IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition is the free, Apache 2.0-licensed version of JetBrains' widely used Java IDE. It ships with deep code analysis, refactoring tools, a built-in debugger, and native support for Maven, Gradle and Git, making it a popular starting point for Java, Kotlin and Android app development. The Community edition covers core JVM and Android workflows; JetBrains sells a separate paid Ultimate edition for web, enterprise and additional language support.
IntelliJ IDEA Community vs. Ultimate: What You Actually Get for Free
The Community edition is not a trial — it is a permanently free, open-source product built from the same codebase as IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate. It includes full support for Java, Kotlin, Groovy and Android development, along with Git, Maven and Gradle integration. What it leaves out are the paid Ultimate-only features aimed at enterprise and web teams, such as built-in support for Spring, JavaScript/TypeScript frameworks, database tools and remote deployment — for plain JVM and Android projects, Community is usually enough.
IntelliJ IDEA Community Features
- Smart Code Completion — context-aware suggestions based on type, usage and surrounding code, not just alphabetical matches
- Built-in Debugger — step through Java and Kotlin code with breakpoints, watches and an evaluate-expression console
- Refactoring Tools — rename, extract method/variable, inline and move refactorings applied safely across a project
- Version Control Integration — built-in Git support with diff viewers, commit history and merge conflict resolution
- Maven & Gradle Support — import, build and run JVM projects without leaving the IDE
- Android Development — write and debug Android apps using the same code intelligence as Android Studio
- Plugin Ecosystem — extend the IDE through the JetBrains Plugin Marketplace for extra languages and frameworks
How to Install IntelliJ IDEA Community on Windows
- Open the official download page using the button on this page, which takes you to JetBrains' own site.
- Choose the Community edition and download the Windows installer (.exe).
- Run the installer and, if you like, enable the option to create a desktop shortcut and add "Open Folder as Project" to the right-click menu.
- Launch IntelliJ IDEA and let it download a Java Development Kit (JDK) if one isn't already configured.
- Open or create a project and start coding — Community edition needs no license key or account.
Is IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition really free?
Open Source. IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition is released under the Apache 2.0 license and is free to use for personal and commercial projects, with no time limit. JetBrains sells IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate separately for teams that need web and enterprise framework support.
How to download IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for www.jetbrains.com/idea — 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 IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition. 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 IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
Other free developer tools software worth comparing before you decide:
Eclipse IDE
A long-standing free, open-source Java IDE with a large plugin ecosystem.
Visual Studio Code
A free, extensible code editor supporting nearly every language via extensions.
Apache NetBeans
An open-source IDE with strong out-of-the-box Java and Maven support.
Frequently asked questions
Is IntelliJ IDEA Community really free forever?
Yes. The Community edition is open source under the Apache 2.0 license and has no trial period, license key or usage limit.
What is the difference between Community and Ultimate?
Community covers Java, Kotlin, Groovy and Android development. Ultimate adds paid features such as Spring and JavaScript/TypeScript framework support, database tools and remote deployment.
Can I use IntelliJ IDEA Community for commercial projects?
Yes, the Apache 2.0 license permits commercial use at no cost.
Does IntelliJ IDEA Community support Android development?
Yes, it includes the same core Android tooling used in Android Studio, since both are built on the IntelliJ platform.
Do I need to install a JDK separately?
IntelliJ IDEA can download and manage a JDK for you during setup, or you can point it to a JDK already installed on your system.
Tell us what went wrong — a person reads every message and replies. Corrections to this page are treated as priority fixes.
People also search for
The terms visitors use to find this page. Each one lands here because it describes the same program.
Searches from India
IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition is identical worldwide — these are search phrasings, not different downloads. Every one of them gets the same official build from www.jetbrains.com/idea.
