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Alternatives

The best IntelliJ IDEA alternatives

JetBrains' IDE for Java and Kotlin with deep code intelligence, refactoring, debugging, framework support and AI agents. If it is not working for you, here are 8 apps that do the same job, closest match first.

Built from official pricing pages and app store listings, prices checked 2026-11-01. Not paid to be here.

At a glance

AppPricePlatformsPick it if
IntelliJ IDEA (the app you have)Free download includes 30 days of UltimateMac, Windows, Linux-
Visual Studio CodeFree and open sourceMac, Windows, Linux, Webyou want it free
ZedPersonal $0 foreverMac, Linux, Windowsyou want open source
Android StudioFree downloadWindows, Mac, Linuxyou want it free
NeovimFree and open sourceMac, Windows, Linuxyou want it free
PyCharmCore features freeMac, Windows, Linuxyou want it free
WebStormFree for non-commercial useMac, Windows, Linuxyou want a close match
Sublime TextPersonal license: one-time purchase with 3 years of updatesMac, Windows, Linuxyou would rather pay once
XcodeFree on the Mac App StoreAppleyou want it free
1

Visual Studio Code

Free and open source; agents can be used free with a GitHub account

Microsoft's free, open-source code editor with AI agents, a huge extension marketplace, built-in Git, terminal and debugger.

Pick it if you want it free, you need it on the web and you want open source.

FreeMacWindowsLinuxWeb
2

Zed

Personal $0 forever; Pro $10/month after a free trial; Business $30/seat/month

Fast open-source code editor written in Rust, with parallel AI agents, edit prediction, real-time collaboration and Vim mode.

Pick it if you want open source and you work with a team.

Free planMacLinuxWindows
3

Android Studio

Free download

Google's official IDE for Android apps, with Gemini AI, Compose design tools, an emulator and device streaming.

Pick it if you want it free.

FreeWindowsMacLinux
4

Neovim

Free and open source

Hyperextensible, Vim-based terminal text editor with Lua plugins, built-in LSP and Tree-sitter.

Pick it if you want it free, you want open source and you need it to work offline.

FreeMacWindowsLinux
5

PyCharm

Core features free

JetBrains' Python IDE with free core features, Jupyter notebooks, web frameworks, debugging and AI agent support; Pro adds more.

Pick it if you want it free and you are a student.

Free planMacWindowsLinux
6

WebStorm

Free for non-commercial use; commercial subscription after 30-day trial

JetBrains' JavaScript and TypeScript IDE, free for non-commercial use, with refactoring, debugging, database tools and AI agents.

Free planMacWindowsLinux
7

Sublime Text

Personal license: one-time purchase with 3 years of updates

Fast, GPU-rendered text editor for code, markup and prose, known for multiple selections and Goto Anything.

Pick it if you would rather pay once.

Pay onceMacWindowsLinux
8

Xcode

Free on the Mac App Store
Xcode screenshot from the Mac App Store

Apple's free IDE for building, testing and shipping apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, TV and Vision Pro.

Pick it if you want it free and you use Apple devices.

FreeMac

We matched these apps to IntelliJ IDEA by what they are for, who they suit and where they run, using our research on each app's official website and app store listing. We have not tested them hands-on for this page. Check the price on each app's own site before you buy.

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