I’m looking for a development environment like IntelliJ but without an upfront cost. I don’t mind paying a percentage of my app’s profits later, but I currently can’t afford a license.
Also, what is the technical term for software like IntelliJ (IDE, editor, etc.)? Are there any options for a free IntelliJ alternative I can use right now?
Hey! If you’re looking for a free version of IntelliJ itself, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition is exactly what you need.
It’s officially maintained by JetBrains and completely free.
It supports Java, Kotlin, Groovy, and basic Android development.
The only limitations are some advanced features like Spring Boot, Java EE, or database tools, which are part of the paid Ultimate Edition.
I personally started coding in Java with the Community Edition—it’s perfect for most apps and small projects.
If you want alternatives to IntelliJ, there are several free IDEs:
Eclipse → Very popular for Java, supports plugins, open-source.
NetBeans → Good out-of-the-box Java support, also open-source.
VS Code → Lightweight editor, highly customizable with Java extensions.
I’ve used Eclipse and VS Code in different projects, Eclipse is heavy but full-featured, while VS Code is fast and flexible for coding on the go.
Just to clarify, IntelliJ (and IDEs in general) are called Integrated Development Environments (IDE).
They combine a code editor, build tools, debugger, and other utilities in one application.
Unlike simple editors like Sublime Text or Notepad++, IDEs are designed to streamline the entire coding workflow.
Regarding your point about paying a percentage of profits, JetBrains doesn’t offer that model, but the Community Edition is free forever, so you can start coding immediately without worrying about costs.