Software · head to head
Eclipse vs Apache Spark
Apache Spark
Software
A multi-language engine for data engineering, data science, and machine learning
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Eclipse high memory consumption and CPU usage, especially with multiple plugins installed; Apache Spark licensed under Apache License 2.0 per spark.apache.org; as open source software it has no paid tier or vendor price to compare
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Eclipse and Apache Spark actually diverge.
| Attribute | Eclipse | Apache Spark |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | open-source |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Web |
| Founded | 2001 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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
- Java development environment
- Extensible plugin architecture
- Integrated debugger
- Code refactoring
- Version control integration
- Build automation
- Multi-language support
- Rich client platform
Only in Apache Spark
Nothing recorded that Eclipse does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Eclipse
- Java application developmentnot Apache Spark
- Enterprise software developmentnot Apache Spark
- Web application developmentnot Apache Spark
- Plugin developmentnot Apache Spark
- Educational programmingnot Apache Spark
Apache Spark
No use cases recorded yet. See the Apache Spark review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Eclipse
- High memory consumption and CPU usage, especially with multiple plugins installed
- Slow startup times and performance degradation with large projects or many open editors
- Requires configuration of eclipse.ini file to optimize heap sizes for adequate performance
- User interface considered outdated compared to modern IDE alternatives
- User base fell from 39% of Java developers in 2024 to 28% in 2025, indicating market decline
Apache Spark
- Licensed under Apache License 2.0 per spark.apache.org; as open source software it has no paid tier or vendor price to compare
- Installation on a laptop requires pip install pyspark or a Docker image per spark.apache.org; there is no hosted single-click deployment offered by the Apache project itself
Pricing, plan by plan
Eclipse
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Eclipse review.
Apache Spark
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Apache Spark review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Eclipse if
- You need java development environment.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want extensible plugin architecture.
Questions people ask
- Is Eclipse or Apache Spark better?
- Neither clearly leads. Eclipse starts at Free and Apache Spark at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Eclipse or Apache Spark?
- Eclipse starts at Free and Apache Spark at Free.
- Does Eclipse or Apache Spark run on more platforms?
- Eclipse runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Apache Spark runs on Web.
- Can I use Eclipse for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Eclipse best used for?
- Eclipse is most often used for java application development, enterprise software development, web application development, plugin development. Of those, java application development and enterprise software development are not what Apache Spark is typically brought in for.
- What can Eclipse do that Apache Spark cannot?
- Eclipse covers Java development environment, Extensible plugin architecture, Integrated debugger, Code refactoring.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Eclipse: How much does Eclipse IDE cost?
Eclipse IDE is completely free and open-source, released under the Eclipse Public License 2.0.
Source