Softwr

Technology · head to head

Eclipse vs Fig

Eclipse logo

Eclipse

Technology

The Eclipse Foundation - home to a global community

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
F

Fig

Developer Tools

IDE-style autocomplete for your existing terminal

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Eclipse high memory consumption and CPU usage, especially with multiple plugins installed; Fig shut down on 1 September 2024. Amazon acquired Fig in August 2023 and folded it into Amazon Q Developer, which now carries the terminal autocomplete
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eclipse and Fig actually diverge.

Attributes where Eclipse and Fig differ
AttributeEclipseFig
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb
CategoryTechnologyDeveloper Tools
Founded20012020

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 Eclipse

  • Java development environment
  • Extensible plugin architecture
  • Integrated debugger
  • Code refactoring
  • Version control integration
  • Build automation
  • Multi-language support
  • Rich client platform

Only in Fig

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 Fig
  • Enterprise software developmentnot Fig
  • Web application developmentnot Fig
  • Plugin developmentnot Fig
  • Educational programmingnot Fig

Fig

No use cases recorded yet. See the Fig 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  • User interface considered outdated compared to modern IDE alternatives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

Fig

  • Shut down on 1 September 2024. Amazon acquired Fig in August 2023 and folded it into Amazon Q Developer, which now carries the terminal autocomplete
  • The standalone desktop app is no longer available or supported
  • The completion specs remain open source on GitHub, but the product that consumed them is gone

Pricing, plan by plan

Eclipse

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Eclipse review.

Fig

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Fig 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.
Eclipse review

Choose Fig if

  • You want to start without paying.
Fig review

Questions people ask

Is Eclipse or Fig better?
Neither clearly leads. Eclipse starts at Free and Fig at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eclipse or Fig?
Eclipse starts at Free and Fig at Free.
Does Eclipse or Fig run on more platforms?
Eclipse runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Fig 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 Fig is typically brought in for.
What can Eclipse do that Fig 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
Share

Related pages

More on Eclipse

More on Fig

Keep looking

Other head to heads