Apache Netbeans Review, Pricing & Features

Apache NetBeans is a free, open-source IDE for Java, PHP, C/C++, and more. Learn its history from Sun to Oracle to Apache, features, and current status.

Category
Productivity
Pricing
open-source, from Free
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Last updated
July 19, 2026
Founded
1996

What Is Apache Netbeans

Apache NetBeans is a free, open-source integrated development environment (IDE) primarily known for Java development, though it also supports languages like PHP, C, C++, HTML5, and JavaScript through extensions.

The project traces back to 1996 as a student project called Xelfi at Charles University in Prague, was commercialized in 1997, acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999, and open-sourced shortly after. It passed to Oracle when Oracle acquired Sun in 2010.

In 2016, Oracle donated the NetBeans codebase to the Apache Software Foundation, and the project became a full Top-Level Apache project in April 2019, giving it its current name and community governance model.

Key Features

The IDE provides a full-featured code editor with syntax highlighting, code completion, and refactoring tools for Java and other supported languages.

NetBeans includes out-of-the-box support for building Java SE, Java EE, JavaFX, and mobile Java applications, along with visual GUI builder tools for designing desktop application interfaces.

Built-in debugging and profiling tools, along with integration for version control systems like Git, Subversion, and Mercurial, support a complete development workflow within a single IDE.

Pricing

Apache NetBeans is completely free to download and use, with no licensing fees, paid tiers, or premium upgrades, consistent with its status as an Apache Software Foundation open-source project.

There is no commercial entity behind Apache NetBeans; development is community-driven and governed by Apache Software Foundation open-source norms.

Key Features

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
  • Strong out-of-the-box support for Java SE, EE, and JavaFX
  • Long development history dating back to the late 1990s with continued active releases
  • Vendor-neutral governance under the Apache Software Foundation
  • Built-in GUI builder, debugger, and profiler reduce need for external tools

Cons

  • Smaller plugin ecosystem compared to Eclipse or VS Code
  • Less market share among professional Java developers than JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA
  • Interface can feel dated compared to more modern IDEs
  • Community-driven development can mean slower feature turnaround than commercial competitors

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Apache NetBeans free?

Yes, Apache NetBeans is completely free and open-source, with no licensing fees or paid tiers, as it is governed by the Apache Software Foundation.

What languages does Apache NetBeans support?

Apache NetBeans primarily supports Java (SE, EE, and JavaFX) but also supports PHP, C, C++, HTML5, JavaScript, and Groovy through built-in tools and extensions.

Who owns NetBeans now?

NetBeans is not owned by a single company. It was donated by Oracle to the Apache Software Foundation in 2016 and became a Top-Level Apache project in April 2019, now governed by a community of volunteer contributors.

How old is NetBeans?

NetBeans traces its origins to 1996 as a student project called Xelfi at Charles University in Prague, making it one of the longer-running Java IDEs still in active development.

Was NetBeans previously owned by Oracle?

Yes, NetBeans became part of Oracle when Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems in 2010, before Oracle donated the codebase to the Apache Software Foundation in 2016.

What is the latest version of Apache NetBeans?

Apache NetBeans 30 was released in May 2026, reflecting the project's ongoing active development under the Apache Software Foundation.

How does Apache NetBeans compare to Eclipse?

Both are free, open-source Java IDEs, but NetBeans is known for strong out-of-the-box support for Java SE, EE, and JavaFX with less reliance on plugins, while Eclipse has a larger third-party plugin ecosystem.

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