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Eclipse vs GNAT Pro

Eclipse logo

Eclipse

Technology

The Eclipse Foundation - home to a global community

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
GNAT Pro logo

GNAT Pro

Developer Tools

Software development environments and toolchains for Ada, C/C++ and Rust

From
On request
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Eclipse has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Eclipse high memory consumption and CPU usage, especially with multiple plugins installed; GNAT Pro no pricing published on website; requires contacting AdaCore directly for quotes
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eclipse and GNAT Pro actually diverge.

Attributes where Eclipse and GNAT Pro differ
AttributeEclipseGNAT Pro
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb
CategoryTechnologyDeveloper Tools
Founded2001Unknown

Identical on both: 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 GNAT Pro

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 GNAT Pro
  • Enterprise software developmentnot GNAT Pro
  • Web application developmentnot GNAT Pro
  • Plugin developmentnot GNAT Pro
  • Educational programmingnot GNAT Pro

GNAT Pro

  • Building certified avionics software meeting DO-178B/C standardsnot Eclipse
  • Developing automotive embedded systems with ISO-26262 compliancenot Eclipse
  • Integrating Ada, C/C++, and Rust components in single codebasenot Eclipse
  • Managing software supply chain vulnerabilities and SBOMsnot Eclipse
  • Supporting long-lived software systems spanning decadesnot Eclipse

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

GNAT Pro

  • No pricing published on website; requires contacting AdaCore directly for quotes
  • Vendor indicates per-user, per-year subscription model but does not disclose specific costs

Pricing, plan by plan

Eclipse

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Eclipse review.

GNAT Pro

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the GNAT Pro 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 GNAT Pro if

Nothing in the data separates GNAT Pro from Eclipse on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

GNAT Pro review

Questions people ask

Is Eclipse or GNAT Pro better?
Neither clearly leads. Eclipse starts at Free and GNAT Pro at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eclipse or GNAT Pro?
Eclipse has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Eclipse and On request for GNAT Pro.
Does Eclipse or GNAT Pro run on more platforms?
Eclipse runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. GNAT Pro runs on Web.
Can I use Eclipse for free?
Yes. Eclipse has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. GNAT Pro starts at On request.
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 GNAT Pro is typically brought in for.
What can Eclipse do that GNAT Pro 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
GNAT Pro: How much does GNAT Pro cost?

GNAT Pro pricing is not published on the website. Customers must request a pricing quote by contacting AdaCore directly or speaking with a GNAT Pro expert.

Source
GNAT Pro: What is GNAT Pro licensing model?

GNAT Pro is sold on a per-user, per-year basis with no license locks. Customers can request pricing for their specific needs.

Source
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