – N/A

JCreator is a lightweight and capable Java IDE designed by Xinox Software. It is developed in C++, making it faster than other Java IDEs. It offers a user interface comparable to Microsoft’s Visual Studio, making navigating source code easier. JCreator can manage numerous projects’ JDK profiles and provide developers with clear API recommendations.

Because of its user-friendly layout, it’s an excellent choice for beginners. Project templates, code completion, syntax highlighting, and wizards are among the tools available. It enables developers to compile or run their Java code without opening the main document. JCreator offers three editions. Lite edition, Pro edition, and  Lite-Pro edition.

Features of JCreator

• Selection Margin
• Line numbers & File Differences
• Bookmarking
• Code Folding
• Code Templates
• Integrated CVS
• File Splitter

Pros & Cons of JCreator

Companies using JCreator

• Search Engine Optimization, Inc

Price

• JCreator Pro – $79, JCreator LE – $35

XCode

Supported Platform – macOS

First Released – 2003

Apple’s default first-party IDE for development, iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and iPadOS is Xcode. Xcode has a single user interface design, development, testing, and debugging workflow.

This application includes an IDE as well as Swift and C/C++/Objective-C compilers. It also includes an inbuilt debugger, a GUI builder, and command-line tools for analyzing and simulating code execution. Xcode now provides cloud tools in conjunction with Xcode Cloud for team development and source control features from GitHub, BitBucket, and GitLab. However, it is only accessible for macOS.

Features of XCode

• Source Editor
• Asset Catalog
• Assistant Editor
• Quick responsive
• Version Editor
• Interface Builder Built-in
• OpenGL Frame capture

Pros & Cons of XCode

Companies using XCode

According to StackShare, 1990 companies reportedly use Xcode in their tech stacks, including

• Apple
• Pinterest
• Instacart
• Delivery Hero
• Figma

Price

• Free

Green foot

Supported Platform – Linux/macOS/Solaris/Windows

First Released – 2003

Greenfoot was created with a strong educational focus for high school and undergraduate students. The Java IDE makes it easy to create two-dimensional graphical applications, such as simulations and interactive games.

Greenfoot is a free-to-use software developed and maintained by King’s College London with Oracle assistance. Greenfoot provides simple access to animated graphics and sound to encourage learning.

The interactive environment created by Greenfoot is intended to demonstrate key abstractions and concepts in object-oriented programmings, such as the class/object relationship, methods, object interaction, and parameters.

Features of GreenFoot

• Interactive Visual world
• Simple programming IDE
• Scope highlighting
• Code Completion
• MP3 support
• Image editor

Pros and Cons of Green Foot

Price

• • Free

Codenvy

Codenvy is a commercial Java IDE based on the Eclipse Che framework. Java programmers can pick from three different versions of the IDE: developer, enterprise, and team.

Codenvy is a developer workspace that is cloud-based and available on demand. Java programmers can use Codenvy’s browser-based editor to write Java code and use advanced features like code completion, refactoring, and syntax highlighting.

The Codenvy editor also makes programmers’ lives easier by providing a simple way to create, debug, edit, and run diverse projects. The team edition of Codenvy is designed to encourage teamwork. It supports a variety of interpreted and compiled programming languages, including C++, C#, JavaScript, PHP, and Java.

Features of Codenvy

• Multi-Access point for projects
• Shared Workspace
• SSH & Full root access
• Containerized workspace
• Offers extensions and API
• Supports cloud
• Effortless version management
• Automate workspace life space

Pros& Cons of Codenvy

Companies using Codenvy

According to enlyft, 17 companies reportedly use Codenvy in their tech stacks, including

• Inc
• Global Value Commerce.Inc
• Nuxeo SAS
• WSO2 Inc
• eXo Platform SAS

Price

• Free version available
• Pay-as-you-go: $0.15
• Paid Subscription: $300

Factors to consider while choosing IDE

An IDE is a personal preference for developers. As developers, we must devote at least 8 hours to this project. As a result, it’s best to utilize an IDE that’s not just familiar to you but also helps you produce better code. Let’s take a look at some considerations when selecting the ideal IDE.

Boost Performance

The IDE you select should process files quickly and produce output quickly.

IDE Stability

It must simultaneously manage numerous editor windows, terminals, and build processes. It should be capable of handling anything without crashing or freezing.

Cost-Effectiveness

Various IDEs on market are free of cost but the addons might not be. IDEs such as Python IDLEs are completely free and open-source but some packages can come with a price. Open-source software comes with the benefit of being cost benefits and community support. But proprietary software also comes with tons of features, the customer support that could be beneficial if things go wrong.

Smart Automation

A decent Java IDE will automate tedious activities for you while also making coding simple. It should just have default settings. It should aid in the development of some succinct alternatives.

Auto Code Completion

A good IDE tool will identify and insert code components for you, saving you time and reducing the danger of typing errors and defects.

Effective Graphical User Interface

A simple programming reference is made possible by an effective GUI.

Long-Term Support

Java receives long-term support every three years. Any Java IDE worth it’s salt should be able to handle Java 11, 14, and beyond’s latest features and frameworks.

Efficient Debugging Capabilities

While debuggers differ amongst IDEs, having one to show potential mistakes and guide you through your code is essential.

Efficient Highlighting

For readability and efficiency, built-in highlighting is essential. This tool can assist you in locating mistakes in your code and helps you to filter through them more quickly.

Ease of use

A decent IDE will let you write and run Java code in the same window, boosting your program’s productivity and efficiency.

Wrapping Up!

As we’ve seen, Java developers have a wide range of IDE options, ranging from fully-featured commercial software to free and open-source alternatives. Your current project and personal preferences determine the top Java IDE for you. The more a developer learns, the more alternatives they will have. We looked at the features of each IDE, as well as their benefits and drawbacks. You should now have a decent understanding of all the Java IDEs and choose the best Java IDE for you.