Link copied to clipboard # NetBeans vs Visual Studio Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/netbeans/visual-studio/export.csv) NetBeansVisual Studio[+ Add Product](#) Reviews **NetBeans** [ 4.2/5(673) ](https://www.g2.com/products/netbeans/reviews#reviews) **Visual Studio** [ 4.5/5(4,008) ](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews#reviews) Pricing **NetBeans** No pricing available **Visual Studio** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **NetBeans** 3 months Based on 22 responses **Visual Studio** 3 months Based on 44 responses Return on Investment **NetBeans** 12 months Based on 14 responses **Visual Studio** 12 months Based on 40 responses Perceived Cost **NetBeans** $$$$$ **Visual Studio** $$$$$ Average Discount **NetBeans** 6% **Visual Studio** 14%8% more Pros & Cons **NetBeans** [ Cross-Platform Compatibility (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/netbeans/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2434371&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Ease of Use (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/netbeans/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2434377&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) **Visual Studio** [ Ease of Use (194) ](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1778394&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Features (173) ](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1778921&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Slow Performance (141) ](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1777886&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ High Resource Consumption (84) ](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1777843&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **NetBeans** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_e4ae003c4d9b2b7615189af32032183d/git.png "Product Avatar Image") Git ](https://www.g2.com/products/git/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/netbeans/integrations) **Visual Studio** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_5a7938ffd6497884772dc39786f9e1e2/adobe-analytics.png "Product Avatar Image") Adobe Analytics ](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-analytics/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_92678e42a1cad1b80e7d257e3636e25e/android-studio.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Android Studio ](https://www.g2.com/products/android-studio/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_dbc216204b9197e5c0a1b6ac81e9b7e1/azure-devops-server.png "Product Avatar Image") Azure DevOps Server ](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-devops-server/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-functions.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Azure Functions ](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-functions/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/integrations) Screenshots **NetBeans** ![NetBeans screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/20658/uploads_2Fe629765a-b346-4b5a-a66a-c672cf15ff27_2Fcode_editing.png) **Visual Studio** ![Visual Studio screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/20653/uploads_2Fd08cf40a-35bd-4c8e-87de-d117cd10b517_2FIC798331.png) Ratings Meets Requirements **NetBeans** 8.5 8.5609 **Visual Studio** 9.1 9.13,226 Ease of Use **NetBeans** 8.5 8.5611 **Visual Studio** 8.7 8.73,249 Ease of Setup **NetBeans** 8.5 8.5108 **Visual Studio** 8.7 8.7911 Ease of Admin **NetBeans** 8.4 8.4104 **Visual Studio** 8.5 8.5567 Quality of Support **NetBeans** 7.8 7.8523 **Visual Studio** 8.4 8.42,810 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **NetBeans** 8.1 8.185 **Visual Studio** 8.8 8.8531 Product Direction (% positive) **NetBeans** 7.4 7.4598 **Visual Studio** 8.9 8.93,124 Features C/C++ Integrated Development Environments (IDE)[Hide 7 FeaturesShow 7 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.5 60 8.8 576 Functionality Ease of Use 8.9 42 9.1(won by 0.2) 515 File Management 8.6 42 8.9(won by 0.3) 508 Multi-Language Support 8.5 41 8.9(won by 0.4) 470 Customization 8.2 41 8.8(won by 0.6) 496 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) Straight-Out-the-Box Functionality 8.5 41 8.8(won by 0.3) 495 Help Guides 8.3 41 8.7(won by 0.4) 497 Patching & Updates 8.3 41 8.7(won by 0.4) 492 Application Development Platforms[Hide 57 FeaturesShow 57 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data 8.9 471 Additional Functionality Continuous Integration Not enough data Not enough data Drag & Drop Not enough data Not enough data Backup and Recovery Not enough data Not enough data Multiple Programming Languages Supported Not enough data Not enough data Continuous Deployment Not enough data Not enough data Code Development Not enough data Not enough data For No-Code Development Not enough data Not enough data Version Control Not enough data Not enough data Configurable Workflow Not enough data Not enough data Graphical User Interface Not enough data Not enough data For Low-Code Development Not enough data Not enough data Activity Dashboard Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data UI Prototyping Not enough data Not enough data Source Control Not enough data Not enough data Software Development Not enough data Not enough data API Not enough data Not enough data Data Import/Export Not enough data Not enough data Web App Development Not enough data Not enough data Custom Development Not enough data Not enough data Code Repository Integration Not enough data Not enough data Data Security Not enough data Not enough data Mobile Development Not enough data Not enough data Access Controls/Permissions Not enough data Not enough data Game Development Not enough data Not enough data Collaboration Tools Not enough data Not enough data Application Security Not enough data Not enough data Alerts/Notifications Not enough data Not enough data Automated Testing Not enough data Not enough data Integrated Development Environment Not enough data Not enough data Offline Access Not enough data Not enough data Debugging Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Reporting/Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Compatibility Testing Not enough data Not enough data Pre-built Templates Not enough data Not enough data Third-Party Integrations Not enough data Not enough data Data Modeling Not enough data Not enough data Customizable Branding Not enough data Not enough data Data Visualization Not enough data Not enough data Code Editing Not enough data Not enough data Functionality Ease of Use Not enough data 9.1(won by default) 431 File Management Not enough data 9.1(won by default) 407 Multi-Language Support Not enough data 9.0(won by default) 383 Customization Not enough data 9.0(won by default) 409 Straight-Out-the-Box Functionality Not enough data 8.7(won by default) 391 Help Guides Not enough data 8.7(won by default) 393 Patching & Updates Not enough data 8.9(won by default) 398 Workflow Management Not enough data Not enough data Change Management Not enough data Not enough data Deployment Management Not enough data Not enough data Performance Management Not enough data Not enough data Compliance Management Not enough data Not enough data Lifecycle Management Not enough data Not enough data Task Management Not enough data Not enough data Document Management Not enough data Not enough data Database Support Not enough data Not enough data PHP Integrated Development Environments (IDE)[Hide 7 FeaturesShow 7 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.2 70 Not enough data Functionality Ease of Use 8.7(won by default) 55 Not enough data File Management 8.4(won by default) 51 Not enough data Multi-Language Support 8.3(won by default) 52 Not enough data Customization 7.6(won by default) 53 Not enough data Straight-Out-the-Box Functionality 8.1(won by default) 55 Not enough data Help Guides 8.2(won by default) 55 Not enough data Patching & Updates 8.1(won by default) 53 Not enough data .NET Integrated Development Environments (IDE)[Hide 19 FeaturesShow 19 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data 8.8 954 Functionality Ease of Use Not enough data 9.1(won by default) 851 File Management Not enough data 9.0(won by default) 822 Multi-Language Support Not enough data 8.9(won by default) 737 Customization Not enough data 8.7(won by default) 813 Straight-Out-the-Box Functionality Not enough data 8.7(won by default) 800 Help Guides Not enough data 8.6(won by default) 787 Patching & Updates Not enough data 8.7(won by default) 794 Deployment Management Not enough data Not enough data Additional Functionality Code Development Not enough data Not enough data Debugging Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data Game Development Not enough data Not enough data Web/Mobile App Development Not enough data Not enough data Data Modeling Not enough data Not enough data For Developers Not enough data Not enough data Code Editing Not enough data Not enough data Website Development Not enough data Not enough data Graphical User Interface Not enough data Not enough data Mobile Development Platforms[Hide 3 FeaturesShow 3 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data 8.6 53 Agentic AI - Mobile Development Platforms Adaptive Learning Not enough data 8.7(won by default) 40 Natural Language Interaction Not enough data 8.5(won by default) 40 Proactive Assistance Not enough data 8.5(won by default) 41 User Insights Reviewers' Company Size [![NetBeans](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565581/netbeans.svg "NetBeans")](https://www.g2.com/products/netbeans/reviews) NetBeans Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 44.5% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 30.7% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 24.7% [![Visual Studio](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/646c72569089375221819d6efbe819a0/visual-studio.svg "Visual Studio")](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews) Visual Studio Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 36.1% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 32.0% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 32.0% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 44.5% 36.1% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 30.7% 32.0% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 24.7% 32.0% Reviewers' Industry [![NetBeans](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565581/netbeans.svg "NetBeans")](https://www.g2.com/products/netbeans/reviews) NetBeans Computer Software 33.5% Information Technology and Services 22.2% Internet 4.6% Higher Education 4.6% Program Development 3.7% Other 31.4% [![Visual Studio](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/646c72569089375221819d6efbe819a0/visual-studio.svg "Visual Studio")](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews) Visual Studio Computer Software 31.1% Information Technology and Services 22.6% Higher Education 2.9% Financial Services 2.6% Internet 2.2% Other 38.7% FAQs ## NetBeans vs Visual Studio FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between NetBeans vs Visual Studio? Visual Studio stands out for its higher reviewer satisfaction, broader feature set, and stronger support scores compared to NetBeans. | [NetBeans](https://www.g2.com/products/netbeans/reviews) | [Visual Studio](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.2/5 (675 reviews) | 4.5/5 (4004 reviews) | | Small-Business | Small-Business | | 8.5 | 8.7 | | 7.8 | 8.4 | | Cross-Platform Compatibility | IntelliSense and Debugging Tools | ### How do the pricing models of NetBeans and Visual Studio compare? Visual Studio is rated as the stronger value by reviewers, with a higher satisfaction score on price and cost-related dimensions. - **NetBeans:** In recent reviews, many highlight that NetBeans is free and open source, making it attractive for cost-conscious buyers. - **Visual Studio:** Reviewers appreciate the value provided by Visual Studio, especially the free Community edition and the extensive features available even at no cost for individual users and students. ### What are the best alternatives to NetBeans and Visual Studio? Xcode, Eclipse, and Visual Studio are the top alternatives to NetBeans, with Eclipse and Xcode leading the G2 alternatives ranking. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [NetBeans](https://www.g2.com/products/netbeans/reviews) | 4.2/5 (675 reviews) | Small-Business | Free and open source | Cross-Platform Compatibility | | [Visual Studio](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews) | 4.5/5 (4004 reviews) | Small-Business | Free Community edition available | IntelliSense and Debugging Tools | | [Xcode](https://www.g2.com/products/xcode/reviews) | 4.2/5 (1039 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Apple ecosystem integration | | [Eclipse](https://www.g2.com/products/eclipse/reviews) | 4.3/5 (3221 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Extensive plugin ecosystem | ### Which C/C++ Integrated Development Environments (IDE) features should I prioritize when comparing NetBeans and Visual Studio? Buyers should prioritize ease of use, integrations, debugging tools, cross-platform compatibility, and plugin support when comparing NetBeans and Visual Studio. - **Ease of Use:** NetBeans scores 8.5, Visual Studio scores 8.7. - **Integrations:** NetBeans is cited for Git integration (63 all-time mentions); Visual Studio is cited for Git (587 all-time mentions) and GitHub (168 all-time mentions). - **Debugging Tools:** Visual Studio is frequently praised for its advanced debugging and IntelliSense features; NetBeans is noted for built-in debugging capabilities. - **Cross-Platform Compatibility:** NetBeans is cited for cross-platform support (1 all-time mention); Visual Studio is primarily Windows-centric in recent reviews. - **Plugin Support:** NetBeans is noted for plugin extensibility (1 all-time mention); Visual Studio is praised for its extensive extension ecosystem in recent reviews. ### What are the pros and cons of NetBeans vs Visual Studio? NetBeans is strongest for cross-platform compatibility and ease of use, while Visual Studio excels in advanced debugging, IntelliSense, and integrations. - **NetBeans strengths:** Cross-platform compatibility (1 all-time mention), ease of use (1 all-time mention), easy integrations (1 all-time mention), plugin support (1 all-time mention), user interface (1 all-time mention). - **NetBeans trade-offs:** Reviewers note high memory consumption, slower performance on large projects, and an older UI design. - **Visual Studio strengths:** IntelliSense and debugging tools, extensive extension ecosystem, strong Git and GitHub integration, advanced project management, and support for multiple languages. - **Visual Studio trade-offs:** Reviewers cite high resource usage, slower startup times, and a complex interface that can be overwhelming for beginners. ### Is NetBeans or Visual Studio better for small businesses? Visual Studio is the better fit for small businesses, supported by its higher satisfaction scores and strong small-business reviewer sentiment. - **NetBeans:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers appreciate its free, open-source model and cross-platform support. - **Visual Studio:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers highlight the free Community edition, ease of use, and robust feature set as advantages for small teams. ### Which C/C++ Integrated Development Environments (IDE) platform has better integrations? Visual Studio is favored for integrations, with higher reviewer-cited integration counts and broader tool support. - **NetBeans:** Git integration is mentioned in 63 reviews. - **Visual Studio:** Git integration is mentioned in 587 reviews, and GitHub integration in 168 reviews. ### How do NetBeans and Visual Studio compare on customer support? Visual Studio leads NetBeans on Quality of Support by 0.6 points, a material difference per the Delta Rule. - **NetBeans:** Reviewers describe support as generally helpful but note slower response times and limited community resources. - **Visual Studio:** Reviewers consistently praise support quality, citing extensive documentation, community resources, and responsive assistance. ### Which is easier to implement, NetBeans or Visual Studio? Visual Studio and NetBeans are at parity on Ease of Setup, both scoring within 0.2 points of each other. - **NetBeans:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward, with easy installation and configuration, especially for Java projects. - **Visual Studio:** Reviewers highlight an easy initial setup process, guided installation, and clear onboarding, with some noting the large installation size. Alternatives **NetBeans Alternatives** ![Eclipse](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/99f6b354a419d817b55329e62b0ea83f/eclipse.svg "Eclipse") [ Eclipse ](/products/eclipse/reviews) ![Xcode](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565953/xcode.svg "Xcode") [ Xcode ](/products/xcode/reviews) ![IntelliJ IDEA](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/345cf3094b01131abf0d6608092205fa/intellij-idea.svg "IntelliJ IDEA") [ IntelliJ IDEA ](/products/intellij-idea/reviews) ![PhpStorm](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/b75eefced2e32ffef4eac1d0f54e6c8d/phpstorm.svg "PhpStorm") [ PhpStorm ](/products/phpstorm/reviews) **Visual Studio Alternatives** ![Xcode](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565953/xcode.svg "Xcode") [ Xcode ](/products/xcode/reviews) ![Eclipse](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/99f6b354a419d817b55329e62b0ea83f/eclipse.svg "Eclipse") [ Eclipse ](/products/eclipse/reviews) ![Android Studio](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487566603/android-studio.jpg "Android Studio") [ Android Studio ](/products/android-studio/reviews) ![AWS Cloud9](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476507/aws-cloud9.svg "AWS Cloud9") [ AWS Cloud9 ](/products/aws-cloud9/reviews)