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Developer Tools · head to head

Eclipse IDE vs Hive

Eclipse IDE logo

Eclipse IDE

Developer Tools

Open-source, extensible IDE historically centered on Java development

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit Eclipse IDEFull review
Hive logo

Hive

Project Management

Project management built for speed

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit HiveFull review

The short version

  • Hive is a productivity platform.
  • Eclipse IDE is free; Hive starts at $5/mo.
  • Only Eclipse IDE lists java Development Tools (JDT); only Hive lists gantt view.
  • Where Eclipse IDE falls short: startup time and UI responsiveness lag behind newer editors like VS Code.
  • Where Hive falls short: the free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eclipse IDE and Hive actually diverge.

Attributes where Eclipse IDE and Hive differ
AttributeEclipse IDEHive
Pricing modelOpen-sourceFreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
CategoryDeveloper ToolsProject Management
Founded20012015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

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 Eclipse IDE

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

Only in Hive

  • Tasks
  • Gantt view
  • Kanban
  • Time tracking
  • Forms
  • Slack
  • Zoom
  • Google Drive

What people use each for

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

Eclipse IDE

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

Hive

  • Project and task management with multiple project viewsnot Eclipse IDE
  • Coordinating work, proofing and resourcing for teamsnot Eclipse IDE

Where each one falls short

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

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

Hive

  • The free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage
  • The Starter plan at $5 per user per month is limited to 10 projects
  • Eight capabilities are sold as $5 per user add ons on the Teams plan, including CRM, timesheets, proofing, resourcing, advanced dashboards, external users and SSO
  • Buying SSO plus a few of those add ons therefore costs more than the $12 base seat itself
  • AI credits are metered monthly at 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 by plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Eclipse IDE

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

Hive

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1,000 AI credits per month
    • 200MB storage
    • Up to 10 workspace members
  • Starter$5/mo
    • 3,000 AI credits per month
    • Unlimited storage
    • Up to 10 projects
  • Teams$12/mo
    • 5,000 AI credits per month
    • Unlimited workspace members
    • Custom fields

Which should you pick?

Choose Eclipse IDE if

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

Choose Hive if

  • You need tasks.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want gantt view.
Hive review

Questions people ask

Is Eclipse IDE or Hive better?
Neither clearly leads. Eclipse IDE starts at Free and Hive at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eclipse IDE or Hive?
Eclipse IDE starts at Free and Hive at Free.
Does Eclipse IDE or Hive run on more platforms?
Eclipse IDE runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Hive runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
Can I use Eclipse IDE for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Eclipse IDE best used for?
Eclipse IDE is most often used for enterprise java application development, academic and educational programming courses, extending the ide for niche languages via plugins, multi-module builds with maven or gradle. Of those, enterprise java application development and academic and educational programming courses are not what Hive is typically brought in for.
What can Eclipse IDE do that Hive cannot?
Eclipse IDE covers Java Development Tools (JDT), Plugin Architecture, Git Integration, Refactoring Tools. Hive covers Tasks, Gantt view, Kanban, Time tracking.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Hive: Is Hive free?

Hive offers a free plan with 1,000 AI credits per month, 200MB storage, and support for up to 10 workspace members. Paid plans start at $5 per user per month.

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
Hive: Does Hive offer annual billing discounts?

Hive offers 33% savings when choosing annual billing instead of monthly. Annual commitment discounts are available across all plan tiers.

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
Hive: What are Hive's add-on pricing options?

Optional add-ons are available at $5 per month each, including CRM, Finance, Proofing & Approvals, Timesheets, and Team Resourcing features.

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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