Technology · head to head
WebStorm vs Eclipse
Eclipse
Technology
The Eclipse Foundation - home to a global community
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Eclipse has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: WebStorm jetBrains WebStorm is sold as an annual subscription rather than a one-time purchase: commercial price is $199 per year (USD), and personal price starts at $299 in year one, dropping to $239 in year two and $179 from year three onward with continuous renewal.; Eclipse high memory consumption and CPU usage, especially with multiple plugins installed
- They diverge on capability: WebStorm covers Smart JavaScript editor, Eclipse covers Java development environment.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which WebStorm and Eclipse actually diverge.
Identical on both: platforms (Windows, Macos, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Technology).
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 WebStorm
- Smart JavaScript editor
- TypeScript support
- Node.js development
- Modern framework support
- Built-in debugger
- Unit testing
- Version control
- Live templates
Only in Eclipse
- Java development environment
- Extensible plugin architecture
- Integrated debugger
- Code refactoring
- Version control integration
- Build automation
- Multi-language support
- Rich client platform
Both cover
- Local development
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
WebStorm
- Web application development
- React/Angular/Vue developmentnot Eclipse
- Node.js backend developmentnot Eclipse
- TypeScript projectsnot Eclipse
- Frontend testingnot Eclipse
Eclipse
- Java application developmentnot WebStorm
- Enterprise software developmentnot WebStorm
- Web application development
- Plugin developmentnot WebStorm
- Educational programmingnot WebStorm
Both are used for web application development, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
WebStorm
- JetBrains WebStorm is sold as an annual subscription rather than a one-time purchase: commercial price is $199 per year (USD), and personal price starts at $299 in year one, dropping to $239 in year two and $179 from year three onward with continuous renewal.
- If the subscription lapses, use of new versions stops; JetBrains grants a fallback license only for the last version used while the subscription was active, per its published buy page.
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
Pricing, plan by plan
WebStorm
$12.9/month- Individual$12.9/month
- Intelligent JavaScript & TypeScript editor
- Debugging and testing
- VCS integration
- Organizations$25.9/month
- All Individual features
- Commercial use license
- Centralized license management
Eclipse
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Eclipse review.
Which should you pick?
Choose WebStorm if
- You need smart javascript editor.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
- You also want typescript support.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is WebStorm or Eclipse better?
- Neither clearly leads. WebStorm starts at $12.9/month and Eclipse at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, WebStorm or Eclipse?
- Eclipse has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12.9/month for WebStorm and Free for Eclipse.
- Does WebStorm or Eclipse run on more platforms?
- WebStorm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. Eclipse runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Can I use Eclipse for free?
- Yes. Eclipse has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. WebStorm starts at $12.9/month.
- What is WebStorm best used for?
- WebStorm is most often used for web application development, react/angular/vue development, node.js backend development, typescript projects. Of those, react/angular/vue development and node.js backend development are not what Eclipse is typically brought in for.
- What can WebStorm do that Eclipse cannot?
- WebStorm covers Smart JavaScript editor, TypeScript support, Node.js development, Modern framework support. Eclipse covers Java development environment, Extensible plugin architecture, Integrated debugger, Code refactoring. Both handle Local development, Local deployment, Windows support.
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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