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Eclipse vs JetBrains Rider

Eclipse logo

Eclipse

Technology

The Eclipse Foundation - home to a global community

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
JetBrains Rider logo

JetBrains Rider

Developer Tools

Cross-platform .NET IDE from JetBrains for C#, F#, VB.NET and Unity

From
$18.25/month
Rated
-
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; JetBrains Rider requires a paid subscription with no permanently free commercial tier.
  • They diverge on capability: Eclipse covers Java development environment, JetBrains Rider covers Cross-platform .NET Development.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eclipse and JetBrains Rider actually diverge.

Attributes where Eclipse and JetBrains Rider differ
AttributeEclipseJetBrains Rider
Starting priceFree$18.25/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linuxwindows, mac, linux
CategoryTechnologyDeveloper Tools
Founded20012000

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 JetBrains Rider

  • Cross-platform .NET Development
  • ReSharper-powered Code Analysis
  • Integrated Debugger and Profiler
  • Version Control Integration
  • Unity Support

What people use each for

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

Eclipse

  • Java application developmentnot JetBrains Rider
  • Enterprise software developmentnot JetBrains Rider
  • Web application developmentnot JetBrains Rider
  • Plugin developmentnot JetBrains Rider
  • Educational programmingnot JetBrains Rider

JetBrains Rider

  • Cross-platform .NET and ASP.NET Core developmentnot Eclipse
  • Unity game development and debuggingnot Eclipse
  • Large-scale C# refactoring with ReSharper-grade analysisnot Eclipse
  • Teams standardizing on JetBrains tooling across languagesnot 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

JetBrains Rider

  • Requires a paid subscription with no permanently free commercial tier.
  • Heavier resource usage than lightweight editors like VS Code for small projects.
  • Some advanced features overlap with a separate ReSharper Visual Studio plugin, causing licensing confusion.
  • First-year pricing increased in late 2025, raising the cost of entry versus prior years.

Pricing, plan by plan

Eclipse

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Eclipse review.

JetBrains Rider

$18.25/month
  • Individual - Year 1$219/year
    • Full Rider IDE license
    • Free minor and major updates during subscription
  • Individual - Year 2$175/year
    • Continuity discount after first year
  • Individual - Year 3+$131/year
    • Further continuity discount from third year onward

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 JetBrains Rider if

  • You need cross-platform .net development.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want resharper-powered code analysis.
JetBrains Rider review

Questions people ask

Is Eclipse or JetBrains Rider better?
Neither clearly leads. Eclipse starts at Free and JetBrains Rider at $18.25/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eclipse or JetBrains Rider?
Eclipse has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Eclipse and $18.25/month for JetBrains Rider.
Does Eclipse or JetBrains Rider run on more platforms?
Eclipse runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. JetBrains Rider runs on windows, mac, linux.
Can I use Eclipse for free?
Yes. Eclipse has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. JetBrains Rider starts at $18.25/month.
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 JetBrains Rider is typically brought in for.
What can Eclipse do that JetBrains Rider cannot?
Eclipse covers Java development environment, Extensible plugin architecture, Integrated debugger, Code refactoring. JetBrains Rider covers Cross-platform .NET Development, ReSharper-powered Code Analysis, Integrated Debugger and Profiler, Version Control Integration.

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
JetBrains Rider: Does Rider have a free version?

JetBrains offers a free non-commercial license for Rider for personal, non-commercial use, alongside paid commercial subscriptions with continuity discounts after the first year.

Source
JetBrains Rider: What counts as non-commercial use under the free license?

Learning, open-source contributions without commercial benefit, content creation like monetized tutorials, and hobby projects qualify; any paid work or commercial release does not.

Source
JetBrains Rider: Does the free non-commercial license include all Rider features?

Yes, it is a full-featured IDE identical to the paid version, with one exception: Code With Me is limited to the Community tier instead of the premium tier.

Source
JetBrains Rider: How often does the non-commercial license renew?

It issues a one-year license that renews automatically each year, provided Rider was opened at least once during the preceding six months.

Source
JetBrains Rider: What support do non-commercial license holders get?

Non-commercial users get community forums and public bug trackers rather than private support tickets, which are reserved for paid subscribers.

Source
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