There are many different Java compilers that have many different focuses. There are some that are best suited for those who are completely new to developing and there are also programs that are designed for experienced developers who need a heavy duty program. Whatever your needs are, below is a list of the best Java compilers that are currently available. Each program is outlined with what they are best known for as well as some things that you may want to know before downloading.

The Top 7 Java Compilers

  1. NetBeans – Best for Customization
  2. IntelliJ IDEA – Best for Heavy Duty Computers
  3. BlueJ – Best for Newcomers to Java Development
  4. JDeveloper – Best for Experienced Java Developers
  5. Tabnine – Best for Growing Teams
  6. DrJava – Best for on-the-go Use
  7. Eclipse – Best for Plugin Development

1. NetBeans – Best for Customization

PRICING: Free

There’s a lot of great things to mention when it comes to Apache NetBeans. Not only is it consistently one of the top IDEs for Java, but it also allows you to compare code side by side. NetBeans offers a ton of learning resources and is constantly working to keep their community up to date on news and features. They provide a great framework for using their modules or even creating your own. There aren’t many multi-language Java compilers that provide all the features at no cost like NetBeans does.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Used for desktop, web, and mobile development
  • Customizable
  • Debugging tools
  • Extension options
  • Project management tools
  • Customizable modules
  • APIs

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Major IDE for Java 8
  • Multiple language options
  • Offers code comparison
  • Learning resources
  • Runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Takes up a lot of memory
  • Debugging takes a while

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2. IntelliJ IDEA – Best for Heavy Duty Computers

PRICING: Free

IntelliJ IDEA has a focus on making you more efficient and productive. They offer both a free edition for the community and an Ultimate edition that comes with a ton of extra features. This compiler has a lot of AI assistance that can assist with anything from coding assistance to tool suggestions. One downside of IntelliJ is that it is a heavy program and can really take a lot out of your system. It’s best to ensure your system is ready and capable of handling it.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Analysis tools
  • AI suggestions
  • Refactoring tools
  • Coding assistance for multiple languages
  • IDE for Java
  • Automation assistance
  • AI tool suggestion
  • Notification tool
  • Database tools
  • Profiling tools
  • Debugging tools
  • Android and JVM developing
  • Integration options

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Multiple language options
  • 30 day trial for Ultimate edition
  • Yearly or monthly subscription options
  • Business or individual options
  • Discount options

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Difficult to learn
  • Taxing on your computer’s system
  • Ultimate edition is expensive

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3. BlueJ – Best for Newcomers to Java Development

PRICING: Free

BlueJ was initially created to help teach beginners. There is even a textbook to help college students with using BlueJ. BlueJ is truly an easy to use system that lays everything out in a simple and color coded way. Its efficiency makes it great for anyone to use, especially if you tend to be on the go and can’t always have the program downloaded. Due to BlueJ’s focus of being beginner friendly, it doesn’t have a lot of extra features that many other programs offer. It also has trouble running large projects.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Scope coloring
  • Allows interaction with objects
  • UML charts

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Designed for beginners
  • Simple UI
  • You can inspect objects while program is running
  • Highly responsive support
  • Capable of running of USB
  • Runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Not many features
  • Big projects tend to crash

» MORE: Top Java Compilers

4. JDeveloper – Best for Experienced Java Developers

PRICING: Free

Oracle JDeveloper is a solid program that packs a heavy punch. Its biggest feature is that it allows you to work through each step of the life cycle; Coding, designing, debugging, optimizing, profiling, and deploying. It’s extremely important to note that due to how fully encompassing JDeveloper is, it will take a lot of your computer. They offer a lot of great information on preparing and installing JDeveloper, so ensure you go over the information listed on their website to ensure your system is prepared sufficiently.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Integration options
  • Drag and drop tool
  • Full lifecycle management
  • SQL queries
  • Visual editor

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Lots of training, tutorials, and demonstrations
  • Integrates with Oracle Application Development Framework
  • Runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Difficult to learn
  • Takes a significant amount of RAM

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5. Tabnine – Best for Growing Teams

PRICING: Free

Tabnine is focused on providing AI that allows you to code faster and more efficiently. Their AI system learns how you code and gets better at predicting your next needed clode and directly inputting it for you. This AI system can be used to train your team members as well. Freeing up even more valuable time for you to focus on the job at hand. Team member onboarding is now a process that can be entirely handled by your AI model who teaches your coding standards.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Several language options
  • AI assistant
  • Analytics
  • Advanced AI models
  • GitHub integrations
  • Customization options
  • Self-hosting option
  • Testing tools
  • Debugging tools
  • Browser coding capabilities
  • Automation capabilities

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Paid and yearly options
  • Several plan options
  • Training
  • Desktop or cloud options
  • Tons of plugin options
  • Tons of programming languages
  • Runs on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Solaris

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Taxing on your computer’s system
  • Plugins are complicated
  • Best features are locked behind paid versions

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6. DrJava – Best for on-the-go Use

PRICING: Free

DrJava is another compiler that was created as a teaching tool for those that are new. Its UI is very easy to work with and is consistent on all platforms to make transitioning with it simple. DrJava is great for developers who need a quick and easy to use compiler that doesn’t need any setup. Its simplicity can also be troublesome if you’re needing something with top of the line features. DrJava can’t handle heavy applications, so it’s best left to simple projects or for those that are new to Java development.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Simple UI
  • Testing tools
  • REPL tool
  • Debugging tools
  • Auto-completion
  • Find and replace tool

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Runs on Linux, Windows, Mac OS
  • No setup required
  • Can be a plugin for Eclipse

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Not many features
  • Not good for real-time apps

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7. Eclipse – Best for Plugin Development

PRICING: Free

Eclipse is great for debugging programs. It offers a lot of customization capabilities with its extensive marketplace that is full of plugin options. Eclipse also offers the ability to create your own plugin. This allows you to truly customize Eclipse to be exactly what you need as long as you have the time to create your own features. Eclipse is a very user friendly program making it great for any level of user.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Tons of plugin options
  • Customization capabilities
  • Several coding language options
  • Debugging tools
  • Code completion
  • Coding templates
  • Remote management
  • Drag and drop ability

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Desktop and Cloud options
  • Web browsing coding capabilities
  • Ability to create your own features
  • Easy to use
  • Runs on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Solaris

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Known to crash
  • Taxing on your computer’s system

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References and Links

  • https://www.guru99.com/best-java-ide.html
  • https://www.educative.io/blog/best-java-ides-2021
  • https://netbeans.apache.org/
  • https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/
  • https://www.bluej.org/
  • https://www.oracle.com/application-development/technologies/jdeveloper.html
  • https://jcreator.en.softonic.com/
  • https://www.tabnine.com/
  • http://www.drjava.org/
  • https://www.eclipse.org