Best Java SE Development Kit Alternatives in 2025
Looking for alternatives to Java SE Development Kit? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Java SE Development Kit alongside similar software solutions including Java SE Development Kit, Apache NetBeans IDE, Java SDK SE, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition and IntelliJ IDEA.
Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Java SE Development Kit, Apache NetBeans IDE, Java SDK SE, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition and IntelliJ IDEA stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.
License and Cost
 Java SE Development Kit
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Commercial use requires additional costs; uses Oracle's licensing and support policies. |
 Apache NetBeans IDE
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Free and open-source under Apache License; no cost for usage. |
 Java SDK SE
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Available under Oracle Binary Code License Agreement; specific licensing not detailed. |
 IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
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Free and open-source; no official commercial support. |
 IntelliJ IDEA
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Offers free Community Edition and paid Ultimate Edition with additional features. |
Platform Compatibility
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Java SE Development Kit
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Cross-platform compatibility including Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris; supports many operating systems. |
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Apache NetBeans IDE
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Cross-platform compatibility on Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris. |
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Java SDK SE
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Platform-independent environment supporting multiple operating systems. |
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IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
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Supports Windows, Linux, macOS platforms. |
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IntelliJ IDEA
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Works on Windows, Linux, macOS platforms. |
Programming Language Support
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Java SE Development Kit
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Primarily supports Java development; includes standard libraries and Java Runtime Environment. |
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Apache NetBeans IDE
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Supports Java and multiple other languages including PHP, JavaScript, CSS, HTML5. |
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Java SDK SE
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Supports Java primarily; also mentions integration with other languages like C++, Scala, Kotlin. |
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IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
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Supports Java, Kotlin, Groovy, Scala, JavaScript; limited support for some languages. |
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IntelliJ IDEA
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Supports a wide range of programming languages including Java, Kotlin, Groovy, Scala, JavaScript, PHP; Ultimate Edition has more extensive support. |
Development Features and Tools
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Java SE Development Kit
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Includes compilers, debugging tools, extensive documentation; designed for Java development with update patches and security features. |
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Apache NetBeans IDE
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Features code editor with code highlighting and auto-completion, GUI builder, debugger, profiler, database integration, version control integration. |
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Java SDK SE
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Rich standard library collection; supports object-oriented programming with built-in security features and automatic memory management. |
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IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
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Provides intelligent code completion, refactoring tools, debugging capabilities; integrates with Git and popular build tools like Maven and Gradle. |
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IntelliJ IDEA
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Includes all Community Edition features plus advanced debugging, powerful refactoring tools, code review tools, code sharing functionality and supports application servers integration in Ultimate Edition. |
Support and Community
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Java SE Development Kit
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Community support available; limited official support depending on license type; regular updates with security patches. |
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Apache NetBeans IDE
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Open-source community support including forums and mailing lists; limited official corporate support. |
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Java SDK SE
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Strong community support with extensive resources and tutorials; limited low-level access may impact some development scenarios. |
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IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
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Community-driven support via forums and discussion groups; no official commercial support. |
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IntelliJ IDEA
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Official JetBrains support available for Ultimate Edition users; active community forums available for all editions. |
Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.
This quick comparison shows how Java SE Development Kit stacks up against Java SE Development Kit, Apache NetBeans IDE, Java SDK SE, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition and IntelliJ IDEA in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.
Size
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Java SE Development Kit
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|
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Apache NetBeans IDE
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|
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Java SDK SE
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12MB |
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IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
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856.8MB |
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IntelliJ IDEA
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2.6MB |
License
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Java SE Development Kit
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Shareware |
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Apache NetBeans IDE
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Shareware |
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Java SDK SE
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Freeware |
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IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition
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Shareware |
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IntelliJ IDEA
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Shareware |