Best Java IDE for Beginners in 2025: IntelliJ vs VS Code vs Eclipse

#java #programming #beginners #codenewbie

This guide is Chapter 4 of the Java Course. It was originally published with full installation on SRF Developer.

You have installed the JDK (Chapter 3). Now, you need a tool to write your code.

This is the most common question I get from beginners: "Should I use IntelliJ, Eclipse, or VS Code?"

Here is my honest breakdown for 2025.

1. IntelliJ IDEA (The Gold Standard) 🏆

If you are serious about getting hired as a Java Developer, use IntelliJ.

Pros: It basically writes the code for you. The auto-complete and debugging tools are unmatched.
Cons: It can be "heavy" (uses a lot of RAM).
Verdict: Highly Recommended for this course.

Pros: Fast, looks great, and you probably already use it for Web Development.
Cons: It requires a lot of plugins (Extension Pack for Java) to work properly. It is not a full "IDE" out of the box.
Verdict: Great if you have a slower laptop.

Pros: Open source and used in many legacy corporate environments.
Cons: The interface looks outdated (like Windows 95) compared to modern tools.
Verdict: Only use this if your college professor forces you to.