Side by side

Eclipse IDE vs PyCharm

Both stand on web development ides. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Eclipse IDE

Free plan Open source APIExtensionLinux+2

Eclipse IDE offers a broad set of development packages and Marketplace extensions at no cost. Check the relevant project's documentation for which versions receive security fixes.

Visit Eclipse IDE

PyCharm combines Python-focused editing with debugging, testing, integrations, and database tools across three desktop platforms. The free plan provides an entry point, while Pro is listed at $200 per user annually and Ultimate has a 30-day evaluation period.

Visit PyCharm

The facts

	Eclipse IDE	PyCharm
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	Yes
Runs on	API, Extension, Linux, Mac, Windows	API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	PyCharm Pro personal annual first year: $100 a year
Plans published	1	5
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	eclipseide.org	jetbrains.com
On web development ides	#1 of 44	#2 of 44

Eclipse IDE: what it does well

Free and open source under Eclipse Public License 2.0
Java package includes Git, XML, Maven, and Gradle tools
Packages cover multiple languages and development areas
Marketplace supports adding plug-ins and products
Installer available for macOS, Windows, and Linux

What to know first

Security-fix coverage varies by project
Projects document supported versions separately

PyCharm: what it does well

Python completion, inspections, and refactorings are included.
Local AI completion can run without sending code online.
Supports multiple dependency managers and version-control systems.
Free plan includes one month of Pro.
Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What to know first

Pro costs $200 a year per user.
Ultimate requires purchase and license activation after its 30-day trial.
Data sharing is enabled by default in Preview and EAP versions.

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