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Developer Tools · head to head

CLion vs PhpStorm

CLion logo

CLion

Developer Tools

A cross-platform IDE for C and C++

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PhpStorm logo

PhpStorm

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for PHP web development

From
$24/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CLion has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CLion specific subscription pricing not listed on product page; PhpStorm requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CLion and PhpStorm actually diverge.

Attributes where CLion and PhpStorm differ
AttributeCLionPhpStorm
Starting priceFree$24/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebwindows, mac, linux
FoundedUnknown2000

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Developer Tools).

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 CLion

Nothing recorded that PhpStorm does not also cover.

Only in PhpStorm

  • PHP-aware coding assistance
  • Integrated debugger
  • Front-end tooling
  • Database tools
  • Version control integration
  • Docker and remote deployment

What people use each for

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

CLion

  • C and C++ development with real-time analysisnot PhpStorm
  • Embedded systems and ARM toolchain developmentnot PhpStorm
  • Remote development via Docker and WSLnot PhpStorm
  • Educational programming instructionnot PhpStorm
  • Cross-platform development for Linux and Windowsnot PhpStorm

PhpStorm

  • Building PHP web applications with Laravel or Symfonynot CLion
  • Debugging PHP code with Xdebugnot CLion
  • Working across PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in one projectnot CLion
  • Managing databases alongside application codenot CLion

Where each one falls short

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

CLion

  • Specific subscription pricing not listed on product page
  • Requires reference to separate store page for tier details
  • AI credits needed for integrated AI features
  • No mention of free trial for commercial use

PhpStorm

  • Requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.
  • Heavier and slower to start than lightweight code editors.
  • Some advanced framework-specific tooling requires additional configuration or plugins.
  • Renewal pricing rises for lapsed subscriptions after the grace period.

Pricing, plan by plan

CLion

Free
  • Free (Non-commercial)Free
    • Non-commercial use license
    • Full IDE features for hobby and open-source projects
  • Free (Educational)Free
    • Student licenses
    • Teacher licenses
    • Full IDE access for educational purposes
  • Subscription$null/month
    • Different subscription options for individuals and organizations
    • 25% discount for switching from competing products

PhpStorm

$24/month
  • Individual$24/month
    • Personal use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Free for students and open-source maintainers
  • Organization$34/month
    • Business use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Volume and renewal discounts

Which should you pick?

Choose CLion if

  • You want to start without paying.
CLion review

Choose PhpStorm if

  • You need php-aware coding assistance.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want integrated debugger.
PhpStorm review

Questions people ask

Is CLion or PhpStorm better?
Neither clearly leads. CLion starts at Free and PhpStorm at $24/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CLion or PhpStorm?
CLion has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CLion and $24/month for PhpStorm.
Does CLion or PhpStorm run on more platforms?
CLion runs on Web. PhpStorm runs on windows, mac, linux.
Can I use CLion for free?
Yes. CLion has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PhpStorm starts at $24/month.
What is CLion best used for?
CLion is most often used for c and c++ development with real-time analysis, embedded systems and arm toolchain development, remote development via docker and wsl, educational programming instruction. Of those, c and c++ development with real-time analysis and embedded systems and arm toolchain development are not what PhpStorm is typically brought in for.
What can CLion do that PhpStorm cannot?
PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, Integrated debugger, Front-end tooling, Database tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CLion: Is CLion free?

CLion offers free licenses for students, teachers, and non-commercial use. Commercial users can purchase subscriptions with organization pricing available.

Source
PhpStorm: How much does PhpStorm cost?

PhpStorm is sold via JetBrains Toolbox subscription starting around $24/month for individuals and $34/month for organizations, with free licenses for students and open-source maintainers.

Source
CLion: What free options does CLion provide?

CLion provides non-commercial use licenses for open-source and hobby projects, plus full licenses for students and teachers without cost.

Source
PhpStorm: Is there a free trial?

JetBrains offers a free trial of PhpStorm so developers can test it before subscribing.

Source
CLion: Does CLion include AI assistance?

Yes, CLion natively integrates AI with support for Claude, GPT, Gemini, and Grok models. Users can apply JetBrains AI credits or bring their own API keys to avoid vendor lock-in.

Source
PhpStorm: What platforms does PhpStorm support?

PhpStorm is a desktop IDE available on Windows, macOS, and Linux via JetBrains Toolbox.

Source
CLion: Are there discounts for switching to CLion?

CLion offers a competitive discount of 25% for users switching from other IDEs and similar products.

Source
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