Software · head to head
Eclipse vs PyCharm
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Eclipse high memory consumption and CPU usage, especially with multiple plugins installed; PyCharm pyCharm Pro commercial licence is USD 299/year (USD 29.90/month); personal licence is USD 109/year dropping to USD 68.25 by year three with loyalty discounts, per jetbrains.com/store inline pricing JSON checked 19 Aug 2026
- They diverge on capability: Eclipse covers Java development environment, PyCharm covers Intelligent code editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Eclipse and PyCharm actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux), 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 PyCharm
- Intelligent code editor
- Smart code navigation
- Fast and safe refactorings
- Debugging and testing
- VCS integration
- Scientific development tools
- Web development support
- Database tools
Both cover
- Git
- Mercurial
- Local development
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Eclipse
- Java application developmentnot PyCharm
- Enterprise software developmentnot PyCharm
- Web application developmentnot PyCharm
- Plugin developmentnot PyCharm
- Educational programmingnot PyCharm
PyCharm
- Python developmentnot Eclipse
- Data science projectsnot Eclipse
- Web developmentnot Eclipse
- Machine learningnot Eclipse
- Scientific computingnot 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- User interface considered outdated compared to modern IDE alternatives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
PyCharm
- PyCharm Pro commercial licence is USD 299/year (USD 29.90/month); personal licence is USD 109/year dropping to USD 68.25 by year three with loyalty discounts, per jetbrains.com/store inline pricing JSON checked 19 Aug 2026
Pricing, plan by plan
Eclipse
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Eclipse review.
PyCharm
Free- CommunityFree
- Intelligent Python editor
- Graphical debugger and test runner
- Navigation and refactoring
- Professional$24.9/month
- Everything in Community
- Web development frameworks
- Database tools
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.
Choose PyCharm if
- You need intelligent code editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
- You also want smart code navigation.
Questions people ask
- Is Eclipse or PyCharm better?
- Neither clearly leads. Eclipse starts at Free and PyCharm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Eclipse or PyCharm?
- Eclipse starts at Free and PyCharm at Free.
- Does Eclipse or PyCharm run on more platforms?
- Eclipse runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. PyCharm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
- 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 PyCharm is typically brought in for.
- What can Eclipse do that PyCharm cannot?
- Eclipse covers Java development environment, Extensible plugin architecture, Integrated debugger, Code refactoring. PyCharm covers Intelligent code editor, Smart code navigation, Fast and safe refactorings, Debugging and testing. Both handle Git, Mercurial, Local development, Local deployment.
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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