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Android Studio vs Eclipse IDE

Android Studio logo

Android Studio

Mobile Development

The official IDE for Android development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Eclipse IDE logo

Eclipse IDE

Developer Tools

Open-source, extensible IDE historically centered on Java development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Android Studio requires internet access during installation and initial project setup for dependency downloads; Eclipse IDE startup time and UI responsiveness lag behind newer editors like VS Code.
  • They diverge on capability: Android Studio covers Intelligent code editor, Eclipse IDE covers Java Development Tools (JDT).
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Android Studio and Eclipse IDE actually diverge.

Attributes where Android Studio and Eclipse IDE differ
AttributeAndroid StudioEclipse IDE
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linuxwindows, mac, linux
CategoryMobile DevelopmentDeveloper Tools
Founded20142001

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Android Studio

  • Intelligent code editor
  • Visual layout editor
  • APK analyzer
  • Fast Android emulator
  • Real-time profilers
  • Version control integration
  • Built-in terminal
  • Gradle-based build system

Only in Eclipse IDE

  • Java Development Tools (JDT)
  • Plugin Architecture
  • Git Integration
  • Refactoring Tools
  • Workspace and Project Management

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Android Studio

  • Android app developmentnot Eclipse IDE
  • Mobile game developmentnot Eclipse IDE
  • Enterprise mobile appsnot Eclipse IDE
  • Learning Android developmentnot Eclipse IDE
  • Prototyping mobile appsnot Eclipse IDE

Eclipse IDE

  • Enterprise Java application developmentnot Android Studio
  • Academic and educational programming coursesnot Android Studio
  • Extending the IDE for niche languages via pluginsnot Android Studio
  • Multi-module builds with Maven or Gradlenot Android Studio

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Android Studio

  • Requires internet access during installation and initial project setup for dependency downloads
  • Offline mode limited without cached dependencies already downloaded
  • Can be resource-intensive with minimum 8GB RAM and 8GB disk space requirements

Eclipse IDE

  • Startup time and UI responsiveness lag behind newer editors like VS Code.
  • Plugin quality and compatibility can be inconsistent across versions.
  • Modern language support (e.g. for web frameworks) is weaker than dedicated tools.
  • Configuration and workspace setup has a steeper learning curve for newcomers.

Pricing, plan by plan

Android Studio

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Android Studio review.

Eclipse IDE

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full IDE and plugin ecosystem, no paid tiers

Which should you pick?

Choose Android Studio if

  • You need intelligent code editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want visual layout editor.
Android Studio review

Choose Eclipse IDE if

  • You need java development tools (jdt).
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want plugin architecture.
Eclipse IDE review

Questions people ask

Is Android Studio or Eclipse IDE better?
Neither clearly leads. Android Studio starts at Free and Eclipse IDE at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Android Studio or Eclipse IDE?
Android Studio starts at Free and Eclipse IDE at Free.
Does Android Studio or Eclipse IDE run on more platforms?
Android Studio runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Eclipse IDE runs on windows, mac, linux.
Can I use Android Studio for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Android Studio best used for?
Android Studio is most often used for android app development, mobile game development, enterprise mobile apps, learning android development. Of those, android app development and mobile game development are not what Eclipse IDE is typically brought in for.
What can Android Studio do that Eclipse IDE cannot?
Android Studio covers Intelligent code editor, Visual layout editor, APK analyzer, Fast Android emulator. Eclipse IDE covers Java Development Tools (JDT), Plugin Architecture, Git Integration, Refactoring Tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Android Studio: Can I use Android Studio offline?

Partially. You can work offline after initial setup by enabling Offline Work in settings, but internet access is required during installation and at least once for project dependency downloads.

Source
Eclipse IDE: Is Eclipse IDE free to use, including commercially?

Yes, Eclipse is released under the Eclipse Public License 2.0, a free and open-source license that permits commercial use with no purchase required.

Source
Android Studio: Does Android Studio support Kotlin?

Yes, Kotlin is fully supported with first-class IDE support, Kotlin plugin bundled with releases, and automatic update suggestions. Kotlin is now the default language choice for new Android projects.

Source
Eclipse IDE: How do I extend Eclipse with plugins?

Extensions are installed from the Eclipse Marketplace, which hosts over 1,300 solutions spanning tools, languages, IoT support, and RCP applications, using drag-and-drop installation via the Marketplace Client.

Source
Eclipse IDE: What license do Eclipse Marketplace plugins use?

Marketplace listings can be filtered by license type, including EPL, GPL, Apache 2.0, and MIT, since individual plugin authors choose their own licensing terms.

Source
Eclipse IDE: Where can I get help with Eclipse?

Support channels include community forums, project office hours, and a contact page maintained by the Eclipse Foundation, in addition to the official Eclipse Platform help documentation.

Source
Eclipse IDE: Is Eclipse limited to Java development?

No, while Eclipse's Java Development Tools are its best-known feature, the plugin architecture and marketplace extend it to C/C++, PHP, JavaScript, and many other languages.

Source
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