Eclipse IDE
Eclipse IDE is a free, open-source development environment and platform with packages for a range of programming work.
What Eclipse IDE is
Eclipse IDE is a free, open-source development environment and platform with packages for a range of programming work. Its Java Developers package includes a Java IDE, Git client, XML editor, and Maven and Gradle integration. The latest release supports Java 26 and provides tooling for its development. Other packages cover enterprise Java and web, C/C++, DSL, embedded C/C++, PHP, modeling, RCP/RAP, and Scout development. Plug-ins and products can be added from the Eclipse Marketplace, including through the Marketplace Client inside Eclipse; examples listed by the project include GitHub Copilot, Spring Tools 4, TestNG for Eclipse, and PyDev. The installer is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux, with multiple architecture variants. It guides users through choosing a package and installation folder; package downloads and zip files are also available. Help options include community chat, issue reporting, documentation, and a mailing list. Security-fix coverage varies by project, and each project identifies supported versions in its own documentation.
Good
- Free and open source under Eclipse Public License 2.0
- Java package includes Git, XML, Maven, and Gradle tools
- Packages cover multiple languages and development areas
- Marketplace supports plug-ins and products
- Installer offered for macOS, Windows, and Linux
Watch out
- Security-fix coverage varies by project
- Supported versions are identified in project documentation
Who it suits
Eclipse IDE suits developers looking for a free environment with packages for Java and several other languages and development areas. It may also suit users who want to extend their setup through Marketplace plug-ins.
Verdict
Eclipse IDE offers language-specific packages, Java tooling, and Marketplace extensions at no cost. Check the relevant project's documentation to learn which versions receive security fixes.
Plans and prices
From Eclipse IDE's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Eclipse IDE | Free | desktop IDE packages · extensible plugins |
The facts
Each one read from Eclipse IDE's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API and extensibility
- The runtime plug-in model uses plugin.xml manifests, declarative extension points, and lazy plug-in activation.checked 15 Oct 2026
- C/C++ package
- A dedicated C/C++ package is listed at 386 MB.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Chrome extension details
- The Chrome Web Store listing is an OffiDocs Eclipse IDE Online extension with 10,000 users and Java, C/C++, PHP, and Ruby tooling.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The documentation site provides HTML help for Eclipse IDE 2026-09 (4.41) and earlier quarterly releases.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Embedded tooling
- The Embedded C/C++ package includes Arm and RISC-V build plug-ins plus SEGGER J-Link, OpenOCD, pyocd, and QEMU debugging plug-ins.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Enterprise package
- The Enterprise Java and Web package is 585 MB and includes JavaScript, TypeScript, JSP/Faces, YAML, Markdown, web-service, JPA, data-tools, and Maven support.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Example integrations
- The Getting Started page lists GitHub Copilot, Spring Tools 4, TestNG for Eclipse, and PyDev as popular plug-ins.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Users can add plug-ins and products from the Eclipse Marketplace, including through the Marketplace Client inside Eclipse.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The Eclipse Installer is a self-extracting installer, while package and ZIP downloads remain available.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Java development
- The Java Developers package includes a Java IDE, Git client, XML editor, and Maven and Gradle integration.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Java editing
- Java tooling adds compact-source-file project creation, enhanced-for-loop conversion, and cloned-tab navigation for types and methods.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Java package
- The Java Developers package is 360 MB and bundles a Java IDE, Git client, XML editor, Maven, and Gradle integration.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Java support
- The current release supports Java 26 and includes Java development tooling.checked 15 Oct 2026
- JDT API
- Published JDT APIs support project creation, source generation, build management, project analysis, and refactoring implementations.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Languages and audiences
- Packages are offered for Java, enterprise Java and web, C/C++, DSL, embedded C/C++, PHP, modeling, RCP/RAP, and Scout development.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Latest Java
- The site says the latest release supports Java 26 and provides tooling for its development.checked 1 Oct 2026
- License
- Eclipse IDE is free and released under the Eclipse Public License 2.0, which includes royalty-free copyright and patent grants.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: G2 performance and setup
- G2 reviewers repeatedly report slow startup, lag or freezes with large projects or many plugins, dated UI, and confusing setup or compatibility work.checked 15 Oct 2026
The company
- Company founding and size
- LinkedIn lists the foundation as founded in 2004 with 51–200 employees and more than 350 members.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- LinkedIn lists headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal identity
- The maker is Eclipse Foundation AISBL, an international nonprofit association.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Company ownership model
- The Eclipse Foundation describes itself as an independent, vendor-neutral steward funded and supported by member organizations rather than a commercial software vendor.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2004checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Brussels, Belgiumchecked 28 Sep 2026
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