Eclipse is a free, open-source IDE maintained by the Eclipse Foundation, best known as one of the most widely used development environments for Java. Its plugin-based platform architecture means the base install can be extended with tools for C/C++ (via CDT), PHP, and dozens of other languages and frameworks, all installable through the built-in Eclipse Marketplace. It has been a cornerstone of open-source Java tooling since the early 2000s.
Eclipse vs IntelliJ IDEA for Java Development
Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA are the two most common choices for serious Java development. IntelliJ's Community Edition is also free and open source, and many developers find its code completion and refactoring tools feel more polished out of the box. Eclipse's advantage is its plugin ecosystem and platform flexibility — it is not just a Java IDE but a general application platform (the same one used to build tools like the Android Studio predecessor ADT), and its fully free nature extends to every edition without a paid tier gating advanced features.
Eclipse IDE Features
- Java Development Tools (JDT) — full-featured Java editing, code completion, refactoring and debugging.
- Plugin Marketplace — install additional language support and tools directly from within the IDE.
- C/C++ Development Tools (CDT) — add C and C++ project support via the official CDT plugin.
- Integrated Debugger — set breakpoints, inspect variables and step through code within the IDE.
- Git Integration (EGit) — manage Git repositories without leaving the IDE.
- Workspace and Project Management — organize multiple projects with shared build configurations.
- Refactoring Tools — rename, extract and reorganize code safely across a project.
- Cross-Platform — runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with the same core experience.
How to Install Eclipse IDE on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Open the official download page using the button on this page, which links to eclipseide.org.
- Download the Eclipse Installer or a specific IDE package (such as Eclipse IDE for Java Developers).
- Run the installer and select the edition you want, or extract the archive if using a portable package.
- Launch Eclipse and choose a workspace folder where your projects will be stored.
- Install additional plugins through Help > Eclipse Marketplace if you need support for other languages.
Is Eclipse really free?
Open Source. Eclipse is released under the Eclipse Public License (EPL) and every edition, including all its plugins from the Eclipse Foundation, is free to download and use.
How to download Eclipse safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for eclipseide.org — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering Eclipse. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to Eclipse
Other free developer tools software worth comparing before you decide:
Visual Studio Code
A free, highly extensible source code editor.
IntelliJ IDEA
A Java IDE with a free Community edition and paid Ultimate edition.
NetBeans
A free, open-source IDE for Java and other languages.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eclipse completely free?
Yes. Eclipse is open-source software under the Eclipse Public License with no paid tier; all official downloads and plugins from the Eclipse Foundation are free.
Can Eclipse be used for languages other than Java?
Yes, through plugins such as CDT for C/C++ and PDT for PHP, along with many community-built plugins for other languages.
What is the difference between Eclipse and Eclipse IDE for Java Developers?
They both refer to the same underlying platform; the "Eclipse IDE for Java Developers" package is a pre-configured bundle aimed specifically at Java projects.
Does Eclipse support Git?
Yes, through the bundled EGit plugin, which provides Git repository management directly inside the IDE.
Is Eclipse still relevant compared to newer IDEs like IntelliJ or VS Code?
Yes, Eclipse remains widely used, particularly in enterprise Java and Android-adjacent tooling, though many developers now also choose IntelliJ IDEA or VS Code depending on their language and workflow.
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