Our verdict: NetBeans is a straightforward open-source IDE for Java that works well out of the box, with Maven and Gradle support and a Swing GUI designer. It is simpler to set up than Eclipse once Java is installed. The Apache project itself only publishes a ZIP, so Windows installers come from community partners.
About Apache NetBeans
NetBeans was started in the 1990s, later owned by Sun and Oracle, and donated to the Apache Software Foundation in 2016. It is released under the Apache License 2.0, and a new version appears about every three months.
Java, PHP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript support is included without extra plugins. Apache NetBeans 31 runs on JDK 21, 25 or 26, which you install separately. The official download page offers the platform-independent ZIP from Apache and links to Windows installers built by community partners.
What it does well
- Java tooling. Code completion, refactoring, debugger and profiler for Java projects.
- Maven and Gradle. Opens Maven and Gradle projects directly without import steps.
- Swing GUI designer. Drag-and-drop designer for Java desktop interfaces.
- PHP and web. Editors and debugging for PHP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- Version control. Built-in Git support with diff and history views.
Who it is for
Good fit
Java students and developers who want a simple open-source IDE, and PHP developers.
Look elsewhere
People who want a one-click installer from the project itself or a light editor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fully open source under Apache
- Java, PHP and web support built in
- Swing GUI designer
- Maven and Gradle projects open directly
Cons
- Requires a separately installed JDK
- Apache publishes only a ZIP; Windows installers come from third parties
- Smaller plugin ecosystem than Eclipse or IntelliJ
How to install Apache NetBeans
Install a JDK such as version 21 or newer first. The official download page links the Apache ZIP and community-built Windows installers; there is no single installer published by Apache, so the button opens that page.
Questions about Apache NetBeans
Is Apache NetBeans free?
Yes. It is open source under the Apache License 2.0 and free for any use.
Which Java version does NetBeans need?
Apache NetBeans 31 runs on JDK 21, 25 or 26, with initial support for JDK 27.
Is there a NetBeans installer for Windows?
The Apache project publishes a ZIP. Its download page links to Windows installers built by community partners.
