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Software · head to head

Eclipse vs Jira

Eclipse logo

Eclipse

Software

The Eclipse Foundation - home to a global community

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Jira logo

Jira

Software

The #1 software development tool used by agile teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Eclipse high memory consumption and CPU usage, especially with multiple plugins installed; Jira free tier strictly limited to 10 users with only 2 GB storage; unsuitable for growing teams
  • They diverge on capability: Eclipse covers Java development environment, Jira covers Scrum boards.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eclipse and Jira actually diverge.

Attributes where Eclipse and Jira differ
AttributeEclipseJira
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxCloud, Web
Founded20012002

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 Jira

  • Scrum boards
  • Kanban boards
  • Roadmaps
  • Agile reporting
  • Custom workflows
  • Issue tracking
  • Sprint planning
  • DevOps integration

What people use each for

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

Eclipse

  • Java application developmentnot Jira
  • Enterprise software developmentnot Jira
  • Web application developmentnot Jira
  • Plugin developmentnot Jira
  • Educational programmingnot Jira

Jira

  • Software development teams leveraging AI-powered Rovo for trend analysis and bottleneck identificationnot Eclipse
  • Organisations requiring integrated issue tracking, project planning, and team alignment toolsnot Eclipse
  • Enterprises with 1,000+ users needing advanced analytics, security controls, and custom deployment optionsnot 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

Jira

  • Free tier strictly limited to 10 users with only 2 GB storage; unsuitable for growing teams
  • Per-seat pricing ($7.91–$14.54/user/month) accumulates significantly for large teams; 50-person team costs £3,955–7,270 monthly
  • Enterprise tier requires annual billing and sales contact; no transparent per-user pricing available
  • Premium features (cross-team planning, advanced automation) available only at $14.54/user/month tier or above

Pricing, plan by plan

Eclipse

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Eclipse review.

Jira

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Jira 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 Jira if

  • You need scrum boards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Web.
  • You also want kanban boards.
Jira review

Questions people ask

Is Eclipse or Jira better?
Neither clearly leads. Eclipse starts at Free and Jira at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eclipse or Jira?
Eclipse starts at Free and Jira at Free.
Does Eclipse or Jira run on more platforms?
Eclipse runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Jira runs on Cloud, 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 Jira is typically brought in for.
What can Eclipse do that Jira cannot?
Eclipse covers Java development environment, Extensible plugin architecture, Integrated debugger, Code refactoring. Jira covers Scrum boards, Kanban boards, Roadmaps, Agile reporting.

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.

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