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Eclipse vs PhpStorm

Eclipse logo

Eclipse

Technology

The Eclipse Foundation - home to a global community

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PhpStorm logo

PhpStorm

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for PHP web development

From
$24/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; PhpStorm requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.
  • They diverge on capability: Eclipse covers Java development environment, PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eclipse and PhpStorm actually diverge.

Attributes where Eclipse and PhpStorm differ
AttributeEclipsePhpStorm
Starting priceFree$24/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
  • Code refactoring
  • Build automation
  • Multi-language support
  • Rich client platform
  • Git
  • SVN

Only in PhpStorm

  • PHP-aware coding assistance
  • Front-end tooling
  • Database tools
  • Docker and remote deployment

Both cover

  • Integrated debugger
  • Version control integration

What people use each for

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

Eclipse

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

PhpStorm

  • Building PHP web applications with Laravel or Symfonynot Eclipse
  • Debugging PHP code with Xdebugnot Eclipse
  • Working across PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in one projectnot Eclipse
  • Managing databases alongside application codenot 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

PhpStorm

  • Requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.
  • Heavier and slower to start than lightweight code editors.
  • Some advanced framework-specific tooling requires additional configuration or plugins.
  • Renewal pricing rises for lapsed subscriptions after the grace period.

Pricing, plan by plan

Eclipse

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Eclipse review.

PhpStorm

$24/month
  • Individual$24/month
    • Personal use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Free for students and open-source maintainers
  • Organization$34/month
    • Business use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Volume and renewal discounts

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 PhpStorm if

  • You need php-aware coding assistance.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want front-end tooling.
PhpStorm review

Questions people ask

Is Eclipse or PhpStorm better?
Neither clearly leads. Eclipse starts at Free and PhpStorm at $24/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eclipse or PhpStorm?
Eclipse has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Eclipse and $24/month for PhpStorm.
Does Eclipse or PhpStorm run on more platforms?
Eclipse runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. PhpStorm runs on windows, mac, linux.
Can I use Eclipse for free?
Yes. Eclipse has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PhpStorm starts at $24/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 PhpStorm is typically brought in for.
What can Eclipse do that PhpStorm cannot?
Eclipse covers Java development environment, Extensible plugin architecture, Code refactoring, Build automation. PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, Front-end tooling, Database tools, Docker and remote deployment. Both handle Integrated debugger, 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
PhpStorm: How much does PhpStorm cost?

PhpStorm is sold via JetBrains Toolbox subscription starting around $24/month for individuals and $34/month for organizations, with free licenses for students and open-source maintainers.

Source
PhpStorm: Is there a free trial?

JetBrains offers a free trial of PhpStorm so developers can test it before subscribing.

Source
PhpStorm: What platforms does PhpStorm support?

PhpStorm is a desktop IDE available on Windows, macOS, and Linux via JetBrains Toolbox.

Source
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