Top Java Development Tools and IDEs in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Java continues to be one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Its versatility, reliability, and security features make it the preferred choice for everything from web applications to Android development. As we move further into 2025, Java developers are presented with a wide range of tools and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) to enhance their coding experience, increase productivity, and ensure the highest quality of software development.

In this blog, we will explore the top Java development tools and IDEs available in 2025. Whether you're working in Java API development, Android app development, or building enterprise-level applications, this guide will help you choose the best Java development company tools to streamline your workflow.

Why Java Remains Popular in 2025

Java’s longevity and relevance in 2025 are supported by several factors:

Cross-Platform Compatibility: Java's "write once, run anywhere" philosophy continues to appeal to developers. Its compatibility with multiple platforms, from Windows to Linux and macOS, makes it the ideal choice for enterprise-level and mobile applications.

Enterprise Application Development: Java is the go-to language for developing large-scale, mission-critical applications in various industries like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.

Android App Development: Java remains one of the primary languages for Android development, alongside Kotlin. A majority of Android apps are still built on Java, making it a key tool for mobile development.

Open Source Libraries and Frameworks: Java boasts a large community and a rich set of libraries and frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, and Apache Maven, which simplifies development.

With these points in mind, let’s dive into the top Java development tools and IDEs that are shaping the industry in 2025.

1. IntelliJ IDEA

Overview: IntelliJ IDEA by JetBrains is one of the most popular and feature-rich IDEs for Java development. It is renowned for its excellent code completion, refactoring tools, and integrated version control. Whether you're working on a small project or a large-scale enterprise system, IntelliJ IDEA offers a seamless development experience.

Key Features:

Smart Code Completion: IntelliJ IDEA provides intelligent code completion based on context, making it easier for developers to write code without constantly referring to documentation.

Integrated Tools: The IDE comes with integrated tools for testing, debugging, version control, and deployment, making the development process smoother.

Java Framework Support: Excellent support for frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, and JavaFX. This is crucial for Java API development.

Plugin Ecosystem: IntelliJ IDEA supports a wide array of plugins, allowing developers to customize their environment according to their needs.

Android Support: Though Android Studio is the official IDE for Android development, IntelliJ IDEA offers robust Android support, especially for developers who want to write Java-based Android applications.

Why Use IntelliJ IDEA in 2025? With IntelliJ IDEA, Java developers can be more productive, thanks to its powerful code analysis tools and seamless integration with the latest Java updates. If you're working in Java API development, IntelliJ IDEA's refactoring tools and excellent support for libraries make it a top choice.

2. Eclipse

Overview: Eclipse is a widely-used open-source IDE that offers great flexibility and extensibility. It's often the go-to choice for Java developers looking for a fully-featured development environment without the premium price tag.

Key Features:

Open-Source: Eclipse is free to use, which makes it accessible to a wide range of developers.

Plugin Architecture: Eclipse’s plugin architecture allows developers to extend the IDE’s functionality, making it ideal for those working in specialized domains like Java API development.

Java Development Tools (JDT): Eclipse's JDT package offers a rich set of tools for Java development, including syntax highlighting, auto-completion, debugging, and code navigation.

Multi-Language Support: Besides Java, Eclipse supports a wide range of programming languages like C/C++, Python, and JavaScript.

Rich Set of Tools: Eclipse integrates seamlessly with a variety of tools such as Apache Maven, JUnit, and Git, making it easy to manage dependencies, test code, and track version control.

Why Use Eclipse in 2025? For developers who need a versatile, open-source solution, Eclipse remains an excellent choice. It’s especially useful for enterprise development and API development, where customizability and flexibility are key.

3. NetBeans

Overview: NetBeans is another open-source IDE that supports Java development, but with a simpler, more intuitive interface than Eclipse. Its out-of-the-box features make it particularly appealing to developers who prefer a “set it and forget it” approach.

Key Features:

Java SE, Java EE, and JavaFX Support: NetBeans supports all major Java technologies, including the latest versions of Java SE (Standard Edition), Java EE (Enterprise Edition), and JavaFX.

Built-in Tools: It includes built-in tools for database management, testing, version control, and profiling.

Multi-Platform Support: Like Java itself, NetBeans runs on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Fast Performance: Known for its quick startup and smooth performance, especially when working with large codebases.

Integrated Support for Web Development: If you’re working on web apps, NetBeans integrates seamlessly with popular web technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.

Why Use NetBeans in 2025? If you're looking for a simple, robust, and effective IDE for Java development without the complexity of other tools, NetBeans is a great choice. It’s an ideal option for developers in an Android app development company or those involved in Java API development.

4. Android Studio

Overview: Android Studio is the official IDE for Android development, based on IntelliJ IDEA. Although its primary focus is on Android apps, it remains an essential tool for Java developers working in the mobile space.

Key Features:

Advanced Code Editor: Android Studio comes with a powerful code editor for Java and Kotlin, including smart code completion, refactoring tools, and inline documentation.

UI Design Tools: It includes drag-and-drop tools for designing UI elements, making it easier for developers to create Android app interfaces without writing extensive code.

Emulator and Device Testing: Android Studio comes with an Android emulator that allows you to test your apps on multiple virtual devices, ensuring compatibility across different screen sizes and Android versions.

Built-in Profiler: The profiler helps monitor app performance in real-time, providing insights into CPU, memory, and network usage.

Java Integration: While Kotlin is the preferred language for modern Android development, Java remains heavily integrated within Android Studio, especially for legacy applications.

Why Use Android Studio in 2025? For Java developers in an Android app development company, Android Studio is the go-to tool for building and testing mobile applications. Its seamless integration with the Android SDK and rich set of features make it an essential IDE for modern Android development.

5. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Overview: While Visual Studio Code is often associated with web development, it has become increasingly popular among Java developers due to its lightweight nature and powerful extensions.

Key Features:

Lightweight: VS Code is a lightweight text editor that’s fast and doesn’t require much system resource. This makes it ideal for smaller projects and for developers who want a simple tool without the overhead of a full-fledged IDE.

Extensibility: With the Java Extension Pack, developers can use VS Code for Java development. It includes features like syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and debugging.

Integrated Git Support: VS Code integrates with Git, making version control easier for developers.

Cross-Platform: VS Code works across all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Why Use Visual Studio Code in 2025? VS Code is perfect for Java developers who want a lightweight and flexible tool without the complexity of full IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse. If you prefer a streamlined development experience, especially for Java API development, VS Code is a solid choice.

6. JDeveloper

Overview: JDeveloper by Oracle is a powerful IDE for Java developers, particularly those working with Oracle technologies. It’s often used for Java API development and enterprise applications that require heavy integration with Oracle products.

Key Features:

Full-Stack Development: JDeveloper supports the development of full-stack applications, including front-end, back-end, and database layers.

Integrated Oracle ADF: It comes with Oracle Application Development Framework (ADF), which is a popular choice for developing Java-based enterprise applications.

Enterprise Integration: Excellent integration with Oracle databases, middleware, and cloud infrastructure.

Java EE and Java SE Support: JDeveloper supports both Java EE and Java SE development, making it a versatile tool for enterprise-level applications.

Why Use JDeveloper in 2025? JDeveloper is an ideal choice for Java developers working in Java API development or those building large-scale enterprise applications, particularly if you're leveraging Oracle's suite of products.

Conclusion

In 2025, Java continues to be a foundational language for software development, and the tools available to Java developers have evolved significantly. Whether you’re working with Java API development, Android apps, or enterprise systems, the IDEs and development tools mentioned in this blog will help streamline your development process, improve your workflow, and make your code more efficient.

Choosing the right Java development company or IDE depends on your project requirements and personal preferences. IntelliJ IDEA remains a top choice for its robust feature set, while Eclipse and NetBeans offer great flexibility for Java developers. For Android developers, Android Studio is still the go-to IDE, and lightweight options like Visual Studio Code provide great flexibility. JDeveloper is also a solid choice for enterprise-level Java development, especially for those working within the Oracle ecosystem.