Download Apache NetBeans Free 2025 for Windows and Mac
Download Apache NetBeans Free 2025 for Windows and Mac
Empowering Developers with an Exceptional IDE
aApache NetBeans is a powerful and versatile integrated development environment (IDE) that has revolutionized the way developers build, debug, and deploy applications. Offering a comprehensive suite of tools and features, Apache NetBeans has become a go-to choice for developers worldwide.
In this article, we will explore its capabilities, key features, and how it allows developers to streamline their workflows and increase productivity.
What is Apache NetBeans Free?
It is a free, open-source IDE for developers. You can get all the tools you need to create professional desktop, project, web, and mobile applications in Java, C/C++, and even dynamic languages like PHP/JavaScript/Groovy/Ruby. Apache NetBeans is easy to install and use right out of the box and runs on many platforms, including Windows/Linux/macOS and Solaris.
The application significantly expands the capabilities of the command-line tool. Apache NetBeans can run the shell as a parameter, similar to the error correction factor, when debugging or running the application (currently only J2SE applications are supported, whether Ant or Maven-based).
Quotes written in JShell can be redefined and tested, even while they are running. When the prototype is ready, it can be saved as a standard Java source file and merged into the project. Java Shell is a new utility included in JDK9 defined in JEP 222 to provide REPL (read-eval-print-loop) capabilities to Java.
The tool provides a console-like user interface for the Java Shell, which enhances the capabilities of the application editor. It can support the tool with the configured user project. The Java Shell is therefore configured to work with project categories and libraries, providing out-of-the-box auto-completion in the editor.

The Most Important Fixes and Improvements
- Windows LAF: Small or large GUI font size fixed on various HiDPI configurations.
- Fixed incorrectly sized component icons (radio buttons, checkboxes, project tree expansion handles, etc.) on various HiDPI configurations.
- Fixed uneven borders on text components on non-integrated HiDPI scaling factors, e.g., 150%, when dragging broken tabs (rearranged windows) on HiDPI displays.
- The toolbar browser icon takes advantage of HiDPI scaling optimization.
- Simplified HeapView widget application.
- Incorrectly positioned font width tag (e.g., it appears at 82 characters instead of 80 characters) and inaccurate tab alignment.
- This error was present in some zoom levels in the editor on Windows/Linux/macOS operating systems, including non-HiDPI screen.
- Fixed fixed file names in the Windows Projects window and HiDPI displays.
New Features in NetBeans
Javascript
Move AngularJS from view hyperlinks to consoles. Many improvements to AngularJS in code completion between elements, such as code completion for specific properties in controllers. JavaScript code correction is implemented and supported in the Nashorn text engine (JDK 8+).
Java EE
New PrimeFaces code generators, to generate complete PrimeFaces structural CRUD applications with database connectivity. Support for Tomcat 8.0 and TomEE, including data source configuration and JPA, JSF, and JAXRS-ready data, gives more flexibility to JPA hints, which can be disabled, enabled, and the warning level changed.
HTML5
Android 4.4 WebKit debugging is supported for Cordova 3.3+. New Karma Test Runner support and new Grunt Build support. Avatar.js is available on Plugin Manager via Tools Additions. After installation, you can create Avatar.js projects.
Java
JDK 8 support: Tool and editor improvements for working with profiles, Lambdas, and Streams. Java SE Embedded support for deploying, running, debugging, or identifying Java SE applications on an embedded device, such as a Raspberry PI, directly from the application’s IDE. Java ME Embedded 8 support.
Platform
Improved Windows flexibility, such as drag-and-drop editor splitting, and a new API for customizing editor tabs. Redesigned UI for managing project groups. Files in folders can be sorted by extension.
Exceptional performance
New Maven chart layout switcher. Navigator displays POM goals and improves Maven performance when restarting web applications. Improved Maven performance for “applying code changes” when fixing errors.
Improvement and development
Profiler Optimizations: A profile on embedded platforms, displaying the thread acquisition screen for concurrency locking and improved threading. Release Improvements: Support for professional versions of Subversion 1.8, various Git improvements, and Mercurial support. Task boards and other new features in the task tracking window for errors.
PHP
Support for PHP 5.5. Improvements to Twig, Latte, and Neon. A composer powered by a new project wizard.
C/C++
New Breadcrumbs feature for navigating the editor. A new GDB controller to enable the use of GDB command-line mode. New tips and finished code. Improved remote performance. Download the Net Beans IDE offline installer setup!
📌 Note : Requires the Java Development Kit.
✔️ Also available for Linux / macOS / Solaris.
How Apache NetBeans Empowers Developers
Streamlined development workflow
It provides a unified environment for development, debugging, and deployment. It eliminates the need for developers to switch between multiple tools, making their workflow more efficient. By providing all the necessary features in a single IDE, it allows developers to focus on writing code and delivering high-quality applications.
Improved productivity
The IDE’s intelligent code-editing features significantly increase productivity. With code completion, developers can save time by having the IDE automatically suggest code snippets and methods based on context. The IDE’s powerful refactoring tools make it easy to modify code structures without introducing errors, further improving productivity.
Collaboration and community support
Being an open-source project, it has a vibrant and active community. Developers can ask for help, share their knowledge, and collaborate with other developers through forums, mailing lists, and social media. This supportive community ensures that developers can get help and guidance when they face challenges during their development journey.
Continuous improvement and innovation
Benefits from the continuous improvement efforts of its community and the Apache Software Foundation. Regular updates and releases ensure the IDE stays up to date with the latest technologies and frameworks. Developers can take advantage of new features and improvements, keeping their development experience cutting-edge and future-proof.
Integration with tools and frameworks
Integrates with popular tools and frameworks, further enhancing its capabilities. It supports integration with version control systems like Git, allowing developers to efficiently manage their source code. The IDE also supports popular Java frameworks such as JavaFX, Spring, and Hibernate, simplifying the Java application development process.
Vast ecosystem of plugins
The plugin ecosystem is vast and diverse. Developers can customize their IDE by installing plugins that meet their specific needs. Whether it’s additional language support, framework-specific tools, or code generators, the plugin ecosystem offers a wide range of options.
Developers can easily discover and install plugins directly from the IDE, extending its functionality according to their needs.
Documentation and learning resources
Provides comprehensive documentation and learning resources to help developers get started and master the IDE. The official website offers tutorials, guides, and a rich knowledge base covering various aspects.
Additionally, numerous online communities, blogs, and video tutorials created by the user community provide valuable information, tips, and tricks to help you take full advantage of the IDE’s potential.
Continuous testing and quality assurance
Testing and ensuring the quality of software applications are crucial aspects of the development process. It includes built-in support for testing frameworks, such as JUnit, allowing developers to write and run unit tests seamlessly.
The IDE provides real-time feedback, highlighting test failures and errors, and helping developers quickly identify and fix issues. This integration with testing frameworks promotes a test-driven development approach and contributes to the overall quality of the codebase.
Cross-platform compatibility
It is designed to be cross-platform compatible, supporting major operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. Developers can use the IDE on their preferred platform without compromising functionality or performance. This flexibility ensures that developers can work in an environment that suits their preferences and improves their overall development experience.
Switching from NetBeans
For developers who used the original NetBeans IDE, the transition to Apache NetBeans is a seamless process. The core features and familiar interface retain the essence of the original NetBeans IDE while introducing new enhancements and improvements.
The transition allows developers to continue leveraging their existing knowledge and skills while benefiting from the latest updates and the active Apache community.

Conclusion
Apache NetBeans is an exceptional IDE that allows developers to benefit from its robust features, versatility, and open source nature. From its multilingual support and intelligent code-editing capabilities to advanced debugging tools and a vast plugin ecosystem, it provides a comprehensive development environment for developers of all skill levels.
With a focus on streamlining workflows, improving productivity, and fostering collaboration, Apache NetBeans is a valuable tool in the modern developer’s arsenal. Whether you’re a Java developer, a web developer, or working with other programming languages, it’s a powerful and free choice that can elevate your development experience to new heights. So why wait? Start exploring the possibilities today!
Technical Details
Software name: Apache NetBeans
- Category: Utility Tools
- License: Open Source
- Version: latest
- File size: 194 MB
- Kernel: 32/64-bits
- Operating systems: All Windows, Mac, and Linux systems
- Languages: Multilanguage
- Developer: Apache Software Foundation
- Official site: netbeans.apache.org
Download Apache NetBeans Free 2025