Software · head to head
Eclipse vs Envoy
Envoy
Software
An open source edge and service proxy, designed for cloud-native and AI-native applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Eclipse high memory consumption and CPU usage, especially with multiple plugins installed; Envoy licensed under Apache License 2.0 per the project's GitHub repository (envoyproxy/envoy LICENSE); as a CNCF graduated project it has no paid tier or vendor price to compare
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Eclipse and Envoy actually diverge.
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 Envoy
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 Envoy
- Enterprise software developmentnot Envoy
- Web application developmentnot Envoy
- Plugin developmentnot Envoy
- Educational programmingnot Envoy
Envoy
No use cases recorded yet. See the Envoy 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- User interface considered outdated compared to modern IDE alternatives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
Envoy
- Licensed under Apache License 2.0 per the project's GitHub repository (envoyproxy/envoy LICENSE); as a CNCF graduated project it has no paid tier or vendor price to compare
- Envoy is a proxy that runs alongside each application instance, per envoyproxy.io, requiring a sidecar or edge deployment model rather than a single centralized install
Pricing, plan by plan
Eclipse
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Eclipse review.
Envoy
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Envoy 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 Envoy better?
- Neither clearly leads. Eclipse starts at Free and Envoy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Eclipse or Envoy?
- Eclipse starts at Free and Envoy at Free.
- Does Eclipse or Envoy run on more platforms?
- Eclipse runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Envoy 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 Envoy is typically brought in for.
- What can Eclipse do that Envoy 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