The most useful thing about IntelliJ IDEA is its excellent code intelligence and developer-friendly interface. Its smart code completion, navigation, debugging, refactoring, and error detection make development much faster and easier, especially for Java and Spring Boot projects. I also find its integrations with Git, Maven/Gradle, databases, testing frameworks, and other development tools very convenient because most of my workflow can be managed from one place. Performance is generally good for large projects, although it can use more system resources than lightweight editors. The pricing is reasonable for professional development because the productivity benefits can justify the cost, while the free options are useful for learning and basic development. The documentation, community, and built-in guidance also make onboarding easier. Its AI features are another useful addition for code generation, explanations, debugging, and refactoring. Overall, IntelliJ IDEA is a powerful IDE that significantly improves productivity and is particularly valuable for professional Java development. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The main downside of IntelliJ IDEA is that it can feel heavy and use more RAM compared to lightweight editors like VS Code. Some features can also take time to learn, especially for beginners. The paid Ultimate version may be expensive for individual users, and some advanced features require a subscription. While its integrations and AI features are useful, they can sometimes feel overwhelming. Overall, it is powerful, but it may be more than necessary for small or simple projects. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.